The author reflects on the relevance of Jeremiah’s warnings against inequality and moral neglect in today’s society. He emphasizes the importance of self-reflection, accountability, and compassion for the less fortunate, drawing parallels to historical figures like Abraham Lincoln. The call to “blush” serves as a reminder to confront our moral failures and seek justice for all.
Tag Archives: Compassion
America’s Changing Cultural Landscape
The gathering discussed interreligious relations among Jews, Christians, and Muslims. A Jewish speaker questioned the historical implications of Christianity’s emergence, paralleling it with Christianity’s reflection on Islam’s birth. The author emphasizes America’s diversity as a strength, enriched by immigrant contributions, including culinary offerings that foster peace and understanding among cultures.
Simple Gifts
The post reflects on moments of connection and awareness, emphasized by the hospice nurse’s comment on dying individuals experiencing “gifts” of lucidity. It recounts an unexpected encounter with a police chief who offered free pumpkins, celebrating life’s simple pleasures. The author highlights the importance of appreciating these moments, both in life and through faith, as they carry significance beyond death.
A Disarming Presence
In Chicago, a Catholic procession attempted to pray and distribute communion outside an ICE detention center, highlighting the compassion towards detainees and the disheartening response from authorities. The act reflects a broader Christian message of love and inclusion, emphasizing humane treatment for individuals regardless of their legal status.
The Zen of Childlikeness
The author reflects on the essence of childlikeness, illustrated through a moment with his grandson, and connects it to teachings in the gospel. Emphasizing simplicity and presence, he differentiates childlikeness from childishness. The narrative encourages embracing joy and wonder while recognizing the importance of humility and openness in experiencing life and faith.
Where Is the American Dream Today?
by Joseph Stoutzenberger A few years ago, I had a class of twenty-five students. Looking over the class list, I discovered that thirteen students had Hispanic surnames. They typically were studying to be nurses or to work in another medical field. School policy was not to inquire about a student’s citizenship status, but it isContinue reading “Where Is the American Dream Today?”
A Culture of Life
In the mid-1970s, U.S. Catholic bishops proposed teaching a “Respect Life” course in high schools, emphasizing a broad, interconnected approach to life issues. Cardinal Bernardin and Pope John Paul II advocated for a culture valuing all life stages, opposing a limited focus on certain issues like abortion. Thomas Berry calls for a transformative “new story” that prioritizes life’s interconnectedness.
What’s Sinister?
The author reflects on a personal experience in a gay bar, paralleling feelings of discomfort with societal perceptions of difference, particularly for sexual minorities and left-handed individuals. Highlighting Pope Francis’ supportive stance, the piece advocates for acceptance and celebration of diverse identities, urging society and the Church to embrace rather than marginalize differences.
Strangers or Guests?
The text explores the significance of hospitality in ancient Greek and Hebrew cultures, contrasting it with contemporary American attitudes toward immigration and xenophobia. It highlights the biblical call for compassion towards strangers and emphasizes the contributions of immigrants to American society, urging a more loving response to migrants as a moral imperative.
Consolation vs. Social Justice
Joseph Stoutzenberger reflects on his childhood Catholic faith, filled with rituals and prayers like those to St. Francis and St. Jude. He contrasts this piety with his current struggles to connect with spirituality as an adult, despite recognizing the enduring devotion in others. He finds solace in sacred spaces, valuing prayer’s nuanced presence in life.
Joseph Stoutzenberger 