Healthy families have always been extended, not only biological relations but friends and those who are in need.
family
a big family
In this new era biological connection is not the central definition of family
redefining family
Our definitions of family are often too narrow, certainly more restrictive than the beautifully diverse reality that is family life in 2019. Listen to my 3 minute homily at this link
belonging
What is family? Most people hope that their family will be a place of belonging and growth. The reality is that our biological families exist only for a time. I am the...
family & friends
In today's gospel Jesus really blurs any clear distinction between family and friends when he asks "who is my mother? Who are my brothers?" We often have unrealistic...
a single goal
One of the most inspiring sights at Christmas Masses is to see families gathered from all over for one purpose, to be together for Christmas. I use the term "families"...
couples @ synod
Earlier this week I was asked about who speaks at the Synod, "is it just bishops?" While the majority of participants are bishops, here is a brief interview with...
family
For most of the history of human civilization the term family has been used to speak of a community of love, parents and children, and a complex and diverse range of...
Latest Posts
Ascension
Most people think of the Ascension of Jesus as being a ‘departure’ moment. Jesus was here and now he is gone. We imagine Jesus going up into the clouds and the disciples waving farewell from below.
This is an unhelpful image.
It is essential that we understand what does happen and what does not happen in the Ascension event.
It would be easy to wrongly think that in his ministry showed us how to build the city of God on earth, and now he has gone and the mission is left to us.
touching the sacred
A few years ago I was on Rēkohu Chatham Islands for what has become one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most sacred days, the ANZAC day of remembrance in gratitude for those who gave their lives, their health, their youth, their service that we may live in peace.
The art above was produced by one of the students at the local Te One school.
every which way
A good number of Food For Faith readers have discovered one of the more recent FFF initiatives, the weekly Homily Studio.
The recording of this half-hour podcast is one of the highlights of my week.
in the room
Today’s reflection marks the end of the FFF Lent-to-Easter daily email posts. Thank you for your company on this journey. While these daily posts (for those who have signed up for the Lent / Advent reflections at this link) will take a break until Advent, those who have signed up to receive every post or regular posts at this link. You might take a moment now to visit this page now to check your email preferences.
During retreat this week I found myself pondering just how difficult it is to accept that God, in Jesus, is really with me today.
disciplined discipleship
As I write I’m nearing the end of retreat days with a group of fifty priests from across the USA. As I mentioned a couple of days ago the diversity and youth of the group is remarkable with the majority being aged under 40 and a good number ordained for fewer than five years.