Tag Archives: Pope Francis
Authentic Freedom
Liberation Authentic Freedom Tuesday, January 19, 2021 In his newest book, Let Us Dream: The Path to a Better Future, Pope Francis points out that we need both personal liberation and liberation from unjust and harmful systems. Unfortunately, many people have been taught that salvation is merely an individual escape plan for the next world,… Continue Reading Authentic Freedom
Pope Francis and St. Francis of Assisi
Franciscan Ecological Wisdom Pope Francis and St. Francis of Assisi Monday, May 18, 2020 I deeply appreciate the many ways Pope Francis has continued the work of Vatican II by letting in the “fresh air” of modern science and other disciplines. While new information is one of the primary ways we come to understand Reality… Continue Reading Pope Francis and St. Francis of Assisi
Helping Others
Twelve-Step Spirituality: Part Two Helping Others Thursday, December 19, 2019 Step Twelve: Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs. [1] Step Twelve tells addicts that they will never really come to appropriate the power and… Continue Reading Helping Others
Nonviolence Works
Nonviolence Nonviolence Works Thursday, August 22, 2019 How is it that many Christians have managed to avoid what Jesus actually taught? We’ve evaded major parts of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7): the Beatitudes, Jesus’ warning about idolizing “mammon,” his clear directive and example of nonviolence, and his command to love our enemies. I… Continue Reading Nonviolence Works
Politics for Peace
Nonviolence Politics for Peace Wednesday, August 21, 2019 One of the most hopeful signs of growth and evolution in Christianity today is the effort to reclaim nonviolence as fundamental to Jesus’ life and teaching. Pope Francis’ message for the World Day of Peace in 2017 focused on this: I pray that the image and likeness… Continue Reading Politics for Peace
The Joy of the Gospel
Joy and Hope The Joy of the Gospel Sunday, November 25, 2018 I believe that St. Francis is the example par excellence of care for the vulnerable and of an integral ecology lived out joyfully and authentically. . . . [He] was deeply loved for his joy, his generous self-giving, his open-heartedness. —Pope Francis [1]… Continue Reading The Joy of the Gospel
Healing Addiction
Western Christianity Healing Addiction Thursday, September 20, 2018 I’ve shared some of Western Christianity’s weaknesses—for example, how we have over-emphasized separateness, sin, and external religious exercises. But Western Christianity has unique gifts and strengths to offer. The dynamism of Western civilization has led to what I might call the “secularization” of the Gospel message into… Continue Reading Healing Addiction
What Do You Want?
Perennial Tradition What Do You Want? Friday, August 3, 2018 A good gauge of spiritual health is to write down the three things you most want. If they in any way differ, you are in trouble. —Daniel Ladinsky, inspired by Rumi [1] Big Truth was manifest in reality itself before it was ever written in… Continue Reading What Do You Want?
Nurturing Empathy
Politics: Week 2 Nurturing Empathy Friday, July 20, 2018 Sister of Social Service Simone Campbell, famously known as “the nun on the bus,” is one of the most passionately and compassionately engaged faith leaders I know. In last fall’s issue of Oneing, the Center for Action and Contemplation’s journal, she offered some practical wisdom for… Continue Reading Nurturing Empathy