Sunday reflections

It is often said that Australians have elevated the art of waiting into something approaching a national discipline. We queue with philosophical calm for our morning flat whites. We endure the seemingly endless roller-coaster ride of the season’s footy matches with the resigned optimism of people who have been disappointed before and fully expect to be disappointed again.

A yoke is a wooden beam used to connect two oxen who pull a heavy load, in which an older well-trained ox is yoked with a younger untrained ox. The older animal takes the greater load and effectively teaches the younger how to work.

More than being just a moral teacher or guide, Jesus came to establish a complete transformation of what it means to be human and to live a fully human life.

In this week’s gospel, Jesus is teaching his disciples about their mission. He warns them of the persecutions and trials that they will face. Just as he, Jesus, faced opposition and rejection; so, will they. So too did the prophets, including Jeremiah, of whom we read in today’s first reading.

Who is Jesus Christ for us? An older woman called Jesus her mate. A priest once said, ’When the chips are down, there’s only Jesus and me. He’s my rock.’

The Eucharist not only keeps alive the memory of what Christ has done by giving his life for us. More profoundly, the Eucharist manifests the ever-present experience of what Christ and the Spirit continue to do for us throughout our lives.

The feast of the Holy Trinity is a wonderful celebration of the three persons of the Trinity. Indeed, St Therese of Lisieux saw the Trinity as the essence of God’s divine loving presence which draws us into life with God.

At Pentecost, Jesus’ confused disciples were gathered and locked in a room. Fear and suspicion filled the air. There was more perspiration than inspiration! The disciples were afraid that they would suffer the same fate as their Master. They listened and waited for the mob to arrive. They hoped that no one would discover their hiding place.

I once watched Andrew Manchini, an Australian who appeared on the TEDx Talk at Hobart High School when he discussed the significance of aligning one’s corporate vision with one’s personal vision.

This week’s readings prepare us for Ascension Sunday next week, as they instruct Christians on how to live in the world while we wait for Christ’s return. Although Jesus’ defeat of death has forever transformed what it means to be human, we live in this waiting period where salvation has already been won for us but is not yet fulfilled.