Category Archives: Personal

People smuggler or the Schindler of Asia? – The Drum Opinion

People smuggler or the Schindler of Asia? – The Drum Opinion – Ali Al Jenabi was a people smuggler. Resourceful and compassionate, he took his responsibilities to others seriously. This has cost him dearly. (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). I find this article and the accompanying comments moving and disturbing on so many levels. Lamentation, sackcloth andContinue reading “People smuggler or the Schindler of Asia? – The Drum Opinion”

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”

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”

A Dangerous Method and Synchronicities

As long suffering readers of this blog may know, I am fascinated with synchronicities (aka “co-incidences”), so off I hied myself to see “A Dangerous Method“, a movie on the early professional life of the guru of synchronicity, Dr Carl Jung. I found the movie somewhat dis-satisfying, although I appreciated the exploration of his relationshipContinue reading “A Dangerous Method and Synchronicities”

The Hunger Games, Girard and the Cross

I succumbed and took in “The Hunger Games” at the local multiplex  – a greybeard amongst herds of youth. The screenplay is the first of several based on a popular teenage trilogy surpassing, it is trumpeted, the Harry Potter and Twilight series. Eschewing magic tricks and supernatural themes, it paints a picture of a post-apocalypticContinue reading “The Hunger Games, Girard and the Cross”

The might of the meek…

Jesus said: Tubwayhun l’mskikhr d’hinnon nertun arha. Wake up, you who have softened what is rigid within;  you shall be open to receive the splendor of the earth’s fruits. (KJV version: Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.) This one, in traditional expression, has been one of the most misunderstood of the Beatitudes.Continue reading “The might of the meek…”

There’s muscle in what we yearn for…

Jesus said:   Tubwayhun lawile d’hinnon netbayun. Wake up you who weep for your frustrated desire;  you shall see the face of fulfillment in a new form. (KJV version: Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted..) Again, it is plain to see how a translation from Aramaic (through the Syrian tradition) favours aContinue reading “There’s muscle in what we yearn for…”

Wake up to spirit and cosmos!

Jesus said:  Tubwayhun l’meskenaee b’rukh d’dilhounhie malkutha d’ashmaya. “Wake up, you who devote yourselves to the link of Spirit; the design of the universe is rendered through you.” Let it be said from the outset that I am no Aramaic scholar. I’ve dabbled in Hebrew and have a passing working knowledge (with aid of lexiconContinue reading “Wake up to spirit and cosmos!”