Daily Prayers

Prayer is Love, I want to Love

Fr Johns Weekly:

  • Roman Persecutions of Christians

    Nero’s persecution was a consequence of his madness (absolute power seems to push people towards insanity), and the Roman populace hated him so much that after his death they filled in his house (the Golden House) with earth so that no one could live there.

  • Death Penalty

    What a shock on Thursday to learn from the BBC that the Catholic Church has changed its teaching on the death penalty. In Paragraph 2266 of the Catechism, we read that the death penalty is justified in very serious cases. The Catechism was published in 1994. Thirty-five years later, on such an important issue, the…

  • Your Conscience

    At the last count, I know one missile per day could be exploded for 96 years – imagine the horror locked up in that number. Those who would launch them know that millions of innocent helpless people would be killed or maimed, but still they are willing to do it. Would you obey the order?

  • Learning And Wisdom

    I have just re-read 1 out of 10*, a fascinating book about politics and education. Do borrow it (public library) or buy it (bookshop or online) and you will enjoy it. The author is Peter Hyman, a journalist who found a place in Tony Blair’s No.10 Downing Street, as part of the advisory group, as…

  • The Immigrant Apostles’ Creed

    I believe in Almighty God, who guided the people in exile and in exodus, the God of Joseph in Egypt and Daniel in Babylon, the God of foreigners and immigrants.

  • Alive But Not Yet Born

    It was hard to take in the result of the Irish referendum on abortion. A huge majority of Catholic Ireland (66%-34%) voted to change the Constitution which formerly gave full protection to the child in the womb. Where is God in this thinking? We say we believe God gives life – how deeply do we…

  • Abortion

    A baby in the womb is a child of God to a believer, but not to a non-believer. Abortion may be legal but it is not moral. How would you vote in Ireland? Would you be out on the streets for either side? How would you advise Ginny?

  • God’s Chosen

    Noah was a drunk, Abraham too old, Isaac was a daydreamer, Jacob was a liar, Joseph was abused, Moses had a stutter, Samson had long hair and was a womaniser, Jeremiah was too young, King David was an adulterer and a murderer, Elijah was suicidal, Jonah ran from God, Naomi was a widow, Jacob was…

  • My Voice

    In our British democracy, we have a vote. If we were members of political parties we would also have a vote and be able to influence policies in two main ways: oppose what we dislike, support what we approve. Shall we, as a parish? The members of our two main political parties are overwhelmingly white…

  • What Every Woman Wants in a Husband

    I chuckled as I read the title of the book in the small library: “What Every Woman Wants in a Husband.” I thought I would like to know. I wanted to understand a little of the woman’s way of looking at life. I know all women are different, as are all men, but I guess…

  • Suffering

    Dear Fr John, I find it disappointing to have you raise that question yet again “Why does God allow suffering?” All my life I’ve heard people grumble like that – and now you. Isn’t it obvious that it isn’t God? Most of the suffering you can point at is caused by people – wars, revolutions,…

  • Violence Among Our Young

    The student was in her final year at school. Suddenly she changed. From having been steady at her studies she seemed not to care, fell behind in her work, and A levels were coming. I pleaded with her to resume her good work. She had tired of school, saw no point in anything except having…