Friday 4 August 2017
St John Vianney. DAY OF PENANCE.
Leviticus 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34-37. Psalm 80(81):3-6, 10-11. Matthew 13:54-58.
Sing with joy to God our help — Psalm 80(81):3-6, 10-11.
In the week approaching the feast of St Mary MacKillop, we look at the life of Australia’s first saint through the lens of the daily Gospel stories. As you contemplate the daily Gospel reading, reflect on Mary’s story, and consider how your own faith journey can be enriched by her example.
‘Where did the man get this wisdom?’
It was within the Church that Mary MacKillop encountered her greatest opposition. Some Irish Bishops had difficulty accepting a religious order which was not contained within a single diocese, and under diocesan control. In 1871, Bishop Shiel, in Adelaide, excommunicated Mary for alleged insubordination, lifting it in 1872. Bishop Quinn of Bathurst changed the nature of the congregation to a diocesan religious institute. In 1880, Bishop Quinn told the Josephites to leave Queensland and in 1883, Bishop Reynolds told Mary to leave Adelaide.
There is a form of selective blindness that causes us to reject home-grown prophets, especially if they are women and even more so if they are religious women.
Jesus, you experienced just this kind of opposition. Inspire, encourage and strengthen the prophets among us.
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