“In things essential, unity; in things non-essential, liberty; in all things, charity.” This eirenic phrase is attributed to St Augustine and has been taken up by various reformers, including the Moravians and the space within the spectrum of the Christian family to which I belong. There’s a rub, however, when it comes down to deciding whatContinue reading “In things non-essential, liberty… a caveat!”
Category Archives: Spirituality
One man’s meat …
There’s an app I’ve discovered on my phone that can break down the nutritional value of my daily meals. It seems like I have a healthy balance in the meat department. My vegetarian and vegan friends might be appalled at such a notion, however, and point to many other sources of protein. We remain friends.Continue reading “One man’s meat …”
Chilling out as agents of change…
How does one address ill-fitting and unjust systems in family, church and community while maintaining a calm disposition? Isn’t there a necessity for the passion of a prophet, the zest of a zealot, the tenacity of a teacher, the resilience of a reformer to effect change? When the Apostle Paul counsels the household slaves in theContinue reading “Chilling out as agents of change…”
Immediately – right now, if not sooner!
I’m a born procrastinator. I need time to think things through. “Immediately” is not a word that appears often in my working vocabulary. It occurs twice and insistently in the text from today’s reading in Mark’s gospel. Four men instantly drop their work to go around with one who has just taken up the baton of hisContinue reading “Immediately – right now, if not sooner!”
Jonah – the reluctant persuader
Is it possible to sell a product you don’t believe in? How motivated does one have to be to persuade a client, be it one individual or indeed a whole nation with a message in which you have zero confidence? Well, apparently Jonah pulled it off! (See Jonah 3:1-10) Admittedly, Jonah’s message is full of the fireContinue reading “Jonah – the reluctant persuader”
The Nourishing Tomb of the Fish
Imagine surviving the innards of a fish. The gastric juices alone would do wonders for the skin! The tale of Jonah is not interested in this detail (see Jonah 2:1-10). Ancient and forever symbolism holds before us the mystery of dark entombment as a liminal place between life and death, crucifixion and resurrection. With Love ToContinue reading “The Nourishing Tomb of the Fish”
Jonah – more than a Whale of a Tale!
… and there is no whale – the text refers to a “large fish” which is only incidental to the hermeneutical thrust of the story! It is considered that the story of Jonah is a corrective cautionary tale to the purists of the era of Ezra and Nehemiah and the reestablishment of the Hebrew nation followingContinue reading “Jonah – more than a Whale of a Tale!”
“I see you”
“I see you.” This meme from the movie Avatar did the rounds for a few months. It seemed to be nourishment for a collective hunger in a world which had descended into anonymity and a penchant for the kind of efficiency that codes citizens by number rather than name. It was a kind of epiphanyContinue reading ““I see you””
Troubled times … fresh resources.
“Crisis always comes with opportunity,” suggests the Chinese pictogram. How this relates to the current ascension of the greed of the few and the corresponding upward spiral of cost to the many is elegantly demonstrated in this video clip: Human history seems to reveal a default trend of societies devolving from the most altruistic ideals toContinue reading “Troubled times … fresh resources.”
Wooing the one who jilted you …
Who would want to? The Hebrew prophet Hosea – that’s who! Initially, he nurses the pain of anger when Gomer leaves him for a polyamorous dalliance with others. The patriarchal law of his time and place would have allowed his claim on her life. Instead, we see a tender wooing back, prompted by an insightContinue reading “Wooing the one who jilted you …”
Wondering Pilgrim 