thinking honestly about life and faith
I am writing out a sense of sadness, as well as gratitude and I hope an appropriate perspective. This post concerns life and death. We’ve attended a funeral in each of the last three weeks—all older men, who had lived … Read More »
‘Hope has two beautiful daughters: Their names are anger and courage. Anger at the way things are, and courage to see that they do not remain the way they are.’ This quotation is widely attributed to St Augustine of Hippo … 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 »
Chris Womersley’s latest novel, The Diplomat (Picador, 2022) is a superbly written but gut-wrenching tale. As the cover blurb says, ‘Shot through with grief and dark comedy, The Diplomat is a powerful story of love and recovery—and a stark evocation of … 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 »
Well, not exactly, though the broader culture does not go along with the nicety that is Advent. If ever we needed to spend time reflecting on the travails fo the human community and reaching out for the hope of new … Read More »
We are enduring a rude awakening to realities our everyday life in Australia allows us to ignore. We are discovering things that much of the ‘majority world’ knew all along and lives with all the time. We are realising that … Read More »
I’ve just finished Douglas Stuart’s fabulous novel, Shuggie Bain, winner of the 2020 Booker Prize. It’s the story of a deeply unhappy woman and her son Shuggie, set in desperately poor housing in suburban Glasgow, over the years 1982 – 1992. … Read More »
I am heartily fed up with our lock-down situation, as so many people are—though I know we must do it. I believe we are doing the right thing. Except that some people aren’t, so very few—and their selfish actions threaten … Read More »