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On The Journey This Week: Fr Mark De Battista says true prayer is not about asking for whatever we want. Using Google Maps reminds Mother Hilda that God also has his own SAT NAV system for us. Plus, Bishop Tony Percy, Pete Gilmore and Mark Raue

Pete Gilmore says "heaping burning coals on their head" refers to the ancient practice of sharing hot coals by carrying hot coals atop one's head to share with impoverished neighbours, symbolising restoring warmth, life, and hope through acts of compassion

Mark Raue says Jesus' command to love one's neighbour demands universal, unconditional charity toward everyone—not just those who share our background, beliefs, or nationality. This love is a deliberate "discipline of the heart" that must extend into social structures

Fr Mark De Battista says true prayer is not about asking for whatever we want but allowing the Holy Spirit to shape our prayers according to God's will. When prayers seem unanswered, we are invited to trust God's wisdom, seek what He is teaching us, and rely on His grace with perseverance

Bishop Tony Percy says that when we do not know how to pray, the Holy Spirit prays within us, interceding for us in our weakness when we lack words. Offering our hurt to the Holy Spirit enables Him to transform injury into compassion and pain into intercessory prayer

Week 676–Wisdom from the Abbey–Mother Hilda Scott OSB–The Satellite Picture by The Journey hosted by Jude Hennessy

Mother Hilda says God works quietly and gracefully within us, simply, unobtrusively, bringing out what is already there. When we decide to put ourselves out of the picture and focus on someone else, we are working beautifully with God's space the way he works with the space of our hearts.

Bishop Tony Percy says the generous Sower throws seed everywhere because Christ knows that the abundant fruit—thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold—will far exceed the losses. We're called to generously share the gospel's good news of faith, hope, and love with a lonely world hungry for meaning and purpose

Fr Mike Delaney has been reflecting on the image of the "Bridgewater Jerry" fog on the Derwent River, a metaphor for how challenges can obscure deeper truths. Much like fog hides the sun, it's a reminder that beyond every difficulty, God's love remains steadfast, bringing peace, clarity, and hope when we lift our eyes beyond our immediate struggles

Byron & Francine Pirola say it's easy to love our spouse when the affection is mutual – but what about when it isn't reciprocated? Couples are invited to trust God's grace during difficult seasons, loving selflessly and remaining faithful even when their efforts seem unreciprocated.

On The Journey This Week: Fr Simon Apablaza says the real question is the quality of our inner "soil.” Mother Hilda says like the beauty of ikebana, God works quietly and gracefully within us, simply, unobtrusively. Plus, Bishop Tony Percy, Byron & Francine Pirola and Fr Mike Delaney

Fr Simon Apablaza says the real question is the quality of our inner "soil", the condition of our heart. Jesus describes four kinds of soil, representing different states of the heart: closed and hard, enthusiastic but shallow, distracted by competing priorities, or genuinely open and receptive allowing His Word to take deep root

Mother Hilda says our judgments of others are often flawed as she recalls future legends who were initially dismissed. Unlike human beings, God sees beyond appearances, understands our hearts, and never writes us off. When we choose not to judge or condemn others, we reflect God's mercy and open ourselves more fully to His grace

Bishop Tony Percy explores how Jesus, even amid rejection of his message, prays joyfully to God as "Abba." The greeting "Abba, Father" expresses an unchanging spiritual truth about God's relationship with us as his beloved children and should remain central to Christian prayer and faith

Deacon Josh says Church meetings are most fruitful when they focus on listening rather than agendas, allowing the Holy Spirit to speak through silence and shared reflection, not just words. Effective discernment comes not from trying to make God fit our plans, but from humbly allowing God to lead us

Christy Honeysett shares her experience with the Eastern Orthodox spirituality of theosis (divinisation) — a transformative participation in God's eternal life, love, and holiness, lived out by sharing in the life of the Trinity

Fr Joshua Scott says Jesus invites us not to carry our burdens — whether mental, physical, or from our past — alone. He promises to walk alongside us, share our yoke, and give true rest for our souls, bringing peace where exhaustion and frustration often take over

On The Journey This Week: Fr Joshua Scott says Jesus invites us not to carry our burdens — whether mental, physical, or from our past — alone. Mother Hilda says our judgments of others are often flawed as she recalls future legends who were initially dismissed. Plus, Bishop Tony Percy, Christy Honeysett and Deacon Josh Clayton.

