Timothy Radcliffe

The full collection of conference talks from Pope Francis’s appointed retreat master, Timothy Radcliffe, heard first during the historic October 2023 General Assembly of the Synod on Synodality. The Synod on Synodality held in Rome in October 2023, gathered Catholics from all over the world to listen, pray, and reflect on a new way of being church. Dominican priest Timothy Radcliffe, the official retreat master and spiritual advisor for this assembly, was appointed by Pope Francis to deliver a series of retreat talks and meditations to the delegates during the assembly of the Synod on Synodality. Those talks are offered here, as well as Radcliffe’s further reflections on our current challenges and where we could be headed as a church. He then provides a specific Dominican experience as an example of synodality-in-action. In Listening Together, Radcliffe’s words not only set the spirit for the historic synod gathering, but now, in written form, they open the possibility for individuals or groups to read and continue to reflect on this synodal journey we all share. Listening Together serves as a powerful reminder of the themes of enduring relevance included in Radcliffe’s retreat talks and synod meditations. In entertaining and engaging prose, Radcliffe’s reflections encourage readers to think about conflicting hopes; different visions of the church as home; the need for unity; friendship; and above all, the importance of listening, discernment, and mission as a means for this synodal journey to continue to succeed. In these pages, Radcliffe offers a “spirituality of listening” that can take us forward together on a journey of discovery and communion.

In this book, first published in 1988, Nolan believes that in South Africa 'the practice of the struggle is in the practice of faith', and to show this he reviews the central theme of the Christian faith as found in the Old Testament and the preaching of Jesus, the nature of sin and salvation, and of God's action in the world. He also faces the dilemma of Christians who can no longer support the apartheid state that existed at the time he wrote the book. This is a book of contextual theology, a theology rooted in the painful conversion of a Church to the cause of liberation. It is a conversation between Christians, but also a conversation that comes with a challenge to discover the meaning of the Gospel, to find God, in their salvation.

The interpretation of certain key texts in the Bible by two Dominican Friars: the celebrated author Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe and Biblical scholar Lukasz Popko. Many today may see the relationship between God and humanity as one of passive submission and thus unquestioning. Two outstanding Dominicans, Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe and Lukasz Popko suggest otherwise. Questioning God explores Biblical conversations with God and there is no genuine conversation without true questions. Our God question us, from the first conversation of God and humanity in the Bible, where God asks Adam, ‘Where are you?’, to the Risen Lord’s questioning Peter on the beach: ‘Do you love me more than these others?’ But humanity questions God too, as in the audacious questioning of Jesus by the Samaritan woman at the well. In this process of mutual questioning, humanity is drawn ever deeper into the life of God, the eternal conversation of the Trinity. Insights into these transformative conversations are helpful as the Church questions how to be faithful to God in this uncertain time. Fr Popko offers a fresh translation and insights of Biblical scholarship, and Cardinal Radcliffe extends his rich experience as a preacher, theologian, and an inspiring commentator.

Jesus in the Hands of Buddha is an enthralling memoir of Father Shigeto Oshida, a man who was at once a Japanese Zen Buddhist master and a Catholic Dominican priest. Guided by the hand of God and the Buddha dharma, he became the founder and director of the Takamori Hermitage in the Japanese Alps, a place where pilgrims have been drawn for decades. He was a unique pioneer in the encounter between religions East and West who felt he was led to the Catholic faith and the priesthood by a trick of God. Overwhelmed by the weight of European-styled Catholic culture inundating the Catholic Church in Japan, Oshida received permission from his superiors to strike out on his own and listen to the voice of God while remaining a Dominican priest and Zen master, thus becoming both hermit and healer in a community of pilgrims—the sick, the poor, and the disenchanted from around the world. Through this encounter with Shigeto Oshida’s life and works, and awakening to his oneness of being a Catholic priest and Buddhist monk, readers are invited to enter their own journey to Jesus in the hands of Buddha. The unifying thread of this new horizon is grace—the unmitigated gift of divine love that permeates individuals, events, and locations and makes them holy.

