The home I grew up in had an open fire, with many a chilly winter’s night gathered around its warmth. There were two rituals attached to the winter fire. One was setting the fire with crushed newspaper, strips of kindling, and pieces of larger wood. Setting the fire so it lit readily and well was Read more
He herehere tawhito o tētahi whareherehere kōwhiritia a Nazi i haere ki te toro i tana hoa he toa te whakamātautau tahi ki a ia. ‘Kua murua koe i ngā Nazi?’ ka pātai ia ki tana hoa. ‘Āe,’ te whakahoki. ‘Nā, kāore ahau. E kī ana tonu ahau ki te whakarihariha mō rātou.’ ‘I tēnā Read more
The narrative of the “The Parable of the Sower” draws our attention to the varying types of ground upon which the seed falls. The type of ground prompts introspection: which parts of me are rocky, shallow, or overrun with thorns? However, suddenly, I find myself at the centre of the narrative. I recommend reading verses Read more
On many occasions unknowingly, and on other occasions quite knowingly, Christian prayer has become a contest. Have I chosen the right place? Am I in the right posture? How often? For how long? Each becomes part of the criteria for prayer efficacy. Luke’s Gospel (18: 9 – 14), often has the heading, The Parable of Read more
The old city of Jerusalem has been surrounded by walls for its defence since ancient times. These walls have been destroyed and rebuilt countless times. A journey to the old city of Jerusalem often involves a walk along the much-excavated walls. In 16th century, during the reign of the Ottoman Empire in the region, the Read more
“When I first came to Ars, there was a man who never passed the church without going in. “In the morning on his way to work, and in the evening on his way home, he left his spade and pickaxe in the porch, and he spent a long time in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. Read more
Ordinary Time. Lent and Easter well behind us, the Church is in Ordinary Time. Looking up the definition of the word ‘ordinary’ in the Oxford Dictionary its says “not interesting or exceptional; what is commonplace or standard.” Nothing really to write home about. The liturgical colour chosen for “ordinary time” is green and maybe here Read more