Reflections
On the difficult relationship between God and man and on the virtue of hating demons
There is a fresco in the Santa Maria del Carmine church in Florence by the Italian Early Renaissance artist Masaccio. It shows the difficult relationship between God and man. Shades of beige, dirty yellow dominate the painting. Red and grey-blue create the background. On the foreground there are naked people: Adam covers his face with […]
Continue ReadingLife as A Vocation
Once we reflect on our lives in the context of Christ’s calling “follow me”, we are already changed as we allow Christ’s eyes to rest on us and to touch our hearts deeply. Once we enter into the paradigm of life as a vocation, we know that the main question for us is not how […]
Continue ReadingLove of God
Have you ever been asked: do you love God? Whatever we think, let us say that we do love God to some extent. Do not be afraid to say it. The first step to that love is faith. Faith opens the gate to another world, the world of God’s presence, tenderness love, call to mission. […]
Continue ReadingA short story of “striking appearance”(mediation)
Today we are celebrating the Epiphany of the Lord. The word “epiphany” (ἐπιφάνεια), means “manifestation”, “striking appearance”. Indeed, it is amazing to host the Divine Person who became one of us. Indeed, it is amazing to witness the unveiled, however still in faith, reality of God who became visible and tangible. Indeed it is striking […]
Continue ReadingWhere is the baby?
Where is the baby who was in the womb of Mary against whom the enraged dragon went off to wage war? He lies in a manger. He is on the altar. He is conceived in me. Where is the baby protected by Joseph in the womb of Mary against stones of shame, despair and the […]
Continue ReadingNativity
In the littleness of Mary underneath the darkness God is born Herod searches the innocents the disciples escape shepherds come Magi come In Bethlehem underneath the evil the fury of rejection is stopped It only exalts the King of the Universe above the earth In the meekness of Mary God is born Who is ready […]
Continue ReadingEvangelisation and other areas of parish life
Evangelisation is the annunciation of the Good News about God and man. It is followed by the desire of individuals to meet Christ in the Bible and Sacraments. It is also followed by the desire to share the mutual joy of belonging to the same mystery of God being amongst us. The Visitation to St […]
Continue ReadingTime draws us to Bethlehem
It does not matter that we feel every jolt, rock and rut in the road. It does not matter that we are at the limit of our strength. It does not matter that Mary holds her aching middle. Next time this week the boy will be born. Mary will wrap him in nappies. Joseph will […]
Continue ReadingEvangelisation in parish life – priority of personal encounter with Christ
Visitors have commented that we are very good at welcoming and it touches the hearts of those who come to our church. Our aim, though, is not only bringing people into the parish, as we do not belong to a “club”. Although we really need to build on our big strength – a welcoming attitude […]
Continue ReadingWhy adoration is in the centre of our parish life?
Let us build our parish on the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Our parish is like a person who, although great and charming, has underlying problems with their heart rhythm – a heart disease. This is one of the images I have of our parish. In this context, it does not matter how much we […]
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