Category Archives: Personal

Non, je ne regrette rien

Edith Piaf’s famous song is absolute – no regrets for any past choice or event whether good or bad! All can be laid aside as if they never occurred. (Follow the link to her song and its description.) When Joan Chittister writes about coming to terms with Regret as a feature of ageing, she hasContinue reading “Non, je ne regrette rien”

The Gift of Ageing

Recently, one of my peer groups pointed out a book by Sr Joan Chittister, The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully. We agreed to review it and share our thoughts on how it might inform our work in the spiritual companionship of older people. As someone who is rapidly drifting into the “older” category myselfContinue reading “The Gift of Ageing”

Simian Standoff

Going down Murray MallAll gangly limbed and freckledSurrounded by his matesHe shambled apelike towards usArms akimbo, legs bentFixing me with hostile stareOozing testosterone with a simian quest for dominationI met his gaze with a closed mouth smileBorrowed from Paul HoganAs if to say, “You call that a threat?” He dropped his head and skirted aroundContinue reading “Simian Standoff”

When Perfect Ain’t Good Enough

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus calls on his listeners to “be perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Some early Christian thought, however, was swimming in thick Greek philosophical soup, which understood “perfection” after the manner of Plato – there is a perfect idea of which the things of this world, includingContinue reading “When Perfect Ain’t Good Enough”

Easter Memoirs: Easter Sunday

Any time after Saturday’s sunset, minds and rites have turned towards marking the Resurrection, the final act of the Easter Triduum. Whether it’s a watch service around a bonfire, a joyful lighting of the Holy Fire at midnight, a gathering on a lake shore to watch a sunrise or the bells and whistles of aContinue reading “Easter Memoirs: Easter Sunday”

Easter Memoirs: Holy Saturday

The second day of the Triduum. Nothing much happens. It is the Sabbath when all work ceases. Before Friday’s sunset, the body of Jesus has been hurriedly removed and laid in a borrowed tomb. No anointing or dressing can take place until after Saturday’s sunset, although the practical light of Sunday’s dawn suggests a moreContinue reading “Easter Memoirs: Holy Saturday”

Easter Memoirs: Good Friday

Good Friday did not always enjoy the reflection it deserved in my early awareness. In my youth, there was the distraction of Easter camps and sundry other diversions. Lenten preparatory practices were not part of our tradition. In ministry, of course, the responsibility for Easter services had me looking across the broader Christian tradition forContinue reading “Easter Memoirs: Good Friday”

Easter Memoirs: Maundy Thursday

Having run up a few decades, most of them in pastoral ministry, I have a few Easters to look back on. I have experienced many repetitions of this high season of the Christian story, beginning with participation in my own Restorationist tradition which, in my childhood and youth, did not highlight the seasons to theContinue reading “Easter Memoirs: Maundy Thursday”