Tag Archive for ‘silence’
Can You Bear It?
Bob Semple was a pioneer Labour MP in NZ with a colourful turn of phrase; e.g. of an opposing MP who had written his autobiography, he said “I could write his biography on the back of penny stamp with a carpenter’s pencil.” When accused of having timber in Australia, he said “I wouldn’t have enough […]
The Need to Water the Roots
In the last article I pointed out that as a basis for prayer and the life of union with God we need in the first place to be fully human. Part of being fully human is that we find ways of cultivating the spirit and the deep-self. In this article I wish to demonstrate more […]
Saturday 12 November
Wisdom 18: 14-16, 19: 6-9, Ps. 105, Luke 18: 1-8 Persistence in prayer In this parable, Jesus contrasts God with an unjust judge. The judge has all the power in the situation, but the vulnerable, defenceless widow is relentlessly persistent. The judge eventually fears that she will ‘worry me to death’. The Greek could mean […]
Monday 24 October
Romans 8:12-17, Ps.68, Luke 13:10-17 Prayer after communion Jesus is in tune with my needs, my weaknesses no matter the day of the week. If I put myself into his healing presence he will not fail me because of some man made law. A good time to be close to him is after Holy Communion. […]
Tuesday 4 October
St. Francis of Assisi Jonah 3:1-10, Ps.130, Luke 10:38-42 Listen up! Jesus needed to be fed and listened to. Cooks abound in the world. Good listeners do not. The world needs both. Listening to Jesus is a big part of prayer. Is my heart still enough to be a good listener? Can I remove myself […]
Hidden In Plain View – A Do-it-Yourself One-Day Retreat in Daily Life
Have you ever had the experience where you have searched for something everywhere, over and over, only to have someone else come along and see it immediately, “hidden in plain view”? I think my encounters with God are often like that. I search in books and on tapes, at lectures and in homilies, in groups […]
The Basket
A story by Michele O’Neill “Is that an Anne Geddes?” she asked, smiling as she looked at the picture of a babe peacefully curled up in a basket, seemingly snuggled into a nest of colourful scarves. “No,” I heard myself answering. It was not the first time I had been asked about that picture which […]
About Contemplation in General
In the former chapters I explained that ‘contemplation’ in the Christian tradition takes two main forms. Firstly, there is ‘contemplation’ as understood by the Fathers of the Church and official church documents. This contemplation is mainly active. When we contemplate in this way we use our faculties and feelings to the full. The second type […]
Waihau Bay Reflection
We packed up all our cares and woes and drove out of Hawke Bay into Poverty Bay and up the coast. We were heading out of an awful year into what we hope will be a kinder time. With two new granddaughters under our belt the prospects are looking good. It is our second drive […]
Saturday April 30
Acts 4:13-21, Ps 118, Mark 16:9-15 He showed himself in another form Mary of Magdala recognised the Risen Lord when he appeared to her. He showed himself in another form to two others who also recognised him. Two millennia later, Jesus still shows himself in a myriad of forms. How do I recognise Jesus in […]
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