One of our Sisters tells the story of her young grand-nephew of 4 years old. Having been told something by his grandmother and been warned that it was a secret, just between the two of them, she said, “Don’t let the cat out of the bag!” He was very good, even though he struggled to keep the secret to himself. Eventually, however, when his mother came in, he could contain himself no longer, “Please Granny, can I let the cat out of the bag?” When she still refused, he pleaded, “Please, Granny. I want to see the cat!”
In some ways, I feel that the Good News, the Gospel, is rather like the “cat in the bag”! We know and believe that Jesus Christ lived and died, proclaimed and witnessed to the love that God has for each of us. Yet, that can be a secret that we keep to ourselves.
What would it be like for us to “let the cat out of the bag”? What would it be like for us to proclaim and witness in our lives to the total, unconditional love that God has for each of us – a love that transcends colour, creed, whatever! Is this not a message that our world desperately needs to hear at this time? There is so much heartache, violence and war in our news daily. We can bring “Good News” to our world and we may be the only people through whom they will hear this. How do we do this? It is not in the extraordinary or the outstanding! It is in the simple ordinary ways we live our lives, showing respect, kindness, generosity and love to all those we meet, upholding Christian values in our situations at work, at home.
These days after the feast of Pentecost, we reflect on the stories of the Apostles, inspired and driven with passion after the coming of the Holy Spirit. This Spirit is also with us, giving us the energy, the motivation to bring Good News to our world. Jesus told His Apostles that they were to go out and proclaim the Good News, they were sent on mission. So are we! Our mission is to bring hope and love into our world. So, let us make a resolution to “let the cat out of the bag”!
Margo Murphy
Province Leader