Humans too often make the fatal mistake of separating body and soul, yet our deep desire is for unity of body and soul.
Mary MacKillop
Too often we settle for an existence of lurching from one satisfaction to the next.
an inner peak
I know a few people, including several Food For Faith followers, who are nearing death. Some of these are elderly and accepting that their life on earth is naturally coming to an end. Others, well before their time, are struggling with poor health and living with diagnoses of terminal illness.
Corpus Christi
Orvieto is a beautiful Italian hill-top settlement where all roads lead to the magnificent medieval Cathedral. The ‘treasure’ of this church is the corporal onto which the host was said to bleed during Mass at the nearby town of Bolsena in the year 1263.
In that Middle-Age era of scepticism and instability, reports of the miracle spread rapidly and widely as a message of hope and confidence in the reality of Jesus present in the form of bread and wine. What Christians knew to be true was verified once again. The people were delighted.
Valentine’s Day
Yes, there was a Saint Valentine. In fact it seems there were many early Christian martyrs named Valentine.
But people do not think of these saints when they celebrate St. Valentine’s Day. February 14 is a more superficial celebration of ‘romantic love’, popularised by Medieval artists, Renaissance poets and contemporary commercial entrepreneurs.
This is far from the witness of early Christian Valentines who died as martyrs in love of their God.
living abundantly
I’m always happy to receive invitations for parish retreats or missions. My latest invitation is from the Catholic parish of Ponsonby / Herne Bay in Auckland.
An Invitation to begin the work and study year with a deepened appreciation of the presence and action of Jesus Christ, God-with-us, in every moment of the year ahead.
I offer these sessions, using the scriptures of the day as a starting point for encountering Jesus Christ in the reality of our lives. Each of the sessions stands alone, come to one or two or all as your time allows.
Feast of Francis
a prayer encouragement for the feast of Francis.
a week of feasting
Abundant human life becomes possible only when lived in intimate relationship with God
follow
Take a moment to imagine Jesus pointing you out in the crowd, calling you by name, and inviting you to follow.
feasting the cross
The cross is not just a difficulty or an obstacle, but when carried through suffering to death, IS the pathway to life.
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Tikkun Olam
If you are ready for a broader faith perspective you might appreciate this offering – something a little different

seeking & calling
In every encounter, local and afar, with people of every age and at every stage of life, the struggles and joys of people are remarkably similar.

Assumption
Humans too often make the fatal mistake of separating body and soul, yet our deep desire is for unity of body and soul.

ahead of grace ?
Both readings are personal favourites and every time I hear them and ponder them these texts speak to me in new and powerful ways.

Mary MacKillop
Too often we settle for an existence of lurching from one satisfaction to the next.