Reflection of the Week - 22nd November 2022
The words “gratitude” and “grace” come from the same root word, gratia in Latin. . . . “Grace” is a theological word, one with profound spiritual meaning. Grace means “unmerited favor.”
New Times - Faith
Reflection of the Week - 15th November 2022
Once we know that the entire physical world around us, all of creation, is both the hiding place and the revelation place for God, this world becomes home, safe, enchanted, offering grace to any who look deeply. —Richard Rohr, The Universal Christ
Reflection of the Week - 8th November 2022
On All Saints Day we recall the great cloud or crowd of witnesses who have gone before, who are with us now, and who will be beyond our time. On All Souls Day we remember those who have passed away. What a wonderful annual reminder that God’s love reaches across all time and space.
Reflection of the Week - 1st November 2022
Wealthy, corrupt and unscrupulous. Shocking the gathered crowd and righteous folk. Unsettling Law, tradition and culture. Sharing food and wine as if friends or even family. Why would he do that? I mean Jesus.
Reflection of the Week - 25th October 2022
Many people have observed that the human condition seems burdened with a dualistic way of understanding reality. This divided nature of our minds creates a spiritual warfare within us. It creates a conflict between sin and righteousness, which we often lose.
Reflection of the Week - 18th October 2022
The message is clear. God has written it on our hearts. Persevere in sharing the good news of God’s grace and love, through our words and actions.
Reflection of the Week - 11th October 2022
Radical trust in the One who longs to bring you home
Reflection of the Week - 4th October 2022
While Jesus predicts that people will die of fear ‘as they await what menaces the world’ (Luke 21:26), he says to his followers: ‘Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to stand with confidence before the Son of Man’ (Luke 21:36).
Reflection of the Week - 27th September 2022
Listening is much more than allowing another to talk while waiting for a chance to respond. Listening is paying full attention to others and welcoming them into our very beings.
Reflection of the Week - 20th September 2022
In Mirabai Starr’s book ‘Saint John of the Cross: Luminous Darkness,’ she highlights four major themes found in the writings of John of the Cross (1542–1591): longing, silence, unknowing and love. This meditation focuses on these four enduring mystical themes.
Reflection of the Week - 13th September 2022
What is Prayer? Prayer is intimacy with the Great Mystery. Be every moment aware of the Presence – how you are loved!
Reflection of the Week - 6th September 2022
What a shock! How does Luke 14:25-33 fit with the God of love, having life and living it abundantly, honouring your mother and father, and loving your neighbour?
Reflection of the Week - 30th August 2022
We all want a place at the table. To have the place that is near the most honoured person in the room, is a wonderful thing! To have a place at all, is an even greater gift.
Reflection of the Week - 23rd August 2022
When our focus is on Church rules, rationale and regulations, we often forget the real person, the intentional reason and the relevancy of why the rules were developed in the first place.
Reflection of the Week - 16th August 2022
‘When we discern the sacramental principle in the world—the presence of God in every person and every place—then we can rejoice and celebrate the fullness of life and the joy of creation.’ (John Chryssavgis, Creation as Sacrament).
Reflection of the Week - 9th August 2022
Baptism into life with God is too often related to precise ways of being, and specific practices within our religious life. However, ‘being ready’ with our soul’s lamps lit by the Spirit, and being companioned on the road with Jesus, means we are prepared to be immersed into any unexpected awesome adventure that comes before us - even if it is unexpected, and being revealed at a ‘midnight’ moment of life, or at the dawning of new horizons.
Reflection of the Week - 2nd August 2022
The word “innocent” from its Latin root means “not wounded.” That’s how we all start life. We’re all innocent. It doesn’t have anything to do with morally right or wrong. It has to do with not yet being wounded.
Reflection of the Week - 26th July 2022
If we are incapable of hearing others, we will also be incapable of hearing God. If we spend all day controlling and blocking others, why would we change when we kneel to pray?
Reflection of the Week - 19th July 2022
Our lives are in constant demand. We are drawn to the loudest voice, the daily task that is most pressing, or the cause of humanity that is deemed most urgent. Our senses are constantly bombarded by white noise: of life distracting us from the real life-giving source of peace, joy, love and hope.
Reflection of the Week - 12th July 2022
During the apostle Paul’s lifetime, the church was not yet an institution or structural grouping of common practices and beliefs. The church was a living organism that communicated the gospel through relationships.