Taming the Wolf

Healing Wounds at Ground Zero

It does not surprise me that conflict has escalated in response to plans for building a mosque near Ground Zero. From the perspective of faith-based diplomacy, unhealed historical wounds can be expected to give rise to conflict: this is the norm, not something unexpected.

Francis as Prayer

Yesterday, I came across a beautiful blog post that, for me, captures the essence of Francis, whose very being was a prayer. The sentiment in the post duplicates the sentiment that is needed when one approaches conflict. The views expressed were so powerful that I have reposted the material in its entirety.

Mosque in Manhattan

The recent dispute regarding plans to build a mosque in Manhattan near “Ground Zero” demonstrates the need for mediated learning conversations that address flashpoints in society. Once such disputes are placed in front of the polarizing lenses of the media, the task of reconciliation becomes more difficult.

Resolving Unintentional Immigration Insult

Yesterday, on the Facebook Page for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops I encountered a blog post that struck me as quite divisive, even insulting.

Sources of Conflict: The Hidden Influence

In Taming the Wolf I take up the important topic of the hidden influence—the outside party that causes two other parties to clash.

Upside Down But Rooted

St. Bonaventure, in the introduction to The Tree of Life, notes the value of imagination: “…imagination aids understanding.”

Taming the Wolf Inspired by Saint Bonaventure

Today is a very special day. July 15 is the feast day that celebrates the life of Saint Bonaventure, the Franciscan theologian and mystic.

I am grateful to Bonaventure for the inspiration his works provided ias I wrote Taming the Wolf.

Who Are You? Conflict Lurking Beneath the Surface

Thoughts precede actions. Our thoughts regarding “who we are” have the power to determine our behavior. Typically, we try to act in ways that are consistent with our vision of “who we are.”

Humor and Holiness

My last series of posts tackled a difficult subject. When we analyze the role we should play in a divisive and contentious political world we can experience conflict. We wish for peace but also desire justice, and the two desires sometimes clash.

Beyond Corruption and Deception

In this post, the last in the series, I continue to evaluate the risks of activism while suggesting that a mediator role allows us to better realize the charism of St. Francis.