Daily Reflection, August 8, 2024

Reflection:

Today we reflect on this amazing down to earth woman who shaped the life of education, faith and serving other through her tenacity, forbearance and willingness to show Jesus’ attitude to all through her life and ministry.

She was not one to get caught up in honour or prestige. Rather, a counter sign of how to raise people up through an attitude of understanding and acceptance and that education should be a pathway for all no matter what their circumstances. She lived and was a role model to the poor of how they could grow and become their best self. She encouraged those who felt hopeless and gave them dignity and respect.

She lived the words of Paul to Colossians ¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

We have someone who walked our land and raised our people showing us that the gospel is for ‘all’ no matter what your status. Mary reminds us that walking the footsteps of the Cross is a vocation in kindness, friendship, endurance, love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion. It is a road where sometimes we must stand up as she did to authorities reminding them of the gospel responsibilities.

Today, remember all those struggling across the planet and the ever-growing poverty, injustice and violence and in and through our communities let us work as Mary did walking and living the way of the Cross. “May the passion of Jesus be always on our minds and in our hearts’

Paul Traynor is married to Clare and has two children Sam and Lucy. He lives in Greytown which is in the Wairarapa Region on the North Island of New Zealand. Paul is currently working as the National Passionist Family Groups Coordinator for Aotearoa, New Zealand.