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Reflection By Deacon Mark Kelly, College Chaplin, Marist Sion College
Perspective
Science reveals the universe to be about 13.8 billion years old. Which puts into perspective the few million years of life on our little planet and our own lives. Those of us who were there know just how much life has changed since mid-twentieth century when our milk and bread deliveries arrived by horse and cart, there was no TV and telephones were what the wealthy people down the road had in their homes. Nonetheless, whatever our age, this 21st century of frenetic electronic pace is “our time.” Change is the only constant. Once seemingly invariable aspects of our world have disappeared without trace and others were held in the balance while the pandemic raged.
What is there to rely on? Well: Jesus! “The only thing that will stand is the Word of Jesus, the command of Jesus that we love one another as he has loved us.” (Moloney, F. p201).
“One of the truths that burns at the heart of evolution is our kinship with Creation, with nature, with stars and with planets, with the almost 14 billion years of our infancy.” (O’Leary, D. p240). How do we fit into this reality? How do we love like Jesus? It always comes back to this question and the answer: In loving all creation as the Creator loves us, we best fit the reality of Jesus’ Word.
It is here that we encounter Jesus’ call to love in the reality of domestic violence. It is here that we, our parishes, church organisations and people of faith need to play a part in eliminating domestic violence.
Our Bishops pointed out in their landmark 2016 statement: “Government is funding service responses, but research shows faith communities have a significant role to play. (We) need to be aware of what constitutes as violence, to be able to identify and work through the factors that perpetuate such levels of violence in our communities, as well as being equipped to respond with Christian love and concern is an ongoing task for us all.”
Yes, the challenges and changes of our world are disconcerting. What stands above all is Jesus’ call to love and compassion as he has loved us.
