Both Christians and Muslims fast, pray and give alms. Can we learn anything from one another, asks Fr Michael Barnes SJ At this moment of the Church’s year, as Christians begin the long period of Lent, my thoughts always turn to Muslim friends and to various conversations which I have enjoyed on the subject of…
One of the more curious and eclectic sections on the Vatican’s 1995 list of important films is the ‘art’ section. At least one of their choices, however, is unlikely to be controversial as it is often considered the greatest ‘arthouse’ film of all time – Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 sci-fi extravaganza, 2001: A Space Odyssey. Although…
The three pillars of Lent – prayer, fasting, almsgiving – enrich our spiritual life during this penitential season. But they can also be challenging. Saints can shed light on our journey. So let’s begin with almsgiving and look to St Katharine Drexel as a profound example of the depth to which this practice calls us.…
Dennis Coday A couple of weeks before my three sons left for college, I took each to dinner. They chose the restaurant, reflecting their personalities: a Thai place, a steak house, a premium burger grill. I picked up the tab, but I wasn’t there for dinner. I wanted to talk. I gave each a copy…
If there’s one, unavoidable reality in our world it’s that of suffering. No matter how you try to buffer or shore up your existence, suffering will manifest itself one way or another. The only way to avoid it would be to neither love nor feel – but would such a life be any different from…
Several weeks ago my older brother George died. His death was somewhat of a shock since he had been in relatively good health until a week before he died. His story is worth telling. No community, Mircea Eliade once said, should botch its deaths. Although highly intelligent and motivated, George never got the chance for…
Last Sunday we were with Jesus on the Mount of Temptation. Today we see him on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matt 17:1-9). It’s such a contrast of experiences, from temptation to the vision of divine glory. He took with him Peter, John and James and went up a high mountain where they could be alone.…
Evangelisation is nothing more or less than sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with others, writes Lorene Hanley Duquin A friend, who has been away from the Church for years, starts to reminisce about growing up Catholic. A co-worker tells you that she was baptised Catholic but never received any other sacraments. A neighbour begins…
Faith in Film The Oscar’s ‘best picture’ for 1954, On the Waterfront, is probably best remembered for Marlon Brando’s ground-breaking performance. His visceral but measured portrayal of a sensitive ex-prize fighter deserves all its acclaim. What’s less well known is that the film was at least partly based on the life of a real priest…
Saint of the week On February 23, the Church brings St Polycarp to our attention. An unusual name, Polycarp is one of those ‘titans’ of the early Church, a man who learned from those who had walked directly with Christ himself during his time on earth. Born in 69AD, little enough survives of him and…
Ruadhán Jones
Fr Ronald Rolheiser