wonderingpilgrim

Notre Dame & the Easter Triduum

Universal horror unfolds this morning as news arrives of one of Christendom’s ancient and iconic structure’s destruction by fire. That the 800-year-old Notre Dame cathedral in Paris should fall in the days of Holy Week – the dramatic re-living of trial leading to the climax of crucifixion and resurrection – should not escape the noticeContinue reading “Notre Dame & the Easter Triduum”

Palm Sunday Choices

Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan would have us choose between the military procession following Pontius Pilate in triumphant might through one gate of Jerusalem, reminding the Passover crowds that it is Caesar who is really in charge around here – or the more modest procession entering another gate, the one led by a countryContinue reading “Palm Sunday Choices”

Musing on Bethany & the Budget

I look at next Sunday’s text as the Federal Budget 2019 is being delivered in Canberra. We’ve moved into John’s Gospel, the place where, in her home in Bethany, Mary, with much devotion, extravagantly pours pure nard over Jesus’ feet. The aroma fills the house where she lives with her siblings, Martha and Lazarus. Judas,Continue reading “Musing on Bethany & the Budget”

Please, come home, son! (But which one is he begging?)

He had already run down the road to greet the returning wasteful prodigal. He had already thrown the best robe around his shoulders and was now feting him with a roast calf on the spit and having all his old friends around. His youngest was home, bewildered, hosed and feted, hardly believing the turn ofContinue reading “Please, come home, son! (But which one is he begging?)”

There is still time…here’s a fig!

It has been a distressing weekend. The sheer man-made horror of the Christchurch massacre and the posturing of politicians on our side of the ditch has occupied much of our attention. Like those present to eerily similar events in next Sunday’s gospel text, we turn to our faith (and some of us, our non-faith) stances to askContinue reading “There is still time…here’s a fig!”

When Despot & Teacher Clash

It’s no secret that Herod Antipas and Jesus of Nazareth don’t get on with each other. One has a transient realm to champion and protect; the other points to a realm that transcends time and space and that is centred in the most intimate depths of the human heart. One works from the outside inContinue reading “When Despot & Teacher Clash”

What glitters in those ashes?

I heard of a priest who will mix glitter with the ashes he will place on children’s foreheads tomorrow. As we present ourselves for daubing on Ash Wednesday, the traditional launch of the 40 day period of fasting and self-reflection leading to Holy Week and Easter, we may well ask, “What glitters in those ashes?”Continue reading “What glitters in those ashes?”

Hang on to your crowns!

Next Sunday we will be on the Mountain of Transfiguration with three of Jesus’ lieutenants, Peter, James and John, watching agog as a larger than life dazzling Jesus converses with the long-dead patriarchs, Moses and Elijah. This event traditionally marks the shift from the season of Epiphany to the season of Lent. Traditionally, the ChristianContinue reading “Hang on to your crowns!”

Yield to the Energy of Epiphany!

We are used to seeing Jesus’ utterances in the Sermon on the Mount, or in next Sunday’s Luke version, the Sermon on the Plain, as moral maxims to which to aspire. As day to day challenges catch us on the hop, we default to passive-aggressive pushback against those who cross us and we conclude thatContinue reading “Yield to the Energy of Epiphany!”

Doctors’ medivacs for offshore detainees. Blessing or curse?

For those who have lobbied long – a blessing on the long and steep slope as our country claws back some semblance of humanitarian treatment of those who come seeking help. For those who stand fast on border security and deterrence – a curse that weakens a tough stance that is mandated to sacrifice theContinue reading “Doctors’ medivacs for offshore detainees. Blessing or curse?”