It is a blessing to have a Pope who sees a world of religious multiplication rather than religious division. Many of us grew up in an era of “We are right and the others are wrong.” Christian churches seemed to have high fences around them, and religions that were not Christian were often labelled “Heathen” Read more
A friend sent me some photos of a spectacular sunrise over Wellington. The crimson glow on the sky and harbour progressed to orange and deep purple before it faded to a promise of rain. That sunrise was my prayer for the morning. It perfectly described the fire of Pentecost that, paradoxically, sets us alight and Read more
If you have listened many times to the Palm Sunday Gospel readings, you will know the hush that descends on the congregation. It is not the silence of peaceful meditation. Rather it contains the crushing horror of the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. Once again, we walk with Jesus to Golgotha and feel helpless as Read more
When I’m asked why I am a Catholic, the simplest answer is: “Because it works.” Sometimes, that hasn’t been enough. People have wanted detail, a comprehensive answer to their “why?” The explanation can be long and tedious. Do they want a personal journey? Or something about Catholic teaching? It is one thing to talk about Read more
In March 2020l, Lockdown happened so fast, it felt like an emotional earthquake. Nothing like it had happened to this country. We didn’t know how to react. Understanding this, our leaders knew they needed to give daily broadcasts. Those updates held us together. We tuned in each day to Covid news that finished with a Read more
When we read the Gospels as a parable, they bring new meaning to us, and this is especially so in the holy seasons of Advent and Easter. In prayer, we are now with Mary and the angel. Gabriel does not appear to us like something from a medieval painting, but we are aware of a Read more
In the spiritual realm, crucifixions and resurrections are not separate, and, as Jesus demonstrated, what is resurrected is always greater than what has died. We have all experienced this way of growth in some form or other. We need to be emptied in order to be filled. Ignatian teacher Margaret Silf writes in her book Read more
Let’s think about this. Being anti-abortion and being pro-life are in effect, not the same thing. The first is negative and confrontational, while the second is positive and pro-active. Which is likely to work? I’m not dismissing the way we feel about the first. Abortion is always a tragedy. There may be some women for Read more
Is there such a thing as third sight? In a Faith context, first and second sight usually refer to “knowing” rather than physical vision. I suppose first sight would be “head knowing,” the teachings we are given to guide us on the pilgrimage we call Life. These are valuable maps and usually, a one size Read more
July 31st brought Ignatius of Loyola into morning prayer. However, he didn’t stay there for long. My thoughts moved on to another Saint who has had a significant influence – Teresa of Avila. Teresa hi-jacked me in 1980. I wanted to go to Toledo but boarded the wrong bus and ended up in her convent Read more