"I think at the root of it though, bullies bully because they choose not to acknowledge the inherent dignity of the other."

Family isn’t just blood, it is the community in which you live, it is the relationships you make and the special connections you mutually share. Family is where you feel most safe, comfortable and yourself. An important value passed down through generations was the act of selflessness, nothing was ever done for oneself it was always done for the whole mob...Because ultimately, as Australian’s, we are all one family, we are all one mob! - Melita Hegarty

Easter Sunday is the joy of seeing Jesus, having dealt with sin, rise to new life. If that doesn't instil hope that we too can rise out of our own ashes then I don't know what does. 

I know, that I need the Salvation that Jesus gives us on the Cross.  The grace, peace and freedom I experience from the minuscule understanding that I have of Jesus' sacrifice for me is something that keeps me anchored in my faith. The Cross offers us more than freedom from our own sins though.

The Last Supper was action packed! It had foot washing, a meal like no other and accusations of betrayal! Imagine being a fly on the wall at that party! I believe Jesus wanted us to experience a bit of this though. In fact he clearly gave the direction: 'do this in memory of me'. 

The relationship between Palm Sunday and Holy Week always baffled me as a kid. We would wave a branch in the air at the beginning of Mass singing a song that went: "Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna to the King of Kings"...and then within a week Jesus was dead. How did Jesus go from being so loved and acclaimed, to disowned and crucified by His own people within days?

Just like Lazarus though I had to walk out of my tomb. Jesus invited me to rise and I did, but he did not carry me like a helpless, broken soul. He invited me to walk out of my tomb like a healed, strong, woman with so much of life yet to be lived. 

'The Lord is my Shepherd, there is nothing I shall want'. It's not the first time I've felt a pang of guilt reading this line because let's be real...there is SO much that I want! So then I started reflecting, 'why do I want... what I want?'

Christ shows us in this encounter with the Samaritan woman that we do not need to carry these fears. He says to us, I know you, I will sustain you and I need you.

"...Peter is talking about how amazing it all is and how he wants to go building tents to mark what has happened. God uses this moment to say to Peter: actually buddy, I want you to stop with the planning and fussing about and LISTEN."

"…what do I settle for in life rather than seeking and trusting in God and the words He speaks to me?"

Think back to the last time you received a compliment. Actually stop reading. Think back. 

In being disciples of God we are being called to walk in the way of Jesus. As is said in our Gospel reading, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me”. 

Historically, Mary has always been identified an important figure from the beginnings of early Christianity, however, it wasn’t until the council of Ephesus in 431 CE that Mary was officially recognised as Theotokos, translated as ‘Mother of God’ or ‘Godbearer’. 

I am a lazy and weak willed man, an arrogant and prideful man, a gluttonous and lustful man. I tend too far towards comfort, feed and indulge in my desires and seek too much the affirmations of others.

Have you ever found yourself holding on, desperately clinging, or not wanting to let go of something that you know isn’t really what you want?

I was recently struck by a question in the Gospel when James and John, the Sons of Zebedee ask Jesus to sit, one at his right and one at his left when he comes in glory.

When opening a conversation with someone, I have realised a trend in the way I have been responding to people. After the polite and obligatory "Hi's" and "How-are-you's", the penultimate question comes crashing in..."So what have you been up to?"