What junk keeps you from having a deeper relationship with Jesus? Conan Rainwater, SJ, says our love for the Lord shows itself in those whose lives we touch. Based on the readings from the Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Beavers, Muskrats, and the Real Invitation of Lent
As Lent approaches, Brennan Dour, SJ, reflects on the curious historical case of Catholics in New France classifying beavers as fish during Lent, and the reminder it offers that Lent’s purpose is not a rigid intensifying of rules, but God’s invitation to grow closer to him whatever our circumstances.
St. Paul Miki and Companions: A Witness to God’s Transformative Love
Ben Jansen, SJ, reflects on the legacy of the 26 Martyrs of Japan, whose joyful witness to Christ in the face of persecution and death continues to inspire Christians worldwide.
Meeting Voters Where They Are: The Success of Jonathan Haidt
In a deeply polarized political climate, Jonathan Haidt has helped unite ideologically diverse states around phone-free school policies. Alex Hale, SJ argues that this success reflects an Ignatian way of proceeding—meeting people where they are through genuine dialogue.
“The Point” of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
“The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson was published 135 years ago and its big reveal is well-known. Why read something when we already know the ending – the overall message? This entry in “Fantasy, Fiction, and Faith” addresses this as well as what Jekyll and Hyde can teach us about recognizing friendship, responsibility, and the nature of God’s love.
Going Back to Normal Can’t Be Going Back to How Things Were
With all that’s happened in the past year, going back to normal can’t be a return to the way things were. That’s because the way things were wasn’t good enough. Everything looks different. Everything is saturated with a familiar unknown, and nothing has its place just yet. I need to be alert, to note how this newness feels, to take advantage of the ensuing energy.
The Fishing Industry Has Rendered Most Mass Fish Consumption Unethical
Catholics are called to care for creation and the marginalized. How does eating fish fit into this exhortation?
Do the Oscars Matter Any More?
With movies and the theater experience vastly declining amid a global pandemic, Dan Dixon SJ considers whether the Oscars still matter to us.
See you down the road: Nomadland, Easter, and Finding a way through Grief
Oscar nominee “Nomadland” uses van-dwellers to give us an honest view of what it’s like to carry around grief and loss. It also provides a good reminder in this Easter season that grief and loss are not the end of the story.
Pope Francis’ Silence on China
Whatever his reasons, Francis’ China policy has drawn both supporters and vehement critics. An outspoken pope’s silence on the moral challenges of the world’s largest country will remain jarring.