thinking honestly about life and faith
I’ve greatly appreciated the work of Elizabeth Johnson, Catholic feminist theologian, from whom this provocative quotation comes: In his brief ministry, Jesus appears as a prophet and child of Sophia sent to announce God as the God of all-inclusive love, … Read More »
We celebrate the 90th birthday of John Dominic Crossan, whose exceptional scholarship into the origins and types of the Christian testament has been so valuable. Having hosted a conference with him as the main speaker, I can testify to his … Read More »
I’m preaching this coming Sunday at the Collins Street Baptist Church (10.30 am) for the Sunday before Lent: the Lectionary Gospel is Mark 9. 2 – 9, the story commonly called the Transfiguration of Jesus, and the Epistle, from 2 … Read More »
It was the year after Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination that the thin paperback version of his Strength to love was published and, it appears, I bought it for 80 cents! This is another of those thin books, but again … Read More »
Yesterday in several Australian states it was a public holiday. In Victoria it is called ‘Labour Day’. It commemorates the foundations of the Labour movement here, where workers on the new buildings for the University of Melbourne went on strike, … Read More »
On this International Women’s Day, I write in praise of ‘Macrina the Younger’, who lived from 327 to 379 in Cappadocia, and was the sister of Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa. Gregory wrote a biography of her, lauding … Read More »
It’s a very encouraging experience when you read some notable author who says exactly what you think or, in my case, have also taught. I came across this quote, on Twitter, from the wonderful spiritual teacher and guide, Richard Rohr. … Read More »
Many of us are enjoying immensely the collection of conversations between Nick Cave and Sean O’Hagan, Faith, Hope and Carnage. (Melbourne: Text Publishing, 2022). Recorded over a couple of years, while Cave was forced to remain in Britain, during lockdowns and other … Read More »
One sense of the word ‘reflection’ is an image cast back to us, perhaps in a mirror or pool of water. I’d like to look back at the years of ministry since I was ordained 46 years ago today. From … Read More »
A week after surgery, here are a few thoughts on the experience and on the idea of patience. (BTW, I am recovering well. Thank you.) There are many interesting bon mots about patience. For example, Saint Augustine (354 – 430 ) … Read More »