Tag Archives: trust
When Things Are Unveiled
A Time of Unveiling When Things Are Unveiling Friday, January 8, 2021 I have read the scriptures since childhood and preached on them continually over the last fifty years in my role as a priest; but over the last year, I’ve found myself drawn to them in a different way. I have been looking, if not… Continue Reading When Things Are Unveiled
The Politics of Prayer
Contemplation and Action Summary The Politics of Prayer Monday, December 28, 2020 I’ve often said that we founded the Center for Action and Contemplation to be a place of integration between action and contemplation. I envisioned a place where we could teach activists in social movements to pray—and encourage people who pray to live lives… Continue Reading The Politics of Prayer
The DNA of Creation
Giving Birth to Christ The DNA of Creation Sunday, December 6, 2020 Second Sunday of Advent We Franciscans believe that the first coming of “the Christ” is in creation itself. The Franciscan philosopher and theologian John Duns Scotus (1266‒1308), whom I studied for four years, wrote that “God first wills Christ as his supreme work.”… Continue Reading The DNA of Creation
Jesus and the Reign of God: Weekly Summary
Jesus and the Reign of God Saturday, November 21, 2020 Summary: Sunday, November 15—Friday, November 20, 2020 The Reign of God is the subject of Jesus’s inaugural address, his Sermon on the Mount, and the majority of his parables. It is clearly the guiding image of his entire ministry. (Sunday) Jesus is talking about the… Continue Reading Jesus and the Reign of God: Weekly Summary
The Freedom of Consent
Thomas Keating: The Secret Embrace, Part Two The Freedom of Consent Friday, October 30, 2020 Over the past two weeks Cynthia Bourgeault has generously shared her thoughts on the poems and spiritual legacy of Thomas Keating. Today, I (Richard) want to emphasize Thomas Keating’s final message, the subject of Cynthia’s commentary in yesterday’s meditation. I… Continue Reading The Freedom of Consent
Spiritual Development
Thomas Keating: The Secret Embrace, Part Two Spiritual Development Sunday, October 25, 2020 Before we continue exploring Thomas Keating’s poems from The Secret Embrace under the helpful guidance of Cynthia Bourgeault, I want to offer a basic overview of the stages of spiritual development that I have used for years with spiritual directees and in… Continue Reading Spiritual Development
Wounded Healers: Weekly Summary
Wounded Healers Saturday, September 19, 2020 Summary: Sunday, September 13—Friday, September 18, 2020 When we can trust that God is in the suffering, our wounds become sacred wounds and the actual and ordinary life journey becomes itself the godly journey. (Sunday) Until there has been a journey through suffering, I don’t believe that we have true… Continue Reading Wounded Healers: Weekly Summary
A Mutual Vulnerability
Wounded Healers A Mutual Vulnerability Wednesday, September 16, 2020 Earlier this year, my colleague and dear friend Jim Finley gave an unpublished talk to Illuman, an organization that supports men in authentic spiritual development. Jim shared some stories from his own life, including how he began to heal from his own childhood abuse and trauma… Continue Reading A Mutual Vulnerability
Our Sacred Wounds
Wounded Healers Our Sacred Wounds Sunday, September 13, 2020 Ministry can indeed be a witness to the living truth that the wound, which causes us to suffer now, will be revealed to us later as the place where God intimated [God’s] new creation. —Henri J. M. Nouwen (1932–1996) Christianity, in its mature forms, keeps pushing us… Continue Reading Our Sacred Wounds
Trusting a Deeper Aliveness
True Self/Separate Self Trusting a Deeper Aliveness Friday, September 4, 2020 I believe a regular practice of Centering Prayer is one of the most effective tools we have for discovering our True Self. Sitting in silence, we become adept at compassionately observing our separate self at work, as it tries to maintain control of the… Continue Reading Trusting a Deeper Aliveness