thinking honestly about life and faith
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 »
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 »
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 »
A reflection for Good Friday: ‘My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?’ (Matthew 27.46 & Mark 15.34) I want to offer a reflection on this specific utterance which we find in the earliest gospel account (Mark) as the only … Read More »
I’m presently in Washington DC—the place where very powerful meetings take place. On the TV I hear the constant reference to the most powerful and wealthiest nation in the history of the world, from the various contenders for nomination for the … Read More »
So busy! Too busy! We all say it, and we all struggle to work out why, and what we can do about it. Lent is meant to be a time of tranquil reflection upon our lives and the possible meaning … Read More »
My readings this week (for the beginning of Lent) include a lot about poverty, the aspects of self-denial, chosen weakness and failure. Those who follow the crucified Christ will be familiar with failure—and in one reading, the author encountered a … Read More »
If the topics of forming faith and hope were complex and many-facetted, this one is even more so! ‘Forming love’ is surely what life is all about. As humans, one of our basic needs is to love and be loved, … Read More »