The feast of Epiphany in the western churches celebrates the visit of the Magi to the new-born Jesus. Hence, it is celebrated as the revelation of Jesus to the nations. In the Orthodox Church it’s celebrated as the Baptism of Jesus Christ. Theophany = the revelation of God. The revelation of God as Trinity. Baptism …
God’s Christmas Gift
When all things were enveloped in quiet silence, and when the night had reached the mid-point in its course, your all-powerful Word leaped from he height of the heavens, from the royal throne, into the midst of the land that was doomed… (Book of Wisdom 18:14-15) Don’t look for the Book of Wisdom in your Bible. …
The Water Gospel
John appeared in the desert, as a voice crying out in the wilderness. The world has always been a wilderness, a desert, waiting for someone to speak the word of God. It was true then, it is true now. John was not just a voice, he also baptised people to prepare them for someone greater …
A Psalm for the time of Covid
Psalm 42 As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God.My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.When shall I come and behold the face of God?My tears have been my food day and night,while people say to me continually, “Where is your God?”These things I remember, as I pour out my soul:how I …
A parable for violent people
Once upon a time there was a teacher, a guru who had many followers. They came from all over to listen, to learn wisdom and enlightenment, and to be liberated from their desires and needs. There were classes and one-on-one apprenticeships. At the end of the students’ teaching the master would send them into the …
The Art of Wooing
Tucked away inside today's Gospel story is a picture of a dysfunctional society at war with itself. The landscape of the tombs where the two demoniacs spent their existence was barren enough. But I visualise the whole landscape of that town as desecrated and barren - barren of beauty and harmony. Humans and nature in conflict. Perhaps …
The Face of our Humanity
Happy and Blessed Palm Sunday to you who read this. A glorious day, despite the fact that most of us spent it at home, only with our thoughts and memories of Palm Sundays past and perhaps a live streamed Liturgy. No communion in our mouths, but nevertheless the Lord is with us. Joy! Joy is …
Room for Mercy
At the heart of our Liturgy is Mercy. We say it so often that there's a Greek saying that makes fun of it. But make no mistake, Mercy is at the heart of our faith. And mercy is precisely what is missing in the world today. Everything comes from mercy. And the parable Jesus teaches …
Reflections on the Sistine Madonna
I came upon a story called The Sistine Madonna, by Vasily Grossman, a writer and survivor of Soviet and Nazi antisemitism. A black and white picture of the painting Sistine Madonna was included in the story, so my curiosity was piqued. I found a good quality color reproduction of this painting and I wish to …
Parables of Surprise
The Sunday Lectionary after feast of Cross in September offers various combinations of Epistle and Gospel readings that break the normal pairings - at least in the Greek tradition. Today's readings, Ephesians 2:4-10 and Luke 16:19-31, offer an interesting juxtaposition: faith or works? Paul says: "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and …
