By Bishop Michael McCarthy of Rockhampton
POPE Francis, at the end of the recent Synod on the Family, spoke of the God of Surprises and, for me personally, that was my experience of God in 2014.
My year began as parish priest in the parishes of Hendra, Northgate and Hamilton and finished as the Bishop of Rockhampton – the God of Surprises.
We do experience the surprises of God that come our way and we try to take them in our stead.
In 2014, many people in western Queensland have been doing it tough and finding their lives changed because of the severe drought that has dried the landscape.
The drought and the downturn of the mining industry have emptied some of the towns of their economic viability.
Some of our families have lost a loved one, or are still grieving the death of a family member.
Into these situations, God’s words of hope and reassurance, through the ancient prophet Isaiah, come to us over the centuries, “The Lord himself, therefore, will give you a sign.
“It is this: the maiden is with child and will soon give birth to a son whom she will call Immanuel, a name which means ‘God is with us’.” (Isaiah 7:14)
The Christmas message is the assurance that our “God is with us” through all of the trials of life and he will never leave us.
This is the biggest surprise of God. God is there for us – always.
To the staff of The Catholic Leader and its readers, may the celebration of the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, always be a reassurance that our “God is with us”.
God bless you in 2015.
