Responding to prompts to begin writing down my memoirs, I’ve begun to gather the scattered anecdotes of my forebears’ pedigrees. After all, I carry something of their influence and makeup in my very bones. As I rummage through boxes of diagrams, letters, photos and reference works, what I have been discovering is a theme thatContinue reading “Standing on the shoulders of those gone before”
Category Archives: Spirituality
“Glass Half-Empty” Thomas
His expectations were always realistic. He was the one who led the disciples to accompany Jesus back to Lazarus’ funeral, fully realising the dangers and risk of arrest. He was the one who challenged Jesus about “knowing the way.” He wasn’t there when the risen Jesus appeared to the disciples in lock-down. Why not? PerhapsContinue reading ““Glass Half-Empty” Thomas”
COVID-19 Easter Sunday
Hitting Holy Saturday “Pause”
Those who have travelled the Christian journey for two thousand years know that the Easter Saturday Pause is a mere interlude between Good Friday lamentations and Easter Sunday celebration of raised life. Prescience prevents us into entering the utter despair and hopelessness of those who experienced the first Easter. There was no expectation of deadContinue reading “Hitting Holy Saturday “Pause””
Why “Good Friday””
“Why is it called Good Friday? What’s so good about it?” All the years I taught Religious Education in public schools, I could lay bets on some student asking this question. By and large, the kids I taught were engaged with the stories of Jesus – enough to be dismayed and offended at the accountsContinue reading “Why “Good Friday”””
The Power of Basin & Towel
I’ve often wondered how different church history might have been if its universal symbol was a basin and towel rather than a cross. Today, on the eve of Good Friday, Christians commemorate the Last Supper at which Jesus, having taken a basin and towel, washed his disciples’ feet, saying “By this, all will know thatContinue reading “The Power of Basin & Towel”
Spy Wednesday
Who knew this was a name for the Wednesday before Good Friday? It brings in the Judas principle. He was the bean-counter for Jesus’ inner circle of twelve – the one who objected to Mary’s extravagant anointing of Jesus with expensive perfume which could have been sold and the proceeds given to the poor. FromContinue reading “Spy Wednesday”
Beating Holy Tuesday Blues
Retirement was meant to be easy and simple. Instead, for the last ten months, we have been involved in a battle of wits and wisdom with the powers and principalities of Australia’s labyrinthine financial regulatory system. In seeking redress for a failed retirement “lease for life” scheme, our cohort of some 105 retirees plus theirContinue reading “Beating Holy Tuesday Blues”
Turning the tables over
COVID-19 has certainly turned the tables over economically. “Free market” trickle-down philosophy has suddenly and seismically given way to billions of dollars worth of rescue to keep society viable. One can discern a palpable shift in many communities. Supermarket brawls that reflected neo-liberal “survival of the fittest” philosophy have given way to neighbours and strangersContinue reading “Turning the tables over”
Musing on Bethany & the Budget
I look at next Sunday’s text as the Federal Budget 2019 is being delivered in Canberra. We’ve moved into John’s Gospel, the place where, in her home in Bethany, Mary, with much devotion, extravagantly pours pure nard over Jesus’ feet. The aroma fills the house where she lives with her siblings, Martha and Lazarus. Judas,Continue reading “Musing on Bethany & the Budget”
Wondering Pilgrim 