The national discourse does not currently inspire much hope. Hope is to be found in the values espoused by such passages as Ephesians 5:1-14, today’s Lenten text. If one is patient enough to sift the ancient language and thought forms, one discovers some evocative phrases. For example, the exhortations to live as “a fragrant offering”Continue reading “Light’s offspring”
Category Archives: Spirituality
Improving Hansard…
Behold a life coach’s pep talk: Ephesians 4:17-32 While our contemporary politicians fight to enhance the right to insult and offend, the writer to the Ephesians appeals to those practices and behaviours that enhance our life together. If there’s a handle to grab, in this wall of text, you can do no worse with thisContinue reading “Improving Hansard…”
Seeing differently…
What happens when a popular and influential leader loses his/her way? The MSM (MainStream Media) and alternative sources are forever keen to assist our views – either manipulatively or informatively! Powerbrokers know when to make their move, no less the prophet/king-maker Samuel. King Saul was on the nose, and secret arrangements for his succession became necessary. ItContinue reading “Seeing differently…”
Attitude of Gratitude
Today’s Psalm 95 begins on a high note but descends into minor chords of melancholy. How odd! Songs of praise are traditionally upbeat, giving expression to high emotions associated with relief and exuberance, assured of the benevolence of a Creator who has offered provision and protection even in tough times. The composer of this PsalmContinue reading “Attitude of Gratitude”
Prayers & Smoking Ceremonies
St Photine, as the ancient church has named her, continues to guide this part of our Lenten journey. Yesterday I was invited to conduct a house blessing on a women’s and children’s shelter. It was a multicultural context and included a smoking ceremony conducted by a Noongar elder (a smoking ceremony involves using the smokeContinue reading “Prayers & Smoking Ceremonies”
Well, well, well…
The nameless woman at Jacob’s Well is our Lenten guide today. Read her story at John 4:5-30 One spectrum of Christian tradition dwells on the early part of the conversation – Jesus offering “living water” to one parched by errant ways. Another spectrum of the tradition celebrates the outcome – this woman becomes the firstContinue reading “Well, well, well…”
Lent partners International Happiness Day???
Having dipped my lid to International Happiness Day and listened to the top ten pop “happy”songs, I now turn my attention to the phase of the Lenten journey that draws alongside. Today’s sacred text is Romans 5:6-11 – often interpreted as the necessity of the sacrifice of Jesus as appeasement to an angry god toContinue reading “Lent partners International Happiness Day???”
What’s the use of suffering?
An old criticism of the Christian way is a perceived emphasis on suffering. Gaunt pictures of self-flagellating, hair-shirted, monks and nuns in cold, dank cells lend credence to the view that the Christian faith appeals to the masochistic spirit that seeks ecstasy in pain and self-degradation. While anyone can employ a religious motif to theirContinue reading “What’s the use of suffering?”
A strange parley
The conversation between an ageing shepherd and the voice of the Holy One manifested in a burning yet unconsumed bush in the desert is not what one might expect. Moses emerges as our next Lenten guide… and he does not hang back when called to account by the same urge that pulled his ancestor AbrahamContinue reading “A strange parley”
Falling behind in Lent…
This is a catch up post for three missing days of Lenten reflections. No-one said this would be easy. The gentleman to the left typifies the kind of journey we are contemplating. He can be seen as part of Sculptures by the Sea at Cottesloe. So we quickly pass by the Apostle Paul and hisContinue reading “Falling behind in Lent…”
Wondering Pilgrim 