Our Lady of the Rosary Parish
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Church
    • Site Map
    • Gift Centre
    • LakeSea Apartments
  • Mass & Devotions
    • Divine Mercy
    • God the Father
    • Immaculate Heart of Mary
    • Prayers >
      • Stations of the Cross
      • Divine Mercy Novena
      • Our Lady of Sorrows
      • Holy Spirit Novena
  • Sacraments
    • How to become a Catholic
    • Baptism
    • Sacramental Programme
    • Weddings
    • For the Sick
    • Funerals
  • Join in
    • Social Groups
    • Spiritual Groups
    • Apostolic
    • Volunteer work
  • Blogs
    • Reflections for the Week
  • News & Events
    • Christmas
    • Holy Week & Easter
    • Photo Gallery
  • Safeguarding
  • Favourites
  • Contact
    • Contact Directory
    • FAQ

Deacon Brian - 5th Sunday of Easter

30/4/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
Back in the mid 1800’s a prominent artist,  and creative engraver, illustrator and sculptor, who worked mainly in wood and  steel engravings, was Paul Gustave Dore. Once he lost his passport when  travelling through Europe. When he came to a border crossing he explained his  problem to one of the guards.

When he gave his name to the official, Dore  hoped he’d be recognised and allowed to pass, but the guard, said that many  people tried to cross the border by claiming to be someone else. Dore insisted  that he was the man he claimed to be. "All right," said the official, "we'll  give you a test, and if you pass it we'll allow you to go through." Handing him  a pencil and a sheet of paper, he told the artist to sketch several peasants  standing nearby. Dore did it so quickly and skilfully that the guard was  convinced he was indeed who he claimed to be. His action confirmed his
identity.

Christians have always had the problem of how to tell the world who  they are. During some times in history, and still in some places in the world,  uniforms have played a very important role in announcing our identity to the  world. Think of the various uniforms of the various religious orders of  consecrated life, which distinguish consecrated people not only from ordinary  Christians but also from one another according to their orders. Remember the  blue capes and white veils of the Legion of Mary, and the red badges for the  Sacred Heart Sodality.

In the Independent churches of Africa members usually  wear uniforms in the form of white flowing gowns, with headgear and sashes of  different colours to distinguish members according to their various ranks. In  the mainline churches, however, the use of uniforms or habits has become less  popular. In these churches Shakespeare’s words “the hood does not make a monk"  from his play Measure for Measure, have been taken more seriously.

The quest  for uniforms, habits, badges, banners and pinups designed to distinguish  believers from non-believers does indeed have its place in the celebration of  who we are.- a bit like the medals worn on Anzac Day to distinguish those who  have had military service, and those who had family members who had served and  were now deceased from those who had not had military service at all.

We are  symbolic beings who need to express our faith in symbolic ways. Jesus himself  wrestled with the question of how to distinguish his followers from the  non-believers around them. But his prescription goes much farther than external  habits and uniforms. For Jesus the essential mark of distinction between  Christians and non-Christians is not in the way we dress but in the way we  live.

I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have  loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you  are my disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:34-5).

Love is  the Christian identity. Love is the Christian uniform. Love is the Christian  habit. If you are wearing the habit of love, you are in. If you are not wearing  love as a habit, you are out.

Jesus wants the world to recognise us as  Christians. We need to evangelise and witness to people around us. But effective  evangelisation and witnessing has less to do with how fluently we speak and more  to do with how faithfully we live. In the evangelisation of Africa, many  missionary groups came early and focussed on making converts. Others came later  but focussed on service to the people, providing needed medical care and  essential education.  These latter groups succeeded where the earlier  groups failed.

Words are only a small part of our witnessing for Christ. As  St Francis of Assisi told his friars, "Preach the gospel at all times and use  words if necessary."

Once, the great Mahatma Gandhi was asked about his view  of Christianity he said, “I have a great respect for Christianity. I often read  the Sermon on the Mount and have gained much from it. I know of no one who has
done more for humanity than Jesus. In fact, there is nothing wrong with  Christianity, but the trouble is with you Christians, you do not begin to live  up to your own teachings.”  What he said could show us what is probably
keeping two-thirds of the world away from the Good News of Christianity:

The  greatest homage we can pay to the Christian faith is to live in such a way that  through us people begin to have a glimpse of the unbounded and unconditional  love that God has shown us in Christ.

