Tuesday 1 August 2017
St Alphonsus Liguori.
Exodus 33:7-11; 34:5-9, 28. Psalm 102(103):6-13. Matthew 13:36-43
The Lord is kind and merciful — Psalm 102(103):6-13.
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.
The virtuous will shine like the sun.
Working with her Sisters to help homeless women and girls in the Providences she established, Mary MacKillop dealt with the grim reality of extreme poverty, abuse and neglect. Many would have suffered from mental illness, without the medication now available, fearing incarceration in lunatic asylums.
Not much has changed. Governments siphon off a substantial part of the mental health budget to bolster general health. Mental health beds in hospitals are closed, supported housing sold off and services stretched to breaking point. There are critical incidents and suicides that are never publicized.
Jesus, inspire more people to reach out to abandoned and desperate people, as Mary did. Give others the courage to speak out against the diversion of funding from people in greatest need.
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