As I share these thoughts, I have joy in my heart, writes Therese Harris. However, this has not always been the case. My son Matthew lives with his wife Katie in Folkestone, England. They married in 2017. Katie became pregnant in 2020 and went into labour on January 31, 2021.
A grandmother’s COVID letter Read More »
For such a long time, the idea of getting together with family has seemed like a far-off prophecy. It seemed momentous to hope for a time when, together with our loved ones, we would feel the same sunshine, smell the same coffee, taste the same turkey. To have conversations that don’t automatically end after forty minutes because we haven’t bought the upgrade version, or only end after three awkward goodbyes as we fumble to find the red button.
A Christmas prophecy Read More »
I love Christmas! I enjoy the waiting period of Advent, attending church events and services, preparing food and gifts, and spending time with family and friends. In the midst of the busy-ness though, it can feel like a whirlwind. Despite this, our usual celebration of Christmas is joyful, steeped in the rituals of our faith, and connected closely to loved ones.
Reconnecting families at Christmas Read More »
I was surprised recently to hear one of my students describe Jesus as a “wowser” and Christianity as the world’s foremost proponent of “wowserism”. While I might be able to understand why a young person might express the latter sentiment (albeit unjustly), I find it difficult to see how anyone could accuse Jesus of being a “wowser”.
Dining at God’s table Read More »
Advent is a time of waiting in hope and expectation. We may hope for many things: to win the lottery; get a better-paid job; pass an examination; find the right person to marry; overcome an illness; heal a soured relationship. Perhaps though the Church’s celebration of Advent is more akin to the kind of excited joy in a child’s heart awaiting a forthcoming birthday party. Or the joy of expectant parents awaiting the birth of their first child.
Joyful expectation Read More »
John the Baptist is among the most theologically significant figures in the Gospels. In Luke’s gospel, his birth narrative parallels that of Jesus. His conception is announced by an angel, and his birth was a surprise gift to his aged parents. The expectant mothers of Jesus and John meet and rejoice that they have been blessed by God. The children are cousins, and both will begin their mission in the desert.
The need to forgive ourselves Read More »
When COVID-19 began to impact negatively on all aspects of our lives last year, we questioned when the situation would turn around for the better. We heard a lot of predictions but in reality, no one knew when the pandemic would end. And we still don’t.
It’s a time of waiting Read More »
Over the centuries there have been terrible disasters that to the people of the time would have seemed like signs of the apocalypse. There was the Black Death in the 14th century that killed 50 million people in Europe or some 60 percent of the population; the First World War followed by the influenza epidemic; and the destruction wrought by the Second World War.
Prevailing hope, not despair Read More »
The first reading today is from the Book of Daniel (2nd century BC). It foretells the coming of a mysterious “one like a son of man.” This was a title that Jesus used of himself. The Church reads this text as prophesying the universal Kingship of Christ.
The kingdom is the truth Read More »
