Homily for Gladstone Mercy Associates recommissioning Mass (Memorial of Saint Januarius, Bishop and Martyr; Twenty-Fourth Tuesday in Ordinary Time), delivered in Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Gladstone, Qld.

"Remember all the sufferings that you had to meet after you received the light, in earlier days... Be as confident now, then, since the reward is so great." (cf. Heb 10).

"Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy." (cf. Ps 126).

"Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I tell you, most solemnly, unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest. Anyone who loves his life loses it; anyone who hates his life in this world
will keep it for the eternal life. If a man serves me, he must follow me, wherever I am, my servant will be there too. If anyone serves me, my Father will honour him.’" (cf. Jn 12).

Artwork: "Caritas" from the "Seven Virtues" series by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, (c. 1559).