Why+Horizons?

=Broaden your Horizons= Of all things that can influence us, experience is arguably the most powerful. To broaden your view of the world, the Horizons programme was developed so that you can learn through both the classroom programme and the experience of giving back to the community. The programme has been designed to give you the opportunity to give back to the immeadiate community in which you have grown up, and to give to the broader community in a situation outside of your comfort zone.

As you undertake this programme of Christian service, you are encouraged to look to the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus said, "THIS IS MY COMMANDMENT: LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I LOVE YOU. NOONE HAS GREATER LOVE THAN THIS, TO LAY DOWN ONE'S LIFE FOR ONE'S FRIENDS" (Jn 15:12-13).

Jesus modelled this right up until his death on the cross. His ministry was one of service. He exemplified this on the night before he died when he washed the feet of the disciples. It was customary for the guests at one's house to have their feet washed since they had travelled on muddied and dusty roads in sandals. But this work was done by slaves and servants. When the disciples protested to Jesus, their master, washing their feet he said to them, "IF I, THEREFORE, THE MASTER AND TEACHER, HAVE WASHED YOUR FEET, YOU OUGHT TO WASH ANOTHER'S FEET. I HAVE GIVEN YOU A MODEL TO FOLLOW, SO THAT AS I HAVE DONE FOR YOU, YOU SHOULD ALSO DO" (Jn 13:15).



Involvement in service sets you apart as a disciple of Jesus. The spirit and attitude that you bring to your actions are equally as important as the service that you provide. When rewarded and applauded for your service, it is again best to follow the model of Jesus and receive praise with humility. Remember that you are neither better or worse than those that you serve. We all give and we all receive. Ministry is a posture toward others, an attitude of openness and caring. It is an attitude that takes on their needs and concerns at that moment.

=The Parable of the Good Samaritan= The Sisters of Mercy offer service to others following the framework of SEE, FEEL, ACT, SUSTAIN, EMPOWER. They take this framework from the story of the Good Samaritan that Jesus told to the people. Can you see where each of these occur in the parable?



A lawyer debated Jesus about what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. Jesus told him: "You shall love the Lord, you Gd, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself" (Lk 10:27). Then Jesus was asked, 'Who is my neighbour?'. Jesus answered, '"A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. By chance a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. In the same way a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled, came where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion, came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. He set him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, and gave them to the host, and said to him, ‘Take care of him. Whatever you spend beyond that, I will repay you when I return.’ Now which of these three do you think seemed to be a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?" He said, "He who showed mercy on him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise"' (Lk 10:30-37).