Dear friends, Jesus said, “I give you a  new commandment: Love one another - as I have loved you." He showed his love in  many different ways, and we must do this too. We show our Christian love through  caring and sharing with the poor, the needy and those alone by themselves, and  by visiting the sick and the neglected.  If you’re not doing this- are you  REALLY showing Christ’s love to our neighbour?

May God bless you as you think  about your answer?
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Our Lady of the Rosary Parish

    Archives

    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    July 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013

    Categories

    All
    Abandoned
    Abba
    Abuse
    Accepted
    Accidents
    Accused
    Action
    Active
    Acts
    Adoption
    Adultery
    Advent
    Advice
    Advocate
    Affirmation
    Afraid
    Afterlife
    Agony
    Almsgiving
    Alpha And Omega
    Ambition
    Ambitious
    Angel
    Angels
    Anger
    Annulment
    Anoints
    Answers
    ANZAC
    Apocalyptic
    Apostles
    Appearances
    Approval
    Argument
    Ascension
    Assurance
    Attack
    Attitude
    Attitudes
    Australian
    Authority
    Avarice
    Awake
    Awareness
    Awe
    Babies
    Backwards
    Banquet
    Baptise
    Baptised
    Baptises
    Baptism
    Barren
    Barrier
    Basilica
    Battle
    Beatitudes
    Beginnings
    Behaviour
    Belief
    Believe
    Believed
    Believers
    Believes
    Believing
    Beloved
    Benefit
    Bethlehem
    Better
    Birth
    Birthday
    Bless
    Blessed
    Blessed Sacrament
    Blessing
    Blind
    Blindness
    Blood
    Blood Of Christ
    Boats
    Body
    Body Of Christ
    Bonding
    Boxes
    Branches
    Bread
    Bread Of Life
    Breaking Bread
    Breath
    Bridegroom
    Brother
    Brothers
    Build
    Burden
    Caesar
    Call
    Calling
    Cana
    Canaanite
    Care
    Catch-cry
    Catholic
    Celebrate
    Celebrating
    Celibacy
    Chaff
    Challenge
    Challenged
    Chances
    Change
    Characteristics
    Charities
    Charity
    Children
    Choice
    Choices
    Choir
    Chosen
    Chosen One
    Christ
    Christian
    Christians
    Christmas
    Church
    Cleansing
    Coin
    Comfort
    Coming
    Commandments
    Commissioned
    Commissioning
    Commitment
    Communion
    Community
    Comng
    Compassion
    Compassionate
    Complaining
    Conceived
    Concerns
    Condemn
    Condemnation
    Confess
    Confession
    Confirmation
    Conflict
    Confronting
    Conscience
    Consecrated
    Consecration
    Consoled
    Consoling
    Consumerism
    Contemplative
    Control
    Controlling
    Conversed
    Conversion
    Converted
    Corpus Christi
    Courage
    Covenant
    Creation
    Creator
    Cross
    Crowd
    Crucifix
    Crucifixion
    Darkness
    David
    Deacon
    Dead
    Death
    Debtors
    Deceive
    Deeds
    Defense
    Dependency
    Descendant
    Descended
    Desert
    Deserved
    Despair
    Desperation
    Despised
    Destiny
    Destitute
    Destruction
    Die
    Difficult
    Dignity
    Direction
    Directions
    Disasters
    Disbelief
    Discernment
    Disciple
    Disciples
    Disciples]
    Discipleship
    Discrimination
    Dishonest
    Disobey
    Dives
    Divine
    Divine Mercy
    Divinity
    Division
    Divorce
    Drunkenness
    Dying
    Earth
    Easter
    Elijah
    Emergency
    Encourage
    Encouraging
    End
    End Times
    Enemies
    Enemy
    Enraged
    Enthusiastic
    Epiphany
    Equality
    Eternal
    Eternal Life
    Eternity
    Etiquette
    Eucharist
    Evangelisation
    Evangelise
    Event
    Everywhere
    Evil
    Exalts
    Excess
    Exclusivism
    Existence
    Exodus
    Exorcising
    Expectation
    Expected
    Experience
    Fair
    Faith
    Faithful
