Where  everyone cares and is cared for!

The readings of this Sunday remind us of our duty of caring for everyone. We must learn to be about our legitimate duty of care and service through prayer, love, and preaching of the word of God (cf Acts 6:1-7). We bear witness to ‘excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light’ (cf 1 Pt 2:4-9). Our Blessed Lord reassures us of his abiding presence. He tells us that, ‘…whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do because I am going to the Father’ (cf Jn 14:1-12). His work was that of showing the Father’s love to everyone, remembering especially those rejected and marginalised by society.

Beloved People of God, ‘the House of God’, ‘the Community of the Lord’s Faithful’, ‘the Family of God’, ‘the Church’ whether local, Universal, micro or macro, biological or ecclesial, ought to be a place where everyone cares and is cared for. We ought to look out for one another and this, in all aspects. We must care especially for the weak and the vulnerable, the poor, the marginalised, young and elderly, priests and laity alike. This is not an option. It is a duty of love. It is needed always, now more than ever before. 

As we mark SAFE GUARDING SUNDAY, our attention is being drawn to a different form of neglect that may be taking place in our time and in our local and Church communities. It may no longer be about neglecting the ‘widows’ in the traditional definition and understanding of the word. Let us now understand that those who need our care and support include the many who have lost or might never have had ‘protection’ and or ‘provision’, (the orphans and the widows of our time), those who have been abused and are wounded, those who are afraid, indeed, anyone who is vulnerable and therefore could be exposed to the danger of exploitation.

Fr Ted

All to Jesus – Through Mary our Mother