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“Take Heart”
Earlier this year, I wrote a post entitled “God … calls people to die” about a conversation I had with an old friend, but in the aftermath of my choice, I realised too late that I’d oversimplified the matter. The straightforward interpretation—that God calls us to die, to let go of the things we don’t…
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A Time When There Was No History
In the age when life on earth was full, no one paid any special attention to worthy men, nor did they single out the man of ability. Rulers were simply the highest branches on the tree, and the people were like deer in the woods. They were honest and righteous without realizing that they were…
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Italics
I used to hate my philosophy degree. Especially after I graduated, struggling to find work, I loathed the fact that I studied philosophy, and why? Because in all honesty, when you’re that kind of person, your life is, as my mum says, “written in italics“. Life is never easy, but studying the humanities will simply…
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Leaving the Confessional
Recently I wrote about what was perhaps the most powerful confession I’ve made in my life so far, but the story doesn’t end there. As I said then, it’s not like the Priest waved a magic wand and fixed everything. I also said that it freed me to live with myself, but that it didn’t…
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Catholics Love Suffering
Today, I thought I’d speak about something pleasant for a change: suffering. (Do you see what I did there?) I’m told that, as Catholics, we love suffering. This is certainly true, at least on the surface. We have a kind of morbid fascination with it, and the idea of redemptive suffering has deep roots in…
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Pardon and Peace
In keeping with the past few weeks and the theme of “perpetual conversion”, tonight I’m going to talk to you about the power of confession, and why it’s my favourite sacrament. Rest assured: I’m not here to judge. Like the Pauls who came before me, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom…
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Vincent
Recently I had the pleasure of seeing Lasting Impressions, which featured the works of some of humanity’s greatest artists, recreated with a brilliant 3D and “motion-sculpting technology” that not only adds depth to the artwork but also brings it to life. I’ll confess that while the first half left much to be desired, the remainder…
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There and Back Again
I left home for the first time when I was eighteen years old. I was quite excited about it. Not that I didn’t like my home, but I was never too fond of my hometown. It was small. It never felt like much of anything, and I can remember dreaming of the city, which I…
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Why I Write (Further Thoughts)
Do not believe that he who seeks to comfort you lives untroubled among the simple and quiet words that sometimes do you good. His life has much difficulty and sadness. … Were it otherwise he would never have been able to find those words. Rainer Maria Rilke Why do you imagine that I write? Out…
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Why I Write
George Orwell, who is one of my favourite writers, once wrote an essay entitled “Why I Write”. Having committed myself to the same craft for a year now, I thought it’s time I did the same. Over this past year, I’ve done my best—regardless of whatever has been keeping me busy in my day to…