Categories: uncategorized
Date: 03 October 2005 05:28:32
The time spent pondering is going well. Not that all the time is spent in deep musings: often I'm just sitting back with a good book or movie (I rented the wondrous A Very Long Engagement today -- it's a public holiday in NSW). I do love that movie. But, I have had time to ponder my faith deeper which has been a blessing.
Speaking of deep ponderings, Fr Jim at Dappled Things has shared a wonderful sermon on The Peace Which Passeth All Understanding. Well worth the read.
I've had a quite pleasant weekend. Friday evening I met up with a friend who once lived here but now lives in Brisbane. We, with two other friends, had a wonderful Spanish meal followed by coffee where I met a friend's friend from Germany. On Saturday, myself and the two friends met up with the woman from Germany for a trip to Manly and a walk from Manly to the Spit. We got about half-way before we decided to catch a bus back! ;-) It was a wondrous walk, though: from beaches, to cliffs, to grassy areas to bush. We even saw a rather large lizard and some native birds, which our German friend snapped eagerly with her camera.
I showed her around a few parts of Sydney when we got back to the city, and then she went back to the friends she was staying with and I went to see The Bell Shakespeare Company's production of Measure for Measure at the Opera House. I try and see one of their plays whenever I can as I enjoy them greatly. I'd never heard of this play before, but it is well worth seeing. It is labelled a tragi-comedy, and the elements of tragedy and comedy were clear to be seen. I particularly noticed Shakespeare's way with words and puns in particular: plenty of plays on words in this production.
Sunday I visited a Roman Catholic church near the university I once attended. I woke up feeling I wanted something different for some reason. I chose St Benedict's as I'd always wanted to attend a Mass there when I was at uni (all those many years ago), but never got around to it. It was a lovely service, though only a handful of people were in attendance. But, ably accompanied by a wonderful cantor and organ, we, though few, praised God as well as a thousand people would've. Numbers is not the game. Interestingly enough, as I entered the church I was asked if I wanted to do one of the readings! I politely declined. Though it was nice, if not a bit odd, to be asked.
I do think I'll need to do some Arabic study this afternoon. We had a week off, due to the public holiday, and I do need the revision!