Tag Archives: spirituality
A Balm in Gilead
African American Spirituality and Song A Balm in Gilead Thursday, February 11, 2021 The Hebrew prophets deeply loved their tradition and profoundly criticized it at the same time. Such truthful love is a very rare art form and a hallmark of prophetic identity. The prophet Jeremiah lived in a time of deep grief and loss.… Continue Reading A Balm in Gilead
Black Song Is Sacred Song
African American Spirituality and Song Black Song Is Sacred Song Monday, February 8, 2021 Thea Bowman (1937–1990), a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, was a powerful communicator, deeply passionate about Jesus, the Catholic Church, and her African American heritage. I begin today with her words on the history and significance of what she celebrates as… Continue Reading Black Song Is Sacred Song
Christ Prays in Us and through Us
African American Spirituality and Song Christ Prays in Us and through Us Sunday, February 7, 2021 Although most Sunday church services don’t foster it, the essential religious experience is that we are being “known through” more than knowing anything by ourselves. An authentic encounter with God will feel like true knowing, not just in our… Continue Reading Christ Prays in Us and through Us
The Inadequacy of Words
Unknowing The Inadequacy of Words Sunday, January 31, 2021 My thoughts are not your thoughts, my ways are not your ways. . . . As high as the heavens are above the earth, so my ways are beyond your ways, and my thoughts are beyond your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8–9) Jesus had been formed by this… Continue Reading The Inadequacy of Words
A Christian Ashram
Interspiritual Mysticism A Christian Ashram Thursday, September 24, 2020 It is only in prayer that we can communicate with one another at the deepest level of our being. Behind all words and gestures, behind all thoughts and feelings, there is an inner centre of prayer where we can meet one another in the presence of… Continue Reading A Christian Ashram
The Truth Will Set You Free
Inner and Outer Freedom The Truth Will Set You Free Sunday, June 14, 2020 Authentic spirituality is always on some level or in some way about letting go. In a consumer society, however, we have little training in how to let go of anything. Rather, more is usually considered better. Jesus said, “the truth will… Continue Reading The Truth Will Set You Free
Gaining New Traction
Darkness Gaining New Traction Monday, December 2, 2019 Experiences of darkness are good and necessary teachers. They are not to be avoided, denied, run from, or explained away. Even if we don’t experience clinical or diagnosed depression, most of us will go through a period of darkness, doubt, and malaise at some point in our… Continue Reading Gaining New Traction