Author: Melissa

Luke 10:38-42

How often we become anxious about things that, at the end of the day, matter little. Today’s Gospel story contrasts the fussing Martha with the contemplative spirit of Mary. We are reminded that our attention and energies must remain rivetted on the kingdom of God. Before, through and in anything we “do” we must “be” with Christ.

Reflection on hospitality in today’s readings (Genesis 18:1-10, Colossians 1:24-28): Abraham, who cheerfully did for his guests all that desert hospitality required, was rewarded with his heart’s desire – a son. Martha also busied herself with all the details of hospitality, but grudgingly and with complaint.

Am I a cheerful or grudging giver?

– Fr John Conway

The direct duty to work for a just ordering of society… is proper to the lay faithful. As citizens of the State, they are called to take part in public life in a personal capacity. So they cannot relinquish their participation “in the many different economic, social, legislative, administrative and cultural areas, which are intended to promote organically and institutionally the common good.”

The mission of the lay faithful is therefore to configure social life correctly, respecting its legitimate autonomy and cooperating with other citizens according to their respective competences and fulfilling their own responsibility. Even if the specific expressions of ecclesial charity can never be confused with the activity of the State, it still remains true that charity must animate the entire lives of the lay faithful and therefore also their political activity, lived as “social charity”.

– Pope Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est (God is Love) #29

We were loaned a DVD of the first series of Seven Periods with Mr Gormsby by one of Hubby’s work colleagues. It is a comedy television series produced in New Zealand, about an eccentric relief teacher (Mr Gormsby) at a boys school.

I found it mostly funny, although it is shocking in parts – in fact it almost crosses the line of decency (but consider the setting – a boys school). Production on the low budget side, but manages to redeem itself through satire of the ridiculous extremes and hypocrisy of politically correct liberalism.

Aggressively behind the times with a militaristic style that appalls the teaching staff, Gormsby is denied his preferred traditional disciplinary measures of the cane and detention. Advised by other teachers to just “put up with” bad behaviour, Gormsby instead relies on shock tactics to keep the rowdy students in line.

..in the first episode a student does a chalkboard cartoon accompanied by the legend Gormsby takes it up the arse. To track down the guilty party Gormsby threatens a shy, clearly innocent pupil with an unusual punishment, or, as one of his classmates reports to the principal, Mr Gormsby is trying to bum Bastabus When the true culprit is revealed the weeping, traumatised boy is gently sent on his way with, Sit down, Bastabus. I wasn’t going to roger you. This isn’t a Catholic school. – Little Mister Square Eyes

Gormsby eventually wins over the class of 5F at Tepapawai Boys School with his unique mixture of dry wit, complete disregard for liberal convention and his blunt, unaffected approach. Gormsby’s brand of discipline has a positive influence on the students. In fact, they soon behave with much greater decorum than Gormsby’s colleagues, which rather beggars belief. Those students are just too good to be true!

A second series has screened in NZ but does not seem to have been released yet on DVD.

External links:

• Series homepage on TV One Web site
• Review from The Age, Dec 2005
• Another review from The Age, Dec 2005
• Youtube clip of Old Matua Ned from the show
• Complaint to NZ Broadcasting Standards Authority

The unbreakable bond between love of God and love of neighbour is emphasized.

One is so closely connected to the other that to say that we love God becomes a lie if we are closed to our neighbour or hate him altogether. Saint John’s words should rather be interpreted to mean that love of neighbour is a path that leads to the encounter with God, and that closing our eyes to our neighbour also blinds us to God.

– Pope Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est (God is Love) #16

Luke 10:25-37

To fully appreciate the parable of the Good Samaritan, we must understand how deeply the Samaritans were resented by the Jews of Jesus’ day. The Samaritans were considered heretics who had “sold out” to a godless society. Yet the hero of the parable is neither the priest nor the Levite (both respectable Jews), but the Samaritan. Why? Because he lived by the law of authentic love, not distinctions of race and class. The good Samaritan was also a good steward, giving his time and his treasure to meet his neighbour’s need. At the end of this familiar story, Jesus urges His hearers – and us – to go and do the same!

– Fr John Conway

As a little reward to myself for finishing my latest uni assignment on time, I went and saw the latest Harry Potter movie with Jo today.

I haven’t read any of the books but I’ve seen all the movies up to this one, and I’ve noticed as the children get older the story gets darker.

Following Harry’s face off with the Lord Voldemort in Goblet of Fire, we return in Order of the Phoenix to find The Ministry of Magic in a state of fear and denial about the return of “the one who should not be named”. The Ministry discredits Harry and Dumbledore, and takes over the running of Hogwarts.

One of the more enjoyable parts of the movie for me was the establishment of “Dumbledore’s Army” – formed from the secret classes started by Harry and his friends after the Ministry alters the school’s curriculum to exclude any practice of magic.

Voldemort reappears at the Department of Mysteries, after tricking Harry into going there to find his “prophecy”. The prophecy orb breaks, but not before Harry learns what it says – one of them must die at the hand of the other! A battle ensues, the forces of Voldemort against the re-united Order of Phoenix, led by Sirius and Dumbledore. Sirius is taken from Harry.. and Voldemort escapes, but not before members of the Ministry see that he has returned and must acknowledge the truth.

Overall I’d have to disagree with author J.K. Rowling’s appraisal of this movie as “the best yet” (referenced on Wikipedia). The acting was great but the story seemed a little wishy washy in parts.