Another great week of incisive commentaries...

Dear Friends,

In today's excerpt from Robert Blair Kaiser's novel "Cardinal Mahony" the trial begins.

Kaiser asks us to far to imagine what the Catholic Church could be. My own dream would be for a vibrant international community genuinely reaching out to respond to the spiritual needs and questions of the vast majority in society not one in retreat and only seeking to respond to the insecurities and certitudes of the dwindling minority. It is for a Church that genuinely seeks to reach out and embrace the Mystery of the Divine, the mysteries of Life, and that sense of personal excitement as each of the members of that community seek to reach out themselves and grow as human beings, lovers of life, and compassionate carers for their families, neighbours and their habitat. What's your "dare to imagine" scenario?
<Link to today's excerpt from Kaiser's novel, "Cardinal Mahony">
<www.catholica.com.au/gc3/rbk/004_rbk_120909.php

The Psychology of Priesthood #10 Tom McMahon in his commentary today returns to the central themes of this series seeking to explore the psychology of priesthood down through the ages. Surprisingly perhaps, his commentary today begins with a set of admonitions given centuries ago to the pagan priests of the Roman Empire. <more>

The Ten Commandments... The "Ten Commandments" is one of those terms that everybody knows, perhaps most people have even read a listing of the so-called ten at some stage. But how much do we really know about their origins and meaning. In today's commentary biblical scholar, Dr Ian Elmer, endeavours to provide some food for thought on the subject that extends our understanding beyond the school-level understanding that perhaps most apply when they think of the subject of what laws God might have given us. <more>

An adult exploration of the meaning of Christian humility… Today's commentary from Sr Mary Cresp cuts to the chase. It's a fabulous but gentle reflection on humility. When I was reading her book and became motivated to approach Mary to share a portion of it with you, this is the section that got me off my backside to approach her and ask permission to reproduce it on Catholica. It's a commentary that I feel sure many will want to print out and mull and meditate on for a long time. Almost every line is a gem and a 'keeper'. ...Brian Coyne (Editor) <more>

21.3: Basil, Jerome and Augustine Tom Lee's study of the Origins of Christianitymight be considered to have two great values. At one level it provides a big canvas view of the forces that moulded the development of Catholicism. At a second level though the fascination is in the myriad of small details. Today the focus is on Basil, Jerome and Augustine — "big picture" material and the small detail is possibly to be found in the origins of the practice of not eating meat on Fridays. <more>

A lifetime spiritual journey #11… Francis entitled Chapter 8, "Providence". Perhaps the entire chapter can be summarised in this sentence Francis writes: "As Jesus brought Christ­consciousness into his life by awakening to his true relationship as Child of God, so I called on the Holy Spirit to continue to guide me to the same awakening to see me too as Christ." <more>

Best wishes for a great day wherever you happen to be ... in life or in our world.

Brian Coyne
Editor and Publisher