thinking honestly about life and faith
Today is declared the International Day of Peace by the United Nations. So it should be—today, and every day. It’s worth thinking about this word ‘peace’ and what a day of peace might mean, or even a year of peace, … Read More »
SBS today reports: Former Prime Minister John Howard says a 50-50 balance of men and women in parliament is unlikely to happen – because women primarily play a “caring role” in society. This appalling statement is typical of Howard’s style of … Read More »
On this ‘Fathers Day’ I thought to share some delightful things I have found through my reading, about children. I think there is a lot of sentimental nonsense written, at times, about children, but then too there is much wisdom … Read More »
When I returned from my short visit to Rome recently, a surprising number of people asked me, Did you see the Pope? Well, almost. On one afternoon we were shown around some parts of St Peter’s where the public generally … Read More »
We had a brilliant sermon today at Collins Street Baptist Church: it was the first in our 4 week series relating to the Melbourne International Film Festival. We saw clips from the film Whale Rider and Rev Carolyn Francis spoke insightfully … Read More »
Today I read a short paragraph that I found deeply challenging simply because of its pithy succinctness: Bad religion has always favoured escape, passivity, irresponsibility. By dint of fixing one’s eyes on heaven above, one does not see what takes … Read More »
Many a parent or partner has uttered those words: Are you listening to me? The frustration inherent in the question reflects the fact that we can be ‘hearing’ what someone says but not really listening. In the political arena it … Read More »
Today, July 19th 2016, it is exactly 100 years since what has been called the worst 24 hours in Australian military history: at Fromelles in Northern France, 1,917 Australians were killed and 3,416 were wounded. This was part of the great … Read More »
I have been reflecting on the prophetic dimensions of a faith-commitment. It seems to me that we now live in a time and situation where not just some individuals, but perhaps all people of faith are in some degree called … Read More »
It is not an easy experience to be in a gathering where you understand less than 10% of what is being said: and that is what it was like today when I attended the Pentecost Mass at St Andrea Avellino … Read More »