blog

15 May 2012

Mon, 14 May 2012 13:46:31 -0500

Some people know they will be happy when they have achieved their goals. Other people know that they are happy, success comes in a different way. It is true that in giving we can receive. All the best for a great week. Ma te Atua koutou e manaaki e tiaki

8 May 2012

Mon, 07 May 2012 13:45:08 -0500

Community isn't in law, it's not compulsory. Community isn't organised, it's usually chaotic. Community is what you help it to be, a means of expression. Treasure the communities you are part of. All the best for a great week.

A little more reflection from Mary follows:

SCRIPTURE READING: After Jesus’ Ascension, the disciples returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. They went to the room upstairs where they had been staying: Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alpheus, Simon the Zealot and Judas son of James. All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers and sisters. - Acts 1: 12-14.

REFLECTION: I’ve chosen this passage from Acts as our focus this month, because it seems to me to epitomise Mary’s place beside her Son in the salvation story. That “Novena Time” between Jesus’ Ascension and the coming of the Spirit must surely have been a week of intense uncertainty which brought its own suffering to the disciples. Just when they think they have their Lord back again, miraculously, from his appalling death, they lose him again as he goes back Home from his mission-accomplished here on earth. The disciples did not yet have the power and strength and energy of the Holy Spirit to buoy them. I think Mary got them together and led them in prayer, helping them to reflect on the previous three years of their mission journey with Jesus, sharing with them her insights and profound wisdom learned from her Son. This scene applies to Mary’s role in all the feasts we celebrate this month. Beginning with the Visitation to Elizabeth, 31^st May, we see Mary, recently impregnated with the Word of God, take him in her womb to visit her older cousin. I imagine her talking away to the Infant within her as she travelled. That of course is pure prayer, a journey filled with prayer. Then on 24^th May we celebrate Mary Help of Christians. This is a very special feast for us “Down Under,” for we are in Mary’s care under this title. The very name indicates that she is available to us and continues to assist us by her prayer for us from her throne in heaven. We come then to the major feasts of the Ascension and Pentecost. These two, culminating in the end of Christ’s earthly life and the birth of the Church at the coming of the Holy Spirit, were poignant moments for Mary. I think it’s significant that they occur in May, for that is Mary’s month, Mothers’ Month, and she is the pure example of and for all mothers. Before Jesus left for his true home in heaven, I picture him spending time with his mother, praying with her, sharing a meal, assuring her of God’s love and empowering her to be wise and gentle and strong for the disciples in the years ahead. At Pentecost, Mary joyfully welcomed the Holy Spirit who had visited her all those years ago and had never left her. She was receiving the Spirit anew on this solemn and glorious Day! Seems to me our motto for this year is so relevant: “Let Mary lead you to her Son!” Joyous May, everyone! - Mary Scanlon, LCM.

1 May 2012

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:12:30 -0500

No need to feel on your own. Nor that any struggles are yours alone. We are all connected as in a vine. All the best for a great week. Ma te Atua koutou e manaaki e tiaki.

24 April 2012

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:03:59 -0500

Tena koe. Nga mihi aroha ki a koe - remembering our ANZACs and knowing what we remember them for, has become a focal point in the New Zealand community calender. Knowing and serving our neighbour, a timeless honour - Ma te Atua koe e manaaki e tiaki

17 April 2012

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:34:46 -0500

We're in the process of bringing a little more colour to the web-site, more to come soon. This week, in the midst of Easter, celebrating being a New Zealander and the paths ahead of us. All the best for a great week ahead.

Also, following on from last week, further reflection from Mary:

INTRODUCTION: The first week of April this year is the joyful celebration of Our Risen Lord! The month also brings a special Marian feast, Our Lady of Good Counsel, 26th April. Let us begin by focusing on God’s Word.

SCRIPTURE READING: Wisdom instructs her children and admonishes those who seek her. Those who love her love life; those who seek her out win her favour. Those who hold her fast inherit glory, and wherever they dwell God bestows blessings on them. Those who serve her serve the Holy One; those who love her are loved by the Lord. Those who trust her will possess her, and their descendants too will inherit her. Those who listen to Wisdom dwell in her inmost sanctuary. – Sirach 4: 11-16.

