Podcasts
Sunday Social
Our series of podcasts reflecting on the readings on major feast days and other significant days in the light of Catholic Social Teaching
Lent 2013
Augusto Zampini, an Argentinian priest in the UK studying for a PhD in theology and social ethics at Roehampton University, considers Lent – a time to be reconciled. But how? And with whom? Augusto argues that sin is always social – due to its consequence or nature. Each Sunday in Lent, we’ll be considering structural sins in the context of Catholic social teaching.
Tom Cullinan reflects on a profound Holy Week question: how does an Abba God will the death of His own Son? He argues that when we ‘realise’ the paschal mystery in our Eucharist and Communion, we are called to see and to hear the signs and realities of our socio-economic agenda in the same way that Jesus did in his day.
Fifth Sunday of Lent (17 March 2013)
Severine Deneulin reflects on gender in our world. How should men and women relate to one another and how can we overcome structural sin in order to live in right relationship?
You can read her reflection here.
Fourth Sunday of Lent (10 March 2013)
Daniel Hale reflects on food and our need for the environment. How are we like the Prodigal Son, spending our inheritance, Creation, and what are the consequences on people living from the land around the world?
Third Sunday of Lent (3 March 2013)
Auguto Zampini asks which is the best standpoint to overcome ideology? And argues that it is through the eyes of the poor and those who suffer. This Lent we should try to hear the appeal of many for liberty, and act on the preferential option for the poor.
Second Sunday of Lent (24 February 2013)
Auguto Zampini reflects on the virtue of solidarity. Today’s Gospel, the Transfiguration, poses the question: do we ‘build tents’ where we feel comfortable, or do we consider the needs of other who live in extremely uncomfortable surroundings?
First Sunday of Lent (17 February 2013)
Augusto considers the issue of migration. As the Israelites were ill-treated, so too are people today who come to the UK. Fear, justice and dignity have always been issues at the heart of migration, central to the concerns of Catholic social teaching. This Lent, we consider ways to overcome structural sin and provide hospitality to migrants.
Candlemas: a reflection on hope and suffering (3 February 2013)
Gemma Simmonds, from the Congregation of Jesus and lecturer at Heythrop College, University of London, considers the Feast of Candlemas – Jesus’ presentation in the Temple, and his encounter with Simeon at the door. The Feast inspires us to be ‘beacons of hope in a world that needs transforming’.
Peace Sunday: “Blessed are the peacemakers” (20 January 2013)
Rob Esdaile, parish Priest of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Surrey, provides an insightful reflection on peace and peacemaking. To understand peacemaking, he asks us to think about “what is peace”. What does peace mean as a whole and what does it mean to us individually?
You can listen to his podcast as well as his liturgy notes and reflections in a written document here.
Sunday Social: Called to be peacemakers. Remembrance Sunday (11 November 2012)
Veteran peace campaigner Bruce Kent reflects on the readings for Remembrance Sunday and argues that we’re called to be the builders of a different kind of kingdom. “Every change is impossible until a few people make it happen” he says.
Sunday Social: Living as God’s children. All Saints (1 November 2012)
Severine Deneulin, Lecturer in International Development at the University of Bath, reflects on the readings for the Feast of All Saints in the light of creation. She asks a simple but profound question: how do we live as God’s children in today’s world?
You can read her reflection here.
Human Dignity – Living Life to the Full
Anne Peacey, Chair of National Justice and Peace reflects on her childhood memories, the daily routine of her father taking care of a sick neighbour and how this impressed a sense of how to value human dignity upon her from a young age. She poses the question now – how do we make a difference to other people’s lives, recognising the dignity of all human beings?
Listen to Anne
An Economy for the Common Good
Patrick Hynes of Oikocredit (the micro finance organisation) talks about the need for economic justice in our society. One billion people live on $1.25 dollars a day. He reflects on the principles of CST and how this can provide a catalyst for change in our hearts based on subsidiarity and solidarity.
Listen to Patrick
Care for Creation
We are called to bring peace to caring for creation as was declared by Pope Benedict XVI. Therefore, caring for creation should be in our minds, prayer and practise. Martin Poulsom talks about the greater attention that caring for creation has procured over the last few years and how this has allowed human and ecological solidarity to become intertwined.
Listen to Martin
Peacemaking – The Choice of Life or Death
War and militarism creates a cycle of enmity between generations and has devastating implications on poverty and injustice. Pat Gaffney reflects on the book of Deuteronomy in which God offers the choice between diminishing life or working to uphold life. We have the freedom to place victims at the centre of our prayer and decision making.
Listen to Pat
Solidarity
As Pope John Paul II explained, solidarity is the firm determination to the common good, because we are all responsible for each other. Susy Brouard tells the story of Ivanete, a living example of solidarity in action. Ivanete gave up the opportunity to a house in San Paulo to live in an abandoned hotel offering 120 people accommodation, enabling her to live in solidarity with those she helps.
Listen to Susy
The Value of Workers
The need to develop the world and make it good through the use of our talents, allows us to become more human. Danny Curtin, former President of Young Christian Workers reflects on the parable of the workers in the vineyard and the importance of work in our lives.
Listen to Danny
Community as a human family
Christine Allen, executive director of Progressio reflects on Pope Benedict XVI’s recent encyclical Caritas in Veritate – ‘Charity in Truth’ (2009), to explain the importance of living together in harmony, sharing responsibilities for one another as well as for future generations. By sharing responsibilities, we can provide a voice for those who are often unheard – acting for justice and peace in authentic participation.
Listen to Christine
