Matt. 5:13 [Jesus said,] “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. Matt. 5:14 You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot…
Book X is the longest book of Confessions and marks a dramatic transition from autobiography (Books I-IX) to philosophical analysis (Books X, XI, and XII). Here, Augustine also shifts the focus of his work to his present spiritual state as a newly appointed bishop of Hippo Regius (in modern-day Annaba, Algeria). Augustine’s search for God…
The Anglican Church is elevating its first woman to the role of Archbishop of Canterbury, the chief diocese of the Church of England. Theologically, do we as Catholics see this as a problem A: I think the answer here could be either ‘yes’ or ‘no’, depending on how we approach the question. Of course,…
Chaplaincy to the sick stands at the meeting point of human fragility and divine closeness says Fr Barry White Hospital wards, nursing homes, and cemeteries mark the limits of human life. They remind us, often uncomfortably, that people suffer, age, and die. These are the everyday landscapes of healthcare and end-of-life chaplaincy. It is…
The elevation of St John Henry Newman to the 38th Doctor of the Church was a moment of great joy for Catholics around the world, especially in England, where Newman was born, educated, preached, taught and wrote. The title honours not only his holiness of life but also his deep theological insight, which continues to…
Zephaniah 2:3, 3:12-13 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 Matthew 5:1-12a Stand your ground.” That is one of the great commandments of the modern world. Be assertive. Be visible. Be successful. Make sure your voice is heard, your rights defended, your interests protected. Never let yourself be pushed around. Never be a doormat. Christianity, from its very…
Obedience is light for the world. It is gift and sign for our society, writes Sr Mary T. O’Brien pbvm Our church calendars mark February 2, Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, as the Day for Consecrated Life. Because it happens to coincide with a Bank Holiday in Ireland this year, its significance could…
In Book IX of Confessions, we encounter Augustine in a new place: a place of conversion, following his famous conversion scene which we examined last week at the end of Book VIII. From this new perspective, he notices his detachment from earthly things that previously weighed him down. God has removed his desire for fame…
Have you ever noticed people leaving Mass before it’s over – even right after receiving holy Communion? It can be puzzling, given that the Eucharist is the centre of Catholic life and Sunday Mass is a grave obligation. Yet arriving late or leaving early has become common enough that many people barely register it. It’s…
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven Matt 5:1 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Matt 5:2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: Matt 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,…
Fr Barry White
Fr Dominik Domagala