Theodore Roethke begins his poem ‘In a Dark Time’, with these words: “In a dark time, the eye begins to see.” We live in a dark time, one beset with hatred, bitter divisions, and wars that, daily, are bringing death and incalculable trauma to millions of people. But are our eyes beginning to see? Sometimes…
According to the Gospel of John, in his final moment on the cross, Jesus declared: “It is finished” (Jn 19:30). The words might also be translated: “It is fulfilled” or “It is accomplished.” Like the declaration of his thirst, the saying is brief but contains many layers of meaning. We can begin by asking a…
As this gospel reading is quite long, you are invited to use your own Bible to read the text. Initial observations This story is found only in the Fourth Gospel, although the other Gospels do tell of people being raised from the dead (Jairus’ daughter, the son of the widow of Nain). Our story, very…
Q: Is it acceptable in the eyes of God to have an alcoholic drink at a bar that was once an altar? My diocese has deconsecrated said altar. A: I of course can’t speak directly for God, but I know I personally would not feel comfortable consuming any kind of ordinary food and drink served…
Thomas Moore, the author of Care of the Soul, teaches that our most important spiritual task is to listen to the promptings of our own soul. If listened to in honesty, it will guide us, protect us, and keep us healthy. I heard him present this to an audience in a church setting and after…
This winter in Ukraine has been a special challenge for everyone who studies and teaches. This includes us, the students of the Institute of Theological Sciences of the Immaculate Virgin Mary in the town of Horodok, Khmelnytskyi region. Prolonged power outages—sometimes up to 18 hours a day—brought cold temperatures indoors, heating difficulties, and water supply…
My father died fourteen years ago. I miss him. His presence in my life mattered when he was alive and his absence matters, now he is dead. Fatherhood matters. It is not a social construct. It is gift of nature that nurtures a child in a way that complements the gift of motherhood. On March…
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” (Mark 1:35). There is something in that quiet detail – “while it was still dark.” Jesus withdrew to pray, choosing silence before noise, communion before chaos, strength before service.…
The three pillars of the Synodal pathway are communion, participation and mission. These are the three essential features of Christian witness in the Church today. For his feast day this year, I would like to explain the ways that St Patrick’s life as a missionary bishop contained the elements of communion, participation and mission and…
What is Critical Thinking? A useful way to approach that question is to ponder what uncritical thinking looks like. To think uncritically is to swallow things whole; to accept without question the ideas presented to us. Of course, many a barstool atheist will want to say, ‘Aha, so faith is uncritical thinking, because believers accept…
Fr Ronald Rolheiser