wonderful thoughts from the Pope, intellectually coherent and practically relevant and doable IMO
Weekly lessons in theology and public life • Since 2011
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Lesson 4: Self-Denial
Read MORE: Lesson 4: Self-DenialRemember when I announced I was going to do something on church and society, Lupe and Myron offered some examples that have to be addressed. Lupe pointed to the death of hundreds of people in Pakistan who died of thirst…
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Lesson 3: The Global Economic System
Read MORE: Lesson 3: The Global Economic SystemCertainly a major factor Christians have to consider when making decisions in our modern world is the global economic system. Electronic media and computing enable us to engage with people we do not know on the other side of the…
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Lesson 2: Sensus Fidei
Read MORE: Lesson 2: Sensus FideiLupe mentioned the situation her son faced when on assignment for the World Bank in Pakistan during Ramadan. With extremely high temperatures, over 700 people died observing the fast that includes not drinking water during daylight hours. Does following God’s…
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Lesson 1: History
Read MORE: Lesson 1: HistoryPope Francis’ encyclical on the environment introduces a new stage in the ongoing conversation between Church and Society.
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Lesson 15: Make Christian Community Your Reference Point
Read MORE: Lesson 15: Make Christian Community Your Reference PointBoy, this one has some catchy adjectives. We are not to join just any church, but a “real” one that is relevant to the “contemporary” situation. In fact, it replaces “church” with “community,” implying it should not simply be a…
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Lesson 14: Choose Productive Nonviolent Vocations
Read MORE: Lesson 14: Choose Productive Nonviolent VocationsAs I write this lesson, politicians are debating whether they would have invaded Iraq, if they knew what we know now. The discussion began as a question from the press to see if they could connect Jeb Bush with his…
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Lesson 13: Do Nothing from Prestige Alone
Read MORE: Lesson 13: Do Nothing from Prestige AloneI was amused when I looked up the origin of “prestige.” Apparently it goes back to a French word for a conjuror’s tricks or illusions. And in some sense, all prestige has an element of deception about it. None of…
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Lesson 12: Pay Attention to Beauty
Read MORE: Lesson 12: Pay Attention to BeautyToo often, paying attention to beauty is regarded as a luxury in our society. People think only the affluent have time to appreciate the beautiful. Every one else has to spend all their time earning a living in order to…
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Lesson 11: Live as Tenants of a Small Planet
Read MORE: Lesson 11: Live as Tenants of a Small PlanetWhen I was growing up, I would never have thought to include this in a Christian lifestyle. People were starting to limit the size of their families, but not because of the world’s limitations. But by the time I was…
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Lesson 10: Live Below Your Economic Peers
Read MORE: Lesson 10: Live Below Your Economic PeersWhy would anyone choose to “live below your economic peers?” I can think of two reasons. The first is simply to make a Christian witness that you can do it and still live a satisfying, happy life. The second is…
Recent Comments
I absolutely love these ideas, especially paying attention to beauty and reducing your needs.
Fritz a wonderful lesson – and esp. reading has a flow I found encompassing. If only …….. yes we can…