Perhaps one of the strangest, and most troubling, developments of the past hundred years in the West has been the shift in talking about ‘citizens’ and ‘the public’ to talking about ‘consumers’ and ‘tax-payers’, as though our sole purpose in life and society is to consume and to give back (as little as possible) to … Continue reading A Faith that Lasts: Obtain a Yield
Today's Gospel reading is the Parable of the Sower: God's Kingdom is described as a farmer who spreads seed over his lands. He does this abundantly, even wastefully, casting it onto the rocks and roadside as much as on his fields. It's a fascinating story because it presents a unique and perhaps surprising perspective on … Continue reading Working the Land (A Reflection on the Parable of the Sower) [Repost]
So far in this series on practices and behaviours we can use to grow in faith, we've explored two ways of engaging transcendence (through 'spiritual' experiences and beauty), two ways of expanding the mind (through dialectical epistemology and value metabolism), and ways of bringing what is hidden into our awareness (especially through dream work and … Continue reading Growing with Intention: ‘Perfecting the Universe’ (or, Bearing Good Fruit (again))
Today's Gospel reading is the Parable of the Sower: God's Kingdom is described as a farmer who spreads seed over his lands. He does this abundantly, even wastefully, casting it onto the rocks and roadside as much as on his fields. It's a fascinating story because it presents a unique and perhaps surprising perspective on … Continue reading Working the Land (A Reflection on the Parable of the Sower)
One of the great joys of reflecting on the feasts and seasons of the Church year is to see how they are all so deeply interconnected. We can't really think about Christmas without thinking about Easter; nor can we celebrate the Baptism of Jesus without thinking about his Transfiguration, or experience Lent without experiencing Epiphany. … Continue reading Christmas Gifts of the Spirit
Matthew Root 