Viewpoint

As we approach Palm Sunday and Holy Week, I wish all Riverview families a blessed Easter. For those of you who are Sydney-based and who are looking for a Catholic parish to attend over the break, our local parish is St Michael’s Lane Cove and their Easter mass times can be found here. Alternatively, Our Lady of the Way, North Sydney is a Jesuit parish in the Archdiocese of Sydney and there mass times can be found here.

There are a number of student programs taking place over the holiday period including a History Tour to Europe, a Language Tour to China, a Rugby Tour to New Zealand, the Rugby Competition in Armidale, The Jesuit AFL Carnival in Adelaide and the Swimming National Championships in Brisbane. We thank all staff and parents who are supporting each of these programs and wish every member of our community safe travels.

I am appreciative of the welcome that my family and I have been offered by the community as we have commenced at the College.

The following is the reflection I gave on John’s Gospel at the Boarders’ Liturgy on Tuesday night in the Dalton Chapel.

We have just heard John’s account of Holy Thursday, and I want you to place yourself in that little room above the inn where Jesus and his Apostles have gathered to celebrate the Passover – that ancient Jewish custom of remembering and honouring their escape from captivity in Egypt. These 13 men, gathered around a table, sharing a meal. Enjoying each other’s company. Sharing stories. Just like you do in the ref every day here at your home on the Lane Cove River.

Jesus is there, as calm and as measured as ever, but there must have been a sense of foreboding in the air. For three years Jesus had been in public ministry spreading His message of God’s Kingdom. His message of the Good News. A new covenant with God that completes our salvation.

Jesus had built a following amongst the people of Judea, but he had also collected enemies. Powerful enemies who hated what he represented to their authority and their claims on the Law. That night, the Apostles must have felt like something was coming. They did not share in Jesus’ mission-awareness. They loved him and he had told them that he would be put to the test, but they did not know what this meant.

And Peter. Loud, passionate Peter. Here he was espousing his complete and total loyalty to Jesus, not knowing that that the following evening he would betray him. But Jesus knew.

And Judas. Judas knows what he is about to do. How did he feel at that time? How heavy was his heart? Jesus knew.

Jesus knew all these things. He knew that he was going to be put to death. He knew that his death was divinely necessary for the Covenant to be made. He was scared. We know this. But he knew He had to do as his Father commanded.

Knowing this, that in only hours he was to be tortured and to be nailed to a tree, what message did he want to share with his closest friends? The ones whom he hoped would continue to spread the good news of God’s Kingdom? Not a message of vengeance. Not a message of his power and authority. Not a message of triumph. Not a plea for assistance.

No.

Jesus washed their feet. Work reserved for slaves in the ancient world of Jesus’ time. As his last act before his Passion, Jesus provided evidence that love is showed more powerfully in deeds than in words. Jesus showed that for those who want to follow him to salvation, that they must become, like him, a servant of others. And especially a servant of God.

As you reflect on the last term here at Riverview and especially over your time in the Boarding House, seek out those memories of those who showed you that same message by their actions. A message of love.

The friend who was there when you needed him.

The staff member who showed you compassion.

The older boarder who gave you advice.

The younger boarder who made you laugh.

The parent who travelled a long distance just to see you and to show you their love.

As you might hear, I am a man of faith. I choose to believe. That Jesus came to show us God’s love. That Jesus was crucified for our sins. That God loves us anyway like any true Father. That we are loved unconditionally.

As you finish this term at Riverview (for some of you your first). You might consider what you are grateful for. As we enter Holy Week and Easter, you might extend that gratitude to God for giving us His Son as the model of all our lives.