    Faithfulness
    Family
    Farewell
    Fasting
    Father
    Fear
    Fearless
    Fear Of The Lord
    Feast
    Fig Tree
    Final Judgement
    Finds
    Fire
    First
    Fisherman
    Fishermen
    Flock
    Follow
    Followers
    Fool
    Foolish
    Foreigners
    Forever
    Forgive
    Forgiven
    Forgiveness
    Forgiving
    Free
    Fruit
    Fruitful
    Fruits
    Fulfilment
    Funeral
    Future
    Gateway
    Gaudete
    Gave
    Genealogy
    Generous
    Gentiles
    Gentleness
    Gift
    Gifts
    Give
    Glory
    Goats
    God
    Good
    Goodness
    Good News
    Good Works
    Gospel
    Grace
    Greatest
    Greedy
    Grieving
    Grumbling
    Guests
    Happiness
    Happy
    Hard Hearted
    Hardships
    Harvest
    Healing
    Hear
    Heart
    Heaven
    Hebrew
    Hell
    Hell-fire
    Help
    Heritage
    Herod
    Holiness
    Holy Souls
    Holy Spirit
    Holy Spirit
    Honest
    Honour
    Hope
    Hopes
    Host
    Hour
    House
    Human
    Humble
    Humiliation
    Humilitate
    Humility
    Hunger
    Identity
    Idleness
    Image
    Imitate
    Improving
    Impulsive
    Incarnation
    Indifference
    Infinite Love
    Injustice
    Inspiration
    Inspired
    Instructing
    Intentions
    Intercession
    International Women's Day
    Invitation
    Invitations
    Invited
    Irony
    Isolated
    Jealousy
    Jesus
    Jewish
    Jews
    Johannine
    John
    John The Baptist
    Joseph
    Journey
    Joy
    Judas
    Judge
    Judged
    Judgement
    Judgment
    Justice
    Keys Of Peter
    Keys Of The Kingdom
    Kindness
    King
    Kingdom
    Kingdom Of God
    Kingship
    Knocks
    Knowledge
    Labour
    Labourers
    Lamb
    Lamb Of God
    Last Supper
    Law
    Leaders
    Leadership
    Lent
    Leper
    Lesson
    Lessons
    Levites
    Liberation
    Life
    Life After Death
    Life-giving
    Light
    Listen
    Listening
    Living Water
    Living Waters
    Loaves & Fishes
    Look
    Love
    Loving
    Loyal
    Mad
    Magi
    Magisterium
    Majesty
    Manifestation
    Manna
    Mark
    Marriage
    Mary
    Master
    Material
    Materialism
    Materially
    Matthew
    Meaning
    Mediatrix
    Meditate
    Men
    Merciful
    Mercy
    Message
    Messages
    Messenger
    Messiah
    Metaphors
    Ministry
    Miracle
    Miracles
    Mission
    Missionary
    Mistake
    Moses
    Mother
    Motherhood
    Mother Of The Church
    Motivations
    Murder
    Mustard Seed
    Mystery
    Narrow Door
    Nature
    Negativity
    Neighbour
    Nets
    New Covenant
    New Law
    New Life
    New Rules
    New Year
    Nourishment
    Novena
    Obedience
    Obedient
    Observance
    Oil
    Old Testament
    Omission
    Oppressing
    Ordinary Time
    Ordination
    Orphans
    Paedophilia
    Pagan
    Parable
    Parables
    Paradise
    Parents
    Participate
    Partings
    Passion
    Passover
    Path
    Patience
    Peace
    Peacemakers
    Penitential
    Pentateuch
    Pentecost
    Perfect
    Persecuted
    Persecution
    Persevere
    Persistent
    Persons
    Pessimistic
    Peter
    Pharisees
    Physician
    Pilate
    Pilgrim
    Pity
    Plan
    Points
    Poor
    Poor In Spirit
    Pope
    Pope Francis
    Position
    Positivity
    Possessions
    Possible
    Poverty Of Spirit
    Power
    Powerful
    Praise
    Prayer
    Praying
    Preach
    Preached
    Preacher
    Preaching
    Precursor
    Prediction
    Preparation
    Prepare
    Prepared
    Prepares
    Presence
    Present
    Pressure
    Presuming
    Price
    Priceless
    Pride
    Priest
    Priests
    Priorities
    Problem
    Problem-free
    Proclaim
    Procrastinator
    Prodigal
    Promise
    Promised
    Promised Land
    Promises
    Prophecies
    Prophecy
    Prophesy
    Prophet
    Prophetic
    Prophets
    Proud
