Existence as a person in this world A heart that longs for a loved one A body to care for The ability to reach out to another An imagination that can make things or be generous To see creation’s colors These are some of life’s foundational luxuries. They put “luxuries” (typically conceived) in perspective.
Category Archives: Contribution
The Professional Reader
We rightly appreciate great writing. The value of authors that can teach a distilled concept or weave a magical world is congratulated and remunerated. But what about the value of readers? How might we equally honor the student (or adult) who seeks out varied and worthy writing, courageously struggles to understand its import and beauty,Continue reading “The Professional Reader”
Presupposing Goodness
St. Ignatius describes a “presupposition” that should guide the relationship between spiritual director and directee as follows: That both the giver and the maker of the Spiritual Exercises may be of greater help and benefit to each other, it should be presupposed that every good Christian ought to be more eager to put a goodContinue reading “Presupposing Goodness”
The Three Gates
Our sons’ teacher gives her class the following conceptual hook to think about how they speak to their classmates. She asks them, before they address another, to pass the words they are considering through the following “three gates.” Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind? (And kind is not always “nice”… these youngContinue reading “The Three Gates”
“If it is not my truth…”
“… then it is a lie.” Living out of this mentality makes us fragile and reactionary. The ability to consider the truth of another’s experience, even momentarily and provisionally, is fundamental to an empathic life in community. This is not a permissive acceptance of everything thought or felt. (So not: “Everything is true everywhere!”) ItContinue reading ““If it is not my truth…””
In Time / Out of Time
It is possible to live “out of time.” That is, to cling to a moment, season, or epoch and “how things were then” and “how we thought or spoke back then.” We need not even have experienced this period of time, but have only learned about it. Put another way, it is possible to experienceContinue reading “In Time / Out of Time”
Adversary or Enemy?
So, consider for a moment that person one might disagree with… How we engage them and the story we tell about that interaction turns them into an adversary or an enemy. An adversary is a sparing partner, a worthy rival. An enemy is someone you behold with hostile contempt from whom nothing can be learned. Continue reading “Adversary or Enemy?”
God Made That!
For me, one of life’s finest joys is to be so thrilled by the creation of a book that I can’t imagine how it did not exist before. With unique thoughtfulness and passion, Kat Hoenke and Bill Jacobs, both professional ecologists and lay Catholic leaders, invite young people on a journey with the saints andContinue reading “God Made That!”
How
The things that we dedicate ourselves to… how do we go about them? Passionately? Frantically? Avoiding commitment and conflict? Relationally? While condescending from the moral high ground? With faith, hope, and love? How we go about what we do means a great deal.
Half of Community
“Half of community is showing up,” a mentor once reminded me. I think that is right. Our presence matters. We cannot make the next important connection if we do not show up.
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