On the first Sunday in Advent our scriptures “come out fighting”. The “festive” season is gathering momentum. Those with means are tempted to over-eat and over-spend. Those without means are tempted to give in to despondency. The Gospel lesson warns: … Continued
Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea— the LORD on high is mighty (Ps 93:4). My dad used to tell the story of a friend of his who canoed the Zambezi River. … Continued
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. (Mark 13:8) On Wednesday, 11th November, the world remembered that on “the eleventh hour … Continued
The Lord watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan and the widow (Ps. 146:9) Last week we celebrated All Saints Day. Compared to those we consider “real” saints, our own lives look very ordinary. We forget that … Continued
In Christian tradition mountaintops are often regarded as “thin-places” where the “veil” or “shroud” separating heaven and earth is porous. Moses’s face shone after he spoke with God in the “thin-place” of Mt. Sinai. This scared the people so … Continued
Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way. (Mk 10:52) Over the last week we’ve seen pictures and stories of students protesting against fee increases. However, people “see” these pictures differently. Some see disciplined, well co-ordinated activists … Continued
I know precisely the extent of your violations, the enormity of your sins. Appalling! You bully right-living people, taking bribes right and left and kicking the poor when they’re down. Justice is a lost cause. Evil is epidemic.[1] … Continued
On Wednesday I joined thousands of people in the “Churches against Corruption” march to Parliament. I’m not much of a slogan-shouting, banner-waving activist. Catching up with friends like the newly ordained Rev. Solomzi Ralo, of Gateway, was the highlight for … Continued
Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise (Jas 5:13). On Heritage Day our family took advantage of Cape Nature’s “Free Access”; enjoying the ecological heritage of Kogelberg for free! … Continued
Lorna Philander, the saint who runs the “Peter & Heidi Crèche”[1] underwent a double mastectomy on Tuesday. I had the opportunity to visit her on Thursday. Chemotherapy had caused hair loss and I was embarrassed for not immediately recognising her. However, … Continued