We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us. MARCEL PROUST
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God! The Resources Last time we reflected on Moses asking for the special favour of seeing God, and even as God granted it, Moses was told that it was a dangerous request. This time Jesus assures us that purity of heart is a safe path … Continue reading Being single
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy. As I've been reflecting on the qualities of mercy and what I understand it means to be merciful I find myself returning again and again to the heart. The word 'mercy' in Latin is a two word mashup: Pity(or compassion)-heart. Each of the beatitudes points … Continue reading Misericordia
After all this talk of blessedness it is a bit late, perhaps, to consider what it means to be blessed - to be blessed by God and to bless each other - but since we will not be seeing each other for a while over the school holidays, I thought perhaps it might be good … Continue reading Blessed, blessing, bless you
“Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for me.” Mt 25:40 The Jesuit priest Jean-Pierre de Caussade wrote his small book " The Sacrament of the Present Moment" in the 18th century. In it he encourages us to read the 'book of life' as … Continue reading An appetite for justice
The Resources Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.Matthew 11:29 God blesses those who are humble. The earth will belong to them.Matthew 5:5 Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.Matthew 18:4 These three short … Continue reading Remember you are dust
Grief is a felt experience of love for something lost or that we are losing. That is an incredibly powerful doorway.Chris Jordan The resources Start wide - Reading again for the first time Return to the full passage of the beatitudes once more and as you read it, listen for the shimmer of the Spirit's prompting … Continue reading keeping company with grief
...Even a proverb is not a proverb until your life has illustrated it. ~ J. Keats. Over the summer I read a lovely book - Struggles to Love by Kathy Galloway - which explores the spirituality of the beatitudes (Matthew's list) Kathy was the leader of the Iona Community for several years and her stories and insights draw from her … Continue reading Nothing ever becomes real until it is experienced….
A reflective ritual of letting go... Yesterday, Mark and I went to our favourite beach for a walk and also to recognise the ending of the calendar year and the start of the New Year. We've had some interesting (read disturbing, difficult and delightful) times this year but instead of sliding headlong into whatever comes … Continue reading Bonus New Year Resources
Become aware of what is in you. Announce it, pronounce it, produce it and give birth to it. ~ Meister Eckhart The Resources A lectio passage Just a short text for you to dwell with this week, which is actually a more normal size for chewing over and engaging with in the up close and personal … Continue reading joyful, joyful
And suddenly you know: It's time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings.MEISTER ECKHART The reading options As we move deeper into the themes of advent and reflect on what God may be bringing to birth within us and through us, the scripture for this week hints towards God's way being the path of … Continue reading Peace is the way
an unusual book club 