Mission Report

by Director of Mission, Mr Geoff Brodie

The Gospel for this Sunday is from Matthew.

Jesus spoke this parable to his disciples: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a man on his way abroad who summoned his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to a third one; each in proportion to his ability. Then he set out. Now a long time after, the master of those servants came back and went through his accounts with them. The man who had received the five talents came forward bringing five more. “Sir”, he said “you entrusted me with five talents; here are five more that I have made.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have shown you can be faithful in small things, I will trust you with greater; come and join in your master’s happiness.”’ (Mt 25:14-15. 19-21)

Most of life is experienced as the small things referred to in the Gospel. Putting paper in the bin when no-one is watching. Keeping our rooms tidy. Making sure we are on time when someone is expecting us. The great events in life come along infrequently and much will be asked of us in those moments. However, it is a mistake not to see the connection between the small and great things in life.

We cannot choose when the great challenges of life will come along, so we must therefore be constantly preparing to be someone able to meet the challenge. And this is the great role of the small things – they constantly prepare us to become someone who can freely choose to do the right thing at the right moment, no matter the circumstance. If we can trust ourselves in the small things, we can trust ourselves in the great things.

If we turn to our VCE students currently undertaking their exams, we know that their happiness and joy of completion will be determined largely by the preparation undertaken throughout the year. The long list small moments that includes completing the nightly homework, studying for that extra ten minutes, choosing to be attentive in class, acknowledging the dignity of every person they encounter. A St Patrick’s education does not end with Year 12 exams: in fact, this is scarcely the beginning. There is the unique and unrepeatable life of each student that seeks fulfilment in the infinite joy of love. But fulfilment is known and chosen in the small invitations to love that happen every day. A life of love is the pass mark for the examination of living, where God will say to us, Well done, good and faithful servant; come and join me in eternal happiness.