Good News (REC)
The Feast of the Ascension (Mark 16:15-20)
This weekend we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension, when Jesus was taken to heaven on the fortieth day after Easter.
If we were to read this passage literally, we would believe that to be a Christian one had to be able to perform exorcisms, speak in tongues, handle snakes, drink poison and heal by touch. If this were literally true, I guess there wouldn’t be too many Christians around today! Rather, the purpose of the passage is that Jesus sends his followers out ‘to the whole world’ to continue his ministry. It is the ‘whole world’ to which they are sent; not just their cosy little corner of the world but the whole world. It’s what Christian people for the last 2,000 years have been called to do: continue Jesus’ ministry to the whole world. It’s what each and every one of us is called to do today: ‘proclaim the Good News to all creation’. That doesn’t mean standing on street corners with a Bible in our hands but it means proclaiming the Good News through our everyday actions and by being open and honest about our faith. It means treating all people as Jesus would.
Francis of Assisi is credited with saying, ‘Preach the gospel at all times and when necessary, use words!’ In every interaction we have we say so much about who we are, what we think of the other person and what we believe – even without opening our mouth. Our actions and attitudes proclaim our beliefs more powerfully than our words ever do. If we claim to be concerned about justice and yet behave unjustly then it is our actions, not our words, that will be heard! When we are called to ‘proclaim the Good News’ we are called to do this first and foremost in action. (reflection from Greg Sunter)
This week as a family, discuss how your actions reflect what you believe. Are there certain situations that you find harder than others to 'walk the talk'. Share with your children these struggles and how you face them so they to can undertsand their own development of faith and truly living the way of the gospels, treating people like Jesus would.
CONFIRMATION
Thank you to those familes who have completed the registration process on QkR! as well as filled out the google doc in regards to which Mass your child will receive the Sacrmament of Confirmation. A reminder that the second set of commitment masses are coming up next weekend at 6pm on Saturday 22nd May and 8.30am Sunday 23rd May. The home program also needs to be completed at this time.
A white card will be emailed to families to fill in with your child's Saint and Sponsor details as well as other information needed for the Sacrament at the end of this week. This card needs to be completed and returned via email to sharee.thomas@cg.catholic.edu.au no later than Friday 4th June. If you would prefer to hand write this informaiton, please email me and I will send home a 'hardcopy' of the form with your child.
Have a great week!