The liturgical year for 2026 – Year A Matthew – began on the 1st Sunday of Advent 30 November 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Three years ago, in the Year of Matthew 2022-23, Australians voted in October 2023 on a referendum proposal to amend the constitution to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In the lead-up to the new liturgical year, Professor Vicky Balabanski, in her inaugural professorial address, explicated the Gospel of Matthew\u2019s concept of \u1f00\u03bd\u03b1\u03c7\u03c9\u03c1\u03ad\u03c9 anach\u014dre\u014d, i.e. withdraw, depart, return (home) or retire = disengage from a conflict situation (23.06).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
23.30 \u201cBy using this verb ten times, Matthew makes this a theme, within the gospel, where timely and strategic withdrawal from conflict situations is characteristic of Jesus and of other people of God.\u201d It gives \u201can important insight into the way wisdom is depicted in Matthew\u2019s story.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Balabanski juxtaposes Matthew\u2019s picture of wisdom through withdrawing from conflict with a \u201csimilar value in Australian indigenous culture placed on timely and strategic withdrawing from conflict situations.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n
She says there is a lesson here for those of us who see aggression as strength.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In response, Professor Aunty Anne Pattel-Gray reflected on how Professor Balabanski draws on ancient Aboriginal wisdom and practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aunty Anne issued a call to action to stand in solidarity\u00a0with our First Nations and the struggle for recognition of their rights and the injustices that have been perpetrated on them since white settlement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One theme for this year might be to look at how that struggle is going in the context of this new liturgical year of Matthew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n