Thomas Merton and the See-Judge-Act Method If you're looking for a practical way to engage with the tough issues we face today, the See-Judge-Act method might be just what you need. It's a framework rooted in Catholic social teaching, but really, it's about learning to look at the world more carefully, think more deeply, and... Continue Reading →
Humans are the Only Animals on Earth That Are Homeless
Humans are the Only Animals on Earth That Are Homeless Understanding the Teachings of Jesus through the lens of Joseph Cardijn, Thomas Merton, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer The Paradox of Human Homelessness I want to begin with a striking observation that may seem simple, yet carries profound theological weight: humans are the only animals on earth... Continue Reading →
“Faith Against Idols: Racism and White Christian Nationalism through the Eyes of Thomas Merton, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and Joseph Cardijn”
"Faith Against Idols: Racism and White Christian Nationalism through the Eyes of Thomas Merton, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and Joseph Cardijn" Let me start with a question that should keep us all up at night: What happens when our faith stops following the Gospel and starts bowing down to the idols of race and nation? This is... Continue Reading →
Who Is My Neighbor? Who Is My Enemy?
Who Is My Neighbor? Who Is My Enemy? I wonder how many times Joseph Cardijn sat with this question. How many sleepless nights did he spend wrestling with it? How many times did he challenge his followers to sit with it as well? Your Neighbor: The Worker Nobody Sees For Cardijn, the answer was clear... Continue Reading →
Reflecting on Benedict of Nursia and Joseph Cardijn: Do we see the patterns?
Reflecting on both St. Benedict of Nursia (c. 480-547) and Joseph Cardijn (1882-1967), we come to SEE-Discern-ACT and the role they played as influential Catholic figures who made lasting contributions to Christian spirituality and practice. However, they lived in very different eras. As cultural historians, we seek patterns, trends, and key similarities among individuals during their period when they experienced a... Continue Reading →
Merton, Cardijn, Spirituality/World Religions
First, let's delve into the transformative power of Joseph Cardijn's spirituality, which he deeply integrated into his vision for social and labor reform. His approach to spirituality was not confined to traditional religious practices; instead, it was a catalyst for change in the lives of ordinary people, particularly workers. It aimed to infuse their daily... Continue Reading →
FUNDAMENTAL MERTON/CARDIJN OPTION #3
The concept of the fundamental option in ethics as a way of life is a profoundly significant theory. It emphasizes the basic orientation of an individual's moral life as a continuous and overarching commitment rather than a series of isolated actions—think of the whole versus the parts. Rooted in Christian theology, it seeks to explain how humans make profound... Continue Reading →
How did Joseph Cardijn exemplify the Rule of St. Benedict?
As historians, we constantly seek out the "documents" first. As John Tracy Ellis said, "No documents…no history." Documents come in many forms, including oral traditions, written materials like letters and poetry, art, and music. (On a side note, when studying scripture, consider the art of the period; you may be surprised.) When we study the... Continue Reading →
FUNDAMENTAL MERTON/CARDIJN OPTION #2
FUNDAMENTAL MERTON/CARDIJN OPTION #2 Yesterday, we observed the final Sunday of Lent, a significant milestone in the season as we now shift our focus to the impending Holy Week. This is a time to immerse ourselves in the profound narratives Jesus shared, including the parables and the Sermon on the Mount, and to grasp the... Continue Reading →
Merton-Cardijn Option
"There are no passengers on spaceship earth. We are all crew." ~ Marshall McLuhan In 1965, Louis Monden, S.J., published “Sin, Liberty, and Law.” The book discusses various themes, including the meaning of freedom and determinism, the contrast between legal ethics and situational ethics, and the mystique of evil in society. It is a... Continue Reading →
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