56 years ago Thomas Merton warned…

56 years ago, Thomas Merton warned that the failure to enact the Gospel’s social implications would result in an “Earthly Hell.” “Social Implications” is about the Great Good. Merton’s role as a mystic voice of awareness, soul searching, compassion, and peace is even more remarkable considering the ways conflict, confusion, doubt touched his personal life. […]

Reflecting on the year, as a historian

Is authoritarianism the default model for nations? Do we understand that authoritarianism produces a level of conceit, militarism, overextension, and bureaucratic calcification in leadership? Study the patterns throughout history. Is authoritarianism the new wealth, power & Prestige? History/Philosophy teaches us that when governments move toward authoritarianism, it is because the people don’t believe it could […]

Thinking about Christmas

I wonder how many pastors or parishioners understand the history of Christmas. From the time of Jesus’ death, the birth never had the same significance as Easter until the 1400s. It didn’t become a liturgical celebration until around 333 because the Holy Roman Empire needed to deal with the pagan solstice. What better way than […]

The Widow’s Mite

For example, assuming Both Richard Rohr and Bishop Strickland of Tyler TX preached today on the Gospel, (Mk 12:38-44 or 12:41-44) I can just imagine, maybe they would be as different as night and day. The widow had no plan B, no savings to fall back on, no tomorrow. How many of our hierarchy would […]

Reading just may haunt us.

I am what many call an “active retiree‘. I retired from a career job but not from being active in the world and helping it become better. I do virtual book clubs along with public speaking, and the book clubs are more like discussion groups virtually via “Zoom”—all as a labor of love to encourage […]

GREEN JUNCTION: The earth’s natural balances have been disrupted BY JULIE PELLER PH.D

The severe, unprecedented weather associated with increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is more concerning every passing year. The recent record heat in the US Northwest made headline news for several days. Temperatures in Portland, Oregon, reached 116oF, higher than other cities in the US have ever reached, except Phoenix and Las Vegas. […]

Modern Discipleship in the age of Autonomous Technology

Discipleship in the modern world is becoming more attuned to technology. What is important to realize is Discipleship has always adapted to the world it found itself in and the surrounding culture. If we look at Discipleship in the period of the Agricultural Revolution, we see how different it was from the Industrial Revolution era. […]

climate change is at the center of action and contemplation

For many, climate change is at the center of action and contemplation. If we think of Bangladesh as a window into the future for the world as a whole, we may be able to think of policy change worldwide. Maybe, just maybe ore policy would come forth. In our era today we must come to […]

“Too many people will never come back.”

“Too many people will never come back.” Those are the words of a local pastor. No, he was not talking about people leaving for another religion or denomination or leaving the congregation. Because of our experience with Covid-19, many are waiting it out to see how it all turns out after a vaccine works. The virus is […]

Nearly half of globally produced fruits and vegetables are wasted. By Julie Peller Ph.D.

These past months, there have been many heartbreaking aspects of the viral pandemic. An unfortunate part of the pandemic has been the extensive loss of jobs, which has led to food insecurity for many people. Food pantries have been stretched beyond their normal capacity to assist people in need. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation’s tracking […]