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St Laurence, deacon, martyr at Rome

Michael McFarland Campbell

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I tell you, most solemnly, unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest. Anyone who loves his life loses it; anyone who hates his life in this world will keep it for the eternal life. If a man serves me, he must follow me, wherever I am, my servant will be there too. If anyone serves me, my Father will honour him.’ —John 12:24-26 Today’s Gospel is for the Feast of St Laurence, Deacon, Martyr at Rome. St … Continue reading St Laurence, deacon, martyr at Rome

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The Memento Mori Rosary

Michael McFarland Campbell

Originally posted on The Urban Monastery:
A meditative prayer by Fr Sam McNally-Cross Memento Mori – Remember, you shall die. Introduction This is quite a personal post for me to write, but it is something that I have been gradually putting together over the past few months, maybe even a year or so. A few Christmases ago I was at the doctors seeking help for a mental health condition of severe health anxiety. Hypochondria, once called, has been reclassified in more recent years as a legitimate mental health condition that can include physical as well as psychosomatic symptoms. Mine manifest… Continue reading The Memento Mori Rosary

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A healthy prayer life is what matters most

Michael McFarland Campbell

Prayer matters most At the beginning of today’s Gospel, St Matthew tells us that Jesus went up into the hills by himself to pray. He had just finished a very long day teaching the crowds, healing the sick, and peforming the miracle of the multiplication of the laves. At the beginning of that day he had heard the news about the death of his cousin, St John the Baptist. At the time, he had wanted to go off alone to reflect, to pray, and to mourn the loss of that great prophet, his cousin. But the crowds didn’t let him. … Continue reading A healthy prayer life is what matters most

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Looking back you cannot see where you are going

Michael McFarland Campbell

Every single day, it is important as Christians to stop and have a conversation with God. Real conversations are not one way. Real conversations, between friends, are very much two-way communication. Taking the time to listen to what he says as well as to bombard God with our petitions and thanksgivings is vital to a healthy spiritual life. In today’s Gospel, Jesus is told by a man on the road, I will follow you wherever you go. Luke 9:57-62 The Lord responds that Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has … Continue reading Looking back you cannot see where you are going

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For the love of God, don’t sacrifice the poor.

Michael McFarland Campbell

Originally posted on All Things Lawful And Honest:
An article appeared on 24th May 2020 in the Sunday Times purporting to be privy to a recent House of Bishops meeting, in which the new Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, was given a national portfolio to look at the future shape of the Church of England, which could result in fewer dioceses and a reduction in the number of Bishops. Whilst it appears that this article is inaccurate and has been refuted by some Bishops (notably Bishop Philip North, Burnley and Bishop Pete Broadbent, Willesden) on social media, it is not… Continue reading For the love of God, don’t sacrifice the poor.

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Let’s obey the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit

Michael McFarland Campbell

The Holy Spirit works quietly We all like spectacular fireworks. They are exciting, impressive, exhilarating. The Church’s first Pentecost had some spectacular fireworks. The Apostles and other Christians were gathered “all together in one place”. Where that was precisely, we do not know.  It was probably somewhere inside or near the Temple in Jerusalem as right after the fireworks, crowds started to gather. It may have been the same large room where our Lord and the Apostles had eaten the last Supper. Nothing is certain.  So, they were all in one place, then a thunderous noise like a strong wind, … Continue reading Let’s obey the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit