The woman pours expensive perfumed ointment over Jesus’ head. It was worth about a year’s wages. The critics kick in: “How extravagant!. The money for that could have been used to to feed the poor.” Jesus defends her against the hypocrisy of her attackers. She knows what he’s about – they don’t. The challenge ofContinue reading “Reflecting on Holy Wednesday…”
Author Archives: wonderingpilgrim
Reflecting on Holy Tuesday…
The Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) finds its place in the Passion narrative of Matthew’s gospel. As the storm clouds of Jesus’ coming trial and crucifixion loom and gather, it is a reminder to those following the way of the peace of the Kingdom to remain alert and vigilant. Life and its events haveContinue reading “Reflecting on Holy Tuesday…”
Reflecting on Holy Monday…
Palm Sunday Peace immediately leads to confrontation. Jesus returns to the Jerusalem Temple and starts flipping over tables. He declares, “The Scriptures say, ‘My house shall be called a place of worship.’ But you’ve turned it into a place where robbers hide.” The extortionate practices of exchanging Roman money for Temple money in order toContinue reading “Reflecting on Holy Monday…”
Palm Sunday Reflections
I found that local primary school children were very quick to link the reign of the Palm Sunday “Prince of Peace” with the values of the Sermon on the Mount – the term’s lessons on generosity, forgiveness, trust and peacefulness. I recall my adolescent “aha!” experience when linking the Vietnam Conflict Peace Marches with theContinue reading “Palm Sunday Reflections”
Saturday Shenanigans
The garage sale went off like a shotgun. Hundreds of people moved through and we sold enough to go along way to meeting our mission commitments projections. It was a warm 34º C and the ambiance, free tea/coffee, and the mouth watering sausage sizzle meant that a lot stayed around to chat and pass the time ofContinue reading “Saturday Shenanigans”
The Great Aussie Garage Sale
Today is the day before. An army of volunteers has arrived to strip down the church and set up the trestles. Poetry in motion – they’ve done this about thirty times before. Just as quickly tomorrow afternoon it will be returned to readiness for our Sunday morning communion and worship. The painstaking stuff is happeningContinue reading “The Great Aussie Garage Sale”
Universal truth or ultimate self-indulgence? (Finale)
We survived the panel! The three of us briefly summarised our previous presentations and then fielded questions, challenges and positions from the 40 or so gathered. These ranged from the philosophical to the pragmatic. 90 minutes later we had to draw a line under the energised and enthusiastic public discussion. If it had an overallContinue reading “Universal truth or ultimate self-indulgence? (Finale)”
Shopping ethically…
… almost requires a graduate degree in economics (another area I failed dismally in at high school). I can participate in Fair Trade campaigns and look to buy what is not necessarily cheapest and what seems to be a better deal to the producers, whether they be local dairy farmers or subsistence plantation workers inContinue reading “Shopping ethically…”
Debating Global Warming…
… is not my favourite pastime as people’s minds are generally made up and difficult to sway. As a flunkee in high school physics I’m somewhat behind the eight-ball when countering climate skeptics’ arguments. What I can argue, however, is human responsibility to care for the planet. When someone gleefully seeks to trump this argumentContinue reading “Debating Global Warming…”
Universal truth or ultimate self-indulgence? (Part 3)
Neville can be counted on for controversy. Eschewing Augustine for Irenaeus (“The glory of God is every creature fully alive”), Neville’s brief was to explore a projection of “the salvation of the human species.” He proceeded with Frank Fenner, the Australian microbiologist who pioneered the eradication of smallpox who said “The human species is likelyContinue reading “Universal truth or ultimate self-indulgence? (Part 3)”
Wondering Pilgrim 