A Place of God's Grace
Undoubtedly one of the world’s greatest treasures must be the north stained rose window in the 800 year old Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Many of us have been fortunate to see the beautiful colours coming through this famous building and we all breathed a sigh of relief when much of the Cathedral, including the 13th century rose windows, survived the tragic fire in 2019.
The effect of light pouring through the stained glass was not simply decorative but meant to convey and heighten a sense of the divine pouring in from above. You certainly have a sense, while standing inside, you are in a place of God’s grace. The north rose window has the theme of the Old Testament prophecies being fulfilled and the central glass figure depicts Jesus Christ as a child with Mary.
It is unlikely Marcellin Champagnat ever visited Notre Dame Cathedral although the image of Christ, with Mary, at the centre of the window if very symbolic of his mission to make ‘Jesus known and loved.’ Last week the College community celebrated Champagnat Day with a Eucharist celebration in Marcellin Hall.
The day was a timely reminder to reflect on Marcellin’s dream to make Jesus known and loved in our world of increasingly individualism and superficiality. The great challenge for young people is to listen to Christ’s voice in the midst of so many others. Marcellin’s God was not an abstract God. He profoundly loved the humanity of God revealed in Jesus. He was convinced that in order to have a loving relationship with God he also needed to cultivate a loving relationship with others. Marcellin recognised the need for grace, compassion, acceptance and kindness in order to soften enough, to laugh, relax and hear the heartbeat of Christ. Marcellin instinctively knew that none of us can flourish without each other. The concept of being ‘other centred’ is at the very heart of what it is to be spiritual and epitomises many elements of Marist spirituality.
Marcellin and his Brothers understood that Jesus had taught them how to live well; how to create a life that would have profound meaning, joy and hope. A hope for our graduates is that they are committed to their faith, to not only be sensitive to Jesus, but that Jesus is present, through them; compassion, kindness, forgiveness, patience, gratitude, hospitality and joy. Their example will show what humanity looks like, so others see Jesus in them. This is what we mean to make Jesus known and loved. In doing this, Marist College Canberra, will continue to be a place of God’s grace.