Tag Archives: United States
Creative Political Tension
Politics: Week 1 Creative Political Tension Tuesday, July 10, 2018 I see our species’ collective shadow on full display today in the United States, exposing intolerance and bigotry at deep levels. Under the guise of avoiding political correctness, truth-telling has been twisted into fear-mongering and scapegoating. When humans cannot face and embrace the insecurities inside… Continue Reading Creative Political Tension
The Economy of War
Economy: Week 2 The Economy of War Tuesday, July 3, 2018 My spiritual father, St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226), was a nonviolent and “soft” prophet—keeping God free for people and people free for God—during a pivotal period when Western civilization was moving into rationality, consumerism, and nonstop war. Francis himself was a soldier and his… Continue Reading The Economy of War
Changing Our Economy
Economy: Week 1 Changing Our Economy Friday, June 29, 2018 Pope Francis often says, “This economy kills.” [1] The divide between the wealthy and the poor in the United States continues to grow. A handful of billionaires are literally “making a killing,” while millions who live below the poverty line are “making a dying,” and… Continue Reading Changing Our Economy
The Cost of Consumption
Economy: Week 1 The Cost of Consumption Wednesday, June 27, 2018 People hate this kind of talk. Raw truth is never popular. —Amos 5:10, The Message Coming to grips with the history and reality of our money culture is challenging. But with awareness comes opportunity and motivation for change. Contemplative practice helps me hold the… Continue Reading The Cost of Consumption
Protecting the System
Economy: Week 1 Protecting the System Tuesday, June 26, 2018 When the economic institution is our primary lens, as it is in the U.S., religion tends to be diluted by pragmatic, win/lose, and power attitudes. God is bought and sold more than loved, waited for, or surrendered to. This is why Jesus’ anger (and even… Continue Reading Protecting the System
Inalienable Rights
Economy: Week 1 Inalienable Rights Monday, June 25, 2018 No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. —Matthew 6:24 In his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus critiques and reorders the values… Continue Reading Inalienable Rights
Growing into Union
Levels of Development: Week 1 Growing into Union Thursday, December 10, 2015 (Thomas Merton Day) So many of our problems can be resolved if we understand that people are at different levels of emotional, mental, and spiritual maturity. I am told that United States diplomats are given an intense course in Spiral Dynamics before they… Continue Reading Growing into Union