Scripture for Life: If Bartimaeus were here, he might beg us to listen deeply for the good news in our fragmented world. He would probably tell us that we really do need to hear and respect viewpoints different from our own.
"Cultivating a culture of synodality is filled with promise," writes Sr. Colleen Gibson, "though not without the growing pains that come with allowing our hearts and minds to be reformed by the Spirit."
Scripture for Life: Adam and Eve might be the perfect patron saints for this moment when our church is moving into the second session of the synod on synodality, or, we could say, the synod on becoming more together.
Scripture for Life: Today when we confront obnoxious self-aggrandizing, bullying, divisive people, these readings challenge us to the core. When we find ourselves provoked and tending toward retaliation, James calls us to tame ourselves.
Horizons - My healing work has taken a lot of time. Having the freedom for that personal work, I've been asking questions about how we make healing possible in this world, for each and every person.
No one lives harmlessly. But we are capable of choosing where we aim, capable of laying down our savage arms, and unpacking unexamined ideas and lethal words that create victims and enemies of our earthly family.
Scripture for Life: Our world is in desperate need of listeners, of people who can approach the violent with a kiss and who can receive revelation from very different points of view.
In a decades-old letter, Mother Teresa provides a definition of giving that is as simple as Jesus' teaching about the poor widow's contribution: a gift from abundance does not have the same meaning as a gift with a sacrifice.
"Like it or not, everything needs to be upgraded from time to time," writes Sr. Jane Marie Bradish. She shares ways she has tried to upgrade her daily personal prayer life.