Jesus asks us to pay attention to details

DEAR friends in Christ,

You may be aware that Pope Francis has recently published an Apostolic Exhortation, GAUDETE ET EXSULTATE (Rejoice and Exult) – On the call to Holiness in today’s world.

Typical of all his writings, it’s beautifully written and very accessible to all of us.  I strongly recommend you read it prayerfully http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20180319_gaudete-et-exsultate.html

One section of the Exhortation that immediately caught my eye was the following:

“Let us not forget that Jesus asked his Disciples to pay attention to details.

The little detail that wine was running out at a party.

The little detail that one sheep was missing.

The little detail of noticing the widow who offered her two small coins.

The little detail of having spare oil for the lamps, should the bridegroom delay.

The little detail of asking the disciples how many loaves of bread they had.

The little detail of having a fire burning and a fish cooking as he waited for the disciples at daybreak”. (Paragraph 144)

After some of my own personal meditation on this beautiful quote, and given our current circumstances of challenge here in Australia, I thought of adding a few other “little details” for our prayerful consideration.

The little detail of spending sometime every day to be silent, still, and simple before Jesus in prayer.

The little detail of listening extra carefully at Mass to the Liturgy of the Word and the Homily.

The little detail of making quality listening time for an estranged member of your family.

The little detail of thinking deeply about why homelessness (especially in winter) in our part of Australia is such a big social problem.

The little detail of asking ourselves the key question of our Plenary Council gatherings: WHAT DO YOU THINK GOD IS ASKING OF US IN AUSTRALIA AT THIS TIME?

The little detail of clarifying your attitudes, in the light of our Catholic teachings, on current public issues, for example, Euthanasia (Catechism Catholic Church no. 2278, 2324, 2277) and the Seal of Confession (CCC n.1465-1467, 2488-2492).

Let us all meditate carefully on the great wisdom of this new Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Francis and add some “little details” from our own life into this litany of Grace and Hope.

Let’s continue to pray for each other in our Archdiocese in these troubled times.  To access the Catechism online go to http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM