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Monthly Archives: July 2019
The Nine Sins of Job 31
In his final monologue (chapters 29-31), Job presents something of a legal case before God. In the last third of his speech, he marks off nine grave sins he has avoided. But these are illustrative of some of the problems … Continue reading
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AMDG
On the website Jesuits in Britain, I noticed this remarkable painting of today’s saint. He looks up from his well-worn handbook, inviting his viewer and companion to something deeper. Going back to my experiences of the Spiritual Exercises, and the … Continue reading
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Christus Vivit 98: Variations Of Abuse
98. “Abuse exists in various forms: the abuse of power, the abuse of conscience, sexual and financial abuse. These are the big four, and we’ve seen each of them in play in the US. Clearly, the ways of exercising authority … Continue reading
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Christus Vivit 97: On Preventing Abuse
Pope Francis states his endorsement of the synod’s “firm commitment.” 97. “The Synod reaffirms the firm commitment made to adopting rigorous preventative measures intended to avoid the recurrence [of these crimes], starting with the selection and formation of those to … Continue reading
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Christus Vivit 95-96: Ending Every Form Of Abuse
Pope Francis’ Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation tackles the last of three significant problems, and the one most on peoples’ minds these days. You can access the full document on this link at the Vatican site. Ending every form of abuse 95. Recently, … Continue reading
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One Or Five
I played in a bridge tournament this weekend, so my usual five Masses were just one. It felt fresh to come in and play just the 8AM Mass. It was more than the anticipation of leisure and play. I found … Continue reading
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Christus Vivit 94: The Role of Churches
More citation from the post-synod summary: 94. “Given the varied backgrounds of the Synod Fathers, the discussion of migrants benefited from a great variety of approaches, particularly from countries of departure and countries of arrival. This, of course, is part … Continue reading
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Christus Vivit 93: What Migrants Leave Behind
Pope Francis cites the synod’s final document: 93. “Young migrants experience separation from their place of origin, and often a cultural and religious uprooting as well. Fragmentation is also felt by the communities they leave behind, which lose their most … Continue reading
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Christus Vivit 92: Migrants Entrapped
The grass is often greener, but not always: 92. Other migrants are “attracted by Western culture, sometimes with unrealistic expectations that expose them to grave disappointments. Unscrupulous traffickers, frequently linked to drug cartels or arms cartels, exploit the weakness of … Continue reading
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Día de Santiago
If it’s the 25th, no December, it might be an apostle’s feast day. Today is a good one, my cathedral’s name saint and the patron of a very famous way, as my friend Fran blogs today here. It’s one of … Continue reading
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Christus Vivit 91: Migrants
The first of three themes: Migrants as an epitome of our time. It’s not just an issue for people at one single border, but it affects all the world, especially places affected by climate change, domestic and cross-border violence, organized … Continue reading
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Reconciliation Lectionary: Job 14:13-17
In preparing my parish’s summer Bible study, I’ve gone deeper into the book of Job than ever. In the midst of the whining, lament, sarcasm, accusations, and preaching, I’ve found the occasional gem. What do you make of this passage? … Continue reading
Christus Vivit 90: Inhumanity
Chapter Three of Pope Francis’ Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation continues its commentary on the digital environment. “Inhuman” is the adjective used by young people. Let’s read. 90. A document prepared on the eve of the Synod by three hundred young people worldwide … Continue reading
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Devotions
Amy Welborn has made an interesting connection, that the supposed decline in popular piety post-Vatican II is a form of clericalism. The notion being that the conciliar emphasis on the Mass, requiring the ministry of a priest, is something unfair … Continue reading
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Catholic Sensibility 
Civics Lessons For All
I don’t usually go in for those internet memes on the matter of “civics.” But these days I’m tempted. Through social media, I am aware of some dust-up between a member of Congress and the US president. I haven’t bothered … Continue reading →