I wouldn’t mind betting that you not only noticed the image which accompanies this post but that you had a thought or a feeling about it, and maybe a curiosity about why I chose the picture.
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We know the Joseph & the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat story well. Today’s first reading opens the saga with the gift of the coat. While some translations do refer to a coat of many colours most versions describe the coat only as having long sleeves, the point being that it was an ornate robe and not a garment worn by labourers whose uniform would be more practically and economically tailored with short sleeves.
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But there’s a lot I like about the more colourful translations.
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I like that Joseph’s colourful (according to Greek and later King James Bible translations) coat, reminding us of the bright rainbow sign of the covenant of love between people and God, has become a central symbol of hope for so many people who live on the fringe, the periphery (to use the language of Pope Francis), and who too often find themselves cast out from family, social convention and preference and even (tragically) from the Church.
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While the Church often struggles to communicate the depth and beauty of its Tradition of life in relationship with Christ, many people who are following their desire for divine intimacy within complex family, neighbourhood and work and social spheres are serving as authentic messengers of Jesus.
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These wonderful and faith-filled people of the Church are prophets to the Church and to the world.
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Such holy people are not casually discarding previous cultural, community and church teaching and tradition but instead are going to the heart of God-centred life aware that the reduction of divine life to black and white rules (often rigorously promoted and rigidly imposed) not only leads to pain and even despair but is a denial of the central tenets of the good news of Jesus who is God-with-us.
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In this Sunday’s gospel reading we will meet the woman of Samaria in unexpected conversation with Jesus as she collects water.
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There was much in the woman’s life that didn’t sit easily with the societal mores and religious regulations of the time. But none of this was an issue for Jesus. He recognised this woman as a divine creation and engaged with her at a level which the woman experienced to be different, new and life-giving.
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This colourful encounter concludes with the unsurprising news that “Many Samaritans of that town had believed in him on the strength of the woman’s testimony.”
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As I write I’m thinking of the young (Saint) Carlo Acutis who with wisdom beyond his teenage years cautioned that while we are all created as originals, most of us die as photocopies.
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Too often society promotes and rewards undiscerning and blind obedience and is wary (at very least) of diversity. .
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The Church is as guilty here as any institution.
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But in every institution and in every age in the church the non-conformist colourful characters break through, rejecting wimpy political correctness and prophetically proclaiming the fearless openness of the new era announced by and found in Jesus Christ.
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I’m thinking of Francis of Assisi whose 800th anniversary of death we celebrate later this year. While he rejected the elegant fashions and fabrics which were his father’s (linen merchant) business he was among the most colourful characters in recorded history choosing to live on the peripheries with the poor and prophetically embracing the rich diversity of God’s creation.
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As Jesus reminds his listeners quoting the scriptures in today’s gospel:
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It was the stone rejected by the builders
that became the keystone.
This was the Lord’s doing
and it is wonderful to see
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. Upcoming Cafe Gatherings: . Here’s a pic from yesterday’s gathering in Waikanae. .
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Send a name, date, place and time and I’ll share your invitation. Just initiate a gathering, send me the info, and turn up to meet with anyone else who wants to take an hour to chat about their experience of God.
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Monday 9 March 2026 10.00am
Moko Cafe, Bush Inn Centre, Waimairi Rd,
Upper Riccarton, Christchurch
Trish
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Tuesday 10 March 2026 11.00am
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Wednesday 11 March 2026 10.00am
Stumble Inn, 200 Mangorei Road, New Plymouth
Joan
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Love the colour if only we all embrace colourfulness ours and others what a colourful world we would create. Will remember this picture all day long and smile.
Thank you for this post.
I could share this with a great number of my friends from all walks of life and it would ring true to them. Christ’s love is so broad, who are we to confine it?