Last things (Sunday XXXIII of Ordered time)

“The things of this world can vanish in an instant, but God will remain. False teachers, false prophets, false christs will appear, but the Christians must fasten their hearts to Him.”

Vanity of vanities (Sunday XVIII of Ordered time)

“What, should one man go on toiling, his the craft, his the skill, his the anxious care, leaving all to another, and an idler? That were frustration surely, and great mischief done. Tell me, how is a man the richer for all that toil of his, all that lost labour of his, here under theContinue reading “Vanity of vanities (Sunday XVIII of Ordered time)”

The true measure of holiness (Sunday XXVIII of Ordered time)

There’s something I mention reasonably often: integrity and sincerity. Let us define religion as rite and ritual: the ceremonies that walk us from soon after we are born, through the period of adolescence and early adulthood, that sanctify our ordinary life throughout and that then finally carry us into the tomb. Why do people whoContinue reading “The true measure of holiness (Sunday XXVIII of Ordered time)”

Treasuring divine Wisdom (Sunday XXVI of Ordered time)

Our readings this weekend begin with the delegation of apostolic authority for ministry within the Church. Remember that the Greek word ‘apostle’ simply refers to somebody who is sent, but in the Christian context that refers to a very particular missionary with extraordinary delegated power and responsibility to govern and sanctify. We’re talking here aboutContinue reading “Treasuring divine Wisdom (Sunday XXVI of Ordered time)”

Treasures in heaven (Sunday XXIV of Ordered time)

In our Gospel reading today we have the great confession of the Apostle S. Peter, at Caesarea Philippi, far, far north of Judah and Jerusalem, near what they call today the Golan Heights. Far beyond Galilee even, and the tranquility of the fishing villages. And so, far away from all things, Christ asks His menContinue reading “Treasures in heaven (Sunday XXIV of Ordered time)”