Tag Archives: good
Our Foundational Commitment
Action and Contemplation: Part One Our Foundational Commitment Sunday, January 5, 2020 The most important word in our Center’s name is not Action nor is it Contemplation; it’s the word and. We need both compassionate action and contemplative practice for the spiritual journey. Without action, our spirituality becomes lifeless and bears no authentic fruit. Without contemplation, all our doing comes from… Continue Reading Our Foundational Commitment
Waiting in Darkness
Darkness Waiting in Darkness Friday, December 6, 2019 The darkness of this world will never totally go away. I’ve lived long enough and offered spiritual direction enough to know that darkness isn’t going to disappear, but that, as John’s Gospel says, “the light shines on inside of the darkness, and the darkness will not overcome… Continue Reading Waiting in Darkness
The Strength of the Link
Politics: Old and New The Strength of the Link Wednesday, November 20, 2019 I have long admired the work of Benedictine Sister Joan Chittister and was delighted to see her again at Oprah Winfrey’s house earlier this year when we were both filming episodes for SuperSoul Sunday. Who could have ever predicted it? Two vowed… Continue Reading The Strength of the Link
Savior of the World
Jesus’ Death Savior of the World Monday, April 15, 2019 Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. —1 Corinthians 15:57 How does Jesus the victim transform us? How does the lamb of God “take away” our sin (John 1:29), to use the common metaphor? How does Jesus “overcome… Continue Reading Savior of the World
The Scapegoat Mechanism
Jesus and the Cross The Scapegoat Mechanism Friday, February 8, 2019 The scapegoating ritual described in Leviticus 16 offers a helpful perspective on Jesus’ death. On the “Day of Atonement” the high priest, Aaron, was instructed to symbolically lay all the sins of the people on one unfortunate goat, and the people would then beat… Continue Reading The Scapegoat Mechanism
Knowledge of Good and Evil
Suffering: Week 1 Knowledge of Good and Evil Tuesday, October 16, 2018 During our recent CONSPIRE 2018 conference, we explored how the path of descent is the path of transformation. Darkness, failure, relapse, death, and woundedness are our primary teachers. We looked at personal and societal suffering including slavery, the oppression of Native Americans and… Continue Reading Knowledge of Good and Evil
Church Was Supposed to Be an Alternative Society
Community Church Was Supposed to Be an Alternative Society Wednesday, May 9, 2018 Living in community means living in such a way that others can access me and influence my life and that I can get “out of myself” and serve the lives of others. Community is a world where brotherliness and sisterliness are possible.… Continue Reading Church Was Supposed to Be an Alternative Society
The Body of Christ
The Apostle Paul The Body of Christ Friday, May 19, 2017 Paul had a concrete missionary strategy of building living communities able to produce a visible and believable message. Yet for centuries we’ve interpreted his message as if he is speaking about individuals being privately “saved.” This has made Paul seem more like a mere… Continue Reading The Body of Christ