At the close of many services of worship, a leader stands and, often with one hand raised, palm facing the congregation, he or she speaks words of “benediction.” What’s in a benediction, and why are they important? The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious …
Nothing in my hand I bring
Last week, I suggested that, in his inaugural sermon at the Nazareth synagogue (Lk 4:16-21), and in the Beatitudes which must have been taught very soon after, Jesus echoed the words of Isaiah 61:1-7. I said that Jesus came to change the world, to turn the world upside down, to right wrongs, to pour out compassion, …
A guide to the Beatitudes
In what would be his last sermon, Pope Francis emphasised a contrast between the way of the world and the Way of Jesus. He said: Today’s builders of Babel tell us that there is no room for losers, and that those who fall along the way are losers. Theirs is the construction site of Hell. …
New Ecumenical Council general secretary eyes greater church unity
Sight Magazine – April 16, 2025 “At its heart, the ecumenical community is a community of prayer – for one another, for all who seek to follow Christ, for people everywhere of all faiths or none, and for our world. As theologian Karl Barth said, ‘Prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder …
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On the road to Emmaus
We all heard the sad news on Monday of the passing of Pope Francis, a fine pope, in my opinion one of the best, showing by example how to follow Jesus with courage, fidelity, simplicity, and sacrificial love. Two months after his election to the papacy in 2013, Francis warned of the danger of “[shutting] ourselves …
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