Madonna - March / April 2005

MARCH / APRIL 2005

Our cover
‘Let us rejoice and be glad!’
In a land that suffers so much from drought, thunderclouds on the horizon mean it’s time to rejoice: with them come the life-giving rains. And so at Easter we celebrate the waters of New Life brought to us out of the dark clouds of Jesus’ death. We can but cry ‘Alleluia!’

Soul Matters – Christopher Gleeson sj
Hope, not optimism.
A mother’s response in prayer to news of tragedy demonstrates the importance of hope, which illuminates the tragedy while not denying it. And that is the power of the Easter story – in the face of tragedy, the Lord is risen.

Roadside rest
Arriving together, understanding together.
Large organisations often have no room for the personal, the human-scale. The reaction of Peter – solid, rock-like – and John – young, mercurial – to the news of the resurrection shows how the two can work together.

'Religion is a huge stage for the artist'
This issue’s cover artist, Geoff Todd, has always found religious stories a rich source for his art.

What is Christian art?
Rod Pattenden, an artist and art curator as well as a university chaplain, raises some important issues regarding art and religion.

Building bridges for peace.
A young Palestinian student experiences a workshop for Palestinians and Israelis and in spite of her fears finds it a hope-filled opportunity.

Prayer to the Crucified.
An embroiderer in Bangladesh makes the crucified Jesus a focus for her work and her thoughts.

Mary to Joseph.
Mary addresses Joseph as she stands beneath her crucified son – a moving poem by Bruce Dawe.

Family Matters – Teresa Pirola
Choose life!
Watching late-night TV might be a way of passing the time, but is it something that will contribute to the fullness of life that the Christian knows Jesus has offered?

Your Daily Prayer – March & April.
A prayerful reflection on the scripture readings for every day of the month.

The Power of Story – Elizabeth Pike
Myths & Legends – Sacred White Clay.
How white clay came to be regarded as sacred, and has been used to decorate bodies as part of significant ceremonies in Aboriginal culture.

A Cloud of Witnesses: Edmund Campion
In the spirit of Saint Joan.
Jean Daly was a leading figure in the St Joan’s Alliance, one of the key organisations by which Catholic lay women played a role in public life. She went on to serve as Australia’s representative on the UN Commission for the Status of Women.

Bread for the Journey – Peter Steele sj.
Rising from the grave.
We need to face the grave in our lives – whether that symbol of death or of the dark holes of dismay and despair. And invest ourselves in love for others, so that they may be brought back from the grave’s edge.

The Madonna at Montserrat.
Jesuit Social Services offers hospitality to families in need at Montserrat, a beautiful country retreat. They recently celebrated the installation there of a gift of a bronze Madonna by Vietnamese sculptor Le Thanh Nhon.

Help me if you can … now!
The season of Lent prompts Roslyn Rajasingam to reflect on the importance of giving, and not just forming an intention to give.

Faith and spirituality in review.
Recent books.