Author: Peter Sidebotham
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Bonaventure
Do not walk away from darkness, Therein lies a greater light; Deeper beauty, yet unseen my heart seeks out thy mystery. . Seek not out the road well-trodden, paths of knowing, truth revealed. Embrace, instead, the clouds of silence Lose thyself in depths unknown. Inspired by Richard…
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Beautiful Morality
In his book, Eager to Love (I am only part way through, but this is fast becoming my number one book of the year), Richard Rohr explores what he refers to as ‘beautiful morality’ in the lives of St Francis and St Clare. In contrast to much of the religiosity of their day (and ours)…
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Mind: a contemplative companion to Chapter 6 of Growing up to be a child
I believe in the sun, even when it is not shining; I believe in love, even when I feel it not; I believe in God, even when he is silent Take time, in stillness and silence to contemplate the mystery of a God of presence, light and love who so often seems distant, cold and…
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Preparing the Passover
A loaf of bread, a sprig of herbs, a bowl of fruit. Whole, unbroken, waiting. Hopeful, pregnant, yearning. Their fragrance trapped, goodness bound, longing to be set free. ~ Can I step in from the dusty road? Wash my feet, my face, my hands? Can I take the knife and break the bread? Crush…
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Strength: a contemplative companion to Chapter 5 of Growing up to be a child.
As a paediatrician, I am often referred young children who are delayed in their development, including those who are slow in learning to walk. When I am assessing a young child’s ability to stand and walk, I need to provide him with support and a stable base so he feels secure. In this contemplative…
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Humanness: a contemplative companion to Chapter 4 of Growing up to be a child
This contemplation, based on chapter 4 of Growing up to be a child, explores what it means to be a human being. In his gospel, Luke recounts how the child Jesus ‘grew in wisdom and stature and in favour with God and with the people.’ Luke’s description suggests four domains or areas in which…
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Love: a contemplative companion to chapter 3 of Growing up to be a child
Our world is fragmented: creatures disconnected from creation, nations torn by powerful interests, families broken by arrogance and addiction, children crushed by violence and abuse, nature spoiled by thoughtless consumption. In this contemplation, while receiving God’s love for ourselves, we cry out to God – Earth Maker, Pain Bearer, Life Giver – for all those…
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Vulnerability: a contemplative companion to chapter 2 of Growing up to be a child
In a wonderful verse in Isaiah, the prophet uses the illustration of a nursing mother: ‘Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne?’ Impossible as that may seem, Isaiah contrasts that with God’s steadfast love: ‘Though she may forget, I will not forget you!…