I have not always been interested in the eschatological fate of animals. When I was growing up, my understanding of salvation was very individualistic. This came from my evangelical background. I believed one had to acknowledge one’s sins, and then ask Jesus for forgiveness via the “Sinner’s Prayer” in order to be saved. Anyone who did not do this would not be saved. I was led to believe this is why Christian evangelization was important, for it revealed the only... Read more
Monasticism demonstrates to us a radical way of life, one which embraces the “death to the self” which Jesus said all Christians need to engage, and makes it a central aspect of the way monks and nuns live their lives as disciples of Christ. To die to the self requires us to detach ourselves from all false perceptions of the self which arise from an egotistical, self-centered vision of reality. The more we let that false self perish, the more... Read more
The death of James Dobson had me once again reflecting on my youth, especially the time I was in middle and high school. It is not because I read or listened to Dobson as much as I read and listened to some of his associates (like Chuck Colson and Pat Robertson), and those who thought like him (Bob Larson). I did not know better. I was interested in reading Christian theological reflections and listening to Christian commentaries on society. My... Read more
Paul often was practical in his explanations for how he lived out his faith. He gave reasons for what he did, or for what he asked of the people, reasons which often proved to be pragmatic in approach. He indicated that he could have done things differently, and if he had, it would have been as acceptable as the choices he made. This is because he recognized that Christians must be flexible with their praxis. They can be given a... Read more
While we are called to love everyone, Christians are to have a special love for each other, a love which allows them to come together as one, that is, as the body of Christ. Christians are joined to Christ (in baptism), so that Christ is able to work through them, continuing his work in the world with and through them. Christians, therefore, are meant to work with Christ, doing works of love. This is why Christians should be known for... Read more
Bede Griffiths, beginning his Christian commentary on the Gita, justified his work, in part, based upon what the history of religion reveals about religion itself: “We are realising today that no religion can stand alone. We all share a common humanity and need to share the insights of all the different religious traditions of the world.” [1] No religion stands alone. All religions develop in relation to the culture they are founded in, and with it, in relation to those... Read more
I don’t get it. How can anyone trust Donald Trump? His own history shows us that he constantly tells whatever lies he needs to defend himself. How, then, can anyone trust, let alone support him, when he says he plans to take over what can and cannot be said about history in schools and official governmental institutions such as the Smithsonian? How can anyone stand back and do nothing knowing his own disregard for the truth, with the way he... Read more
Paul presents to us an interesting picture of many of Christ’s apostles, one which included himself (because, despiite the unusual circumstance of his calling, he had been accepted as an apostle). They sold everything they owned. They gave up everything that got in their way of following Jesus. They received abuse after abuse. They were scattered around the known world. Many of them became homeless, living with and journeying with the outcasts of society. They lifted up the least among... Read more
After her death, the Mother of God, Mary, was assumed into heaven; there, she now participates in and experienced the fruit of Jesus’ resurrection for the dead, anticipating our own resurrection in the eschaton. Her assumption serves as the fulfillment of what began with the annunciation: Mary’s yes opened humanity up to God the Word (the Logos). Upon receiving her yes, the Logos assumed human nature and became the God-man, Jesus. His connection with creation, his connection with humanity, is... Read more
Watching what is going on in the United States, all I can say is, following the words of G’Kar from Babylon 5, “Weep for the future, America, weep for the future.” When the President of the United States constantly lies to declare non-existent emergencies so that he can obtain more direct control over America, bypassing normal checks and balances, we should all weep. We should weep because he is not interested in truth or justice, but consolidating his power, and... Read more
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