In our world today, how do we understand faith as a paradoxical stance gained through uncertainty rather than certainty? Do we grasp the intricate and often ambiguous relationship between faith, doubt, belief, and resistance? This line of thinking is leading me toward a theopoetic understanding of theology that emphasizes the role of doubt and questioning in authentic... Continue Reading →
Christian Nationalism: What can I do?
First, let's refresh why we are all working with Joseph Cardijn's teachings. Second, let's realize the teachings offer a solid framework for understanding and combating Christian Nationalism, emphasizing grassroots organizing, social justice, and authentic Christian witness, by emphasizing universal human dignity, authentic Catholic Social Teaching based on the Encyclicals, and the use of the method of "See-Judge-Act" that rejects... Continue Reading →
If we genuinely believe that “we are made in the image and likeness of God.” What are we doing about it?
When we understand the meaning of the Universal Christ, are we thinking of Christ in terms of 15 billion years or only of Jesus? The Universal Christ is a concept that transcends time and space, encompassing all of creation. One way we experience the Universal Christ is by understanding the various world religions. This was... Continue Reading →
Christian Nationalism is Idolatry: A Catholic Perspective
The rise of Christian nationalism in America presents one of the most urgent spiritual crises facing the Catholic Church today. Yet many Catholics—including some bishops and priests—have embraced this ideology without recognizing its fundamental incompatibility with the Gospel message. The Temptation of Power When Satan offered Jesus "all the kingdoms of the world" in exchange for worship,... Continue Reading →
Are You Part of the Praxis Wing?
Praxis is all about action. When we look at the method called See-Judge-Act, we may have many members of the JOC movements who specialize in See/Observe and/or Judging/Discerning. But, there is a wing of the JOC movements that I will call the "Praxis Wing," those who are on the ground making things happen, organizing, and leading boots on the ground to bring about... Continue Reading →
Parables and the Medium is the Message
Parables and the Medium is the Message In teaching Social Justice, we should look to the art of creating parables, which remains important today because they serve as powerful teaching and communication tools that are focused on the cultural and generational lines of the people the parable is being shared with in story or visual... Continue Reading →
When we have an ear to the people, we then hear the words of the Gospel.
There is a wealth of wisdom to be gleaned from the unique perspectives of Oscar Romero, Thomas Merton, and Joseph Cardijn. First, many people are not very familiar with them, even in Catholic circles, such as those in the pew who live day-to-day, trying to survive—the non-academics in our world. All three men are studied... Continue Reading →
Liberation Theology, combined with JOC, critiques power structures, such as Technology.
Liberation Theology, combined with JOC, critiques power structures, such as Those Related to Technology. When Joseph Cardijn founded the Young Christian Workers (JOC movement) in the 1920s, the concepts and understanding of Liberation Theology were not part of the vocabulary or the prevailing situation at that time. The JOC movement shares notable similarities with Liberation... Continue Reading →
The anxiety comes when you’re stuck between these two worlds
Did you feel any sense of angst in Sunday's Gospel of Corpus Christi? Just like in Jesus' time, we live in a world divided into two realms: the kingdom of God, which is present here and now, and the kingdom of the ruling state, which represents the secular, worldly powers and systems. During Jesus' era,... Continue Reading →
In The Spirit of Discernment
In his book The Modern Apostle, Louis J Putz CSC shares some of the influences that Monsignor Cardijn had on his thinking: "Monsignor Cardijn happened upon a normal and natural formula, almost accidentally. From his seminary days, he had decided to dedicate all his life to the cause of the young workingman. He came from a... Continue Reading →
Innovate ~ Educate ~ Collaborate 
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