Wound with Mercy
My first year out of college I taught in an elementary school, where I found that one of the common childhood complaints was,“That’s not fair!” (It was a complaint often directed toward the teacher.)...
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Soul of Christ
Reflect on the petitions of the beautiful 14th-century prayer, the Anima Christi: 1. Soul of Christ, sanctify me. 2. Body of Christ, save me. 3. Blood of Christ, inebriate me. 5. Passion of Christ,...
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For Me
God does not always act in ways that we human beings consider fitting. Consider the Incarnation. God-with-us, Emmanuel, comes as the most vulnerable of creatures: a human fetus; a human newborn...
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All God’s Creatures
We had a drama here this week, when a baby Great Horned Owl fell out of an oak tree in the yard. Here is the owlet on the ground, looking sad: Here he (or she) is again, trying to look fierce as two of...
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Praying the Anima Christi
“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 2:5). The Anima Christi (Soul of Christ) prayer is good for any season, but I especially like to pray it during Lent. Clicking on...
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Grace, Both Free and Costly
Grace is God’s free and forgiving self-communication that enables humans to share in the trinitarian relationship of love. Mary C. Hilkert, “Grace,” Encyclopedia of Catholicism, Richard P. McBrien,...
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On the Sovereignty of God
Wisdom from Dietrich Bonhoeffer: I believe that God both can and will bring good out of evil. For that purpose he needs [people] who make the best use of everything. I believe God will give us all the...
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Last Words: Into Your Hands
Reading the dying words of famous people leads me to wonder what my own last words will be. I suppose we remain ourselves even in the dying state, which is a bit unnerving and makes me hope my last...
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Why the Cross?
Why did Jesus go to the cross? We know, of course, that if he were to remain true to who he was, it was inevitable that he would be considered a threat — to certain leaders of the people, as well as to...
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Mercy and Justice
In human life, mercy and justice are distinct. When we human beings act out of justice, the action may be different than when we act out of mercy. In God, however, mercy and justice are not...
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Praying the “Anima Christi” during Lent
The “Anima Christi” (Soul of Christ) is one of my favorite prayers, and I especially like to use it during Lent. Clicking on the crucifix image will take you to a listing of reflections on each...
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A Universe Dependent on Love
On what does the whole universe depend? According to W. H. Vanstone, in Love’s Endeavour, Love’s Expense,* “It is no lightly spoken word of God, no easy gesture, no measured outlay from immeasurable...
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