Ryan Mission Statement

Sacred stories are an important way for people to understand their background, and the values which others have lived by. Sacred stories also pass on history and significant events, which is demonstrated in the Bible. Every story in the Bible helps in showing everyone how God lived, and therefore demonstrates how we should live. A particular sacred story plays an important role in RCC’s identity which is the Emmaus story The Ryan mission statement outlines that students are called to journey through faith, service, compassion, and learning (Philosophy | Ryan Catholic College 2023) . The scripture that best relates to the college mission statement value of compassion and service is Mark 1: 40-42, which talks about Jesus helping a leper, demonstrating

During this time, being clean was seen as a good thing, and being unclean was associated with people who were lesser (Jesus healing the leper and the Purity Law in the Gospel of Matthew). In this time, if you weren’t clean, you were considered unwelcomed and were avoided by your community. This is also evident when the leper “begged him on his knees”. The repetition of the word “clean”, symbolises the exact social construct that was evident during the time. Along with compassion, this scripture also demonstrates love. The compassion and love that Jesus showed the leper demonstrates how people today should love thy neighbour (Matthew 22:37–39). When Jesus touched the leper, while not becoming impure himself, let his purity flow from him towards the leper. (Jesus healing the leper and the Purity Law in the Gospel of Matthew). This is how Jesus demonstrated his love and compassion for not only his followers, but those who might not be as close to

In this scripture, these stereotypes are demonstrated through how people saw those who were poorer, or less fortunate. Jesus, in return, shows his anger and frustration at the unfairness of society, and wants to disregard these societal standards and help everyone who needs it. While this does show compassion, it also demonstrates the empathy. This is shown in the line “Jesus was indignant”, which is to show annoyance to what is perceived as unfair treatment, that of which is demonstrated in this story. By Jesus’ disregard of the stereotype, it represents that anyone can show compassion and empathy for anyone, as well as demonstrating how we should treat those who are less fortunate with this compassion, despite society standards. He teaches us that we, as a community, should not care about what society says about certain groups of people, and help everyone. At the time this scripture was written, the significance of these structures, and the way Jesus feels about them, shows us exactly how we should perceive these structures we experience today. As the 2023 Year 11 cohort, students thrive to also disregard these stereotypes, and help anyone who needs it. Everyone should show compassion and empathy the same way Jesus