In the initial dialogue the younger son asks his father to “let him have the share of the estate that would come to” him. His father’s reply is positive: he divides the property between the two sons. Unfortunately the English translation of this part of the gospel is not perfect. The original, Greek text uses two meaningful words: the son requests the…

About two years ago I spent four or five days in Glasgow, at  Scotus College. I took part in a very interesting introductory course for foreign priests. There was just one, but serious flaw with the arrangements: the College is very close to the approach of Glasgow International Airport. Every day, from dawn to dusk, planes came to land right…

“Stand up and tell them all I command you”. This call was addressed to the prophet Jeremiah at the very beginning of his prophetic activity. He faced many adversities: kings and lords fighting mercilessly for political power and influence; priests using religion mostly as an instrument of power and a source of income; ordinary people keeping old traditions without their…

Halfway through my studies my colleagues and I were sent to different parishes for five months practise. All the parishes were carefully selected to provide the best quality pastoral work except one. That one had a problem; a young priest had become ill and had had to be released from all his duties. So, the parish needed somebody to take…

Many years ago I was preparing to take a driving test. After a few months of learning and practising I passed the test. The examiner congratulated me and said: “now you are ready to learn how to drive”. That was a very clear message: I passed the test, but I still would have to improve my driving skills. I’ve taken…