Last night I gave a guest lecture at Ernescliff College, a residence and community for men in Toronto. It’s run by the Opus Dei, a Catholic lay apostolate (evangelical organisation) started by St. Josemaria Escriva. I had never had any experience with the Opus Dei – the only Catholic lay apostolate that I have been …
Continue reading “Gave a lecture on “Social Media & Christianity” at Ernescliff College (Toronto)”
I just got home after a wonderful evening that blended all the things I like: politics, public affairs, government, food and fascinating people who wanted to talk. I spoke on the topic of “Wikileaks: Has government communication changed forever?” I was speaking to the Hamilton Chapter of the Canadian International Council. I was amazed to …
We spend much of our lives in the prison house of our anger and resentment. It’s easy to feel wronged and hurt. It’s easy to begin to despise the one who hurt or wronged you, to obsess about the person, to fantasize about getting even. We really do have to ask ourselves where this comes …
There are few more pleasant moments than a weekend cruise through the countryside. After lunch or brunch, it’s a pleasure to get into the car and spend a lovely hour (or two) of motoring down twisting and winding country roads, watch the light change as the sun moves through the sky, the trees flash by …
We are taught so many confusing things about love, most of which feel pretty unloving, really. We are told that love is really an offshoot of lust – that the bodily attraction we naturally feel to someone else when we’re under the influence of the right mix of pheromones and alcohol is the basis for …
We live in a society that shuns the concept of order and orderly living. We run away from commitment. We shy away from authority, cringing sarcastically – sometimes cynically – at the idea of morality or self-discipline. We shun tradition and belief. We are told to live every day as if it were our last. …
Most people will usually simply let you be. They aren’t invested in your life and don’t really care about whether you’re happy, growing or, for that matter, making a mess of things. I was walking in light rain on a unseasonably warm night on New Year’s Day in 2011 when it occurred to me that …
Continue reading “Life-Love 50: When a friend tells you the truth about yourself”
There are moments in life when we set aside what we are doing and do everything we can to help a friend. It doesn’t matter how important what you’re working on is, or how much you really want to do something – like play a game, or watch something on televsion, or even just relax …
There is nothing more comforting than a crackling fire. In the depths of its flames, you can see flickering images that set your mind drifting back through time, to memories and relaxing moments. You always start with a cold room. The air might be a little damp, clammy against your skin. The metal of the …
