Mass for the Staff of the Archdiocese

Celebrated By Archbishop Denis Hart
at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Melbourne,
on Tuesday, 30th November, 2004, at 12.00pm

Introduction

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Andrew, the brother of Saint Peter, who together with John had been a disciple of John the Baptist. He responded generously to the Lord’s call and was present on the Mount of Olives when Jesus foretold the destruction of Jerusalem.

Andrew’s involvement with the people of his time is a beacon to us in the service we render to Church and to people who come to us.

May we too be welcoming, generous, zealous and faith-filled, as we call to mind our sins and ask that the light of the Lord may shine in our words and deeds.

Homily

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today’s Gospel speaks of the call of Saint Andrew and can remind us of the generous service, which we render to so many people who come to seek our aid as the first contact with the Church.

I speak with esteem of how well you present the Church of Jesus Christ in a human and serving way. How ready you are to meet the needs of people, often anguished and burdened. How with warmth and courage you seek to witness to Jesus, to his Church and to his teaching, challenging though it may sometimes be.

As Jesus walked by the lakeside he called Peter and Andrew, James and John. They had probably spoken with him before, but in this moment there came the challenge and they left everything and followed him.

Today’s reflection has reminded us that the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the people of our age are the joys, hope, griefs and anxieties of followers of Christ. I know in your service that nothing genuinely human fails to raise an echo in your hearts and because we are on a journey together to the Father it is often you rather than I who make these contacts with people.

All of the Council document on the Church today and the subsequent writings, particularly of Pope John Paul II, on the dignity of personhood help us to realise that the people whom we encounter are in fact sacred and loved by God. No matter how burdened and challenged they may seem. No matter how angry and alienated they may feel. We are invited humbly through our faith in Jesus Christ to reach out to them and to serve them. Nurtured always by the truth which has to be proclaimed courageously, but also with a warmth and understanding that we are human beings who have been given a great gift of our God knowing us and loving us, supporting us and calling us to the service of our Church in our diocesan offices.

Whether it is a commitment to education, to unfolding the teaching of Jesus Christ. Whether it is to administration, to serving the proclamation of the Gospel, the welfare activity of the Church, or our particular outreach to those who are poor and burdened, Jesus invites us to reflect upon what we are called to be and to remember above all the strength that is given us.

The Council document says, “The Council brings to mankind, light kindled from the Gospel and puts at its disposal those saving resources, which the Church herself received from her Founder. For the human person deserves to be preserved, human society deserves to be renewed, hence the pivotal point of our total presentation will be people; whole and entire, body and soul, heart and conscience, mind and will.

In those who come to you and whom you serve so well, we might learn from Andrew, the fisherman:-

• We must have patience until the fish take the bait.
• Perseverance is necessary. Never be discouraged.
• Courage. As the old Greek said when he prayed for the protection of the Gods, ‘My boat is so small and the sea is so large.’
• We must have an eye for the right moment. When to cast, when not to cast.
• We have to fit the bait to the fish. Paul said he would become all things to all people if by any chance he might win some.
• The wise fisherman keeps himself out of sight, just as we will seek not to present ourselves, but Jesus Christ.

Dear friends, I thank you for your service and witness. I pray that through constant and deep prayer each day, Jesus will be stronger in our lives and his light and strength will shine in your essential work for the Church.

May Jesus bless you and strengthen you.

+ Denis J. Hart,
Archbishop of Melbourne.