REFLECTION: The year is 1885 and Mary Potter is in the throes of considerable problems: the new foundation in far-off Australia, which caused her great anxiety, and serious deterioration in her health – to name a couple. Then, true to her amazing concern for her Sisters and despite being gravely ill, she travelled to Naples to farewell the first 6 Sisters sailing for the Southern Hemisphere. En route back to Rome, Mary expressed a wish to visit the famous image of Our Lady of Good Counsel at Genezzano so she and her companions digressed there by horse and carriage. What a terrible journey it was! For a storm blew up, the horses bolted, and the driver tried to leave the poor travellers by the side of the road! Eventually they reached Genezzano, Mary in a state of collapse. The local people were convinced she was dying. But then, while she and the 2 Sisters were praying the Rosary, Mary suddenly rose from her bed and walked with a firm step. Next day, she walked to the church for Mass, received Holy Communion and spent a long thanksgiving on her knees. Everyone’s joy was unbounded! Mary refused to regard this as a miracle, referring to it as “a favour.” The improvement in her health lasted about 2 years, giving her time to sort out issues that were troubling her in the fledging congregation. Mary Potter stayed at Genezzano for a week, spending long hours in prayer at Our Lady’s shrine. She wrote to the Sisters in Rome: “You must all come here and learn to love Our Lady better.” We can imagine her pouring out her heart and soul in prayer, seeking Our Lady’s counsel, commending the young and still fragile Little Company to her loving care, and learning ever more deeply to “let go and let God” in all the circumstances of her life. This episode in the life story of Mary Potter is a wonderful inspiration, especially perhaps in this year post-Chapter in which our Congregation faces many issues and challenges. It refers us back to the Scripture Reading, showing that Mary Potter turned to Mary the Wisdom of God to help her in all her problems, even in her need for improved physical health. Surely we too would gain infallible counsel if we were to turn often to Mary of Nazareth under her title “Good Counsel,” and be prepared to spend time listening to her in the silence of our hearts., for she always leads us to Jesus. This year’s motto, from Mary Potter’s writings, reflects that: “Let Mary lead you to her Son.” In another place, Mary Potter writes: “We shall learn from Mary to seek nothing but the will of God.” What inspiration! May Our Lady of Good Counsel be our special guide and hope this month! - Mary Scanlon, LCM.

10 April 2012

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 15:26:50 -0500

Easter has brought new life. We have all revelled in the sunny weather. Can we carry that joy to others about us so they recognise God in us? Can we see God in them and in the events of our life?

3 April 2012

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:48:19 -0500

Easter is here, time of new life, time to associate with what is good sheading everything else. A very happy Easter to you and your family from all of us at www.inspirationaltv.net

20 March 2012

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 13:04:43 -0500

Has Lent changed you? Are you feeling new freedom? Have you cast off the untrue? Are you now carrying a new poem? A new song? Maybe a renewed spirituality?

A cry for justice

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 03:03:10 -0500

During the Lenten season we reflect a lot on matters of justice. Our videos this week provide some insights on action being taken and on action that needs to be taken. Don't be put off by the length of the second one. It is not to be missed!

6 March 2011

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 11:44:02 -0600

Will Israel bomb Iran or will Iran bomb Israel? Or, will there be an out-break of peace as people like you and me bring hope to the disadvantaged and distressed? Two alternative views on the middle east and in deed the world

28 February 2012

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 03:17:17 -0600

Lent invites us to different perspectives. Different perspectives help us to see more broadly and make the choice between what is important and what isn't. This week we explore disability perspectives as a means of broadening our vision.

21 February 2012

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 11:14:05 -0600

Celebrate the great things that are happening and prepare for even bigger things as we approach Lent. You are welcome to join our AGM this Friday simply e-mail us at contact@inspirationaltv.net for details

14 February 2012

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:56:10 -0600

Words are so easy to form but can be so hard to form well. This week we share the poetry of two great poets and a man that lived 2,000 years ago. Words to inspire us to new understandings and new beginnings.

7 February 2012

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:54:25 -0600

We may be back at school and work but the great times we had over the holidays burn strong in our memory, terrific times of being together and sharing with one another. Have a great week.

30 January 2012

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:47:21 -0600

Happy new year! The new year brings new beginnings. Trelise took the courage to return to the work force. Steve has both taken and created opportunities. Take courage, follow your dreams.

19 December 2011

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 11:49:06 -0600

All the very best for the holy-days ahead to you, your family and everyone around you. Here's hoping it will be a time of love and laughter. We'll be doing the same and look forward to being back with you in the first week of February 2012.

