I responded to a version of this question a day or two ago. I would prefer to rephrase it “How do faith and politics mix?” It is being asked of our current Prime Minister and addressed this morning in an article by a previous one. Most of my three years in retirement has seen meContinue reading “Do faith and politics mix?”
Category Archives: Personal
A West Aussie Hero Shows the Way
I just spent a weekend as a guest of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart (the Joeys of Mary McKillop fame) at their retreat house in Shoalwater, Western Australia. I was spending time with a peer group that meets for mutual growth and accountability. While there I became aware of the nearContinue reading “A West Aussie Hero Shows the Way”
Seventh Day Musings
It’s the last day of the year that everyone wants to forget, looking with rationally unsubstantiated optimism to 2021. But anxious questions linger. Will the vaccine work? Will the economy recover? Will the populations of new unemployed survive? What is the final but still evolving shape of the “new normal?” It is also the seventhContinue reading “Seventh Day Musings”
A Christmas reflection on a Senior Housing Crisis
This is a sermon requested by a church following the collapse of a rent-for-life scheme that targeted senior citizens, mostly in Western Australia. A public eighteen month long campaign for redress continues. As participants in this struggle, Jenny and I shared these reflections today at the Mount Hawthorn Community Church. It is but one ofContinue reading “A Christmas reflection on a Senior Housing Crisis”
Rocky Road
Matthew 16:13-20 goes bush Fishing, sinking, flailing, drowningBlustering, flustering, arguing, clowningSometimes trusting, oft with a lurch – On this rock Christ builds his church. Setting out with Christ to walk his wayRecognising that our faith can sway,Devoted to grow and serve and search –On this rock Christ builds his church. Some keys and a roosterContinue reading “Rocky Road”
She came asking…
Matthew 15:21-28 She came asking for help, I don’t know whyshe thought the Boss would turn and meekly complyHe needed a break, so we had come far awayTo this place we could hide and have some rest and some play. She shouted and clamoured and broke through our line.We’re not really bodyguards and she refusedContinue reading “She came asking…”
Getting wet feet
Matthew 14:22-33 My Dad knew a bloke who could teach me to swimMy seven year self set off feeling grimThis whole new experience filled me with doubtNevertheless, togs and towel after school I set out. The Port Canal was the place where we musteredA small group of kids and a bloke where we clusteredHe hadContinue reading “Getting wet feet”
Economy of abundance
a refection on the Feeding of the Multitudes in Matthew 14:13-21 The people are hungry; the people are sickSend them away, the numbers are thickThey’ve followed you here, its all their faultSomething’s got to give, let’s call it a halt. “Feed them yourselves, you know the wayNo need to shirk and send them awayYou’ve beenContinue reading “Economy of abundance”
Riddle me
a reflection on the Parables of Matthew 13 “Riddle-me riddle-me riddle-me-ree,Perhaps you can tell what this riddle may be:As deep as a house, as round as a cup,And all the king’s horses can’t draw it up.” These childhood rhymes from long years pastTaught by our parents, oh what a blast!Oh what agony, Oh what blissAsContinue reading “Riddle me”
Let it Be
A meditation on the Parable of the Weeds among the Wheat There are rotten folk among us while we are trying to do goodWhile we work to patch the world up, they’d prevent us if they could.Let’s raise a holy army to rout them out with glee.But You come and tell a story that counselsContinue reading “Let it Be”