Much more than who we think

We all think we know someone well. The families of Nazareth reckoned they had Jesus figured out. They knew Joseph and Mary. They had seen him grow up; they had gone to school with him. And here he is teaching them in their local synagogue. Who did he think he was?
In reality, we are always more than other people think. And other people are more than what we think. You may never know my inner reality….that I struggle with shame or doubts or insecurity. You may never know how I quietly help others back on their feet or give to charity. And I may never know that you run an elderly sick couple to the hospital or take them shopping. The reality is that we are indeed more than people think sometimes.

I recall visiting an elderly  East Timorese woman who was confined 24/7 to bed. She lives in the smallest of dwellings-smaller than a garden shed, a dirt floor, with only two cooking pots in the hills outside Dili. Her name is Aurora and she lives a life of self-sacrifice, a victim of war, having seen all her family killed, and with one son who is totally deranged because of the scarring of war. The woman has raised herself above her squalor. She prays each day. She still sees the hand of God’s blessing for her people despite all she has lost. She is a prophet and a holy person and wisdom comes from speaking with her. She is indeed more than others think.

Next week Peter Attard-from our parish- and myself will travel to East Timor with two others from Parramatta Diocese. I hope we can meet Aurora again and to be inspired by her faith. Her spirit far exceeds the first impressions of her. Aurora is so much more than many would think, neglected, as it seems she is on the hillsides around Dili. Pray that we will be able to respond to the mission of Christ…who is always more than we first imagine him to be.

Of Jesus they said, “ Where did he get all this?” We thought we knew him…we had him worked out, figured out…but…like Aurora…like all of us…. Jesus is more than we think.

I wish to say thank you to Edna and her team of helpers who, through the parish white elephant stall raised $1800 for the East Timorese mission. Peter and I will personally hand this money over to Fr. Guil in Becora, Dili next week. Again, thank you, St. Anthony’s for your generous mission support. We also wish Alison Ryan well on her mission to Jerusalem. We’ll miss your music ministry amongst us while you are away Alison. May your study-time in Jerusalem-Jesus’ own city- inspire you. Again, thank you, St. Anthony’s for your generous support of Alison.

So, I say, the Parish is much more than we can ever think and it makes me proud to call myself a parishioner and your pastor!
Fr. Paul