mosaic
reviews
- Relations with Other Faiths, Uniting Church
"The true god gives his flesh and blood, idols demand yours off you." Les Murray
Les Murray says that he was proud to capture, in verse, this distinction between the divine mercy and the ghastly en-masse human sacrifices people often offer up to their political and other inspirations. This is a quote from his book The Biplane Houses, Black Inc, Melbourne 2006.
Les Murray is one of 165 people who responded out of the 450 requests sent by the editor Rosalind Bradley to people representing a cross section of Australian society inviting them to consider contributing a prayer or reflection that was important to them. Bradley was in London at the time of the London bombing and felt a need to do something to build bridges in the community. This book is her attempt to build bridges.
The contributors are from a great range of religious beliefs, as well as a number from that very strong Australian spirituality, ‘no particular faith’. Christian authors include a prison chaplain from the Salvation Army quoting Fanny Crosbie and the Archbishop Malki Malki from the Syrian Church. Archbishop Aghan Baliozian from the Armenian Church, an enthusiastic ecumenist shares a Lenten morning hymn and Anglican Archbishops sharing their prayers.
Particularly close to Rosalind's heart are those who have dedicated "their time and energy to building bridges across the divisions of Australia" as, indeed, we are a diverse nation "of many beliefs, faiths and backgrounds", and hence her chosen title for the book, Mosaic, and her hopes for it as a contribution towards our peaceful future. read more - 16-03-08: The Catholic Weekly - Favourite prayers and reflections
"If you were asked to share with others an inspirational prayer or poem or quotation which is a source of strength for you in your life, what would you choose? .
In essence, Rosalind Bradley put this very question to 450 people of various faiths and traditions, who have made a significant contribution to Australian life through their extraordinary capabilities, or by their courage in adversity, or for the magnitude of their good works or for the position they hold in society.
Over a third responded.
Some are quiet achievers while others are well known.
Particularly close to Rosalind's heart are those who have dedicated "their time and energy to building bridges across the divisions of Australia" as, indeed, we are a diverse nation "of many beliefs, faiths and backgrounds", and hence her chosen title for the book, Mosaic, and her hopes for it as a contribution towards our peaceful future.
The result is a veritable treasure trove." read more - 23-07-08: Sydney Anglican Network
"Mosaic is a collection of favourite prayers and reflections chosen by contemporary Australians from differing backgrounds and faiths. It features selections by a very broad range of Australian contributors including author Tim Winton, counsellor and author Petrea King, founding director of the Fred Hollows Foundation Gabi Hollows, Wiggles member Anthony Field, philosopher Professor Peter Singer, composer Peter Sculthorpe, chef Charmayne Solomon, Rabbi Jacqueline Ninio, president of the Muslim Women's National Network Aziza Abdel-Halim, Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton, who was unjustly accused of murdering her baby, TV presenter Andrew Denton and many more.
Mosaic represents a snapshot of life in Australia, with selected quotations and thoughts from people who range from quiet achievers to high profile Australians. Editor Ros Bradley was inspired to create this book after being in London at the time of the bombings in London in 2005. The event deeply distressed her and left her feeling powerless and vulnerable.
Determined to channel these concerns into something constructive and positive she devised this "mosaic" as a way to help build bridges, foster mutual respect and assist in "the dialogue of living" in Australia's multicultural and spiritually diverse society of today. She contacted over 450 people chosen to represent a cross section of Australian society and received over 165 responses."
In her introduction she writes, "Strong themes that have emerged include: a desire for connection with others, the recognition of support from family and friends, the deep sense of comfort given by a familiar prayer, a desire to reinforce the mystery, power and celebration of God, the significance of an individual's identity, the importance of forgiveness, faith in action, the mapping out of a sense of purpose in life and fulfillment of dreams". These themes provide the "glue" for the snippets offered as small mosaic pieces, a powerful metaphor for the book.
The book is comforting and inspiring, as an anthology of wisdom, faith and hope to encourage dialogue as well as greater understanding among different faiths. The lyrics, prayers, poems and thoughts offer readers an appreciation of common aspirations as well as revealing the eclectic nature of contemporary Australians' quest for God and purpose in life.
Bradley, who was born and raised in the UK but has lived in Australia for the past 23 years has created a multi-coloured mosaic. It is powerful, yet quietly disarming." read more - 22-03-08: The Gold Coast Bulletin - A matter of faith
"In Mosaic, a just-released collection of prayers and reflections from prominent Australians of different backgrounds and faiths, the qualities of peace, hope, trust and expectation abound.
Editor Rosalind Bradley would seem the ideal choice for assembling such a book, given she has a Jewish heritage, had an agnostic upbringing, was baptised and confirmed Anglican, worked for the Methodist Church and in 2002 was received into the Catholic church.
The genesis, no pun intended, of Mosaic was the 2005 London terrorist bombings.
"This tragic event distressed me greatly. It made me feel powerless and vulnerable, especially as one of the suicide bombers lived on the same road as my twin brother," she says.
Determining to respond with 'something constructive and positive', Bradley contacted 450 people representing a cross-section of modern Australia.
Among the strongest themes to emerge from the contributions, along with the desire for connection with others, the recognition of support from family and friends and the deep sense of comfort given by a familiar prayer, was the desire to reinforce the mystery, power and celebration of 'God'." read more - 18-03-08: Radio 612 ABC Brisbane
"At 3:45pm today Donna Meiklejohn asked you "Is there a mantra by which you live your life?"
Some personal affirmation - a saying - which helps you make sense of it all.
It might be something as basic as "always treat others as you would like to be treated"
Or how's this "God answers every prayer. But sometimes the answer is NO!!"
Rosalind Bradley went searching for answers after the 2005 London bombings and contacted hundreds of prominant Australians to find out the poems, reflections and even prayers that get them through the day.. and compiled them into a book called Mosaic." read more - 16-03-08: Sunday Telegraph - Must Read
"This is a fascinating collection of thoughts, reflections, prayers and poems contributed by more than 165 prominent Australians who share the ideas that give their lives meaning.
From a diverse range of backgrounds and faiths, those gathered here represent public life, sporting life, business life, and all have chosen a passage, poem or sermon that means something special to them, and explain why.
Editor Bradley - who looked for an inspirational project after being in London during the July bombings of 2005 - has provided a celebration of diversity and a wonderful insight into the spiritual lives of well-known Australians."