    Provide
    Providence
    Public Ministy
    Punishment
    Purgatory
    Purpose
    Question
    Questions
    Rabbi
    Radiant
    Radical
    Rcia
    Ready
    Reality
    Real Presence
    Rebuke
    Rebuked
    Reconcile
    Reconciliation
    Redemption
    Redemptive
    Reflect
    Refused
    Rejected
    Rejection
    Rejoice
    Relationship
    Relationships
    Religious
    Remain
    Remember
    Renewal
    Renounce
    Repent
    Repentance
    Repentant
    Repenting
    Resentment
    Resolution
    Respect
    Respect Women
    Respond
    Response
    Responsibility
    Rest
    Restitution
    Resurrection
    Reunion
    Revealed
    Reveals
    Revelation
    Revere
    Reverence
    Reviled
    Revolution
    Reward
    Rewards
    Rich
    Rights
    Risen
    Risen Jesus
    Role Model
    Rome
    Rundown
    Sacramental
    Sacraments
    Sacred
    Sacrifice
    Sadducees
    Saints
    Salt
    Salvation
    Salvation History
    Samaritan
    Samaritn
    Sanctification
    Satan
    Save
    Saved
    Saviour
    Scandalised
    Scared
    Scripture
    Season
    Second Chance
    Second Coming
    See
    Seed
    Seeds
    Self
    Self-control
    Self-deception
    Selfishness
    Sensual
    Sermon
    Serpent
    Servant
    Servanthood
    Servants
    Serve
    Served
    Service
    Serving
    Shalom
    Shame
    Share
    Sharing
    Sheep
    Sheepfold
    Shepherd
    Sign
    Signs
    Silence
    Silent
    Sin
    Sincere
    Sinful
    Sinfulness
    Sinned
    Sinners
    Sins
    Slave
    Small
    Social Injustice
    Solitude
    Son
    Son Of God
    Son Of Man
    Soul
    Sow
    Sower
    Spirit
    Spiritual
    Spiritual Gifts
    Spiritually
    Spiritual Path
    Stand
    Status
    Stay Awake
    Steward
    Storms
    Story Tellers
    Stray
    Striving
    Stubborn
    Stubbornness
    Stumbling Blocks
    Stumbling-blocks
    Success
    Succession
    Suffer
    Suffering
    Suffering Servant
    Supernatural
    Surrender
    Symbolic
    Symbolism
    Symbols
    Talent
    Talents
    Taught
    Tax Collectors
    Teach
    Teacher
    Teaches
    Teaching
    Temple
    Temptation
    Temptations
    Tempted
    Tenants
    Ten Bridesmaids
    Ten Commandments
    Terminator
    Tested
    Testing
    Thank
    Thanksgiving
    The Father
    The Holy Spirit
    The Kingdom
    The Lord
    The Lord
    Theologians
    The Son
    Thirst
    Three
    Tomb
    Torah
    Tradition
    Tragedies
    Transfiguration
    Transformation
    Transforming
    Trap
    Traps
    Treasure
    Trial
    Trials
    Tribulation
    Tribunals
    Trinity
    Troubled
    Trust
    Trusted
    Truth
    Truthfulness
    Typology
    Understand
    Understanding
    Unfaithful
    Unforgiveness
    Union
    United
    Uniting
    Vengeance
    Victim
    Victorious
    Vigilant
    Vine
    Vinedresser
    Vineyard
    Virgin
    Virtues
    Virtuous
    Vision
    Visitation
    Vocation
    Vocations
    Voice
    Volunteers
    Wage
    War
    Warning
    Watch
    Weaknesses
    Wedding
    Weed
    Welcome
    Wells
    Wheat
    Widow
    Wilderness
    Will
    Window Shoppers
    Winnowing-fan
    Wisdom
    Wise
    With Us
    Witness
    Witnesses
    Witnessing
    Word Of God
    Work
    Works
    World
    Worry
    Worship
    Worth
    Yes
    Yoke
    Zaccheus

    RSS Feed


About Our Lady of the Rosary

Since its inception in 1947 the parish has grown and today boasts one of the most beautiful and prayerful Churches in our Diocese. Substantially designed by Fr Reg Reynolds, the parish church caters for the permanent Catholic population as well as the many visitors who holiday here.

    Newsletter Sign-up

Submit





Site designed by Lisa O'Sullivan          

Our Location

Our Lady of the Rosary Parish
239-243 The Entrance Rd
THE ENTRANCE NSW 2261
T: +61-2-4332 2216
F: +61-2-4333 5344