Tag Archives: authority
Smelling like the Sheep
Compassion Smelling like the Sheep Tuesday, September 28, 2021 A compassionate presence is one of the fruits of contemplation. In Richard Rohr’s book Eager to Love, he writes about the great compassion of St. Francis of Assisi (1182–1226) for others, which is inspired by the great compassion of Jesus. The most obvious change that results… Continue Reading Smelling like the Sheep
Preaching “On the Mount”
The Sermon on the Mount Preaching “On the Mount” Tuesday, July 20, 2021 Popular religious scholar and friend Diana Butler Bass shares how Jesus’ teaching “on the mount” placed him in the lineage of Moses and other revered Jewish prophets. Jesus builds on his own Jewish tradition to call his hearers to transformative living. She… Continue Reading Preaching “On the Mount”
Trusting Our Inner Authority
Spiritual Direction Trusting Our Inner Authority Friday, June 25, 2021 The two wheels of Scripture and Tradition can be seen as sources of outer authority, while our personal experience leads to our inner authority. I am convinced we need and can have both. Only when inner and outer authority come together do we have true spiritual wisdom. Christianity… Continue Reading Trusting Our Inner Authority
Unveiling Christianity
A Time of Unveiling Unveiling Christianity Tuesday, January 5, 2021 Another way to look at “unveiling” is as a sort of “recognition event,” where something we thought we knew reveals itself to be radically different than our long-held assumptions. Our friend and CAC teacher Reverend Cynthia Bourgeault explores how this is a gospel phenomenon, one that takes… Continue Reading Unveiling Christianity
Speaking Out
Disciples, Prophets, and Mystics Speaking Out Monday, March 16 Prophets must first be true disciples of their faith. In fact, it is their deep love for their tradition that allows them to criticize it at the same time. This is almost always the hallmark of a prophet. Their deepest motivation is not negative but profoundly… Continue Reading Speaking Out
Affirm or Critique
Politics: Old and New Affirm or Critique Sunday, November 17, 2019 Politics is one of the most difficult and complex issues on which to engage in polite conversation. For many people, politics and religion are so personal that neither topic is deemed appropriate to discuss publicly. While separation of church and state is an important… Continue Reading Affirm or Critique
Gifts of Power
Black Women Mystics Gifts of Power Thursday, August 1, 2019 Rebecca Cox Jackson (1795–1871) was born into a free family in Pennsylvania. After a mystical encounter, she divorced her husband and became an itinerant preacher. She discovered the Shakers and eventually founded the first black Shaker community in Philadelphia. Jackson’s spiritual awakening was catalyzed by… Continue Reading Gifts of Power
Service Instead of Domination
Politics: Week 2 Service Instead of Domination Monday, July 16, 2018 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. —2 Corinthians 13:13 Without the nondual mind, it’s almost impossible for us to find another way of doing politics. Grounding… Continue Reading Service Instead of Domination
Jesus of Nazareth: Week 2 Summary
Jesus of Nazareth: Week 2 Summary: Sunday, January 21-Friday, January 26, 2018 Jesus did not come to change the mind of God about humanity (it did not need changing)! Jesus came to change the mind of humanity about God. (Sunday) God leads people beyond the idea of a bilateral contract in which we must earn,… Continue Reading Jesus of Nazareth: Week 2 Summary
Inner Authority
Franciscan Spirituality: Week 2 Inner Authority Friday, June 16, 2017 Might the authority of those who suffer bring the diverse cultural and social worlds together? —Johann Baptist Metz [1] This profound question about suffering from a modern German theologian succinctly and precisely expresses the religious breakthrough that Christ has offered humanity. It is also foundational… Continue Reading Inner Authority