WeeklyReflection

The coming of summer touches us all and opens our hearts. At these times there is often a pathos, a poignancy and a bitter-sweet tinge to our emotions. Many of us have memories of one special day, recently or long ago, when deep in our soul something beautiful happened. As summer approaches do you have any such intimate recollections to linger over, memories that will never go away, a shining moment you will never forget? […]

Our understanding of the Holy Spirit is mostly too limited and too undeveloped. It is time now to acknowledge and release her surging power throughout all life. We need to begin delighting in, and celebrating the dynamic Spirit pulsing through the Church, through humanity, through the evolving universe and through every corner of our own hearts.  We were on our way back home after Benediction one bright night, many decades ago, my mother and myself, […]

The balance of our minds is a fragile thing. The daily diet of bad news has profound effects on our moods and our thinking. The terrible tragedies and mindless acts of cruelty that are relentlessly reported eventually disturb the delicate equilibrium of many souls. The resulting insecurity is constantly spreading and is too often expressed in break-down, despair or thoughts of suicide. A serious, silent tipping point is gradually being reached and vulnerable people are […]

You are away from your family. Your family is in trouble. You pray for the family. You hope the prayers will work. But you are still anxious. You decide to go back home. You arrive at home. You bring your full attention to the whole situation. You are there in person, with your total concern, your full involvement, your truest self. It is your home, where you began your life’s journey. It is where you […]

It’s a week since we celebrated the magnificent Easter ceremonies.  We remembered our story, we prayed our hearts out, we took part in the Vigil liturgy as best we could. And then there was the Bank Holiday and soon we were all back at work as usual. The Paschal banquet of sublime mystery was over for another year. But have our lives this past week been different because of it? Do we have a clearer […]

The mirror was as big as the wall of the room we were gathered in. It was my first Pilates class. Half way through I caught a glimpse of myself writhing on the floor, arms and legs all over the place like a beached octopus. Around me flexible bodies rotated rhythmically on their mats, balancing, stretching and pulsing to the music and the instructions. Sweat was dripping off my chin. My limbs were hurting. And […]

Recently, I took a walk along the prom here at Blundellsands. The crisp dry November evening brought families out, to stroll, fly kites and generally enjoy this beautiful Sunday, here was I, among my new neighbours. It felt good.  However, as  time went on, in the far distance, my attention was drawn to what seemed to be a stately vessel resting on the deeps, it was set against a backdrop of the faintest pastel hues […]