The following lines are excerpts from Peter Hocken’s book: ‘The Strategy of the Spirit?’, where he reflects on the meaning of the worldwide renewal and revival being brought about by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit both in the historic churches and in modern movements. I quote from a chapter titled, ‘Mary, Mother of Jesus’.
Friends, As Muslims pray during the month of Ramadan, let’s join millions of Christians worldwide in 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World from March 10th – April 8th, 2024. You can of course, also keep praying for these peoples throughout the year, even if you missed these dates or some of these days.
We might not think of Lent as a “happy” time, but that’s the way God thinks about this season. He looks forward to it!
This year, we have a rare occurrence, where Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday coincide. Some see these two occasions as competing and conflicting with one another. How can celebrating Valentine’s Day – which is often associated with special gifts and food – go together with Ash Wednesday – which is a day of fasting and abstinence? I would like to propose that this is actually a God-sent opportunity to give us a deeper insight about – and perhaps a bit of correction to – the beliefs we hold about each occasion. For both occasions call us to: Renewal in our journey to the destination of love.
Without humiliating anyone, without becoming a symbol of denial for anyone, Brother Roger believed that it is possible to embrace within oneself the attention to the word of God so profoundly lived in the Reform tradition, the treasures of the spirituality of the Orthodox tradition, and all the charisms of communion of the Catholic Church, all the while, daily putting one’s trust in the mystery of faith.
The new pope is…like the son of Jacob who, meeting with his brothers, showed them the tenderness of his heart and, bursting into tears, said, “I am Joseph, your brother.” Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, seventy-seven years old and newly installed as Pope John XXIII, surprised the crowds gathered for his coronation Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica when he spoke these words directly to them. Rarely had a pope used such personal language before.
As we prepare to observe the ‘Week of Prayer for Christian Unity’ in the Northern Hemisphere from Jan.18th-25th, it’s a good time to remember the legacy of a Catholic pioneer, who worked for unity in the ‘Body of Christ’ – Fr. Paul Courtier.
I want to share a bit of my story with you today. I grew up with a very nominal & cultural Catholic faith – one which introduced me to the external practices of the Catholic faith and religion. Regrettably, it didn’t accompany me into experiencing and developing a personal relationship with God.
Over the last couple of years, we’ve taken the opportunity to pray together in different churches across the city of Whitehorse (Melbourne) in the week leading up to Pentecost, as part of observing the ‘Week of Prayer for Christian Unity’. This year the dates are from May 22nd -26th. Each prayer service commences at 7.30pm
Friends, As Muslims begin the month of Ramadan today, let’s join millions of Christians worldwide in 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World from March 22nd – April 20th, 2023. You can learn more about this prayer movement, which has been running for more than 30 years here: https://www.pray30days.org/about Their well-produced and affordable ‘prayer
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