On 25 January, in various other parts of the world, millions of men and women celebrate the Lunar New Year and welcome in the Year of the Rat. We remember especially those people of China who are separated from their families at this time because of the coronavirus outbreak.
On 26 January, Australians at home and abroad celebrate their National Day.
Let us pray in the words of Pope Francis that all our homelands “be places of education in the virtues of welcome, wisdom, respect for each person and harmony with creation,” and also “for peace, dialogue and solidarity among nations: gifts which are so necessary in the world today”. (General Audience 22 January 2020)
The following article by Andrew Hamilton SJ which first appeared in the Eureka Street Publication is sobering reading for all:
https://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article/australia-day-as-a-day-for-humility