Spiritual Directions for the Journey
Posted in Loving and Living the bible, Reflections from Fellow Wanderers on May 1st, 2013
Brennan Manning April 27, 1934 – April 12, 2013 If there was a model of the modern day itinerant preacher it might well be Brennan Manning. This alcoholic , ex-priest, divorced wanderer might seem to be an odd role model. Henri Nouwen talks about the Wounded Healer and Brennan was exactly that. He was deeply [...]
Posted in Big Questions on Feb 17th, 2013
Canada is on a march to increased minimum sentences. The mood for taking discretion out of the hands of judges is stronger than ever especially with some highly controversial decisions of late. Here is a story that at least should give us some cause to wonder if we are doing the right thing. Everyone’s story [...]
Posted in Reflections from the Pulpit - Wandering with Deacon Mike on Jan 12th, 2013
When is a sign more than a sign? The reason for the question is the result of my reflecting back to my time in Grade 1, over 50 years ago, and the grueling preparation our class was going through to prepare for our First Holy Communion. Memories of the nuns in their black habits and [...]
Posted in 1K Word Pictures, Big Questions, Reflections from Fellow Wanderers, Reflections from the Pulpit - Wandering with Deacon Mike on Jan 12th, 2013
Fr. Richard Rohr in his book, Falling Upward, tells of a piece of advice he once received from Bishop Desmond Tutu. The Bishop looked at a Rohr and said,: “Richard, always remember we are simply the light bulb. Our job is to remain screwed in.”
Posted in Big Questions, Reflections from the Pulpit - Wandering with Deacon Mike on Jan 12th, 2013
Interesting how ‘baptism’ is usually into something that is perceived to be difficult. A question to ponder: Do we see following the way of Christ as something that is challenging and/or difficult?
Posted in Big Questions, Reflections from the Pulpit - Wandering with Deacon Mike on Jan 7th, 2013
Defining a word is always a good place to start when you need to prepare a 10-minute talk on the subject. Those of us old enough will remember, with either fondness or dread, the Baltimore Catechism. According to this website, this Catechism (last updated in 1941) has 38 Lessons and as near as I can [...]
Posted in Big Questions, Reflections from Fellow Wanderers on Dec 10th, 2012
In the midst of the rush of Christmas shopping and preparations it is good to take a moment to just reflect. If you need a break then join the shoppers at this mall for a 5 minute Christmas concert.
Posted in Reflections from Fellow Wanderers on Aug 29th, 2012
A guest post from my friend Deacon Rob Kinghorn who always finds a way to add a new perspective to the gospel story. Homily for 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Deacon Robert Kinghorn I went to an all-boys high school. And I remember the teacher walking in one day with two packages of washing powder [...]
Posted in Reflections from the Pulpit - Wandering with Deacon Mike on Jun 2nd, 2012
Please click here for a Printer Friendly Copy A few weeks ago, I had the honour of being the sponsor for my nephew’s confirmation. The celebrant was Fr. Liborio Amaral. Fr. Liborio is a wonderfully enthusiastic priest and you could tell he was deeply committed to seeing that these young folks had an understanding of [...]
Posted in Big Questions, Reflections from Fellow Wanderers, Reflections from the Pulpit - Wandering with Deacon Mike on Jun 2nd, 2012
The Sign of the Cross is for many of us the first sign of our faith we were taught as children. Most of us who have been practicing Catholics have performed this gesture countless times. So many reptions that it may well have lost meaning for some. Below Ben Ghezzi of Zenit Daily answers this [...]
Posted in Big Questions, Reflections from Fellow Wanderers, Reflections from the Pulpit - Wandering with Deacon Mike on May 31st, 2012
The mystery of the Trinity has been the subject of theological study, debate and argument from the start of the Church. I stumbled upon this description of theology on the website of an Anglican church called “Trinity”- This looks like it is from a sermon on the Holy Trinity: G.K. Chesterton wrote, “It is the [...]
Posted in Reflections from the Pulpit - Wandering with Deacon Mike, This Sunday on May 30th, 2012
If you listen to Fr. Robert Barron’s homily for this Sunday he starts by asserting that Trinity Sunday is known around the preaching community as a nightmare. At the same time it is a theologian’s delight. The reason is that the Trinity is a difficult dogma of the Church to summarize in 10 minutes. Yet [...]
Posted in Reflections from Fellow Wanderers, Reflections from the Pulpit - Wandering with Deacon Mike on Apr 28th, 2012
Charlie is a man I only met once. His story, and the story of a small group that came to be know as Charlie’s Angels will be a part of the homily this weekend. This is a tribute from Les Horne, one of those who befriended Charlie, given at Charlie’s memorial service. Its such a [...]
Posted in Reflections from the Pulpit - Wandering with Deacon Mike on Apr 25th, 2012
This is a second homily preparation week in a row. I have been invited to speak at the other St. Patrick’s in Toronto (you can never have too many St. Pat about the Friends of Dismas ministry. This weekend we have the scene of Jesus telling us as his disciples that he is the good [...]
Posted in Reflections from the Pulpit - Wandering with Deacon Mike on Apr 21st, 2012
(Click here for Printer Friendly Copy) It all comes back to the Upper Room. In today’s gospel from Luke, just as in last weeks from John, we are in the room where Jesus gathered his closest disciples on that Holy Thursday night. It is shortly after the death of our Lord and those who were [...]
