San Damiano Cross Illustration

Happiness School

As we “enter Jerusalem” tomorrow, Palm Sunday, we may want to assess the degree to which our life’s journey is truly a spiritual pilgrimage, a pilgrimage that includes contemplation designed to lift us out of our false selves, contemplation designed to help us transcend our worldly nature.

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Peaceful Lake Illustration by Tracy Stone

Evil and Human History

Without the Gospel promise that he delivered, fresh and relevant and alive in the present, we would not have the courage or reason to engage in reconciliation work.

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Mediation Table Illustration by Tracy Stone

The Church as an Instrument of Peace In a Troubled World, Part 6

Though we aspire to bring peace to a troubled world, we first must achieve solidarity within the Church through robust conflict resolution programs consistent with Vatican II.

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Sun and Rays Illustration

Face of a Franciscan

Face Work is a social science discipline that studies a person’s need to Save Face, Protect Face, and Restore Face, thus managing threats to their social image, identity, or standing. The ultimate tool for effective Face Work is hinted at in friar Murray Bodo’s phrase “the Face of a Franciscan.”

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Taming the Wolf the Hidden Influence

We Were Deceived

Last week I watched a refreshingly candid interview with Archbishop Dolan conducted by Raymond Arroyo on The World Over (EWTN). Their discussion of the passage of New York’s “same-sex marriage” bill brought to mind my earlier posts.

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Mediation Table Illustration by Tracy Stone

New Path to Immigration Reform

In a new Taming the Wolf White Paper I discuss the use of mediation techniques to foster convening in large-scale conflict that has hit impasse.

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Raised Fist Illustration

Detoxification

In the latest edition of St. Anthony Messenger, the magazine’s editor, Pat McCloskey OFM, calls for “Detoxifying our Political Disagreements.” This is a worthy sentiment.

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Protesters Illustration by Tracy Stone

Rules for Civility

I fear too many cherished cultural norms have been gutted: honesty, transparency, and integrity have been replaced by coarser values.

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Hidden Influence Illustration by Tracy Stone

Civility and Deception

Deception is the most significant barrier to civil discourse.

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Cave Illustration by Tracy Stone

A Saint’s Advice

St. Antony counsels us to meditate continually on the Apostle Paul’s words, “Let not the sun go down upon your wrath” (Eph. 4:26).

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