The Iron Hand of Mars by Lindsey Davis My rating: 3 of 5 stars Our hero, Marcus Didio Falco, is sent to Germany by the Emperor on a special mission, but not before the Emperor's son exhibits signs of having designs on Falco's noble girlfriend. She disappears prior to his departure adding a level of… Continue reading Review: The Iron Hand of Mars
Month: February 2019
Homilies: 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
My homily for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) as preached during the 5pm Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were 1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23; 1 Corinthians 15:45-49; Luke 6:27-38. "Love your enemies? Sounds all but impossible! Yet the heart of today's Gospel is a call to change the… Continue reading Homilies: 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
Review: On Fairness
On Fairness by Sally McManus My rating: 3 of 5 stars This is the kind of book you would expect from the current Secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions. It is against neo-liberalism, and for fairness for workers and community; it is against the privatisation of state-owned assets, and in favour of increased… Continue reading Review: On Fairness
The Power of Traditionalism
Written from an Orthodox perspective, the article below, which appears on the website of Public Orthodoxy from Fordham University in the United States, has more than a few resonances with contemporary Catholic debates. My thesis is very simple: the use of the word “traditionalist” and its derivative forms (“Orthodox morality,” “traditional values”) is philosophically untenable, i.e.,… Continue reading The Power of Traditionalism
Homilies: 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
My homily for the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) as preached at the 9.30am Mass in the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were Jeremiah 17:5-8; 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20; Luke 6:17, 20-26. "Luke's version of the Beatitudes reminds us that God's salvation will not be found in trusting to our own efforts… Continue reading Homilies: 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
Not This Time
There has been a lot of disinformation - largely from a particular section of Australian politics and Australian society - about the repercussions of the recently passed "Medevac Bill" that allows for a transfer of asylum seekers currently on Manus Island and Nauru based on medical decisions rather than partisan political decisions. In the video… Continue reading Not This Time
Review: A Liturgical Companion to the Documents of the Second Vatican Council
A Liturgical Companion to the Documents of the Second Vatican Council by Various My rating: 3 of 5 stars There can be little doubt that the documents of the Second Vatican Council represent a very significant contribution to the ongoing theological life of the Catholic Church. To look at them from a particularly liturgical lens,… Continue reading Review: A Liturgical Companion to the Documents of the Second Vatican Council
Review: Venus In Copper
Venus in Copper by Lindsey Davis My rating: 4 of 5 stars Another wonderful edition in the Marcus Didius Falco series, this time featuring our eponymous hero as he investigates the possibility of a professional bride might be lining up her next husband/victim. When the prospective target is murdered before the wedding takes place, things… Continue reading Review: Venus In Copper
Homilies: 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
My homily for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) as preached during the 5pm Sunday Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were Isaiah 6:1-8; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11. "Confronted with the Presence of the Divine in Jesus, Simon owns his unworthiness and sinfulness. Jesus, however, invites Simon to 'be not… Continue reading Homilies: 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
Con te partiro
I've always enjoyed this piece of music, from the moment I first heard Andrea Bocelli sing it as a duet with Sarah Brightman. It remains for me a stirring piece of music that pierces the soul. The version below, performed by orchestra and children's choir, is one of the versions released to celebrate the 20th… Continue reading Con te partiro
Homilies: 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
My homily for the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) as preached during the 9.30am Mass at the Sacred Hamilton Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings were Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19; 1 Corinthians 12:31 - 13:13; Luke 4:21-30. "Without love, we are nothing at all. St Paul reminds the church in Corinth, and reminds us, that to… Continue reading Homilies: 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C
Review: Shadows in Bronze
Shadows in Bronze by Lindsey Davis My rating: 4 of 5 stars Intrigue, murder, mischief and personal dramas all confront our eponymous hero in this second volume of the Marcus Didius Falco Mysteries. It picks up immediately after the first and our hero, Falco, finds himself working as a semi-Imperial agent tracking down conspirators against… Continue reading Review: Shadows in Bronze
Papal Prayer Intention for February 2019
Each month a prayer intention is released, either for a universal need or for a specific evangelism need, through which Catholics are asked to join in praying with the Holy Father, Pope Francis. The intention for February 2019 is: For a generous welcome of the victims of human trafficking, of enforced prostitution, and of violence.… Continue reading Papal Prayer Intention for February 2019
