Happy St. Francis Day! In light of all that is making humanity hurt far and near—the evils of greed, economic inequalities, environmental destruction, endless war and gun-violence—on this ordinary and holy day, I find that my heart desires to emulate two particular aspects of St. Francis’ prophetic life from 800 years ago. I am prayingContinue reading “God make us poor and nonviolent like St. Francis”
Tag Archives: non-violence
The skin I didn’t ask for: Bemoaning my white privilege and the evil of racial violence
I am afraid this blog post is going to be a terrible, tangled mess: sorry about that. But considering the mess this is all about, a jumble might be the best I can give. My thoughts are tangled because so much has been stirring within me since last week when I learned about the killingsContinue reading “The skin I didn’t ask for: Bemoaning my white privilege and the evil of racial violence”
The church is a home for peacemakers
In the midst of a war, I found my home in the Catholic church. I was a college student, majoring in history. Studying history meant, among other things, studying war and the destruction and injustices that wars had repeatedly caused. The more I studied this side of history, the more passionate I became about socialContinue reading “The church is a home for peacemakers”
The Real Meaning of Justice
As part of a larger discussion in my classroom yesterday, I asked my students how they define justice. Then, I asked them how they could better demonstrate justice. The results were fascinating to me. Some students very quickly said justice means “fairness.” More students, however, said things like “being nice,” “treating people equally,” and “enforcing theContinue reading “The Real Meaning of Justice”
5 good ones
Sometimes really good things can get buried underneath other good things. At times, we are called to uncover and re-expose the hidden goodness in the Kingdom of God, so that the blessings can help us be renewed. This blog has been going for about three and half years now and includes over 230 posts. Wow! ThanksContinue reading “5 good ones”
Peace is always possible
The talk of bombing Syria is awful, just as the violence that has been happening there is horrific. I’ve been groaning a lot and praying really hard. Arguments about war make me cringe. I especially get sick in my stomach when I hear intelligent people explain excuses for violence as if it’s the bestContinue reading “Peace is always possible”
love at the life lines
I am Pro-Life. I tweeted this to the world a couple of weeks ago: I am #prolife! I want abortion, war, executions, gun violence, discrimination, poverty, hunger and euthanasia to end–honor all dignity! Also a couple of weeks ago a few of my students participated in the March for Life in Washington, D.C., a peaceful march protestingContinue reading “love at the life lines”
a holy man, a graduation, and a NATO protest
Yesterday I met one of my heroes. Father Louis Vitale is a model peacemaker and Franciscan. He received an honorary doctorate in ministry from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Fr. Louis’ accomplishments include many actions of non-violent advocacy, education, and much contemplation about the goodness of God. He has spent two years in jail for actionsContinue reading “a holy man, a graduation, and a NATO protest”
love, peace, Jesus and NATO
When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and, falling at his feet, paid him homage. Peter, however, raised him up, saying, “Get up. I myself am also a human being.” Then Peter proceeded to speak and said, “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightlyContinue reading “love, peace, Jesus and NATO”
loving Jesus, not the nation
It’s Memorial Day in the USA. Many people have hung flags with pride and celebrated soldiers like saints. I’m different. I’ve been humming a non-patriotic song.. Every day I remember the sin and horror of war and cry out to God for forgiveness and conversion. Today is no different. I pray in thanksgiving for theContinue reading “loving Jesus, not the nation”