War divides; hope unites. Arrogance tramples upon others; love lifts up. Idolatry blinds us; the living God enlightens…. Enough of the idolatry of self and money! Enough of the display of power! Enough of war! — Reflection at the Vatican Prayer Vigil For Peace
The prophetic tasks of the church are to tell the truth in a society living in illusion, grieve in a society practicing denial, and express hope in a society living in despair. — The Prophetic Imagination
God does not bless any conflict. Anyone who is a disciple of Christ, the Prince of Peace, is never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs. Military action will not create space for freedom or times of #Peace, which comes only from the patient promotion of coexistence and dialogue among peoples.
Verse of the day
Keep alert; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.
– 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Voice of the day
When people ask me about what made the biggest difference in my healing, I tell them that I was believed and tremendously loved. I never felt blamed or shamed into silence.
– Aishah Shahidah Simmons
Prayer of the day
Beloved Counselor, ready our hearts to hear the hurts of our siblings. Bolster the urge to help remedy them.
Verse of the day
For I will leave in the midst of you a people humble and lowly. They shall seek refuge in the name of the Lord.
– Zephaniah 3:12
Voice of the day
Humility is not a matter of self-effacement and self-negation but of being open always to new ways of being responsible.
– Ada María Isasi-Díaz, En La Lucha/In The Struggle: A Hispanic Women’s Liberation Theology (1996)
Prayer of the day
Almighty One, may we adopt a posture of humility not out of shame, but to work toward responsibility and understanding for one another.
Some food for thought in the midst of this world crisis that US “leadership” (I use that term loosely) has created.
Our weapons dictate what we are to do. They force us into corners. They give us our living, they sustain our economy, they bolster up our politicians, they sell our mass media, in short we live by them. But if they continue to rule us we will also most surely die by them. For they have now made it plain that they are the friends of the “preemptive first strike.” They are most advantageous to those who use them first. And consequently nobody wants to be found dead using them second. Hence the weapons keep us in a state of fury and desperation, with our fingers poised over the button and our eyes glued on the radar screen. You know what happens when you keep your eye fixed on something. You begin to see things that aren’t there. — Seeds of Destruction, pp. 265-266 (New Year, 1962)
Merton was writing in the context of the Cold War and little did he know that the USSR and US would stand off in the Cuban Missile Crisis (October 16-29, 1962) before the end of the year. Or perhaps he saw it as an inevitable consequence of the madness that was the Cold War.
Once again we find ourselves here… Lord have mercy on us all.
“[R]esisting empire begins in imagination. It’s daring to dream of a reality entirely brand new: disrupted, shaken, free.”
–Kat Armas, Liturgies for Resisting Empire: Seeking Community, Belonging, and Peace in a Dehumanizing World our Lift Every Voice Book Club selection for March and April
What restricts your ability to imagine a different reality? What frees and strengthens your dreaming muscles?
Read or view our conversation with the author here.
Verse of the day
Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness; rather, expose them.
– Ephesians 5:11
Voice of the day
The cross is part of the mission. The imperialist occupation of the world is disrupted from within; the violence that until now has been the law is unmasked. The poor, imprisoned, and rejected Messiah descends into the darkness of death, yet in so doing He brings a new creation to light.
– Pope Leo XIV
Prayer of the day
Sun of Righteousness, you have broken through the veil of death. Uphold your light as we continue to confront the depravity of those who still champion it.
“Incarnation is more than just being in the body; it is also allowing the body to be the very vessel of connection, service, and sacred encounter. Without our bodies we would have no way of interacting with others in the world.”
–Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, The Wisdom of the Body: A Contemplative Journey to Wholeness for Women
How does your body enable you to engage in sacred encounter with the world?
To register for the self-study companion retreat to the book with extra resources and guidance click here. Use code BODY20 to get 20% off through April 30th. (Video content includes updated closed captions and transcripts.)
Verse of the day
Their end is destruction, their god is the belly, and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
– Philippians 3:19-20
Voice of the day
The biggest threat to the gospel is repurposing it to reinforce the gates of hell on earth. And that is what Caesar’s chaplains do in offering Pax Americana instead of the peace that surpasses all understanding.
– Trey Ferguson, Theologizin’ Bigger (2024)
Prayer of the day
When your words are paired with twisted priorities, permeate the world with the wholeness of your true peace.
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