It seems that moral decline is continuing at pace in the Republic of Ireland. Having dismissed the dignity of the unborn child in the womb and equated same sex relationships with marriage it should not take us by surprise that elected representatives now have their sights set on legislation which would…
Tag Archives: 61-70
Obedience – Joyfully Counter-Cultural
Obedience is indistinguishable from religious life because religious life is always about the imitation of Christ – and Christ is the one who comes not to do his own will but the will of Him who sent him (see John 4:34; 5:30; 6:38, and many other moments throughout John’s Gospel).
Mark 6:53-56 – They Recognised Him
The extraordinary events which have taken place on the water and the disciples incredulity is immediately left behind when the little boat reaches the far side, at Gennesaret, and ties up. These few verses, while in themselves providing just a simple narrative conclusion to the larger section and a link to the next section, still invite us with a serious question…
Retreat Sunday – 6th September – The Way of the Cross
The month of September is dominated by the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, celebrated on Monday 14th. Today, for your retreat Sunday, we would like to offer a series of meditations on the Cross, specifically the devotion known as The Way of the Cross. The Cross is…
Sexual Me
One of the most challenging aspects of religious vocation today in the Church is to view the area around sexuality as it is expressed in virginity, celibacy, continence and chastity as a positive choice in life and for life. Very few external supports exist in our societies today which help…
Mark 6:45-52 – Water, Water Everywhere
Once again, we find ourselves on the waters, and in difficulty; at sea, but not lost. Mark’s fascination with Jesus and the disciples’ toing and froing on the Sea of Galilee really asks for our serious consideration. But before that, there’s still the matter of a mighty crowd, who have just been fed.
Mark 6:30-46 – The Kingdom Feast (Part 2)
There are few passages in the Gospels which have so forcefully inserted themselves into the popular mind like the miracle which we now pray with, the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, or the feeding of the multitude. As stories go it is a gripping one: huge crowds swarming about the place; in their midst, a charismatic young preacher, whom they have been following around and who has been exciting them and engaging them with his teaching and deeds…
So, Who’s In Charge Here? – Benedict’s Idea of the Servant-Leader
The figure of the abbot or superior in St Benedict’s Rule is one which has its foundations in that other rule which we have mentioned – the Rule of the Master – but it is, at the same time, a radically different figure. There is no hint of the tyrant in Benedict’s leader…
Mark 6:30-46 – The Kingdom Feast (Part 1)
Mark presents us with two accounts of a miraculous multiplication of food to feed a great multitude, each with a slightly different twist (the second account can be seen at Mark 8:1-10). This first one occurs after the Twelve have returned to Jesus from their mission work.
Vocation – Called to the Consecrated Life?
The consecrated life. The religious life. The life of the vows. The life of the evangelical counsels. The cloistered life. What is this “other” way of living in the Church as a full expression of one’s baptism which is not married, single, or clerical? It seems that there has always…
Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey, Portglenone 