Tag Archives: critique
Dominating Power
Good and Bad Power Dominating Power Tuesday, August 10, 2021 Contemplative teacher Beatrice Bruteau (1930‒2014) understood domination, what I’ve referred to as “power over” others, as the cause of much of the world’s suffering. Jesus by contrast models a loving, self-giving alternative to domination power. Here is Bruteau’s description of domination: The theme that I… Continue Reading Dominating Power
Growing in Power
Good and Bad Power Growing in Power Monday, August 9, 2021 It is precisely the parts of the body that seem to be the weakest which are the indispensable ones. (1 Corinthians 12:22) How ingeniously you get around the commandment of God in order to preserve your own traditions! (Mark 7:9) The epigraphs above are… Continue Reading Growing in Power
Acts: Knowledge on Fire
Great Themes of Scripture: New Testament Acts: Knowledge on Fire Wednesday, July 7, 2021 In Luke’s Gospel, the Holy Spirit is fully bestowed on Jesus, the beloved Son who acts with God’s power, speaks with God’s authority, and loves with God’s love. Through the gift of the Spirit given to Jesus, God’s justice is announced… Continue Reading Acts: Knowledge on Fire
Samuel: Bowing to a King
Great Themes of Scripture: Hebrew Bible Samuel: Bowing to a King Wednesday, June 30, 2021 Beginning with the books of Samuel, we can see a tension starting to develop between charism and institution, between the freedom of the Spirit and the inertia of society. Israel started out as a people on the move, following God’s… Continue Reading Samuel: Bowing to a King
A Wisdom for Our Time
All Will Be Well A Wisdom for Our Time Thursday, April 8, 2021 I believe it is a loss to our Christian heritage that Julian’s mystical teachings have not received more widespread hearing. Matthew Fox points out that she was in many ways ahead of her time. Her voice and writings were sidelined by a… Continue Reading A Wisdom for Our Time
Merton’s Call for Racial Justice
Thomas Merton: Contemplation and Action Merton’s Call for Racial Justice Friday, November 27, 2020 In the midst of the intense struggle for civil rights, Thomas Merton insisted that Christians had a moral duty to address racism—on a personal and systemic level. His words were prophetic at the time and continue to be relevant to this… Continue Reading Merton’s Call for Racial Justice
Merton’s Love of Nature
Thomas Merton: Contemplation and Action Merton’s Love of Nature Thursday, November 26, 2020 Thanksgiving in the U.S. Part of Thomas Merton’s legacy, which I believe has been underappreciated, is his great love of nature. In the hills of Kentucky, he found his connection to God strengthened by every leaf, every tree, every sunrise. I felt… Continue Reading Merton’s Love of Nature