“Makarios” is the koine Greek word often translated as “blessed” in the famous Beatitudes from the Sermon of the Mount, a collection of the core message of Jesus. It is unfortunate that a passive, almost listless unpacking of the mysterious word “blessed” renders the equally inactive meanings of “happy” or “fortunate” – hence “happy areContinue reading “Wakeup calls in an ancient tongue”
Category Archives: Personal
Alain de Botton’s pastoral atheism – Eureka Street
Alain de Botton’s pastoral atheism – Eureka Street. I’ve not read Alain de Botton’s Religion for Atheists, but I find this review fascinating, as I have observed this “pull” for meaningful ritual amongst many of my “post faith” friends. Some are able to articulate along the lines suggested in the review – that community, ritesContinue reading “Alain de Botton’s pastoral atheism – Eureka Street”
Caption this…
Parked outside our place… suggest a caption or write a short creative story!
Is it ever OK to humanise notorious figures?
The twin cinematic retrospectives on the careers of Hoover and Thatcher, both notorious conservatives that packed a lot of clout in recent Western history, invite this question. Today’s article at Eureka Street, Humanising Hoover and Thatcher – Eureka Street, takes rather a dim view of the practice. I wonder though. As one privileged to workContinue reading “Is it ever OK to humanise notorious figures?”
Exousia…
… is our word for the week. When we speak, act, relate out of exousia, we are doing so from the very essence of our being. We are acting out of the passion of authenticity. The source is deeper and wider than ourselves however – it taps into the transcendent mystery of the universe. ExousiaContinue reading “Exousia…”
The Lobby & The Tent Embassy
I visited the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra in 1982 – its presence was about ten years old then, and it was generating considerable angst in the orderly scene that is public service Canberra. My errand was to return an address/appointment book I had picked up in the street. It belonged to one of theContinue reading “The Lobby & The Tent Embassy”
The Descendants – A Movie Review
A new story line seems to have caught Hollywood’s imagination … helpless, bereft dads reconnecting with their kids! Get a big box office attraction like Matt Damon or George Clooney, throw him in the deep end and see how he swims. It seems we enjoy bumbling dads, emotionally bereft of their partners, launching a way-outContinue reading “The Descendants – A Movie Review”
Once upon a time in multicultural Australia – Eureka Street
As our much feted and controversial national day approaches, it is good to read thoughtful, reflective pieces on our collective and individual struggles with national identity.As usual, Australia’s more recent arrivals have much to teach us. Identity is discovered through involvement.: Once upon a time in multicultural Australia – Eureka Street.
Online Causes – how effective are they?
I have often wondered how effective email campaigns and petitions for worthy causes are. As a card carrying member of several, it is not unusual for me to receive half a dozen pleas on any particular day urging support for a pressing purpose. Today, at the urging of AVAAZ, I made a submission to theContinue reading “Online Causes – how effective are they?”
The question of the year
When my friend and colleague Denis returned from interviewing survivors of the Christchurch earthquake one year on, he noted that a common question was “Where is God in all this?” Denis reflected that perhaps the more pertinent question is “Where am I in all this?” It neatly swings us to a fresh line of questing,Continue reading “The question of the year”
Wondering Pilgrim 