Religion
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Contemplating God
Today’s readings: Exodus 34, 4-6.8-9; 2 Corinthians 13, 11-13; John 3, 16-18. The Scripture readings on this Sunday when we celebrate God as Trinity offer a deep meditation not on who God is but on how we experience His greatness through the way...
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A horizon of communion
A story is told of a missionary in a tropical country who, during his home-leave, came across a wonderful sundial. He felt the sundial would be ideal for his villagers in the mission. He thought he could use it to teach them to tell the time of...
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Quotes and news
President Donald Trump’s decision to pull the United States out of the Paris climate agreement was described as “a disaster for everyone” by Bishop Marcelo Sánchez Sorondo, chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences. He added that the...
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The revolution of the Spirit
Today’s readings: Acts 2, 1-11; 1 Corinthians 12, 3-7.12-13; John 20, 19-23. The condition of the disciples following the death of Jesus is depicted by John in today’s gospel as that of people who locked themselves in a room believing the outer...
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Quo vadis Malta?
The election results will be unfolding as this article goes public. On election day, those of us who uphold Christian values should have taken into account which political candidates are really reliable to represent, promote and uphold them. Like...
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Quotes and news
During his homily in Domus Sanctae Marthae last Monday, Pope Francis said: “What place does the Holy Spirit have in my life? Am I able to ask for inspiration before taking a decision or doing something? Or is my heart quiet, lacking in emotion and...
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Turning to the heart
Today’s readings: Acts 1, 1-11; Ephesians 1, 17-23; Matthew 28, 16-20. One of the basic narratives of the Christian faith has always been that humanity’s fallenness has been redeemed through Christ’s death and resurrection; in the sense that the...
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A question of conscience
This Saturday, as Maltese citizens, we are called to the polls to exercise our fundamental freedom of the right to vote and elect those whom we want to govern our country. This is the practice of democracy at its most basic level. Our bishops have...
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Quotes and news
Cardinal Jorge Urosa Savino of Caracas, Venezuela, said government agents should “not launch tear gas against people and, of course, not even shoot or allow certain groups to shoot, because there are paramilitary groups; everyone has seen in the...
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Interiority, transparency
Today’s readings: Acts 8,5-8.14-17; 1 Peter 3,15-18; John 14,15-21. There is something very specific and rich in today’s readings about the true meaning of Christian commitment in the world. This commitment is not simply a presence that translates...
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Venerating Mary, the new Eve
A medieval ballad has Mary at the foot of the Cross angrily addressing the Eternal Father with the words: “If I had known that it would end this way, I would not have said yes”. The composer of this irreverent ballad was clearly not conversant...
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Quotes and news
During the press conference on the return flight from Fatima, Pope Francis said he has doubts about claims that Our Lady continues to appear in the village of Bosnia-Herzegovina. These apparations allegedly started in 1981 and are said to continue...
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Lifetime struggle
Today’s readings: Acts 6, 1-7; 1 Peter 2, 4-9; John 14, 1-12. The Scriptures today narrate how in the aftermath of the resurrection, enthusiasm can easily wane. This fifth week after Easter marks metaphorically how we distance ourselves from what...
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The Christian billboard
At the forthcoming election we are called, as Christians, to make a responsible and conscientious choice inspired by evangelical truths, principles of solidarity and social justice and the promotion of the common good. This is the guiding light...
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Quotes and news
President Donald Trump’s reform of the health system through his American Health Care Act (AHCA) has been criticised by Bishop Frank Dewane of Venice, Florida, chairman of the US Bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development. Bishop...
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Through the lens of Christ
Today’s readings: Acts 2, 14.36-41; 1 Peter 2, 20-25; John 10, 1-10. In a social and cultural context that is becoming more pluralistic and secular and less religious, it is commonplace to marginalise religion as superfluous and peripheral to...
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A joyful openness to learning
In today’s world, marked by globalisation and a broad array of voices and conflicting promos, we are all facing an ever-increasing challenge of choosing what to learn and which approaches or currents of thought to endorse. It is thus not...
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Quotes and news
On the last day of his apostolic journey to Egypt last week, Pope Francis said: “The experience of the disciples on the way to Emmaus teaches us that it is of no use to fill our places of worship if our hearts are empty of the fear of God and of...
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With hearts distraught
Today’s readings: Acts 2, 14.22-28; 1 Peter 1, 17-21; Luke 24, 13-35. It makes no sense at all for us who believe, to continue Sunday after Sunday speaking of Christ risen and of his victory over death and evil as if we live in a vacuum.
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Filling up the churches
Louis Aliot, vice-president of the extreme right French National Front, criticised the French bishops for speaking up for refugees. He was very irked by the bishops’ pronouncements, and rather than answering their statements he preferred to...
