Section Archive: Reflection

Glimmers in the darkness: How can I be a pilgrim of hope?

When contemplating the practice of my faith, I wonder how my own actions can make a difference in a world so saturated with hopelessness, fear and anguish, writes Susan Booker.

Posted on: June 15, 2026

Pilgrims on a spiritual journey, walking together in faith

The pilgrim journey takes us to the core of human dignity where injustices cannot be ignored, where love is the only antidote for hatred and war, writes John Haren.

Posted on: June 12, 2026

Those ‘three things’

The pilgrimage into faith, hope and love is often long and mysterious, and the path to the end point uncertain. But we journey together, supporting each other along the way.

Posted on: April 12, 2026

Finding deep spiritual connection in the middle of ordinariness

I have always been particularly drawn to the traditions of Holy Thursday evening. As we gather in community, we encounter deep connection, humility and service alongside frailty, vulnerability and betrayal.

Posted on: April 10, 2026

When enough is enough

When did housing become a commodity and a wealth project? Have we forgone part of our humanity to become economic actors more intent on maximising wealth than maximising social interactions?

Posted on: April 10, 2026

The Labyrinth

While walking the labyrinth crossed barely any terrain geographically, it traversed the rugged landscape of my heart and soul in a spirit of embracing honesty and peace, writes Rita Glennon.

Posted on: March 11, 2026

The beggar who loved to sing

Bill Farrelly’s reflection ‘The beggar who loved to sing’ was highly commended in The Good Oil 2025 Writers’ Award, which has the aim of encouraging both emerging and published writers.

Posted on: February 15, 2026

God has brought me here: a pilgrim of hope

Life’s challenges have not broken me; they have shaped me as a pilgrim of hope – someone who keeps walking, step by step, towards God’s promises, writes Sonia Elizabeth Gomez.

Posted on: December 5, 2025

Rediscovering patience

Drawing on the history of our early Christian church, perhaps a formation in patience is the first step towards the countercultural conversion that underpins all radical change, writes Patricia Gemmell.

Posted on: November 17, 2025

Voice to the Voiceless: a pilgrimage of hope and justice across continents

What began as a documentary idea focusing on the rehabilitation and rehumanisation of incarcerated people soon became something far more personal: a long journey of advocacy, accompaniment and relentless hope.

Posted on: November 16, 2025

The Good Oil encouragement award: 'Holding on to hope'

Helen Bachmann’s entry ‘Holding on to hope’ received the Encouragement Award in The Good Oil 2025 Writers’ Award, which has the aim of supporting and encouraging emerging and published writers.

Posted on: October 14, 2025

Once you choose hope, anything is possible

In this Year of Jubilee, we are asked to be Pilgrims of Hope, supporting others who are experiencing war, hunger or poverty or hardships of any kind, writes Pat O’Gorman.

Posted on: August 10, 2025