In these weeks we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn to live without the compulsive busyness and idol-worship that usually fills our days
john oconnor
survive or thrive
The reality of living in lockdown hits home for New Zealander’s today and we accept this because we are willing to do everything we can in order to stop the spread of this terrible virus.
getting real
This post is not for everyone and I have no doubt that some people will be upset with the thoughts I’m about to offer.
rethinking Lent
The games we play with projects and goals, success, ambition and achievement are powerless to deliver the stability and happiness that they promise.
confident hope
While the visible present fear is a biological virus, the fact is that we humans face fear every day.
on our knees
Who needs God (we think)? We can achieve all we need on our own. And then a completely unexpected event brings us back to earth. We are grounded. We are on our knees.
first things first
In my class with the seminarians this morning I reflected on the importance of keeping perspective. Then I left the class and lost perspective completely.
loving fathers
In these Coronavirus days there is a strong sense of shared uncertainty and fear. I had a video meeting yesterday with several friends in Italy, each in isolation in their own homes.
living law
Perhaps the most tragic misunderstanding of Christian faith is to think that it’s all about rules and regulations. This is a reduction of faith to moralism and legalism.Â
to forgive
My lack of forgiveness rarely affects the one who has caused my pain, but it has a huge negative effect on me emotionally, physically, psychologically and therefore spiritually.
Latest Posts
something greater
Too often we fall into the trap of trying to be Christian in a pre-Christian kind of way. As I write I’m remembering the old song titled “Old-Time Religion”, a catchy tune with unfortunate lyrics:
“Give me that old-time religion
Give me that old-time religion
Give me that old-time religion
It’s good enough for me”
our & father
Well we’re almost a week into Lent. Think back to the gospel for Ash Wednesday: the good deeds we do for Lent are not to be paraded before others. If we do this we have had our reward since others know the good we have been doing.
the measure
In recent years I have been invited to lead sessions for the parents of children preparing for First Communion local parishes. I love working with these parents. Many have had little contact with Sunday worship for a decade or two or more. Yet their growing faith leads them to ask for a Sacrament of the Church. While our (church) response is always well-intentioned it’s usually pretty unhelpful when it focusses on Mass attendance and parish activity as the ultimate and immediate measure of faith.
airport musing
I’m writing this reflection at Wellington airport after a day with an inspiring group, reflecting together on Pope Francis’ liturgy letter Desiderio Desideravi published in June of last year. It’s my role with the National Liturgy Office that leads me, along with the NLO co-director Catherine Gibbs, to offer these formation sessions across the country.
decluttering
Fasting has become fashionable.
While many religions promote fasting as a hard but necessary practice, fasting has never really taken off as an attractive and life-giving movement. Until now maybe?