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.
Blog
Sources of Conflict: The Hidden Influence
August 6, 2010 by |
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
August 5, 2010 by |
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
July 15, 2010 by |
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
July 13, 2010 by |
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
July 2, 2010 by |
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
June 16, 2010 by |
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.
Immigration Reform
June 16, 2010 by |
In this post I continue to analyze the potential adverse consequences that accrue to political activism, consequences that may cause us to depart, inadvertently, from the charism of Francis.
Resurrection Politics and Rules for Radicals
June 15, 2010 by |
In this and the two posts that follow, I take a closer look at liabilities that accrue when Franciscans turn to political activism. This critique was written as a contemplative exercise, an attempt to understand the role best suited to the charism of Francis.
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.