The meaning of our communion… It's Tom McMahon's birthday today and also his concluding commentary in search of the meaning of what we're trying to do when we celebrate communion. He gives this concluding commentary the subtitles: "The end of the trail? is Eucharist divine? Is any thing divine? Touchy issue!". <more>

A beautiful essay… Here is a beautiful essay by Daniel Gullotta — his last formal essay submitted as part of his theology course for the year. In it he is analysing a section of John's Gospel seeking to throw light on its fuller meaning from the traditions that reach back into our roots in Judaism. <more>

Seizing the day in a very Christian way! This is a reflection from Dr Kania that is like the smoothest vintage wine you have ever had the pleasure of consuming. It is ageless and bears coming back to time after time after time. One might wonder if what he is getting at here is not the ultimate explanation of the objective of the life of a follower of Jesus Christ. What do you think? <more>

Democracy in the Early, Medieval and American Catholic Church… Today's commentary is the first half of the second chapter of Professor Leonard Swidler's series of talks on the history of democracy in the Catholic Church and how in the last 200 years — basically since the time of the French Revolution — it gradually got snuffed out by the centralists in the Roman administration. <more>

Reclaiming the Spirit of Jesus VI… Posing a question for meditation: what do you think was Jesus self-understanding of his mission. Bishop Geoffrey Robinson has been pondering this question for a long time but more so in the light of the events of recent decades in the Church which have led him to writing this book. We present this series of meditations in cooperation with Bishop Robinson and his publisher, John Garratt Publishing. <Read Bishop Robinson's reflection>

Saying goodbye to anxiety… Where would we be without Vince Exley? This guy really does warm the heart of this community with his occasional commentaries. He's been at it for years going right back to the earliest days of the CathNews Discussion Board. Today he presents another wonderful, down-to-earth grounded commentary on some great practical spirituality that is worth thinking about ………… and perhaps applying in your life if you haven't already done so. <more>