Working With Others to Care for Creation
In the 1850s, settlers from the United Kingdom thought it would be a good idea to introduce Australian possums to New Zealand. What a disaster that has been. (They also…
Ask the Beasts and They Will Teach You
In 2014, American theologian Elizabeth Johnson wrote a wonderful book that included in its title Ask the Beasts. Job 12:17 continues, “ask the beasts and they will teach you.” We…
The Awakening Magic of Beauty
The new season of Spring has arrived in New Zealand and life is singing in all her splendour. It is such a wonderful time to just wander in the beauty…
Beginnings and Endings
I have recently been to two Catholic funerals for dear friends and was once again struck by the older theologies that so often underpin such events. We were back in…
Inside Silence
A few weeks ago a friend and I set out to go to Ashburton to buy a new budgie, a companion for my other budgie, Sunshine. The day was glorious,…
Rethinking the Solemnity of Christ the King Part II
This reflection is a continuation from Susan’s June 26 article of the same title. Here the expression, “Cosmic Christ” can be helpful as it points to Christ’s care of, and…
The Fragility of Life
Back in July 2022 I wrote a blog about the wonder and delight of my two budgies. Last month I took Beautiful Boy to the vet. He had a bleeding…
The Taste of Things IV
Elm and arborist It was the ‘orange dot of death’ that caught my eye, and then my heart. It was the sign that she would be brought to her knees,…
A New Mission in Napier, New Zealand
Baby swan plants being lovingly tended Laudato Si' challenges us to “care for the natural environment and all people …,” and so a new mission has started in Napier, New…
“It’s a Wonderful Life”, and the James Web Space Telescope
For many people, a regular part of Christmas is watching the 1946 classic movie "It’s a Wonderful Life". In my family, this movie was on our sister Mary’s perennial “Christmas…