As a child, I’d easily infuriate my mother further in any disagreement we had. Not being willing to back down, I’d often cause the common cry to be uttered, “You always have to have the last word!’ At Mass, it’s the Deacon who has the last word – when one is present, at least! AsContinue reading “Day 10: Go in Peace”
Author Archives: Dean Atkins
Saturday 27 February 2021
Great Expectations? Read Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You have learnt how it was said: You must love your neighbour and hate your enemy. But I say this to you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you; in this way you will be sons of your Father in heaven, for he causes his sunContinue reading “Saturday 27 February 2021”
Day 9: The Wounded Healer
A young mother I know wrote a beautiful benediction to her child about the scar across her tummy. “I know you hate it being there,” she wrote, “ But can I just say … I love it. I love all 8 centimetres of it. From start to finish. You want to know why? It’s becauseContinue reading “Day 9: The Wounded Healer”
Friday 26 February 2021
How deep is our love? Read Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If your virtue goes no deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven. ‘You have learnt how it was said to our ancestors: You must not kill; and if anyone does kill he must answer forContinue reading “Friday 26 February 2021”
Day 8: A Bee among the Flowers
Over the last year, we’ve paid more serious attention to the birds and the bees as we shape the ‘Wild Side’ of St Mary’s, carving out a home for nature, planting flowers to attract pollinators and others. There’s been much publicity about the plight of bees, and how important and essential they and other pollinatorsContinue reading “Day 8: A Bee among the Flowers”
Thursday 25 February 2021
Food Heaven Read Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For the one who asks always receives; the one who searches always finds; the one who knocks will always have the door opened to him.Continue reading “Thursday 25 February 2021”
Day 7: Food for the Journey
Each years, for years, I used to take a large group of young people to the Walsingham Youth Pilgrimage although that privilege now is left to younger leaders! It’s quite a long coach journey and, when we arrived, we slept in tents in the middle of a field. The food was good considering the circumstancesContinue reading “Day 7: Food for the Journey”
Wednesday 24 February 2021
Are you on the menu? Read The crowds got even bigger, and Jesus addressed them: ‘This is a wicked generation; it is asking for a sign. The only sign it will be given is the sign of Jonah. For just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man beContinue reading “Wednesday 24 February 2021”
Day 6: The Bread of Life
“I am the Bread of Life,” said Jesus. When he uses these words he places himself within the story of Israel’s wilderness years, their escape from slavery, their time of God given gifts in the desert, gifts which feed them as they wander, seeking the promised land. The following reflection feasts on those words andContinue reading “Day 6: The Bread of Life”
Tuesday 23 February 2021
To become prayer Read Jesus said to his disciples: ‘In your prayers do not babble as the pagans do, for they think that by using many words they will make themselves heard. Do not be like them; your Father knows what you need before you ask him. So you should pray like this: ‘Our FatherContinue reading “Tuesday 23 February 2021”
