Still Listening

Letters on loss, healing, and the mystery of being alive —
from deep in the woods.

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Author: Peter Woods

  • African Myth saves lives scientifically.

    It is unfortunate that myths are no longer are understood as “true stories”, but have instead been assigned the value of fantasy and unreality. Ancient cultures told stories to explain the mystery of the world they experienced. These myths explained natural phenomena and were also practical prohibitions to protect people from harm. For Africa’s own…

  • Stress will kill you

    Stress will kill you

    South Africa is stressful. The Centre for Health Journalism reports the country has a high suicide rate, psychiatric illnesses are on the rise and stress has become normal.Every day, an estimated 21 South Africans commit suicide and, according to experts, stress could be a significant contributing factor. Studies done by University of KwaZulu-Natal researcher Lourens…

  • The Evil underpinning Easter

    Approaching the pivotal Christian feast of Easter with its themes of death and redemption, I am aware of how much violence is a feature of our daily news. Whether it be in domestic and child abuse, street violence, or brutal murder, violence stalks us like a hungry wolf.With these high levels of destructive behaviour one…

  • The freeing truth about anger. Mt 21:33-46

    Matthew 21:33-46 “Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country.When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his…

  • Matthew 18:21-35 -Ordinary 24A Forget about not forgiving

    Matthew 18:21-35 Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?”Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.“For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished…

  • Do you want to be right, or be in a relationship? Matthew 5:21-37 Epiphany 6/ Ordinary 6

    Matthew 5:21-37 “You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister,…

  • It’s the nature of all things pickled and enlightened. Matthew 5:13-20 Epiphany 5-Ordinary

    Matthew 5:13-20 13“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. 14“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15No one…

  • Tracking the Radical Jesus – Matthew 5:1-12 Epiphany 4 / Ordinary 4

    Matthew 5:1-12 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. “Blessed…

  • Nest or Nets? Matthew 4:12–23 Epiphany 3A /Ordinary 3

    Matthew 4:12–23 Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the…

  • Whipped up enough to pour yourself out?- Narrative Lectionary John 2:13-25

    Whipped up enough to pour yourself out?- Narrative Lectionary John 2:13-25

    John 2:13–25 The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He…