In today’s Gospel, we read the words ‘and Jesus wept’. The idea of our Lord being so upset is unsettling, and intensely sad.  

What made Jesus weep?  

Was it the death of Lazarus, as the onlookers thought?  

What is Ash Wednesday?

Here is a brief explanation, including a look at the Lenten journey that leads to the crucifixion, death and the ressurection of Jesus Christ. 

Central to Christianity is the belief that God has spoken face to face with us in Jesus Christ. In one word – Jesus – God has communicated so much to us. The mountains, the sea and all the beauty God created for us on earth will speak to us.

Many of our actions have a multitude of outcomes, some predictable, some not. Often there are elements of risk. Such uncertainty is truer when weighing up motivations. Are you bold enough to precisely explain what precisely lies behind each of your actions”?

The resurrection lies at the heart of Christian faith. How is it possible that Jesus rose from the grave?

Eucharist has the power of bringing us together. When celebrating communion, what can we do but reach out and extend welcome to all who are present.

Do you ever reflect that being with technology isn’t actually alone time for our children? Are we feeding an addiction and reducing a capacity?

Christian faith believes that God, in the person of Jesus Christ, took his place in our life journeys. To hold on to this conviction helps us to live with happiness.

Baptism brings us life and vitality. It also embodies welcoming. Most importantly it involves our giving up the injustices and exploitations that we may exert.

There are risks with everything we commit to. A shared faith helps bind us together however we always need love to be strong as one.

Counsellors say that marriages that survive begin the day with an embrace and end it in the same way.

What is the difference between healing and curing? Can we make sense of the obscurity that becomes all of us?

In the end do we as Christians actually face judgement? Our goal should be one of dedicating our lives to finding the truth.

Within each of our communities and families, there may dwell Rembrandts, Manets, Van Goghs and Picassos - all so different in shape, form and colour yet each presenting a striking impression of the richness and diversity of life.

The news of Jesus’s resurrection came as something beyond belief. Once the Disciples saw him, everything changed. They clung unshakeably to their belief. Though they were uneducated, they preached and wrote and travelled to far off countries to spread the word of Jesus’s rising from the dead.

While Christ stood dying on the cross, the watching crowd had no idea of how the death of this innocent man would ultimately inspire millions to worship the image of his cross.

Sin can be seen as a disease of the heart. All cultures are shaped by love. Love sits at every table. Efforts to confine it to family, clan or nation, never succeed. Love sees through; as Aristotle pointed out, even thieves love one another.

New Zealand has one of the world’s highest rates of teenage suicides. Also grim is that between a third and a half of young people will inflict self-harm during their teenage years. Has the flickering flame of hope in life has been snuffed out by the winds of today’s culture?

Grief affects us all and touches us in different ways. No matter how low you feel when you’re grieving you, will at some point, start to feel better. You will learn to carry on living your life, while holding on to and treasuring what may be special and important memories.

St Paul described those who collectively followed Jesus as being ‘the body of Christ’. Out of this vision he explained how Jesus’ death and resurrection had drawn together a new nation that affirmed the dignity and value of each human life anew.

Christian belief about heaven is that it is a place where humans will see God to the fullest extent to which they are able, and love God with every spark of their being.

This set of ten instruction booklets is for those who want to look more closely at what it means to be Catholic. They are a good statement of Catholic beliefs, with prayers, bible passages and thoughtful questions. Download the first booklet.

Register for the next 9 booklets to be emailed to you.