This blog is an article for the Together Paper of Wagga Wagga Diocese September Edition.
St Thomas Aquinas helps us understand that knowledge, a gift of the Holy Spirit, perfects the
cardinal virtues and strengthens the theological virtue of hope. As our understanding of faith
deepens, so too does our hope in the Lord.
What is the difference between knowing about someone and knowing someone? When we
know about someone, we know the facts about their character, story and impact. But
knowing someone requires vulnerability; not only receiving them but also giving something of
ourselves too. The same is true of our relationship with Jesus. We can have information
about him without allowing that knowledge to draw us into a relationship of knowing Him,
and yet this relationship is the very reason for the hope we hold onto.
Recently I had the opportunity to explore this kind of knowing with young people for the
second ‘Day In The Diocese’, hosted by Catholic Education Diocese of Wagga Wagga. I
joined Heath Neville as co-MC for the opening plenary, before leading workshops on
Friendship with Jesus.
With Wildfire, from the Diocese of Lismore, starting the day with music ministry, students
then participated in a variety of workshops throughout the day. My workshops explored the
theme of ‘opening our hearts to friendship with Jesus’, beginning with Aristotle’s 3 types of
friendships and what they might teach us about our relationship with Jesus.
Jesus has already chosen to love us, having made that choice while we were sinners
(Romans 5:6), and it’s not a choice He has any intention of taking back. Still, friendship
requires more than receiving; it asks something of us too. We must choose to engage in
dialogue, offer and act in love, and ultimately choose Him and love Him in return. Do we take
up His invitations, spend time with Him and receive His affection? Or is our friendship
conditional on whether He feels useful to us or the experience of His company pleasant?
They looked at what friendship with Jesus honestly feels like in this season of life. For some
of the young women it was deep, rich, loving and safe; for others it felt more casual,
disconnected, distant or unknown. They were unafraid to be honest about their relationship
and also considered the kind of friend they wanted to be to Jesus: honest, dependable,
consistent, bold and loyal.
Crucially, they were able to name ways they would practise becoming that kind of friend
rather than simply resolving to a generalised ‘pray more’: ‘being present and not distracted’,
‘being authentic when I talk to Him, not just pretend’, and ‘actually reading a small part of
Scripture every day’. As I looked at the mosaic of qualities they had created, I couldn’t help
but lift them in prayer. Their honesty had made the activity something deeply personal, and
their work deserved to be received with reverence.
After the break we gathered at St Michaels Cathedral where I led a brief reflection drawing
us back to the centre and high point of the entire event: to be united with Jesus, the greatest
of friends, participating in the sacrifice where He laid down His life so that we might be free.
The day concluded with Mass celebrated by Bishop Mark Edwards OMI, with a Cathedral full
of students singing to their hearts’ content led by Wildfire.
Some students who attended quite hesitatingly last year returned having experienced an
awakening in their faith during that time, with a new eagerness and zeal to serve. There is something deeply hopeful about that growth from from curiosity to knowledge, and from
knowledge to a desire to respond to Jesus. Congratulations to Paul Chigwidden, Mitch
Bailey and the team for an amazing 2026 Day in the Diocese.
Perhaps this is a fruit of Knowledge we can overlook: the more deeply we know Jesus, the
more eager we become to actively participate in His mission. That same invitation is at the
heart of our Grace & Virtue Fundraising Dinner on the 10th October, celebrating Ten Years
of Virtue Ministry and the completion of our inaugural formation program. Our keynote
speaker will reflect on lay participation in parish life and the gifts each of us has been given
for the life and mission of the church.
I would love for you to join us to celebrate, support the work ahead, and be reminded of what
you too have been given to offer. May we never be content merely to know about Jesus, but
continue seeking to know Him more deeply, allowing that Knowledge to deepen our faith,
strengthen our hope and move us to love.
Join us on the 10th October at 6pm. Book today for the ‘Grace & Virtue Dinner’
Written by Stina Constantine
Founder of Virtue Ministry and keynote speaker