The Opening Prayer (or “Collect” of today’s Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Advent is the concluding prayer of the “Angelus”
john oconnor
the visit
I've noticed that North Americans use the term "visit" in a very broad sense. Whereas in NZ we might plan to visit someone (in person), Americans will also speak of...
can I be sure?
The mature person of prayer knows that the deepest human desire is not to have our little prayers magically answered, but to know that God is with us in our joys, hopes, griefs and anxieties.
free from stress
No need to read further if you never experience stress
in giving we receive
From today's gospel for the Third Sunday of Advent: When all the people asked John [the Baptist], ‘What must we do?’ he answered, ‘If anyone has two tunics he must...
where there is love
Consider the family and friends you will spend time with at Christmas. In this group there will be a complexity of relationships and diverse expressions of love. You might offer a prayer that begins: “Jesus, Your ways are not our ways
a better way
Jesus reminds us that His kingdom is not of this world warning that his followers would often feel alien even among family and friends
relax
To make matters more complicated we are surrounded by signs pointing in every direction. Navigating a daily direction cannot be left to chance. It requires an intimate relationship with God and a keen and active discernment.
you know me
“Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.”
power plus
Too often we fall into the trap of reducing God to a “spiritual” being considering Jesus to be more like a childhood “imaginary friend.” But Jesus is present with us really, physically and tangibly
Latest Posts
THE voice
Have you ever noticed how many passages in the scriptures begin: Jesus said to… or God spoke to (so and so) saying…?
holding fast
An adult faith is not a faith that follows the trends of fashion and the latest novelty
the button tin
I remember wondering what led my ancestor to take the time to paint these words on the tin.
an ok time
Jesus does not need me to get things right before he can begin to work for me, with me and in me.
circumstances
So perhaps this is the Lenten invitation for the one who seeks greater maturity in relationship with Jesus and with others