I am delighted that the new entrance gate has now been installed at the Amberley church. It is a superb beginning to the 150th anniversary of the opening of this...
building beauty
One of my classes this morning with Denis McNamara got me thinking anew about beauty. It is commonly commented that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but certainly...
R.E. Congress 2014
I am often inspired by the clarity, attractiveness and depth of Fr. Robert Barron's reflections. This weekend (13-16 March) he was a keynote speaker at the Archdiocese...
“my smilin face…
The Dr. Hook hit "Cover of the Rollin Stone" has been playing in my head since I heard this morning that Pope Francis has made it. Earlier in the day a media person...
beauty ever new
I have been thinking about beauty all year. It was only a few hours into the new year when an email from Jason (who created this foodforfaith website and looks after...
beauty
A brief email conversation with a friend a couple of days ago got me thinking about beauty. It is commonly commented that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but...
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living in colour
A few years ago I picked up a John August Swanson work – only a print unfortunately, but still full of power, and colour.
So much colour.
Today’s post-resurrection encounter with Jesus reminds me of this great Swanson work “The Big Catch.”
These fishermen previously endured a mere existence in black and white, getting through each day, their regular routines dictated by the demands and fears of friends and foes.

let’s get physical
Note the physicality of today’s gospel reading.
Physical features (hearts, hands, feet, mouth, eyes) abound and emotional realities are strong (peace, alarm, fright, agitation, doubt).

resurrection energy
I had planned to continue the daily reflections through this Easter Week but I’ve already missed Easter Monday and Easter Tuesday and now it’s early morning on Easter Wednesday. Thank you to those who emailed with “where are you”, “what happened” and “I haven’t had a FFF email this week.” Thank you for your enthusiasm and for keeping me on my toes.

Easter people ?
There is a great old Easter greeting: “We are an Easter people” to which hearers respond “and Alleluia is our song!” I love this, and if I see you in this Easter Week, this Octave of Easter Sundays, you are welcome to greet me in this way. The reason I need to be reminded that we are an Easter people is that I too often reduce the Easter life we are offered to ideas and categories, words and formulas, customary ways of thinking and acting.

experiencing
Consider the range of emotions that the disciples of Jesus moved through over the days of his final suffering and his crucifixion and resurrection. Such extremes of feeling cannot be imagined or pondered with disinterest. They must be experienced.