I was thinking about growing up. It was the 1950s, and Sunday mass was in the school’s basement at the parish (QAS). I remember walking out to the parking lot and always noticing the number of cars with plastic Jesus and plastic St Christopher, some with plastic BVM, and a handful with all three neatly... Continue Reading →
Merton/Cardijn Option #4
For readers who are not very familiar with Joseph Cardijn, he was a Belgian priest and cardinal and the founder of the Young Christian Workers (YCW) movement, along with other movements focused on the Catholic Social Teachings. His ethical vision and pastoral practice are deeply connected to what modern theology calls the "fundamental option"—a concept in Christian ethics that... Continue Reading →
The world of Jesus’ parables is the Galilean village.
Sunday's gospel, Luke 15:1-3, 11-32, is all about the kingdom and "You are Church!" A mantra of Louis Putz CSC and Joseph Cardijn. "I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world." (Matthew 13:35) Think of history, the life work of all the followers of Cardijn and the... Continue Reading →
Bonhoeffer ~ Cardijn and the Paradox
There are interesting and often head-scratching comparisons between people in history. As a cultural historian, I always look to the situation in time when people say or write something that inspires me or motivates me to take action. We call this the "Sitz Im Leben." Joseph Cardijn and Dietrich Bonhoeffer are two of those people... Continue Reading →
How does Cardijn’s work meet the needs of today’s working class?
Joseph Cardijn's work has profoundly influenced modern social activism, particularly within the Catholic Church and beyond. Yet, in the US today, we see little understanding of the importance of social justice in the Church, and one has to wonder if it is even taught. Cardjin’s "See, Judge, Act" methodology has become a cornerstone for social... Continue Reading →
Milton Friedman or The Sermon on the Mount. What Say Ye?
Milton Friedman, a prominent economist known for advocating free-market capitalism and monetarism, was based heavily on the writings of Ayn Rand. Frideman emphasized individualism, economic freedom, and minimal government intervention. His views center on the belief that free markets lead to efficient outcomes and that government policies should aim to create a stable economic environment characterized... Continue Reading →
Where do I find some “Kingdom Ethics?”
The Sermon on the Mount, which echoes throughout the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, Paul's letters, and the rest of the New Testament, was universally understood as the charter document for "followers of Jesus and the movement." In the church's first three centuries, the Sermon on the Mount was the guiding light for how communities... Continue Reading →
Lucy and the Incarnation
Lucy and the Incarnation http://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/australopithecus-afarensis-lucy-species The universe has existed for around 15 billion years, Earth for roughly 5 billion years, and humans as we know them for 300,000 years. However, our evolutionary ancestors have existed for approximately 3 to 5 million years. Do we understand where God was in the mix all those years?... Continue Reading →
Theology: A Catalyst for World Change
When we ponder the essence of theology, we each bring our unique perspectives and personal encounters to the table. This individual connection is a profound aspect to consider. So let's take a look: Theology, on the one hand, is the systematic study of religious beliefs, concepts, and practices. At its core, theology examines questions about:... Continue Reading →
Innovate ~ Educate ~ Collaborate 