Overview

The book conveys my growth in anthropological awareness, and from a Christian perspective, a growing appreciation of what theological anthropology involves: how to be properly human in the spirit of Jesus of Nazareth, before God. This develops from home, through seminary, and later my army experience as chaplain. A conversion experience in the late 1970s: an appreciation of 'the other' (initially Indigenous folk) from my first years in the Kimberley as parish priest in the cross-cultural scene of Kununurra. A period of study and travel intervened during the 1980s. Exposure to the Catholic Worker movement reinforced the desirability of a critical awareness of what faith had been, and might yet be. Eight years as parish priest of Kununurra gave me the opportunity to adopt a particular critical attitude: the liberationist's 'hermeneutic of suspicion' the background my book The Catholic Church in Jaru and Gija Country. Such a hermeneutic guided my assessment of local church and of public policy. With the passing of years I began to appreciate what I have called the 'table anthropology' of the Syrophoenician woman who engaged in a gospel conversation with Jesus of Nazareth. Their recorded exchange invites us to embrace a sense of common humanity at the master's table, with an openness to the correction of our self-interests/ideology in the interests of those (others!)who are in obvious need. In Halls Creek gradually, 1997-2006, this seemed to connect with the 'learning to learn' espoused by Uruguayan theologian, Juan Luis Segundo. He became my first exemplar in faith and mission. In my seventies, towards retirement, I see life as belonging to a shared evolutionary trajectory, both for individuals and communities, indeed the global population. Life's project(s) will be given up, in the hope of having lived in a way that will prolong resurrection in the spirit of Jesus of Nazareth.

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9781863551373

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Noel McMaster is a Redemptorist priest who, over 46 years of service, has been a chaplain to the Australian Regular Army, missioner, ITIM chaplain, and scholar. He was parish priest in the East Kimberley town of Kununurra, WA, from 1978-1981 and 1989-1997, and then at Halls Creek from 1997-2006. He is presently parish priest of Moora, WA.

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