For the second Sunday running the Gospel features the moral teaching of Jesus. We encounter two of his best known and most difficult teachings which concern nonviolence and the love of enemies. Jesus first gives his teaching on nonviolence, starting with the ‘eye-for-an-eye’ rule in the Book of Exodus (21:24) and quoted in the First…
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Sitting in a boat on the Niagara River
By Garrison Keillor I was brought up by evangelicals so I can understand the fervent campaign to elect a revolutionary socialist to the White House. My people believed that we alone knew the mind of God and that He loved us more than the ignorant pagans around us. So when I see the old revolutionary…
Britain’s relationship with booze is beyond abusive
By Camilla Tominey in 'The Spectator', 1 February 2020 I’m not one of these teetotallers who frowns on people who imbibe, like an angsty ex-smoker who petulantly swats away vape fumes. It would be rather hypocritical because for years, I was what you would describe as a ‘problem’ drinker. In the sense that, every time…
Did Britain commit a war crime in Dresden? A conversation
In February 1945, the Allies, led by Sir Arthur Harris and Bomber Command, destroyed the historic city of Dresden, killing 25,000, most of them civilians. For the 75th anniversary, Sinclair McKay, author of a recent book on the bombing raid, and A.N. Wilson discuss whether it should be regarded as a ‘war crime’. From 'The Spectator', 8 February…
Homily, Sixth Sunday of the Year (A) 2020
I am not a fan of the Love Island TV series – I may have watched about 10 seconds of it – but I am sad to learn that that another young person associated with it – this time its former presenter Caroline Flack – has taken her own life. As we will pray later…
Why willpower is the secret to a happier life
By Edward Lucas in THE TIMES, 3 February 2020 My 14 years as a foreign correspondent were stressful, physically and mentally. So I created routines to compensate. In Moscow, I always ate lunch at the same restaurant: the Scandinavia (now sadly closed) was central, clean, quiet and unpretentious. Not only that, I always ate the…
Reshuffle shows weakness at the heart of No 10
By Philip Collins in THE TIMES, 14 February 2020 Take back control. Get Javid Gone. In a petulant reshuffle empty of purpose, the school bullies showed the junior form who’s boss. Three months ago Boris Johnson gave the CBI a categorical guarantee that Sajid Javid would remain as chancellor of the exchequer. Now he has…
Our precious Union is dying through neglect
By Emma Duncan in THE TIMES, 15 February 2020 To lose one part of your country, Mr Johnson, may be a misfortune. To lose two looks like carelessness. I have been worrying for some time that the United Kingdom might come apart as a result of Westminster’s failure to pay attention to the needs of…
Homily, The Presentation in the Temple 2020
This is our first Sunday together when we are no longer part of the European Union. Will the severance of our ties with the Union bring the UK the many benefits its advocates have promised, or will the fears of its opponents be realised? Whether you were ecstatic or mournful at 11pm on Friday night,…
Don’t ask for whom the Brexit bell tolls …
by David Stuart in AMERICA, The Jesuit Review, 30 January 2020 You might not get excited about clock tower and church bells tolling and flags fluttering, but that is where we have got to in our public life here in Britain this week during the final countdown until the United Kingdom officially detaches its constituent…
