Churchill Avenue News

The Crucifixion Event is the Fullest Outpouring

In recent weeks our staff have gathered on several occasions to explore the rich spiritual heritage of our college. These roots of our college’s spiritual life reach back to the Brothers of the Sacred Heart, the sisters of the Society of the Sacred Heart, and the life and works of Caroline Chisholm.

In a recent visit from Br Mark Hilton, once a principal and brother of our college and now the Superior General of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart globally, he spoke of the significance of the crucifixion event. This is the moment Jesus is on the cross, dying for love of all humanity, and is then pierced with a lance. It is said in John’s gospel that “one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out” (John 19:34) which represents the complete outpouring of Jesus life and love for us.

The challenge Br Mark presented us as staff and as a wider college is simple, yet profound. If Jesus loves us this much that he is willing to suffer, die and pour out his entire self for us, what are we going to do in response? The fact that we are loved is a given, there is no doubt in God’s love for each and every person in our college community. Every student, every staff member, every parent, every parishioner. The challenge is what is our response, how do we live in such a way that this love flows through us and out to those around us?

Our theme this year gives us some guidance: Let love flow from the heart as living water, taken from the parable of the Samaritan woman at the Well. The love we experience from Jesus and God should inspire us to spread love to others through our words and actions. It should be a love that overflows, overwhelms, overcomes!

This message is one perfectly fitted for our fathers’ day celebrations this coming weekend. In all our families I am certain we will find a father, grandfather, uncle, cousin or mentor that represents fatherhood to us. The patient guidance, the wise corrections, the gentle strength, the resilient commitment. We are certainly blessed to encounter in our fathers and others that overflowing, overwhelming, overcoming love that Jesus poured out on the cross. May God bless our fathers so they may continue to be, although in their own imperfect ways, a living manifestation of Jesus’ complete outpouring of love for us all.

Tristan O'Brien
Deputy Principal, Faith and Mission