Tag Archives: conversion
The Gospel Economy
Economy: Old and New The Gospel Economy Sunday, November 24, 2019 Jesus said to the host who had invited him, “When you hold a lunch or dinner . . . invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; and blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you.” —Luke 14:12-14 I’d… Continue Reading The Gospel Economy
Rummage Sales
Church: Old and New Rummage Sales Sunday, October 27, 2019 I have come to set fire upon the earth, and how I wish it were already blazing. —Luke 12:49 People are rightly concerned by the loss of property through fire. However, forestry workers understand that from the destruction caused by fire emerges new growth, new… Continue Reading Rummage Sales
Francis and the Lepers
Francisan Way: Part Two Francis and the Lepers Monday, October 7, 2019 The Lord gave me, Brother Francis, thus to begin doing penance in this way: for when I was in sin, it seemed too bitter for me to see lepers. And the Lord . . . led me among them and I showed mercy… Continue Reading Francis and the Lepers
Participation
The Perennial Tradition Participation Sunday, August 11, 2019 The Perennial Tradition includes the constant themes and truths that recur in all the world religions at their most mature and deep levels. As I mentioned last week, the Second Vatican Council teaches Catholics that indigenous religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism each reflect “a ray of… Continue Reading Participation
Paul’s Conversion
Christ in Paul’s Eye Paul’s Conversion Monday, February 25, 2019 All of Paul’s major themes are contained in seed form in his conversion experience, of which there are three descriptions in Acts (chapters 9, 22, and 26). Scholars assume that Acts was written by Luke around 80-90 CE, about twenty years after Paul wrote most… Continue Reading Paul’s Conversion
The Journey of Conversion
Christ in Paul’s Eyes The Journey of Conversion Sunday, February 24, 2019 Surely the biblical writer who most helps us discover the Christ Mystery is the Apostle Paul. Letters by Paul or influenced by him form one third of the New Testament. Paul is a foundational teacher for what became Christianity. [1] Yet he hardly… Continue Reading The Journey of Conversion
Continuing Conversion
From the Bottom Up: Summary Continuing Conversion Tuesday, December 26, 2017 My friend Brian McLaren expertly maps the process of rebuilding Christianity in his book The Great Spiritual Migration. In the introduction, Brian explains how humans are people in motion, as evidenced by anthropology, the biblical Exodus, and Jesus’ disciples who were to “go into… Continue Reading Continuing Conversion
The Great Emergence
Emerging Church The Great Emergence Sunday, November 26, 2017 I have come to set fire upon the earth, and how I wish it were already blazing. —Luke 12:49 Protestants and Catholics recently honored the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. In 1517, when Martin Luther posted his “95 Theses” or complaints to the church door in… Continue Reading The Great Emergence
Thomas Merton, Part I
Mysticism: Week 2 Thomas Merton, Part I Thursday, October 5, 2017 Thomas Merton (1915-1968) was born in France and lived most of his adult life as a Cistercian (Trappist) monk at the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani in Kentucky. He died tragically in Bangkok of accidental electrocution. Merton has been a primary teacher and… Continue Reading Thomas Merton, Part I
Being Your True Self
Sin: Symptom of Separation Being Your True Self Monday, August 21, 2017 It would be absurd to suggest that someone go into a room she is already in! —Teresa of Ávila (1515-1582) [1] “Sin” primarily describes a state of living outside of union, when the part poses as the Whole. It’s the loss of any… Continue Reading Being Your True Self
