Tag Archives: Evil
The Shadow of Original Sin
Original Goodness The Shadow of Original Sin Monday, October 25, 2021 Fr. Richard reflects on the negative consequences of Christianity’s emphasis on “original sin.” The truth of our Original Goodness was sadly complicated when the concept of original sin entered the Christian mind. This idea was put forth by Augustine in the fifth century but… Continue Reading The Shadow of Original Sin
The Power of Money
What Do We Do With Money? The Power of Money Tuesday, September 21, 2021 In 2019, Richard wrote a short book entitled What Do We Do with Evil? In it, he explored the apostle Paul’s teachings on “the world, the flesh, and the devil,” to clarify the often invisible, systemic, and hidden nature of evil,… Continue Reading The Power of Money
Job: Hoping Against Hope
Great Themes of Scripture: Hebrew Bible Job: Hoping Against Hope Thursday, July 1, 2021 The author of the biblical book of Job wrestled with the mystery of evil. If we look at this book as a drama or play, we can easily see Job as the protagonist, God as the hero, and Satan as the… Continue Reading Job: Hoping Against Hope
A Necessary Negativity
Shadow Work A Necessary Negativity Friday, June 18, 2021 True spirituality, that which invites us to ever deeper levels of transformation and love, does not insist on “staying positive” all the time, but on “staying true” to the journey. Drawing on the wisdom of both the Sufi mystical tradition in which she was raised as… Continue Reading A Necessary Negativity
Embracing Shadow and Light
Shadow Work Embracing Shadow and Light Monday, June 14, 2021 We all identify with our persona/mask so strongly when we are young that we become masters of denial and learn to eliminate or hide anything that doesn’t support it. Neither our persona nor our shadow is evil in itself; they just allow us to do… Continue Reading Embracing Shadow and Light
Choosing Love in a Time of Evil: Weekly Summary
Choosing Love in a Time of Evil Saturday, May 22, 2021 Week Twenty Summary and Practice Sunday, May 16—Friday, May 21, 2021 Sunday The people who hold the contradictions and resolve them in themselves are the saviors of the world. They are the only real agents of transformation, reconciliation, and newness. Monday While evil may… Continue Reading Choosing Love in a Time of Evil: Weekly Summary
The Power of Love
Choosing Love in a Time of Evil The Power of Love Friday, May 21, 2021 Maximilian Kolbe (1894–1941) was a Polish Franciscan priest known for his leadership, his skill as a writer, and his passionate devotion to the Virgin Mary. A prisoner at Auschwitz concentration camp, he chose to save the life of another inmate… Continue Reading The Power of Love
Forgiving Reality and Forgiving Ourselves
Choosing Love in a Time of Evil Forgiving Reality and Forgiving Ourselves Thursday, May 20, 2021 Dr. Edith Eger was just 16 years old when she was taken to Auschwitz with her family. She lost her mother and father to the gas chambers the very day they arrived, and she survived with the help and… Continue Reading Forgiving Reality and Forgiving Ourselves
Making a Choice
Choosing Love in a Time of Evil Making a Choice Wednesday, May 19, 2021 Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom. —Viktor Frankl The quote above sounds like something a teacher of contemplation would say! The… Continue Reading Making a Choice
Coming to Terms with Life and Love
Choosing Love in a Time of Evil Coming to Terms with Life and Love Tuesday, May 18, 2021 I have been deeply moved by the wisdom of Etty Hillesum (1914–1943) for quite some time, and found myself returning to her journals many times over this past year. She died at Auschwitz at the age of 29, but her… Continue Reading Coming to Terms with Life and Love