Each year, the Holy Week and Easter double issue of the Church Times offers a wealth of seasonal reading and resources for worship and preaching. This volume, like its companion Christmas collection, draws together outstanding features from the past twenty years. It includes: * Meditations on the Stations of the Cross by the poet David Scott; * A short story set in Gethsemane by David Hart; * Timothy Radcliffe on the alternative to conflict symbolised by the Last Supper; * Sam Wells on Pilate and what he - and we - could do differently; * Richard Harries on the art of Good Friday; * Peter Stanford on Judas; * Michael Perham on why Easter celebrations should start in the dark; * Stephen Cleobury on the carols of Easter; * Mark Oakley on the poetry of the cross; * Paula Gooder on why the resurrection is central to faith; * Reflections on the season's lectionary readings, and much besides. In life Jesus had 'nowhere to lay his head' and in death was laid in a borrowed tomb. Mindful of this, all royalties from this book will go to the Church Homeless Trust.

How can Christianity touch the imagination of our contemporaries when ever fewer people in the West identify as religious? Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe argues we must show how everything we believe is an invitation to live fully. God says: ‘I put before you life and death: choose life’. Anyone who understands the beauty and messiness of human life – novelists, poets, filmmakers and so on – can be our allies, whether they believe or not. The challenge is not today’s secularism but its banality. We accompany the disciples as they struggle to understand this strange man who heals, casts out demons and offers endless forgiveness. In the face of death, he teaches them what it means to be alive in God. Then he embraces all that afflicts and crushes humanity. Finally, Cardinal Radcliffe explores what it means for us to be alive spiritually, physically, sacramentally, justly and prayerfully. The result is a compelling new understanding of the words of Jesus: ‘I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.’

Using the most recent historical research, this book recounts the life of Dominic, founder in 1216 of the Order of Preachers, and brings him to life not in a hagiographical way, but as someone who has contemporary appeal. †

A profound Lenten reflection on Christ’s passion from the bestselling religious writer Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe, beautifully illustrated by Martin Erspamer. During Lent we are surrounded by visual reminders of Jesus' last hours. In Stations of the Cross, renowned author and spiritual master, Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe, OP, offers readers a thoughtful meditation on this powerful devotion. Through word and image Radcliffe offers a profound experience of reflecting on the Stations of the Cross that is both visually and spiritually inspiring. With each reflection, he draws from stunning art commissioned by award-winning liturgical artist Martin Erspamer, OSB. Stations of the Cross is perfect Lenten reading by an author well regarded for his spiritual writings. It is a beautiful invitation to deeper meditation and richer contemplation of this solemn season of prayer and penance.

Take the Plunge explores baptism, showing how it touches the deepest dramas of human life. Cardinal Radcliffe argues that Christianity will only thrive today, overcoming the challenges of secularism and religious fundamentalism, if we rediscover the beauty of baptism. It touches the deepest dramas of human life: birth, growing up, falling in love, daring to give oneself to others, searching for meaning, coping with suffering and failure, and eventually death.

Written by a spiritual master this is an important Lent title that examines what it means to celebrate the Eucharist, and in turn reminds us of our capability for love, hope and faith. The Eucharist writes Timothy Radcliffe is a three part drama, forming us in faith, hope and love. In this book he examines what it means to celebrate the Eucharist. Whilst other people experience it as boring and pointless, listening to the readings, the homily and the creed all take us through the crises and challenges of faith. From the offertory through to the end of the Eucharistic prayer we are caught up in the hope that was Christ's, faced with Good Friday. From the Our Father until we are sent on our way, especially in receiving communion, we are formed as people who are capable of love.

A worship resource for parish groups who wish to place compassion for poor communities at the heart of their workship, life and mission.

WINNER OF THE MICHAEL RAMSEY PRIZE FOR THE BEST IN THEOLOGICAL WRITINGWhat is the Point of being a Christian? One is pointed to God, who is the point of everything. If one thinks of religion as just 'useful' then one has reduced it to another consumer product. But if we are pointed to God, then this should make a difference to how we live. This is not a moral superiority. Christians are usually no better than anyone else. But the lives of Christians should be marked by some form of hope, freedom, happiness and courage. If they are not then why should anyone believe a word they say? In this new book, Timothy Radcliffe is at his best, writing with a prophetic edge. His argument for Christian belief is profoundly Catholic and profoundly human. But what is just as remarkable, Radcliffe's argument for and interpretation of Christian Gospel is couched in a deep understanding of human nature and the problems and anxieties of modern men and women. Radcliffe is far distant from the theologian's ivory tower and yet his understanding of the Gospel is profoundly theological. The frame of reference for this book is wide, and it is based amongst other things on Fr Radcliffe's pastoral experience of dealing with people with problematic marriages, those struggling with celibacy, those trying to understand the nature of religious authority and those trying to remain loyal to the Church which finds their sexual orientation 'irregular'.

A New Catechism of Christian Doctrine