Columns

  • The real presence

    Nov 18, 2016

    When I was a graduate student in Belgium, I was privileged one day to sit in on a conference given by Cardinal Godfried Danneels of Brussels.

  • A bright yellow Light shines forth in the Darkness

    Nov 18, 2016

    In this Sunday's second reading, we are called to give thanks with joy to the Father who has made us to share in the lot of God’s people and inherit the light.

  • Our resistance to love

    Nov 11, 2016

    There’s nothing simple about being a human being. We’re a mystery to ourselves and, often, our own worst enemies. Our inner complexity befuddles us and, not infrequently, stymies us. Nowhere is this truer than in our struggle with love and intimacy.

  • Why are so many unemployed?

    Nov 11, 2016

    How often have children been told, especially in Eastern cultures, that if they don’t study hard, they will end up as rubbish collectors, road sweepers and gardeners. Until today, many parents hope their children will become doctor, engineers, lawyers, accountants, etc.

  • Boredom – a fault within ourselves

    Nov 08, 2016

    In 2011, a book by a young writer, Bieke Vandekerckhove, won the award as The Spiritual Book of the Year in her native Belgium.

  • Decentralising the economy and creating work with appropriate technology

    Nov 03, 2016

    The recently revealed Budget 2017 highlights the challenging times we live in. While BR1M spending has been raised, budget cuts elsewhere, such as in our public universities will make life difficult for many.

  • On not cultivating restlessness

    Nov 02, 2016

    Thirty-four years ago when I launched this column, I would never have said this: Restlessness is not something to be cultivated, no matter how romantic that might seem.

  • Where is the battle ground for a field hospital church?

    Oct 20, 2016

    Not long ago, the Bishop of Rome asked Christians to move out of their comfortable church and parish premises and take the message of God’s love and mercy to those in most need – the poor, the marginalised, the “wounded”.

  • Contemplative prayer

    Oct 20, 2016

    Contemplative prayer, as it is classically defined and popularly practised, is subject today to considerable scepticism in a number of circles.

  • Soter Fernandez has always been at the ‘field-hospital’ Church!

    Oct 14, 2016

    Last year, when I met Archbishop Emeritus Soter Fernandez, he took pains to highlight two somewhat related areas that he seemed to be concerned about.