Tag Archives: Mystery
Gazing on the Crucified Jesus
Trauma and Healing Gazing on the Crucified Jesus Friday, May 7, 2021 Those who “gaze upon” the crucified Jesus (John 19:37) long enough—with contemplative eyes—are always healed at deep levels of pain, unforgiveness, aggression, and victimhood. It demands no theological education at all, just an “inner exchange” by receiving the image within and offering one’s… Continue Reading Gazing on the Crucified Jesus
The Wisdom of the Passion
Scapegoating and the Cross The Wisdom of the Passion Thursday, April 1, 2021 Holy Thursday CAC teacher Cynthia Bourgeault invites us to consider the meaning of the passion from a wisdom perspective, not as a spectator watching what Jesus did, but understanding what each of us is called to do: The passion is really the… Continue Reading The Wisdom of the Passion
Prophetic Imagination: Weekly Summary
Prophetic Imagination Saturday, March 27, 2021 Week Twelve Summary and Practice March 21—March 26, 2021 Sunday Moses had the prescience and courage to move the place of hearing God outside and at a distance from the court of common religious and civic opinion—this was the original genius that inspired the entire Jewish prophetic tradition. Monday… Continue Reading Prophetic Imagination: Weekly Summary
Unknowing: Weekly Summary
Unknowing Saturday, February 6, 2021 Week Five Summary and Practice Sunday, January 31—Friday, February 5, 2021 Sunday The formal theological terms for unknowing and knowing are the apophatic or “negative” way, where you move beyond words and images into silence, and the kataphatic or “affirmative” way, where you use words, concepts, and images. Monday Perplexity,… Continue Reading Unknowing: Weekly Summary
Faith and Doubt Are Not Opposites
Unknowing Faith and Doubt Are Not Opposites Wednesday, February 3, 2021 The imagination should be allowed a certain freedom to browse around. —Thomas Merton, Contemplation in a World of Action Basic religious faith is a vote for some coherence, purpose, benevolence, and direction in the universe. Unfortunately, the notion of faith that emerged in the West was… Continue Reading Faith and Doubt Are Not Opposites
The Inadequacy of Words
Unknowing The Inadequacy of Words Sunday, January 31, 2021 My thoughts are not your thoughts, my ways are not your ways. . . . As high as the heavens are above the earth, so my ways are beyond your ways, and my thoughts are beyond your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8–9) Jesus had been formed by this… Continue Reading The Inadequacy of Words
Contemplation: A Life’s Journey
Contemplative Activists Contemplation: A Life’s Journey Sunday, July 12, 2020 I believe that the combination of human action from a contemplative center is the greatest art form, one that takes our whole lives to master. When action and contemplation are united, we have beauty, symmetry, and transformation—lives and actions that heal the world by their… Continue Reading Contemplation: A Life’s Journey
The Wisdom of Job
Wisdom in Times of Crisis The Wisdom of Job Tuesday, July 7, 2020 Theology does not by itself provide wisdom in crisis. All theology must become a living spirituality to really change us or the world. It’s disappointing that we Christians have emphasized theology, catechism, and religious education much more than prayer and practice. The… Continue Reading The Wisdom of Job
The Universal Christ
Alternative Orthodoxy The Universal Christ Thursday, February 6, 2020 Grace had already been granted to us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, and now it has been revealed to us in the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus. —2 Timothy 1:9-10 It seems we only give attention to that which we are told to give attention. The Franciscan alternative orthodoxy has… Continue Reading The Universal Christ