Many of our group are commenting on the way their whole understanding and appreciation of the scriptures is changing and growing through this pilgrimage to the land of...
john oconnor
let’s get over ourselves!
You may have noticed this image in yesterday's blog. Take a moment now to ponder the image while reading John chapter 21 at this link.This is an extraordinary encounter...
the shores of the lake
I am sitting in the bar with a few of our group after dinner. Â A chance to update the blog while, over a drink, the group share comments about the events of the day...
contemporaneous-ness of faith
As we journey around this holy places, I have a deep awareness that Jesus is no more here than he is in Nelson Creek, Glenavy, Avonhead or Arrowtown or Christchurch. It...
Galilee Sabbath sunrise
It is the Sabbath. Â The Jewish Sabbath begins at sundown (or when the first three stars are visible in the sky) on Friday evening, and continues until sundown on...
Transfiguration
Today our group visited Mount Tabor.This Mount of the Transfiguration of Jesus is not too far from the Sea of Galilee. From every direction it rises distinctively from...
dinner
Dining together is a highlight of each evening.
Nain, Cana, Tabor…
Last evening we celebrated the birthday of one of our group, Sr. Monika. It was a pleasure to sit together around one table, with an abundance of good food, good wine...
now to Galilee
This morning we left Jerusalem, heading south to pass Jericho, then taking the road north to the Sea of Galilee.As always the day is full of stories. Each evening...
Gethsemane Mass
In the stillness of last evening we gathered in the grotto of the garden of Gethsemane for Mass. Â This was a brief ten minute bus journey from our hotel after dinner....
Latest Posts
Handel’s Messiah
I was a student in the seminary when I was first introduced to Handel's great oratorio, Messiah. This work is widely considered to be a master-work both of composition and of communication of the Old Testament prophecy and New Testament experience of the Messiah. It...
a discerning life
If you are following the daily liturgy gospel readings this week you'll notice a couple of repeats. Yesterday's gospel from Luke is the account of the encounter between the angel Gabriel and Mary and we will hear this again on Sunday. This is the moment we call the...
humble hearts
This year the Society of St. Vincent de Paul has celebrated 150 years of caring for the poor, the sick and the vulnerable in New Zealand. Throughout the country and in every other part of the world the Vinnies’ reputation is one of closeness to those who suffer most...
just do it !
It is Monday evening as I write and I am just home from from the pre-Christmas gathering of priests of the Catholic diocese of Christchurch. It is always a remarkable and inspiring gathering. Fifty of us met at 5 this afternoon in the parish church of Christ the King,...
not me but God
Many of the illnesses we have are diagnosed as sicknesses of the body, the spirit or the mind. But the the life of the soul, our relationship with Christ, is at the heart of human health. If my relationship with Christ is vibrant and healthy many of my daily struggles...