Tag Archives: Power
Breaking the Cycle of Violence
Scapegoating and the Cross Breaking the Cycle of Violence Wednesday, March 31, 2021 I doubt very much that I need to point out the many ways we practice scapegoating in our society today. We do it on both the political left and right, in our churches and community groups, by finger-pointing and punishing. We are… Continue Reading Breaking the Cycle of Violence
A Spirit-Led Christianity
Spirituality and Social Movements A Spirit-Led Christianity Sunday, November 29, 2020 First Sunday of Advent The God who became flesh in Jesus is the hidden God of whom the prophets speak to us. Jesus shows himself to be such precisely in the measure that he is present via those who are the absent, anonymous people… Continue Reading A Spirit-Led Christianity
Jesus’ Social Program
What Do We Do with Evil? Jesus’ Social Program Thursday, October 15, 2020 Jesus does not directly attack the religious and institutional sin systems of his time until his final action against the money changers in the temple (see Matthew 21:12–13; Mark 11:15–17; Luke 19:45–46). Because of this, Jesus’ primary social justice critique and action… Continue Reading Jesus’ Social Program
The Spirits of the Air
What Do We Do with Evil? The Spirits of the Air Wednesday, October 14, 2020 It was very difficult to become a Christian if you were a Black man on a slave ship, and the slave ship was called ‘The Good Ship Jesus.’ —James Baldwin (1924–1987) The “flesh” is the second source of evil, deadness,… Continue Reading The Spirits of the Air
An Agreed-upon Delusion
What Do We Do with Evil? An Agreed-upon Delusion Tuesday, October 13, 2020 The world (or “system” as we use the word now) is a hiding place for unconsciousness or “deadness” in the words of Paul. Both Thomas Aquinas and C. S. Lewis taught that the triumph of evil depends entirely on disguise. [1] [2]… Continue Reading An Agreed-upon Delusion
A Church on the Margins
Mystics and the Margins A Church on the Margins Monday, September 28, 2020 We’ve tended to soften Jesus’ conflict with the system, or the established powers, but Jesus’ ministry took place on the margins! In the year 313 A.D., with the Edict of Milan, the Church dramatically changed sides and Christians officially became the Church… Continue Reading A Church on the Margins
The Unspoken Privilege of Being White
Contemplation and Racism The Unspoken Privilege of Being White Monday, June 8, 2020 For a long time, I naively hoped that racism was a thing of the past. Those of us who are white have a very hard time seeing that we constantly receive special treatment [because of social systems built to prioritize people with… Continue Reading The Unspoken Privilege of Being White
A New Power
Alternative Community A New Power Tuesday, June 2, 2020 In an ideal sense, a community is a safe place. By protecting and nurturing the dignity of its members, the community is sustained even when challenged by external forces. Virgilio Elizondo (1935–2016), a Catholic priest and community organizer from San Antonio, Texas, compared communities formed among… Continue Reading A New Power
Invitation to Solidarity
Solidarity Invitation to Solidarity Sunday, May 24, 2020 Throughout human history, countless people have been poor, vulnerable, or oppressed in some way. Those holding positions of authority within systems of power secure their own privilege, comfort, and wealth—almost always at the expense of those most on the margins. Much of history has been recorded to… Continue Reading Invitation to Solidarity
Reading the Signs of The Times
Disciples, Prophets, and Mystics Reading the Signs of The Times Tuesday, March 17 Author and Dominican priest Albert Nolan has written many prophetic works that bring attention to systems of oppression throughout the world. His writings were influential in ending apartheid in his own nation of South Africa. Today he explains the spirals of violence… Continue Reading Reading the Signs of The Times