This year, our Mercy Moments we will be honouring and acknowledging ordinary people doing extraordinary work to fulfil God’s mission in our world.
It is fitting that we celebrate the contributions of generations of open-hearted, inspiring, inclusive, and compassionate people who willingly gave of their time, passion and energy in prison visitation, homelessness support, disability and refugee advocacy, street outreach services, and established ministries in the poorest corners of our nation.
The Gospel call of care, compassion and community has built a strong and resilient nation. The achievements, just within the Catholic community are amazing – the mission work of Mary MacKillop rsj, Ellen Whitty rsm, Caroline Chisholm, Ursula Frayne rsm, Eileen O’Connor olnp, Mary John Cahill rsc, Mary John Baptist de Lacy rsc, Ted McGrath is the tip of the iceberg of faithfulness and benevolence in our country.
The same Gospel call of Matthew to care for the least:…for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me. (Matt 25:35-37) is still being lived out today, often in the most humble ways.
As the news media continues to exaggerate the negative, sensationalise tragedy and offer misleading crisis communication and the narrow focus of our own social media feeds consolidate these adverse effects, the real work of the Gospel lives on.
As Pope Francis, on World Mission Day 2022, reminded us,
…it was no coincidence that the Lord Jesus sent his disciples out on mission in pairs; the witness of Christians to Christ is primarily communitarian in nature. Hence, in carrying out the mission, the presence of a community, regardless of its size, is of fundamental importance.
Let’s be counter-cultural in our narratives highlighting and celebrating our mission work and looking for ways that our ministries and communities, can share in the stories of compassion and hope for our world.
The Australian of the Year Awards slogan reads: Reflect. Respect. Celebrate. May our focus be on the brave, courageous, determined and inspirational people who make a positive difference in the world. Congratulations to tennis player Dylan Alcott, who was named 2022 Australian of the Year for his work as a disability advocate and congratulations to Anne Hetherington, the inaugural Chairperson of Mercy Partners, who has received an OAM for service to the Catholic Church of Australia.
Finally, may the words of Pope Francis enliven our call to mission, “the same Spirit who guides the universal Church also inspires ordinary men and women for extraordinary missions.” Holy Spirit light our way!
Reflection
Who in your ministry is mission focussed and gospel-led? Would you like to nominate them, we’d love to share their story.
