Tag Archives: prayer
Praying in Our Time
Teresa of Ávila and John of the Cross Praying in Our Time Sunday, April 19, 2020 As of today, like many of you, I have been in self-isolation for several weeks. Honestly, it is a bit like when I sometimes go on a hermitage during Lent; except now, of course, my prayers are with the… Continue Reading Praying in Our Time
The Prayer of Francis and Clare
The Universal Pattern The Prayer of Francis and Clare Wednesday, April 15, 2020 Both St. Francis of Assisi (1182–1226) and St. Clare (1194–1253) let go of their fear of suffering; any need for power, prestige, and possessions; and any need for their small self to be important. By doing so they came to know who… Continue Reading The Prayer of Francis and Clare
Praying in Crisis
The Path of Descent Praying in Crisis Wednesday, March 25, 2020 CAC faculty member Brian McLaren is an author and contemplative activist. He spent over twenty years as the pastor of a church where he lived, worked, and prayed with people in good times and bad. Responding to crises is not theoretical for him, but a deeply felt and… Continue Reading Praying in Crisis
Mind, Body, Heart: Weekly Summary
Mind, Body, Heart Sunday, February 16–Friday, February 22, 2020 Wisdom is not the result of mental effort. It cannot be gained through intellectual study. Even life experiences do not make us wise if we don’t process them humbly and consciously. (Sunday) Wisdom is a way of knowing that goes beyond one’s mind, one’s rational understanding, and embraces the… Continue Reading Mind, Body, Heart: Weekly Summary
Ways of Knowing: Weekly Summary
Ways of Knowing Sunday, February 9–Friday, February 14, 2020 God calls us to “not conform to the pattern of the world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds” through relationship with those who see differently than we do (see Romans 12:2). (Sunday) The vast majority of people throughout history have been poor, disabled,… Continue Reading Ways of Knowing: Weekly Summary
Knowing and Not Knowing: Weekly Summary
Knowing and Not Knowing Sunday, January 26–Friday, January 31, 2020 Alongside all our knowing must be the equal and honest “knowing that I do not know.” (Sunday) It is amazing how religion has turned the biblical idea of faith into a need and even a right to certain knowing, complete predictability, and perfect assurance about whom God… Continue Reading Knowing and Not Knowing: Weekly Summary
A Practical Twofold Process
Action and Contemplation: Part Three A Practical Twofold Process Wednesday, January 22, 2020 As in the early church, the desert Christians were deeply committed to Jesus’ teachings and lived practice. Their chosen solitude and silence were not anti-social but a way to become better at seeing clearly and at loving deeply. Withdrawal was for the sake of… Continue Reading A Practical Twofold Process
Action and Contemplation: Part One: Weekly Summary
Action and Contemplation: Part One Summary: Sunday, January 5—Friday, January 11, 2020 We need both compassionate action and contemplative practice for the spiritual journey. (Sunday) In contemplative practice, the Holy Spirit frees us from taking sides and allows us to remain content in the partial darkness of every situation long enough to let it teach, broaden, and enrich us.… Continue Reading Action and Contemplation: Part One: Weekly Summary
A Universal Addiction
Twelve-Step Spirituality: Part One A Universal Addiction Sunday, December 8, 2019 The addiction and overdose crisis . . . does not so much reflect moral failings of individuals as it does reveal a sickness that has infected the country and our collective consciousness. —Timothy McMahan King [1] Living School alumnus Tim King fairly attributes the… Continue Reading A Universal Addiction
Patron Saint of Ecology
Franciscan Way: Part Two Patron Saint of Ecology Wednesday, October 9, 2019 One of the things Francis of Assisi is best known for is his love of nature. Pope John Paul II named him the Patron Saint of Ecology in 1979. Pope Francis entitled his encyclical about caring for our common home Laudato Si meaning… Continue Reading Patron Saint of Ecology
