SACEC Advent Reflections
Celebrating the birth and life of Jesus as seen through the eyes of the first century.
We will explore how four writers, with the benefit of hindsight, expressed the significance of that event
in the context of their lives and times.
Week 1. Paul: “When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption as children.” (c 55 CE)
Week 2. Matthew: “Mary has conceived her child by the Holy Spirit. … He will save his people from their sins.” (c 85 CE)
Week 3. Luke: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. … The child will be holy and will be called Son of God.” (c 85 CE)
Week 4. John: “In the beginning was the Word; the Word was with God and the Word was God. … The Word was made flesh; he lived among us. … It is the only Son who has made God known”. (c 100 CE)
WHERE AND WHEN
Hallett Cove Catholic Church, 1 Berrima Rd. Sheidow Park. 7.00 – 8.30 pm Wednesdays 3, 10 and 17 December and Monday 22 December
Mercy Centre, 4 Victoria St. Mile End. 10.00-11.30 am Mondays, 1, 8, 15 and 22 December
Presenter: Kevin Liston.
Sponsor: SA Catholics for an Evolving Church (SACEC)
For more information and to register for pre-reading (to be emailed a few days in advance each week):
Email: Kevin.liston1@gmail.com Phone: 0411 197 829.
SACEC Advent reflections: Week 1.
Celebrating the birth and life of Jesus as seen through the eyes of St. Paul
Some relevant quotes from Paul
“When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption as children.” (Galatians 4: 4-5 c 55 CE)
“… the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom 1: 3-4 c 57 CE)
“Though he was in the form of God… he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness” (Phil 2:6–7).
- Jesus the man: human just as we are.
Being “born of a woman” (Gal 4:4) Jesus lived a human life, from the inside, with its weaknesses and strengths, achievements and failures. Being a real human, he showed what humans are capable of – growing into the mindset, perspective, values and vision that he had. We can relate to him as one like us.
- Jesus preached the saving story of life and of the universe
Jesus came out of his socio-cultural background as part of the unfolding evolution of humanity – the underlying thrust and direction that was there from the beginning. Jesus showed the true destiny for humanity and the universe that ‘God had from the beginning’. (Eph 3:9, Col 1:26). God did not intervene in human history: God allowed humanity to evolve.
- Humans are in personal relationships with God as incarnations of divinity.
One outcome (purpose) of Jesus’ birth and life is that we learned that we are all God’s children – Daughters and Sons of God. All people are incarnations of God made, not from nothing, but from God. In Paul’s perspective, we are adopted (God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts – Gal 4:6); In a modern perspective, we realise that the Spirit is in us from birth.
- Life is more than a limited human experience
The revelation (discovery) of resurrection is critical for Paul. It testifies to life in the Spirit whereby Jesus was pronounced Son of God. As resurrection applies for us, we too are sharers in the larger life of the Spirit, of God. That is not just an after-death reality. It has already begun with all the highs and lows of human living.
- Jesus’ way of being human
Jesus’ life was shaped by love and care. He was humble in commitment to his vision. His ‘church’ included everyone equally – Jew and Greek, slave and free, male and female (Gal 3:28) – baptised or not. He was Son of God by virtue of the Spirit of God in him. All people are also Daughters and Sons of God by virtue of the same Spirit. He was the true model of what it is to be human.
Conclusion
As we do in celebrating anyone’s birthday, at Christmas we celebrate Jesus’ achievements and contribution to our lives and our world.
Adelaide Synod: Creativity and courage in mission
Forum on 16 October 2025 sponsored by SACEC, St Vincent de Paul Society (SA) and the Cross Road Forum
Summary report
Social justice and social action are central to the teaching and mission of Jesus and to Catholic living. The ‘doing’, in terms of both how we live and how we reach out to others, is as important as the celebrating and in fact for many Catholics, it is more central to their faith.
The free-flowing forum discussion reflected the interests and concerns of a cross-section of Adelaide Catholics who are engaged with the synod process. These are some of the important matters raised.
Mission as grace
Mission is grace, a creative act requiring courage and imagination a call to step out and go beyond the boundaries of our own worlds. It is a shift from thinking of “the Church’s mission” to “God’s mission – which has a Church.”
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What does the Church have to say to politicians?
Kevin Liston
Cross Road Forum: The Church and Politics 2 April 2025
Community of Faith and Church organisation
My presentation refers mainly to the Catholic church, not because it is most important but it is the one I am most familiar with. I like to make a distinction between the church organisation and the Community of Faith, a growing reality in Australia.
The role and place of Catholicism, of the Catholic Faith, in Australia is changing. The significance of this is that Catholics now vote from a personal position or conviction rather than in conformity with a church stance.