Tag Archives: participation
The Benedictine Wisdom of “Ora et Labora”
Wisdom The Benedictine Wisdom of “Ora et Labora” Tuesday, February 23, 2021 If Jesus was a wisdom master who sought to transform the consciousness of his disciples through a way of life, the desert communities that sprung up in the fourth century may have been an attempt to carry on that traditional way of teaching.… Continue Reading The Benedictine Wisdom of “Ora et Labora”
Love Is the Protagonist
A New Story Love Is the Protagonist Wednesday, January 13, 2021 Like me, Brian McLaren has spent many decades “on the edge of the inside” of the institutional Church. Although he often critiques the stories told by Christian denominations, he has never tired of the Jesus story or failed to believe in its power to… Continue Reading Love Is the Protagonist
Models of Integration
Contemplation and Action Summary Models of Integration Wednesday, December 30, 2020 Sister Simone Campbell, SSS is someone who truly lives out her commitment to the contemplative path by her actions in the world. She has served as the executive director of NETWORK, the Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, since 2004. You may know her as… Continue Reading Models of Integration
The Politics of Prayer
Contemplation and Action Summary The Politics of Prayer Monday, December 28, 2020 I’ve often said that we founded the Center for Action and Contemplation to be a place of integration between action and contemplation. I envisioned a place where we could teach activists in social movements to pray—and encourage people who pray to live lives… Continue Reading The Politics of Prayer
Christ Born in Us
Incarnation Christ Born in Us Friday, December 25, 2020 Christmas Day What I have seen is the totality recapitulated as one, received not in essence but by participation. Just as if you lit a flame from a flame, it is the whole flame you receive. —Symeon the New Theologian Symeon the New Theologian (949‒1022) was… Continue Reading Christ Born in Us
Birth Is Just the Beginning
Incarnation Birth Is Just the Beginning Sunday, December 20, 2020 We must move beyond a merely sentimental understanding of Christmas as “waiting for the baby Jesus” to an adult and communal appreciation of the message of the incarnation of God in Christ. We Franciscans have always believed that the incarnation was already the redemption, because in… Continue Reading Birth Is Just the Beginning
Fruit of Our Labor
Giving Birth to Christ Fruit of Our Labor Thursday, December 10, 2020 When we are engaged in some form of contemplative practice, we are more able to bring Christ into the world. By emptying ourselves, we are more able to embody God’s presence for others. Professor and Episcopal priest Vincent Pizzuto writes about how contemplation… Continue Reading Fruit of Our Labor
Christ Is Born in Creation
Giving Birth to Christ Christ Is Born in Creation Monday, December 7, 2020 Humanity too is God’s creation. But humanity alone is called to co-operate with God in the creation. —Hildegard of Bingen For of his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. —John 1:16 The Greek word for “fullness” in this gospel passage… Continue Reading Christ Is Born in Creation
Public Virtue: Weekly Summary
Public Virtue Saturday, November 7, 2020 Summary: Sunday, November 1—Friday, November 6, 2020 The mystery of the body of Christ turns the focus outward, to ask: how can I be good for the sake of my neighborhood, my city, my church, my community, and even the world? (Sunday) Everywhere there are people who never lose… Continue Reading Public Virtue: Weekly Summary
Mysticism Precedes Politics
Public Virtue Mysticism Precedes Politics Thursday, November 5, 2020 The Reverend Wes Granberg-Michaelson, former head of the Reformed Church in America, reminds us that Jesus is the model of public virtue for all Christians. When deciding how we want to act in the public sphere, we are first called to begin with our personal experience… Continue Reading Mysticism Precedes Politics