Jesus spent most of his ministry living with those on the edges of society. He ate, wept, healed, prayed and celebrated life with those whom society cast aside, lepers, adulterers, tax collectors and those with mental illness. These ‘edges’ were places of transformation, a result of encountering the presence of God revealed in the compassion of Jesus and his disciples. We are also called to move towards those who find themselves marginalised and become part of the transformative effect of sharing God’s love. What does this look like today?
Pope Francis says, “It is time to act, and in Lent, to act also means to pause. To pause in prayer, in order to receive the word of God, to pause like the Samaritan in the presence of a wounded brother or sister. Love of God and love of neighbour are one love. For this reason, prayer, almsgiving and fasting are not three unrelated acts, but a single movement of openness and self-emptying. Then the atrophied and isolated heart will revive. Slow down, then, and pause! The contemplative dimension of life that Lent helps us to rediscover will release new energies.”
Father Timothy Radcliffe will share his experiences of living on the edges of society at An Evening of Dialogue on 13 March from 7.00 - 8.30pm at Marist College Canberra.Book today to secure your place at this free event with a world class speaker and author who recently delivered a three-day retreat for the Pope and Cardinals in the Synod on Synodality. Click here to discover more about An Evening of Dialogue.
Nathan Ahearne
Assistant Head of School - Mission and Identity