Mother Hilda reflects on Lebanese Maronite Christian poet Kahlil Gibran famous work, “the prophet.” His description of love is a very accurate description of God and our life with God and the prophet goes on “when you love you should not say God is in my heart but rather, I am in the heart of God

Fr Rob Galea says many Christians experience their spiritual enthusiasm fading, from being carried to having to pedal uphill as God calls them to take active ownership of their spiritual journey. God hasn't moved; He is simply trusting you with the journey, and He will never burden you with more than you can bear, because He carries the cross alongside you

Trish McCarthy says that just as wine develops its unique character over time, it's also true of our faith journey – it takes time to reach depth of character, integrity, and authenticity.

Bishop Tony Percy connects Romans 6 to modern addictions, arguing that baptism initiates Christians into Christ's dying and rising, offering a spiritual path to freedom from addiction. Through baptism Christians can die to sin and the harmful patterns of addiction, rest with Christ, and rise to a new life of healing, freedom, and transformation

On The Journey This Week: Fr Rob Galea says many Christians experience their spiritual enthusiasm fading, from being carried to having to pedal uphill. Mother Hilda reflects on Lebanese Maronite Christian poet Kahlil Gibran famous work, “the prophet.” Plus, Bishop Tony Percy, Trish McCarthy and Peter Abela

Peter Abela says it's amazing how something small can grow into something world changing. Small acts of faith, kindness, and generosity can have far-reaching effects, that can ripple outward to change the world

Bishop Tony Percy says that while success brings joy, the spiritual significance of failure may be more important. God responds to failure, fall and sin with the offer of salvation. We don't flee failure. We don't fear failure. Rather, we embrace it with Christ Crucified and Risen

Mark Raue says being truly pro-life requires a consistent commitment to protecting and valuing all human life at every stage and in every circumstance. With a “consistent ethic of life,” Christians should also care about issues such as poverty, racism, violence, healthcare, refugees, war, environmental stewardship, and the dignity of vulnerable people

Mother Hilda tells a wonderful story about the German Mystic and theologian in the 14th century, Johannes Tauler

Pete Gilmore says Jesus teaches that prayer is not about endlessly repeating words in the hope of persuading God, but about expressing the genuine desires of the heart. Prayers become empty when they rely on words alone rather than sincere faith and trust in God

On The Journey This Week: Fr James Arblaster says Jesus teaches that faith cannot remain hidden; disciples are called to publicly acknowledge and witness to him. Mother Hilda tells a wonderful story about the German Mystic and theologian in the 14th century, Johannes Tauler. Plus, Bishop Tony Percy, Pete Gilmore and Mark Raue

Fr James Arblaster says Jesus teaches that faith cannot remain hidden; disciples are called to publicly acknowledge and witness to him, despite fear, doubt, or social pressure. Our remedy is to pray, asking God for courage, humility, certainty, and the words needed to witness effectively.

Fr Mike Delaney reflects on how two books—*Dear Unity* (ed. Philip Ryall) and *Road to Renewal* (ed. Ron Huntley)—have inspired deeper thinking about Christian unity. Simple, prayerful awareness of one another across denominations is both a path toward genuine Christian unity and a catalyst for community renewal and strengthening the Body of Christ

Bishop Tony Percy says the central message from Matthew 9 — "the harvest is rich, but the labourers are few" — emphasizes that prayer, not strategic planning, is the true foundation of spiritual work. All baptized Christians—whether in families, workplaces, parishes, or communities—are called to be labourers in the harvest

Mother Hilda says a piece of work by a 12th Century monk, Gilbert of Hoyland, is so applicable to our 21st century circumstances. Gilbert's story is one of searching and finding, of us wandering like lost sheep while God is searching for us in his mercy, anticipating our despair, anticipating us that he might love us before we loved him

Byron & Francine Pirola ask: What if the habits modern culture dismisses as old-fashioned are the ones most likely to make your marriage last? Science is proving what faithful couples have long known: a marriage built on commitment and self-mastery doesn't just survive. It thrives

Fr Josh Whicker MGL says Jesus sends them out to continue his own mission of proclaiming the Kingdom, healing, and serving others. Just as he called those disciples by name, Jesus invites each of us to discover our unique role within his mission that brings life, purpose, and deeper relationship with him.

