Journeys of our personal anxieties. There are many ways to reject God. The most common, and one of the best hidden in our subconscious, is to refuse to accept death. Yet, we are all on a journey, whether short or long, that will take us inexorably towards it. Some try to console themselves by thinking …
Based on an extract from the book “Il Vangelo di Maria” (Maria’s Gospel) by Carlo Maria Martini, Ancora Editrice, Milano, 2008. The extract is taken from page 79 to 87. It is undeniable that Europe is going through a deep crisis of faith. Many Europeans today are at best lukewarm to acknowledge believing in God …
We will be reflecting on some of the last words found in the gospel of Mark that describe Jesus’ resurrection. Mark describes how Jesus, after his death was buried in a tomb dug in the rock. After the sabbath, some women went to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body with spices. When they arrived at …
The expression “Son of Man” is not used frequently by Christians nowadays; however, it is found often in the gospels. We use it to refer to Jesus not only to show that he, Son of God, has fully assumed our human nature, but also to make some suggestions about Jesus mysterious mission, to what his …
We will try to say something about the word “God”. This is certainly difficult as God is understood in adoration, in conversion, in self-giving and not in verbal explanations. Rather, from our previous reflections, it should be clear that it is not we who understand God but that it is God that, with the Word …
For this reflection we choose a word that at first may elicit discomfort and repulsion: cross. However, it is one of the most frequently used words by Christians; the sign of the cross is in fact one of the first things that are taught to children. The word “cross” puts us immediately on the defensive …
The key words we have examined until now were all “positive”, that is, liberating concepts. We have not considered “negative” words that also form part of our daily vocabulary like “sadness”, “anxiety”, “desperation”, “crisis”. The Christian key words are positive even when they concern negative realities, because the negative realities are taken up and transformed …
The Gospel word, accepted by us with faith, takes us to conversion that is made concrete with baptism. This is the Christian journey we have considered so far. Baptism introduces us to the baptised community, the Church. In fact, the Christian is not a solitary seeker of God: Christians are members of a community. This …
The Christian key words that we are reflecting on make up an itinerary, a journey. One passes from one to the next. So, we have put as the first word ‘Gospel’, which is the revelation of God’s salvation through Jesus Christ. Those who accept this Good News, undergo a change in their way of thinking …
We will start from the text from Mark’s gospel, where Jesus’ initial preaching is described: “After John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee. There he proclaimed the Good News from God. ‘The time has come’ he said ‘and the kingdom of God is close at hand. Repent, and believe the Good News.’” (1,14-15). From verse …