Tag Archives: privilege
Everything Is a Gift
Only the experience of divine mercy breaks down our meritocracies and entitlement. Continue Reading Everything Is a Gift
Letting Go of Power
Good and Bad Power Letting Go of Power Thursday, August 12, 2021 In her book The Wisdom Jesus, Cynthia Bourgeault describes how Jesus modeled the path of kenosis. Taken from the Greek word in Paul’s letter to the Philippians (2:5–9), it means to “let go” or “to empty oneself.” In Jesus, this self-emptying pattern revealed… Continue Reading Letting Go of Power
Dominating Power
Good and Bad Power Dominating Power Tuesday, August 10, 2021 Contemplative teacher Beatrice Bruteau (1930‒2014) understood domination, what I’ve referred to as “power over” others, as the cause of much of the world’s suffering. Jesus by contrast models a loving, self-giving alternative to domination power. Here is Bruteau’s description of domination: The theme that I… Continue Reading Dominating Power
The Five Conversions
Solidarity The Five Conversions Monday, May 25, 2020 If one of the primary markers of a Christian life is solidarity as modeled by Jesus, I am afraid that most of us still have a long way to go. It’s one of the reasons I say that Christianity is still in its infancy. We are just… Continue Reading The Five Conversions
To Know Thee More Clearly
Ways of Knowing To Know Thee More Clearly Sunday, February 9, 2020 O most merciful Redeemer, Friend and Brother, May I know Thee more clearly, Love Thee more dearly, And follow Thee more nearly. —St. Richard, Bishop of Chichester (1197–1253) [1] Ways of knowing are inseparable from human existence. As Paula D’Arcy says, “God comes to us disguised as our lives.” While Christians emphasize Tradition and/or Scripture as sources of… Continue Reading To Know Thee More Clearly
A Strange New World
Ways of Knowing A Strange New World Tuesday, October 15, 2019 I grew up relatively sheltered in my Kansas home and in Catholic schools. However, over the years, life has provided me with countless opportunities to meet people whose different experiences and understandings have opened unseen doors and enriched my knowing. Moving out of our… Continue Reading A Strange New World
Protecting and Also Bridging Differences
Justice: Week 1 Protecting and Also Bridging Differences Monday, June 11, 2018 As we saw earlier this year, humans need concrete and particular experiences to learn the ways of love. [1] We don’t learn to love through abstract philosophy or theology. That’s why Jesus came to show God in human form, revealing a face we… Continue Reading Protecting and Also Bridging Differences
Blinded by Privilege
Bias from the Bottom: Week 2 Blinded by Privilege Sunday, March 27, 2016 You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view, until you climb into his skin and walk around in it. —Harper Lee (1926-2016), To Kill a Mockingbird Once in a place of power, after the 4th… Continue Reading Blinded by Privilege