We live in a world full of division. Ian Peoples, SJ, reflects on how Christians are called to remain close to Christ, who calls all people to follow him. Based on the readings for the Sixteenth 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.
I Am a Mere Disciple and This Is How I Know
What is discipleship? What is mere discipleship? The opening line of my newest poem, “Mere Discipleship,” says that “mere discipleship sheds easy excuses, burns hot and bright,” and that line is just the beginning of unpacking a process of following Christ. Are you a disciple? Are you a mere disciple? How do you know? Pray with me in today’s reflection and discover how I uncover that I am a mere disciple.
Review: “The Promised Neverland” and the Importance of Friendship
The second season of the hit manga series “The Promised Neverland” focuses on the sacrifices and risks we take for the people we love. It ultimately reminds us that we exist in and for community.
Raphael Warnock’s Black Liberation Theology and the Faux Christianity of the Capitol Insurrection
How does Raphael Warnock’s black liberation theology offer a path forward from the insurrection at the Capitol?
The Capitol Riot, Transactional Politics and Deals with the Devil
Trump supporters led an insurrection at Capitol Hill on January 6th. In the wake of that riot, we are confronted with a question: when do transactional politics become idolatrous?
For the Love of a Patient After My Own Heart
I arrived early to be an earwitness to the night shift’s report to the dayshift. I admired how the nurse with whom I was to work that day seamlessly received the report that I could only, at best, make half sense of. Knowledge decanted from the mind of one nurse to the next distilling indispensable bits from any distasteful dregs about the previous night. The final tipoff from the drained night-nurse was her impression that our heart transplant patient would soon begin to recover consciousness as the effect of the heavy drugs diminished. It turns out this night would be about two hearts.
2020 was the Year of Big Capital. With St. Joseph, Let’s Make 2021 the Year of The Worker.
Instead of concentration of ownership in the hands of a few capitalists, Catholic Social Teaching envisions workers having common possession with capitalists over the enterprises at which they work.