Monthly Archives: April 2012

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen – fishes & faith

A wealthy sheikh decides on a visionary project that would be of benefit to his people (not to mention front door access to  his favourite British sport). Having already built a dam for irrigation, he would now like to stock it with salmon for fly fishing. Money is no obstacle, only the initial stubbornness of a narrowlyContinue reading “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen – fishes & faith”

Blessed are the cheesemakers…

Sorry – can never hear the “peacemakers” beatitude quite the same again after Monty Python. Unless I hear it in a translation from the Aramaic text. Here it is: Healed are those who bear the fruit of sympathy and safety for all, they shall hasten the coming of God’s new creation.  (Blessed are the peacemakersContinue reading “Blessed are the cheesemakers…”

In praise of purposeful passion

Time to consider another Beatitude from the syntax of Jesus’own native language: Happy are they whose passion radiates with deep abiding purpose, they shall envision the furthest extent of life’s wealth. (Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God) Again, a translation of this Beatitude from the Aramaic text calls forth freshContinue reading “In praise of purposeful passion”

Terror at the Empty Tomb

“So they went out and fled from the tomb,  for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone,  for they were afraid.” Mark 16:8 So ends the earliest gospel narrative, describing the reaction of the women who, on arriving at the tomb where Jesus’ crucified body was laid, and expecting toContinue reading “Terror at the Empty Tomb”

Mercy from the inner womb

Healthy are they who from the inner womb birth forth compassion, they shall feel its warm arms embracing them. (Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy) Mercy is often depicted as the grudging letting go of rightful retribution or discipline for a wrong, along the lines of “OK, I’ll let you off thisContinue reading “Mercy from the inner womb”