Many thanks to the many folks who have written or spoken to me about their gratitude for my return to this particular medium with more regularity since the Fall. The last two weeks have been rather quiet around here because I’ve been on the road so much given lectures and workshops (in addition to my […]
Wisdom from Blessed Óscar Romero for a Troubling Time
In recent weeks I’ve found myself engrossed with the powerful writings of the Christian martyr and prophet Blessed Archbishop Óscar Romero of El Salvador. His writings are especially poignant in the face of fearful and troubling times, not the least of which because of his own personal journey of Christian conversion that led to his speaking […]
Proclaiming the Gospel as Bold Prayer
In today’s liturgy, Pope Francis preached about the need to proclaim the Gospel with “strength and courage,” not shying away from the mandate that has been given to us at baptism but announcing the good news of the Lord with enthusiasm and confidence. The Holy Father explains: The Word of God cannot be given as […]
What Else Do You Want?
The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” Then he left them, got […]
United By the Holy Spirit
It follows that though there are many nations there is but one people of God, which takes its citizens from every race, making them citizens of a kingdom which is of a heavenly rather than of an earthly nature. All the faithful, scattered though they be throughout the world, are in communion with each other […]
I’m Coming to Cleveland Next Week
I am honored to be delivering the 2017 Faith and Life Lectures at Baldwin Wallace University in Cleveland, OH next week (February 15 & 16). This annual endowed lecture series brings a scholar of religion to campus each year to deliver three talks on a particular theme. Past lecturers include such notable scholars as Martin E. […]
Neither a Lover of Nature Nor a Utopian
One of the nice things about teaching graduate courses in my areas of interest is that I’m able to return again and again to texts that are striking, challenging, insightful, and inspirational. This is true with both primary and secondary sources. Teaching not only affords me the opportunity to return to the texts for my […]
God’s Image or ours? God’s Laws or Ours?
It is tempting to present our own views, or even those collective views held by an entire society, as those ordained by God. It can be difficult to discern the difference between what is God’s intention for human flourishing and what is our normative presumptions formed by human culture. This is the case in today’s […]
US Franciscans Speak Out Against Immigration Ban
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 1, 2017 “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” (Matthew 25.35) The recent actions of President Donald J. Trump regarding the treatment of immigrants and refugees entering our country have been troubling to a wide ranging group of citizens across the United States. As Franciscans, we are morally outraged by […]
The Judgments We Make
I’ve always been struck by the Gospel account of Jesus returning home to Nazareth and the rejection he faces there. Today’s Gospel tells us the story. Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard […]
