Tag Archives: solidarity
The Saving Power of the Cross
Scapegoating and the Cross The Saving Power of the Cross Friday, April 2, 2021 Good Friday Today the primary human problem is both revealed and resolved. It is indeed a “good” Friday. What is revealed is our human inclination to kill others, in any multitude of ways, instead of dying to ourselves—to our own illusions,… Continue Reading The Saving Power of the Cross
The Catholic Worker Movement
Spirituality and Social Movements The Catholic Worker Movement Tuesday, December 1, 2020 After Brian McLaren’s helpful summary of biblical examples of social movements, I want to turn our attention to movements that originated within the United States in the last century. The Catholic Worker movement, established by Dorothy Day (1897‒1980) and Peter Maurin (1877‒1949), has… Continue Reading The Catholic Worker Movement
One God of the Earth
Thomas Merton: Contemplation and Action One God of the Earth Wednesday, November 25, 2020 One way that our growth in love becomes stuck is when we identify so much with our group or country that it replaces our faith in the One God of all. As we see in politics in the United States, most… Continue Reading One God of the Earth
Contemplative Responsibility
Thomas Merton: Contemplation and Action Contemplative Responsibility Monday, November 23, 2020 Thomas Merton has been a primary teacher and inspiration to me ever since I read his book The Sign of Jonas as a teenager. He was one of the most influential American Catholics of the twentieth century. It was Merton who reintroduced the Christian… Continue Reading Contemplative Responsibility
Public Virtue: Weekly Summary
Public Virtue Saturday, November 7, 2020 Summary: Sunday, November 1—Friday, November 6, 2020 The mystery of the body of Christ turns the focus outward, to ask: how can I be good for the sake of my neighborhood, my city, my church, my community, and even the world? (Sunday) Everywhere there are people who never lose… Continue Reading Public Virtue: Weekly Summary
For the Good of the World
Public Virtue For the Good of the World Friday, November 6, 2020 God is the ultimate nonviolent one, so we dare not accept any theory of salvation—much less socialization, economics, or politics—that is based on violence, exclusion, social pressure, or moral coercion. When we do, these are legitimated as a proper way of life. God… Continue Reading For the Good of the World
Mysticism Precedes Politics
Public Virtue Mysticism Precedes Politics Thursday, November 5, 2020 The Reverend Wes Granberg-Michaelson, former head of the Reformed Church in America, reminds us that Jesus is the model of public virtue for all Christians. When deciding how we want to act in the public sphere, we are first called to begin with our personal experience… Continue Reading Mysticism Precedes Politics
A Call to Be One
Public Virtue A Call to Be One Wednesday, November 4, 2020 I return once again to the prophetic words of Sister Joan Chittister who calls us to make an unflinching commitment to act with integrity—out of the fullness of our being—not simply our pragmatic, comfortable, or fearful selves. As a people, we are at a… Continue Reading A Call to Be One
The Heart of Democracy
Public Virtue The Heart of Democracy Tuesday, November 3, 2020 Election Day in the U.S.A. Renewed contact with the Gospel of faith, of hope and of love invites us to assume a creative and renewed spirit. In this way, we will be able to transform the roots of our physical, spiritual and social infirmities and… Continue Reading The Heart of Democracy