Reflections

Truth begets trust, trust begets peace and peace begets reconciliation. This is yet another phrase that I shamelessly stole. The phrase was used in an articulate homily referring to that situation in that far away land. The place where a little man walked the dusty streets muttering how a new kingdom might be ushered in...Continue reading→

Two quick things about holidays. I’m not sure what your experience of holidays is like, so I only offer you some reflections from my own experience. The first thing I would want to say about holidays is that they are surreal. In the time leading up to the vacation you wonder what it will be...Continue reading→

If I could talk to the animals It is my pleasure and honour to address you on this beautiful day. It is always a great thrill to speak to such a diverse, beautiful and gifted audience as you are. Of course, you may not understand everything I have to say, but perhaps your human companions...Continue reading→

And they gave us a box of matches… In August of this year, 3 primary school-aged girls were stabbed in Southport England. Social media, the source of all wisdom and fount of all knowledge, told us that the perpetrator was of a particular ethnic origin and practised a particular faith. Social media also gave out...Continue reading→

We know not what we bring As I’ve gotten older I find that my curiosity is piqued not by the main characters in bible stories but more and more by those who are behind the scenes that make it all happen. Often they are nameless and frustratingly they disappear from the story seemingly never to...Continue reading→

Your mission today is to be the answer to someone’s prayer. It was a cutesy poster I saw in a church once. The photo showed someone embracing a raggedy child. While the photo engaged me, it was the caption that stayed with me long after. Your mission today is to be the answer to someone’s...Continue reading→

Stumbling In (with apologies to Suzi Quatro and Chris Norman) The year was 1978 and Suzi Quatro and Chris Norman released a song called Stumbling In. As a healthy adolescent of 18 years old, I used to think Suzi was it and a bit and a whole lot more, particularly because my mum was not...Continue reading→

Of Treasure The film Treasure stars Lena Dunham and Stephen Fry. Based on a true story they play a father (Edek) and daughter (Ruth) going back for a trip to the Death Camp of Auschwitz. Ruth has never been but her Father Edek has childhood memories. Ruth is keen for them to go, Dad not...Continue reading→

22 September 2024 But Why??? There’s a small child (Brutus) together with his mother down aisle number 3 in the supermarket. As everyone knows aisle 3 is not the health food section. Aisle 3  is where all the good stuff is. The chips, the chocolate, the confectionery, the Mars bars and the Freddo frogs. The inevitable conversation...Continue reading→

The light of Christ and living water. Part 1 The opening of the Games held in Paris was startling. What resonated with me was the Countries of the world participating going down the Seine river. People lined along the lit sides of the river waving their flags and having a wonderful time. The fact that...Continue reading→

This week's mini reflection comes to you from a fine lay-woman Mrs. Jannie Ryan who I am trying to encourage to do a little more. It’s not about the title. The stories leading up to this morning's gospel do not paint the disciples in a very good light. In chapter 4 they ask: “Who is...Continue reading→

OK, so where would you like to start? It was a simple line that I happened to overhear. We were in the room with a coach who was speaking to one of their people on the phone. “OK, so where would you like to start?” It’s a great opening line and invites the other person...Continue reading→

Mums Move Us On. Go into any ward at the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne and the ache of a mother's love for her child is almost tangible. It wraps itself tightly around you from the moment you walk through the door. The sense of fear, desperation, hope, grief and protection never leaves you. So ferocious...Continue reading→

From the V Sign to the Clenched Fist There is a photo from the 1970s that shows two high school students sitting around doing what high school students tried to do in those days. To act cool and fail dismally in the process. If you could see the photo and use your imagination, you may...Continue reading→

Why I Do the Dishes. “And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.” In today’s gospel, Jesus addresses three different audiences: a group of Pharisees and scribes.  The crowd that is perpetually present who I have come to think of as his groupies. They don’t actually seem to say...Continue reading→

Interrupted by Love I want to tell you a true story. It did not happen in any parish I have served in but it came from such a reliable source and was told with such emotion that I know it must be true. Mr Bloggs was a widower of ‘senior age’. It happened that in...Continue reading→

God’s Wardrobe. There is a collection of Paul's letters commonly referred to as his ‘Prison Epistles’. These prison epistles are ‘Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon.’ They are called the prison epistles because, in all of them, Paul mentions that he is in prison. The exact date is tricky but we think that is somewhere between...Continue reading→

The first time I did any hefty study I was at Theological College. I had never written more than 500 words before and all of sudden I was confronted with the task of writing 3000 words together with a thing called a ‘bibliography.’ I was daunted and I struggled. About 10 days out from the...Continue reading→

When I was about eight years old, my paternal grandfather teased me playfully with a question: Did Adam have a belly button? He—Val, my grandfather—was neither a philosopher nor theologian, but his question travelled with me for years. I long ago gave up the quest for the Adamic Umbilicus, but I took up the invitation to go...Continue reading→

When disaster strikes… It’s another line I shamelessly stole from a podcast I was listening to. The person who was being interviewed was a disaster planner. Ie. When a major disaster happens they are one of the people who strategically think through what needs to happen, medicine, fresh water, evacuation, the delicate task of passing...Continue reading→