The Lord of Ireland by E.M. Powell My rating: 3 of 5 stars Another intriguing tale set in the time of the Lordship of Ireland as held by John, the youngest son of King Henry of England. Our eponymous hero and his wife find themselves once more providing a service to the King, entrusted with… Continue reading Review: The Lord of Ireland
Month: July 2018
Homilies: 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
My homily for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) as preached during the 5pm Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were 2 Kings 4:42-44; Ephesians 4:1-6; John 6:1-15. "The feeding of the five thousand reminds that the Lord's hospitality is abundant and gracious, and is not dependent on the size of… Continue reading Homilies: 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
Review: Pope Francis Among the Wolves: The Inside Story of a Revolution
Pope Francis Among the Wolves: The Inside Story of a Revolution by Marco Politi My rating: 4 of 5 stars Written about three years into the pontificate of Francis, this books examines the way in which Francis has sought to be authentic both to his own self and to the Gospel, and his desire to… Continue reading Review: Pope Francis Among the Wolves: The Inside Story of a Revolution
Homilies: 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
My homily for the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) as preached during the 5pm Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were Jeremiah 23:1-6; Ephesians 2:13-18; Mark 6:30-34. "Though it may feel like it at times, we are not like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus has promised to walk with us, to… Continue reading Homilies: 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
Why I Stay
My weekly column for the Parish Bulletin has garnered some interest, and so I reproduce it here... I was asked recently—by a non-Church member I hasten to add—why I stay in ordained ministry and in the Church in light of the kind of revelations that came from the recent Royal Commission. Surely, they suggested, someone… Continue reading Why I Stay
Hijacking The Good Samaritan
A wonderful piece from Sr Patty Fawkner sgs concerning the hijacking of the parable of the Good Samaritan by those in political power, in response to reading a book by Nick Spencer entitled The Political Samaritan: How Power Hijacked a Parable. At the heart of the thesis being explored in the book and the article is… Continue reading Hijacking The Good Samaritan
Opposing the Gospel of Prosperity
The Italian Jesuit journal, La Civilità Cattolica, has recently published an article that is strongly condemnatory of the so-called "prosperity gospel" that is the common ideology underpinning certain kind of 'Christian' churches, particularly those known as "megachurches". The article is well researched and well argued and is well worth reading. It pulls no punches in clearly… Continue reading Opposing the Gospel of Prosperity
Before It’s Too Late
A very timely and powerful column in The Guardian from Van Badham, touching on the need - in case warnings about impending fascism are true - to enjoy the precious human rights that we still currently enjoy...while we can! Very cleverly pulling together a range of articles from various sources that individually might sound shrill, Badham… Continue reading Before It’s Too Late
Review: The Blood of The Fifth Knight
The Blood of The Fifth Knight by E.M. Powell My rating: 4 of 5 stars Another wonderful yarn featuring Sir Benedict Palmer, the Fifth Knight, and his wife, Theodosia. Picking up, more or less, from the previous volume, this story sees King Henry of England continuing to face danger to his throne, from within and… Continue reading Review: The Blood of The Fifth Knight
Homilies: 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
My homily for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) as preached during the 5pm Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were Amos 7:12-15; Ephesians 1:3-14; Mark 6:7-13. "Disciples of Jesus are not meant to stick together for the sake of staying together. We are sent out by Jesus to preach the… Continue reading Homilies: 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
Review: The Fifth Knight
The Fifth Knight by E.M. Powell My rating: 3 of 5 stars An intriguing and engrossing medieval mystery that begins with the historically accurate murder of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury under King Henry II of England. The well-known story of Becket's murder at the hands of four royal knights is enhanced by the fictional… Continue reading Review: The Fifth Knight
Homilies: 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
My homily for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) as preached during the 5pm Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were Ezekiel 2:2-5; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Mark 6:1-6. "The Gospel we are called to preach is God's not ours. Sometimes we need to stop and listen to what God is asking… Continue reading Homilies: 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
Homilies: 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
My homily for the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) as preached during the 5pm Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were Wisdom 1:13-15, 2:23-24; 2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15; Mark 5:21-43. "Human touch is a very powerful and symbolic act. How much more powerful is the touch of Jesus Christ? When… Continue reading Homilies: 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
