Daily Reflections ...

Watching the news, we realise that the cost of living is rising with the energy sector struggling, the war in Ukraine affecting us in Australia, insufficient housing, food shortages and the list goes on. As a family, this week while eating breakfast, we complained that our electricity bill would increase unless we turned off the AC and rug up in the mornings and evenings. How inconvenient that our budget will be impacted.

First century Christians often worried about being crucified, fed to the lions, floggings and where their next meal would come from. Yet, we know from the Gospels that God is close to those who are hungry and poor, to those who are suffering and lowly.

How do we embrace today’s message as 21^st century Christians and see where the true treasure lies? Our Catholic faith teaches us about the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. These acts of love help us to care for the needs of others and to give witness to God’s love. Feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the imprisoned, comforting the sorrowful, forgiving wrongs, and praying for the living and the dead are a few practical ways disciples of any age can live out their Catholic faith. We can use our gifts to love as Jesus loved and to create eternal treasures in heaven.

One of the greatest challenges Christians of the third millennium in Australia face is our own comfort. So may this time be a welcome gift to remind us of where the real treasure exists and to move away from our selfishness to attend to the needs of others.

by Vanessa Comninos