13 December 2011

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 02:42:23 -0600

As I write New Zealand and Australia are playing a cricket test series on the TV at the café I’m in, and I can see some obvious sledging going on, though the microphones aren’t picking up what’s being said.

‘Sledging’ is a term used to describe a form of gamesmanship whereby one sportsman or group of sportsmen attempts to distract or unsettle another sportsman or group of sportsmen with remarks directed at them, or intended to be overheard by them.

It’s a tactic that’s been round a long time, obviously, but the term itself originated in cricket, though it’s now in common use in all sports. It’s an extremely controversial tactic, understandably. There are those who argue that sledging has no place in any sport at any level. Then there are those who argue that in competitive sport, “anything goes. After that, there’s a whole range of positions in between.

Personally, I’m pretty close to the, “it [sledging] has no place in any sport at any level,” stance, except when you yourself yourself have been sledged. Then I think you’re usually entitled to quip back, though within strict limits and without escalating things…

Viv Richards v Greg Thomas
This incident took place during a county championship match between Glamorgan and Somerset.

Glamorgan paceman Thomas had beaten the bat a couple of times and told Richards: "Viv, it's red, round and weighs about five ounces, in case you were wondering."

The very next ball Richards smashed the ball out of the ground, into a river and responded: "Greg, you know what it looks like. Now go and find it."

Merv Hughes v Robin Smith (I’ve cleaned this up slightly)
Smith played and missed while facing Hughes in the 1989 Lord's Test between England and Australia.

Hughes, never short of a word or two, told the Hampshire star: "You can't bat, mate."

Smith then smashed the next ball to the boundary and replied: "Hey Merv, we make a fine pair.

"I can't bat and you can't bowl."

Merv Hughes v Javed Miandad
Hughes came up with a classic comeback in the 1991 Adelaide Test against Pakistan.

Miandad called him a "fat bus conductor" as Hughes prepared to bowl to him.

A few balls later, Hughes took Miandad’s wicket and as he walked past, shouted "Tickets, please!"

Even the use of comeback quip though, needs to be carefully thought through. One problem is that a comeback can sometimes have a nasty tendency to set up an annoying cycle of retaliation and sometimes escalation. And another is that sometimes the target of the comeback can inadvertently shift, so that the person receiving the comeback isn’t the one who deserves it

One of the most famous, and totally gratuitous, examples of sledging is a remark by George Gregan, the great Australian rugby halfback, directed at Justin Marshall in the closing stages of a RugbyWorld Cup semifinal between Australia and the all Blacks in 2003. The All Blacks were behind on the scoreboard by more than a converted try and, clearly, had run out of time to turn the game round.

As he went to put the ball into a scrum Gregan remarked to Marshall, “Four more years, mate. Four more years,” referring to the time the all Blacks would have to wait until their next opportunity to win the World Cup. The microphones picked the remark up and it was broadcast all around the World. Most people, I think, felt it was better left unsaid, particularly as the game was all but over so that it served no useful purpose.

Inevitably, perhaps, retaliation occurred. Sure enough, eight years later at Eden Park, in the closing stages of this year’s World Cup semi between Australia and the All Blacks, with Australia in an identical position, a chant went round the stadium, directed at the Australians, “Four more years. Four more years….”

But all this was rather unfair, I think. Gregan had made the remark as an individual and the comeback was being directed at the Australian team and supporters as a group.

I foresee bad karma from this. In four years time, or eight years time, or however long it takes, I’m pretty sure an Australian rugby crowd will be paying the All Blacks and their supporters back in kind.

Regards, Mark

6 December 2011

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 03:50:17 -0600

Our theme this month is "Be the Change You Want" - quite a challenge straight after the elections as we head to Christmas. But, we each have the power of the Spirit to help us. Let's reflect on the message in this week's videos. Why don't you add to this blog?

29 November 2011

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 22:40:25 -0600

Thoughtful preparation makes things take place smoothly. It heightens awareness of what is happening. Our videos this week invite us into this wise mode.

22 November 2011

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 00:29:28 -0600

Did you read Mark's latest blog. If you click on "blog" at the bottom your screen then scroll down the screen that appears, you will see that he speaks of investments made when he was a child and how they affect him now. Our videos this week speak of investing in our lives and for the lives of others. Ask yourself what they say to you and don't forget to vote!