Tag Archives: Power
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
Speaking Out
Disciples, Prophets, and Mystics Speaking Out Monday, March 16 Prophets must first be true disciples of their faith. In fact, it is their deep love for their tradition that allows them to criticize it at the same time. This is almost always the hallmark of a prophet. Their deepest motivation is not negative but profoundly… Continue Reading Speaking Out
Type Eight: The Need to Be Against
Enneagram Part One: Body Center Type Eight: The Need to Be Against Wednesday, February 26, 2020 (Ash Wednesday) Holy Idea: Holy Truth Virtue: Innocence Passion: Lust [1] My friend Chris Heuertz has a type Eight personality. Here’s how he describes Eights in his book, The Sacred Enneagram: Finding Your Unique Path to Spiritual Growth: Eights are… Continue Reading Type Eight: The Need to Be Against
Knowing from the Bottom
Ways of Knowing Knowing from the Bottom Monday, February 10, 2020 The vast majority of people throughout history have been poor, disabled, or oppressed in some way (i.e., “on the bottom”) and would have read history in terms of a need for change, but most of history has been written and interpreted from the side of the winners. The unique exception is the revelation called the… Continue Reading Knowing from the Bottom
A Quiet Refusal
Action and Contemplation: Part One A Quiet Refusal Thursday, January 16, 2020 Because Jesus did not directly attack the religious and institutional systems of his time until his final action against the money changers in the temple [1], his primary social justice critique and action are a disappointment to most radicals and social activists. Jesus’… Continue Reading A Quiet Refusal
The Strength of the Link
Politics: Old and New The Strength of the Link Wednesday, November 20, 2019 I have long admired the work of Benedictine Sister Joan Chittister and was delighted to see her again at Oprah Winfrey’s house earlier this year when we were both filming episodes for SuperSoul Sunday. Who could have ever predicted it? Two vowed… Continue Reading The Strength of the Link
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
