All claims to the contrary, Jesus did not preach from a place of rigid binaries and judgments but from a place of continual becoming. He befriended outcasts and lived on the margins of society while staying in relationship with wealthy and powerful people, some of whom became patrons and disciples.
‘Nobody is so poor that he/she has nothing to give, and nobody is so rich that he/she has nothing to receive.’ These words by Pope John-Paul II, offer a powerful direction for all who want to work for peace.
What a statement of commitment and choice! Let us walk in the light which the Lord gives us!
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.”
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Radical trust in the One who longs to bring you home
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).
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.
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.
What is Prayer? Prayer is intimacy with the Great Mystery. Be every moment aware of the Presence – how you are loved!
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?
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.
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.
‘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).
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.
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.