Tag Archives: Love
Finding God in the Arts: Weekly Summary
Finding God in the Arts Saturday, August 21, 2021 Week Thirty-Three Summary and Practice Sunday, August 15—Friday, August 20, 2021 Sunday Until we can experience each thing in its specific “thisness,” as artists so often do, we will not easily experience the joy and freedom of Divine Presence. Monday Beholding happens when we stop trying… Continue Reading Finding God in the Arts: Weekly Summary
A Theology of Making
Finding God in the Arts A Theology of Making Wednesday, August 18, 2021 “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing for me. . . . She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial.” (Mark 14:6, 8) I am struck by the deep… Continue Reading A Theology of Making
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
Good Power
Good and Bad Power Good Power Sunday, August 8, 2021 Despite the many abuses of power documented throughout history, power itself cannot be inherently bad. In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is described as dynamis, which means power (Acts 10:38; 1 Corinthians 2:5). Jesus tells his disciples before his Ascension that “You will receive… Continue Reading Good Power
Grace Fills in the Gaps
Everybody Grieves Grace Fills in the Gaps Friday, August 6, 2021 To experience grace is one thing; to integrate it into your life is quite another. —Christian Wiman, My Bright Abyss The following three paragraphs came to me clearly in a very short time while I was walking along the Pacific Ocean during my Lenten… Continue Reading Grace Fills in the Gaps
The Commandment for Peace
The Sermon on the Mount The Commandment for Peace Thursday, July 22, 2021 Feast Day of St. Mary Magdalene My good friend, the life-long peacemaker John Dear, has recently founded The Beatitudes Center for the Nonviolent Jesus. Today he expounds on Jesus’ surprising commandment to “love your enemies,” calling it “the climax of the Sermon… Continue Reading The Commandment for Peace
Mutual Indwelling
Great Themes of Scripture: New Testament Mutual Indwelling Friday, July 9, 2021 The whole movement of the Bible is toward ever-greater Incarnation and embodiment, until the mystery of mutual indwelling is finally experienced and enjoyed even here in this world, in this life, and in this body. It then becomes the banquet that we call… Continue Reading Mutual Indwelling
Luke’s Good News: God’s Justice
Great Themes of Scripture: New Testament Luke’s Good News: God’s Justice Tuesday, July 6, 2021 For Luke, while the ultimate meaning of the good news is still the nearness of God’s kingdom, he says it differently. He speaks not of God’s kingdom but of God’s justice, and he especially emphasizes the privileged position of the… Continue Reading Luke’s Good News: God’s Justice
Great Themes of Scripture: Hebrew Bible: Weekly Summary
Great Themes of Scripture: Hebrew Bible Saturday, July 3, 2021 Week Twenty-Six Summary and Practice Sunday, June 27—Friday, July 2, 2021 Sunday When we have an understanding of the great themes of Scripture, the whole book from Genesis to Revelation, we see it as communicating a pattern to humanity. The message is this: You are… Continue Reading Great Themes of Scripture: Hebrew Bible: Weekly Summary