On The Journey This Week: Fr Josh Whicker MGL says Jesus invites each of us to discover our unique role within his mission. Mother Hilda says a piece of work by a 12th Century monk is so applicable to our 21st century circumstances. Plus, Bishop Tony Percy, Byron & Francine Pirola and Fr Mike Delaney

Deacon Josh Clayton uses the everyday act of refuelling a car to reflect on what spiritually fuels us as disciples of Jesus Christ. He challenges us to consider what truly sustains our faith, encouraging practices such as prayer, reading Scripture, learning from holy lives, and worshipping with others so that our spiritual lives do not run dry.

Mother Hilda says that blame is a destructive cycle that rarely solves problems, whether in personal relationships, society, or history, where people often make scapegoats of others for their own difficulties. Jesus on the cross is the ultimate model for breaking free from this cycle — absorbing blame without becoming its victim, embodied in the words "They know not what they do."

Bishop Tony Percy draws on the teaching of Thomas Aquinas to highlight how faith and reason work together with Christ's sacrifice on the cross — his offering of himself to the Father in obedience, for our salvation. Notice the language employed: Jesus offered his body to God his Father. Jesus offered his body for our salvation. Lest we forget.

On The Journey This Week: Mons Graham Schmitzer says Jesus presents himself as the new Moses, establishing a new and eternal covenant sealed by his own blood on Calvary. Mother Hilda says that blame is a destructive cycle that rarely solves problems. Plus, Bishop Tony Percy, Trish McCarthy and Deacon Josh Clayton

Trish McCarthy uses the metaphor of a physical car toolkit to describe a rich spiritual toolkit that can be built up over a few years. It contains a wide range of resources gathered through experience, learning, prayer, relationships, and the sacraments to help navigate life's changing circumstances

Mons Graham Schmitzer says Jesus presents himself as the new Moses, establishing a new and eternal covenant sealed by his own blood on Calvary rather than by the blood of animals. Just as God sustained Israel with manna during the Exodus, Christ now gives himself as the true bread from heaven to nourish and strengthen his people on their journey toward eternal life

Byron & Francine Pirola say that relational poverty is as real as economic hardship, often hidden in plain sight among neighbours, families, and workplaces. Christians are called to practice generous hospitality by opening their hearts and homes, sharing not just money but genuine personal relationship.

Fr Dave Callaghan MGL says the resurrection isn't just a comfort for the dying — it's a transformative truth meant to reshape how the living see and spend their lives. At its core, it assures us that eternal life surpasses anything this world offers and so frees us from the deep human fear of missing out

On The Journey This Week: Fr Daniel McCaughan says the Trinity, is a mystery which God has progressively revealed through Scripture and salvation history. Mother Hilda says Henri Nouwen taught that brokenness is an unavoidable part of every human life. Plus, Bishop Tony Percy, Byron and Francine Pirola and Fr Dave Callaghan MGL

Bishop Tony Percy says through baptism, we are immersed into divine life, with the Greek root of "baptize" meaning to soak or immerse, reflecting both immersion in Christ's teaching and in water

Fr Daniel McCaughan says the Trinity, is a mystery which God has progressively revealed through Scripture and salvation history. The human family — husband, wife, and children bound together in life-giving love is an earthly reflection of this Trinitarian life

Mother Hilda says Henri Nouwen taught that brokenness is an unavoidable part of every human life, whether caused by our own actions or by suffering beyond our control, but that it does not have to lead to bitterness or despair

Peter Abela reflects on how knowing exam questions in advance would allow for focused preparation and says Jesus has already revealed the exam criteria in Matthew 25

Fr James Arblaster says God consistently chooses unlikely and flawed individuals for His purposes, then gives them the gifts and strength they need. Pentecost extends beyond the apostles to all believers, each given different gifts for the same shared mission, for the renewal and healing of the world

On The Journey This Week: Fr James Arblaster says God consistently chooses unlikely and flawed individuals for His purposes, then gives them the gifts and strength they need. Mother Hilda tells the story of a teacher who asked her students to complete the prompt "I wish my teacher knew…" Plus, Bishop Tony Percy, Christy Honeysett and Peter Abela