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.
Evil and Human History
March 28, 2012 by | 1 Comment
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.
The Spiritual Conversation
March 21, 2012 by | Leave a Comment
However, most of us have given little serious thought to our spiritual journey. It is possible we have never engaged in a spiritual conversation; we may have never had the opportunity to share our deepest concerns with others.
Saint Peter Stumbles
March 17, 2012 by | Leave a Comment
Faced with conflict, like Peter, we may become drowsy and inattentive until our enemy arrives and provokes us into violent action. Peter, lacking the perspective of the Resurrection, became drowsy when Christ summoned him to vigilance with the words, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here and watch.” [Mk 14:33-34]
The Church as an Instrument of Peace In a Troubled World, Part 8
March 14, 2012 by | Leave a Comment
Thus, we see the heart–centered approach of Francis has evolved into an approach to the New Evangelization. A Franciscan recognizes the image of God in the other — and thus gives the gift of Divine Face. This Face of a Franciscan that sees God in the other person becomes the cornerstone of the New Evangelization.
The Church as an Instrument of Peace In a Troubled World, Part 7
March 14, 2012 by | Leave a Comment
We must build the peace with the same passion we expended in the fight. Fighting may be easier than making peace, winning easier than transforming the world. But making peace and transforming the world are our goals.
The Church as an Instrument of Peace In a Troubled World, Part 4
March 12, 2012 by | Leave a Comment
The mediation discipline stresses process. Parties tend to put attention solely on substance, failing to recognize that how they go about resolving disputes is critical. If the process does not promise and deliver safety and hope and actively promote willingness to participate, the effort goes nowhere.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace
December 24, 2011 by | Leave a Comment
Let us no longer sit in the mud, the blood, the fear. Let us sleep in heavenly peace.
Easy Answers?
December 14, 2011 by | Leave a Comment
A recent blog post by Heather King, reprinted on Father Robert Barron’s Word on Fire blog, raises key questions we face during conflict. She focuses on the tension between our desire for spiritual fulfillment and the challenging pilgrimage our faith entails.
Why They Left the Church
In this recent video Father Robert Barron reflects on a survey that polled Catholics who left the Church, asking them why they departed.