May we attain your promises, which surpass every human desire.
Desire
let go the net
It is commonly wrongly thought that the call of God is at odds with our deepest human longings. But when we do set out on the paths that God has revealed, we discover that we are truly ourselves.
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.
our holy longing
While at times we are faced with decisions involving good and evil, most often our choices are between something good, something better, and perhaps a best option.
easily pleased
It’s 56 years today since CS Lewis died. One of my favourite Lewis quotes is about the boy making mud-pies: “…We are far too easily pleased”
following desire
In every moment, any human is motivated by attraction, or by resistance. Those who are beginners in life’s journey simply go with attraction and act against whatever they consider to be distasteful.
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.
fully human
It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us
progress
Earlier in the year I moved into the heart of Christchurch city where I now live in the Cathedral presbytery beside the earthquaked Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. You can see the remains of the destroyed Cathedral sanctuary behind me in this video clip – an appropriate backdrop for this first Advent reflection on making progress and moving forward
in great company
It was a delight to spend time last night with five of our six seminarians for the diocese of Christchurch at Holy Cross Seminary in Auckland, and later in the evening...
Latest Posts
Cana abundance
“In the present order of things, Divine Providence is leading us to a new order of human relations…”
key to wisdom
The new wisdom of the Magi was that they now knew how to listen for and recognise the voice of Christ
immense hope
This encounter which begins a life of intimacy with God, is the most fundamental need of every person.
let it be
This eve of a new year heralds a new dawn. Let us look expectantly to a new year, new joys, new possibilities
maturing
God never lets anything happen unless it serves for the growth and maturation of those He has called.