Thirtieth Sunday: The Old Testament in Light of the New
WE CANADIANS pride ourselves on being tolerant, which, paradoxically, means that we are extremely intolerant. To demonstrate our intolerance, let me recite three... Read more.
John Henry Newman: A talk delivered to the Basilian Lay Associates
JOHN HENRY NEWMAN, whose life spanned most of the nineteenth century—1801-90—was and remains a fascinating character. Much of his charm is found in his remarkable... Read more.
Saint Newman, Slavery and Freedom
A WEEK from today, on 13 October, a man dear to the hearts of everyone here will be canonized: John Henry Newman. I wonder, sometimes, if those who profess to admire... Read more.
The Relentless God
WERE YOU startled by what you heard in the reading of Moses holding back the anger of God? It certainly provides a picture of God different from that which we usually... Read more.
Foxes and Birds
A friend of mine and I have a long-standing debate about sermons. He prefers a straightforward approach, while I am more inclined to resort to symbolism. For instance,... Read more.
The Good Shepherd, Who Never Leaves His Flock
Has any one of you ever been a shepherd? or even seen one? Do shepherds exist in contemporary North America? Nevertheless, we know instinctively that when Jesus... Read more.
The Real and Present Presence of Christ
Often, the simplest facts are the most important—and the most frequently unadverted to. Take the Last Supper, for instance. Obviously, the Apostles had to be present... Read more.
Providence and a Thief’s Goodness
Last year on Palm Sunday we heard the passion from Saint Mark’s Gospel, and next year it will be from Saint Matthew. Each is different in detail from the other,... Read more.
Instant Conversion
One feature of the Gospel for this Fifth Sunday of Lent has intrigued many readers: Jesus’s writing on the ground with his finger. For what could he possibly have... Read more.
The Layered Meaning of the Prodigal Son
In 1861, John William Burgon, the (Anglican) dean of Chichester cathedral, preached a sermon in Christ Church cathedral, Oxford, that included the following statement:... Read more.