Tag Archives: Nonviolence
Love at the Center
Being Peaceful Change Love at the Center Friday, July 31, 2020 Blessed are the peacemakers: they shall be recognized as children of God. —Matthew 5:9 Today many think we can achieve peace through violence. The myth that violence solves problems is part of the way we think and is in direct opposition to all great religious teachings. Our need for immediate… Continue Reading Love at the Center
Nonviolence: A Spiritual Superpower
Being Peaceful Change Nonviolence: A Spiritual Superpower Tuesday, July 28, 2020 Be the change you wish to see in the world. —Gandhi My good friend, John Dear, is a devoted student of Mohandas Gandhi and has dedicated his life to the promotion of nonviolence through his activism and writing. John writes: In his search for… Continue Reading Nonviolence: A Spiritual Superpower
Inner Unity
Being Peaceful Change Inner Unity Sunday, July 26, 2020 Before you speak of peace, you must first have it in your heart. —Francis of Assisi Generations of Christians seem to have forgotten Jesus’ teachings on nonviolence. We’ve relegated visions of a peaceful kingdom to a far distant heaven. We hardly believed Jesus could have meant… Continue Reading Inner Unity
Mysticism and Nonviolence
Contemplative Activists Mysticism and Nonviolence Thursday, July 16, 2020 Dorothee Soelle (1929–2003) is an example of a contemplative who finds she must take action. I met her once in Germany at the Kirchentag (an assembly sponsored by the German Evangelical Church) and was deeply impressed. She was a first-rate scholar and noted theological author. I’ve… Continue Reading Mysticism and Nonviolence
Making Peace Like St. Francis
Franciscan Way: Part Two Making Peace Like St. Francis Friday, October 11, 2019 My Franciscan brother Fr. Louie Vitale, who has been a peace activist for almost 40 years, tells how St. Francis was working for peace even at the end of his life. At the time, Bishop Guido of Assisi excommunicated the mayor of… Continue Reading Making Peace Like St. Francis
Francis and the Wolf
Franciscan Way: Part Two Francis and the Wolf Sunday, October 6, 2019 Carlo Carretto (1910–1988) was a member of the Little Brothers of Jesus, a community of contemplatives based on the spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi and founded by Charles de Foucauld (1858–1916). Carretto’s life, like that of Francis, was a combination of action… Continue Reading Francis and the Wolf
Peacemakers: Weekly Summary
Peacemakers Summary: Sunday, September 15—Friday, September 20, 2019 Much of Christianity seems to have forgotten Jesus’ teachings on nonviolence. We’ve relegated visions of a peaceful kingdom to a far distant heaven, hardly believing Jesus could have meant we should turn the other cheek here and now. (Sunday) Nonviolence is not ineffective, passive, weak, utopian, naïve,… Continue Reading Peacemakers: Weekly Summary
Meditating on the Sermon on the Mount
Peacemakers Meditating on the Sermon on the Mount Thursday, September 19, 2019 You have heard it said, “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” —Matthew 5:43-44 In addition to the Bhagavad Gita, Mahatma Gandhi considered the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew… Continue Reading Meditating on the Sermon on the Mount
Cultivating Nonviolence
Peacemakers Cultivating Nonviolence Wednesday, September 18, 2019 If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, first go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. —Matthew 5:23-24 Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount describes unconditional love in action. Tomorrow we’ll… Continue Reading Cultivating Nonviolence
