Religion
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Our ultimate destiny
The aftermath of the New Year celebrations should be a time of sober reflection for all of us. To varying degrees, we will all have had to cope with setbacks and disappointments in the previous year. Also, as we get older, the loss of friends and...
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Quotes and news
Archbishop Gerhard Muller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, recently said: “The politics we have today in Europe and North America without ethical foundations, without a reference to God, cannot resolve our problems, even...
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Shift needed
Today’s readings: Isaiah 42, 1-4.6-7; Acts 10, 34-38; Luke 3, 15-16.21-22. “People are baptised for all sorts of reasons,” wrote Timothy Radcliffe in his book Take the Plunge. I think we really need to take a plunge in this respect. There was a time...
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Secularism and Christianity
A common denouncement made by secularists against those who hold Christian values is that they are religiously prejudiced or extremely conservative and that their conclusions are not rational. Sometimes you get the impression they are afraid that...
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Quotes and news
Venezuela’s bishops waded into the discussion about the country’s future given President-elect Hugo Chávez’s critical health situation. The bishops said the nation’s constitution must be followed if Chavez does not attend the inauguration, which was...
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100 million Christians persecuted worldwide
About 100 million Christians are persecuted around the world, with conditions worsening for them most rapidly in Syria and Ethiopia, according to an annual report by a group supporting oppressed Christians worldwide. Open Doors, a...
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Pope Benedict speaks out against violence
Pope Benedict yesterday urged the world to end what he called the endless slaughter in Syria before the entire country becomes “a field of ruins”. Speaking in his yearly State of the World address to diplomats from nearly 180 countries and global...
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Guiding safely home
Today’s readings: Isaiah 60, 1-6; Ephesians 3, 2-3.5-6; Matt. 2, 1-12. It is not in religion’s nature to be inward looking, let alone of Christianity, which claims to have as its foundation God’s universal and infinite love as shown in Jesus born in...
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Each day: a new beginning
As we receive the gift of a new year we also receive the gift of time, without which no other gift can be possible. The Desert Fathers use to be fascinated by the mere fact that each day can be a new beginning; each day is the first day of our...
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Quotes and news
Ten priests, one sister and one lay pastoral worker were murdered in 2012, according to Fides, the news agency of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples. Six were killed in Latin America, four in Africa and two in Asia. Most were killed...
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Tradition vs future
Today’s readings: Eccl. 3, 2-6.12-14; Colossians 3, 12-21; Luke 2, 41-52. When we speak of the family, nostalgia is no sin. It is not simply wishing things to stand still as if talk about the family, or even the family itself as a social reality,...
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‘Is there anyone else up there?’
The young mountain climber had almost reached the top when his foot slipped and he found himself hurtling down the abyss. Halfway down his equipment got caught in a rock and he found himself dangling midway. He could only cry, “God help me!” A...
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Quotes and news
Speaking to the Roman Curia on December 21 Pope Benedict said: “The family is still strong and vibrant today. But there is no denying the crisis that threatens it to its foundations – especially in the western world. “The challenges are manifold.
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Merciful justice
Today’s readings: Micah 5, 1-4; Hebrews 10, 5-10; Luke 1, 39-44. On the last Sunday of our Advent journey this year, the Visitation is an icon that opens a window on how Christian living is meant to be a true sign and, I would say, evidence of the...
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The Word became flesh
The day after tomorrow we celebrate Christmas. It is, of course, a great family feast. It is also the beginning of the end-of-year holiday period. At a deeper level, however, it is much more than that, as becomes clear if we reflect on ‘the reason...
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Quotes and news
Addressing a 200-strong delegation from the Italian National Olympic Committee, Pope Benedict said: “Every sport, both amateur and professional, requires fairness in competition, respect for one’s body, a sense of solidarity and altruism and also...
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Keep the fire burning
Today’s readings: Zephaniah 3, 14-18; Phil. 4, 4-7; Luke 3, 10-18. There is no such thing as imposing on someone to be happy. Happiness and joy are conditions of the heart that influence the mind and the way we connect with ourselves and with...
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What exactly is sin?
Many talk about sin as if it is something of the distant past; others portray it as a natural progression towards an eventual or perceived human maturation. Few, in fact, have the courage to admit it because they conscientiously recognise its...
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Quotes and news
During an address to members of the International Theological Commission, Pope Benedict addressed a number of issues of importance. The Pope criticised the belief that the “sense of the faithful” can be used in defence of theological dissent. He...
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Pope in first cautious step on Twitter
Pope Benedict XVI blessed his new internet flock yesterday with his first Twitter message to the hundreds of thousands of followers already signed up to receive the holy tweets. “Dear friends, I am pleased to get in touch with you through Twitter.
