Reflection It takes a long time for us to allow God to be who God really is. Our natural egocentricity wants to make God into who we want God to be. The role of prophets and good theology is to keep people free for God and to keep God free for people. While there are some “pure of heart” people who come to…
Feast of Mary Magdalene Reflection “…the contributions of this woman to the ministry of Jesus, her fidelity during his crucifixion, and her leadership as first apostolic witness to the resurrection place her in a pivotal role at the foundation of ekklesia. Yet, centuries of patriarchal construal in literature, art and preaching have depicted Magdalene as a repentant sinner, most likely…
The United Nations has completed key stages of work on two compacts related to migration and refugees, winning cautious praise from migrant advocates and church officials. “Now we have a basis from which to work,” said Sister Janet Kinney, the executive director of the Partnership for Global Justice, a U.N.-based advocacy group. Global compacts are documents that are not legally binding but…
Reflection Sometimes our blind spots paralyze and confuse us. We all have them. Often they are so ingrained that we do not even recognize their presence. Then, suddenly, we may experience a moment when a person, a situation, an unexpected event enters our lives. The impact enables us to risk asking ourselves “Is there something I don’t see?” Once that…
Reflection We need to remember that we have the power to raise our voices on behalf of those without voice, those held powerless, those whose lives cannot express their desire for better lives. We need to remember that this includes non-human animals as well. We need to remember all this; then we can go that extra mile, take that courageous…
Reflection Consumerism leads to disrespect not only of the earth’s resources, but of its people. In reflecting on food scarcity, Pope Francis drew several parallels between throwing food away and throwing human life away. He suggested that our culture of consumption leads both to our reckless disposal of land, resources, and food, and to our neglect of our brothers and…
For more than 40 years, Catholic Extension has asked mission dioceses to nominate their best, brightest and most inspiring people for their annual Lumen Christi (Light of Christ) Award. This year the prestigious Lumen Christi Award sponsored by Catholic Extension has been awarded to Sister Nancy Edwards, CSJ. After joining the Congregation of St. Joseph and teaching school in her home state…
Reflection In the summertime, we are often able to sit on a beach and gaze at the waves as the ocean moves in its constant rhythm.. Life originated in the sea and water is a pervasive presence in our lives. Our bodies mimic the ocean; the salt in our veins is the same as the salt in the sea. We…
Reflection Insight and compassion enable us to see the world beyond the accepted view. We see ourselves within the larger context of creation. In a spirit of love and understanding, we see the person as always more important than the rule, and creation as the interdependent reality in which we all exist. This frees us to be open to the…
Reflection Whichever way we turn, O God, there is your face in the light of the moon and the patterns of stars in scarred mountain rifts and ancient groves in mighty seas and creatures of the deep Whichever way we turn, O God, there is your face in the light of eyes we love in the salt of tears we…