How did we learn to read? We might remember putting sounds to the letters of the alphabet and then trying to make those sounds into words. We struggled. We made mistakes. Then what happened? One day it all came together. We could read, but we didn’t know how it happened. Those words held hands with Read more
It was time for the little soul to go into incarnation. An angel spoke about the beauty of life on earth, but the little soul was reluctant to leave the place of perfection. It told the angel, “I was told that incarnation has suffering and trial and something called darkness. I want to stay in Read more
My granddaughter was young and it was her first orchestral concert. Everything was exciting for her – the programme, the crowd, the musicians walking onto the stage. Then those players started tuning their instruments; the concert hall filled with discordant noise. My granddaughter thought this was the first item. The pain on her face was Read more
December tends to be the busiest month of the year, but beneath the advertising, shopping, tinsel, and Christmas trees, there is a profound stillness. The Christ child is sleeping in the arms of his mother. The silence that gathers around them ushers in a new world. Mary is not aware of this, but we who Read more
When trees are bare in Winter, have you noticed how every branch is a replica of the entire tree? The poplar extends long, thin fingers. The oak stretches out sturdy wood, and the apple tree has knotty extensions of itself. It’s as though the tree begets its own shape again and again as it grows. Read more
In our Faith, we have created many names for the second person of the Trinity. They are names that reflect our adoration. Jesus is Christ our Saviour, Redeemer, Lamb of God, Word made Flesh, Prince of Peace, Fountain of all Holiness… Such names are deeply etched on our minds and hearts. If someone mentions “Sacred Read more
It’s easy to say that pilgrimage must be a movement forward, but it is not so easy to do. That’s because I can’t see the road ahead, which is getting wider and suggesting new scenery. What will it demand of me? We know we have to leave the oast. St Paul reminds us that we Read more
I was born into a family with a simple faith that established Jesus as the children’s friend. There were many little hymns about this, some mentioning the mothers of Saalam who brought their children to Jesus. Remember that? The disciples tried to drive the children away, but Jesus rebuked his men, and gathered the children Read more
If you are a pilgrim on a journey of faith, you have probably been on retreat. If you haven’t, then here is an attempt to describe what a retreat is, and what you can expect to gain from it. People who travel overseas know that when they return home they will be different. That also Read more
In 1982, a new Catholic fell in love with the prayers of the Mass. Those words fed me in many ways: as music for the ear, wisdom for the mind and food for the soul. There was only one problem. The words went too fast for this new convert. I wanted our priest would slow Read more