Drew Christiansen S.J. surveys Mennonite-Catholic collaboration and dialogue in America magazine:
http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=2826
Category: Commentary
We Pledge Allegiance…
by Gerald Schlabach
In a time of crisis, uncertainty, and policy debate, one would think that Christians in the United States would agree: When in doubt, we should support our leader and remain loyal to our nation.
Our leader, of course, is Jesus Christ. Our nation, of course, is the people called church, spread around the globe. Our pledge of allegiance, of course, is one that can be sung from within “every tribe and language and people and nation” (Revelations 5:9). Of course? Continue reading “We Pledge Allegiance…”
“Handing Us Back Ourselves:”
On the Rediscovery of Mennonite Spirituality
by Mary Schertz
Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary
An updated version of this article entitled
“Seeking the Taproot of Anabaptist Spirituality”
is now available at
http://www.cascadiapublishinghouse.com/dsm/autumn04/schema.htm
Have we, as Mennonite people of faith, “lost our spirituality,” or perhaps never claimed a spirituality and, consequently, do we need to look to other traditions, such as Catholic spirituality, in order to recover this vital aspect of religious commitment? These questions emerged recently in the context of the recent consultation on Mennonite-Catholic dialog held at St. John’s Abbey in the rolling hills of Steuben County, Minnesota-Lake Wobegon country. It was a wonderful weekend-replete with Benedictine hospitality, reunion with old friends and the excitement of making new ones, stimulating papers, reciting Psalms with the monks, singing hymns with the Mennonites, good food and great (relatively cool) weather. Continue reading ““Handing Us Back Ourselves:”
On the Rediscovery of Mennonite Spirituality”
Three Things for Conservatives to Ponder
by Father Ron Rolheiser, OMI
Last week’s column suggested three areas for liberal self-scrutiny. It’s time for the flip-side. What three areas might conservatives ponder? Continue reading “Three Things for Conservatives to Ponder”
Three Things for Liberals to Ponder
by Father Ron Rolheiser, OMI
Things rarely are simple. Nothing, save God, comes without a shadow.
That’s good to keep in mind when we assess the pros and cons of liberals and conservatives. Each brings something to the table and each too has an achilles heel.
What is the achilles heel within liberal Catholicism? I suggest three places where liberal Catholicism (Protestantism included) might want to do some self-scrutiny: Continue reading “Three Things for Liberals to Ponder”
Crisis in the Catholic Church versus New Springtime
by Mark and Louise Zwick
Houston Catholic Worker
Never has there been such a growth in the life of the Church as is occurring today throughout the world.
The Church has entered a new era as many groups burst forth like a new spring. There is a virtual explosion of ideas and commitment as Catholics develop and utilize their skills in living out the faith in their daily lives. This development reminds us of initiation of religious communities of the past.
Catholics, especially young Catholics, are revolting against the usual life scenario to which we have been accustomed: Go to the university, buy a house (a nice house with a nice lawn), have babies, make money for their college, make money for retirement, retire, have a painless death and a nice eulogy. If one is lucky there will be some recognition for one’s wealth creation by church or state. Continue reading “Crisis in the Catholic Church versus New Springtime”
Learning the Ancient Rhythms of Prayer
Why charismatics and evangelicals, among others, are flocking to communities famous for set prayers and worshiping by the clock
by Arthur Paul Boers
Christianity Today
The place was overcrowded and noisy, and the food was unimpressive. Meals and meetings were held outside or in tents, depending on the weather. Visitors slept (and many snored loudly) in tents and overcrowded barracks. One had to stand in long lines (often up to 30 minutes) for everything, especially food. It hardly seemed like a setting for meaningful prayer, but my visit to Taizé turned out to be one of the most spiritually meaningful weeks of my life.
And not just for me. During the hot July week when I visited, Taizé welcomed more than 4,500 pilgrims, mostly young adults, from many denominations and from 60 nations (including a thousand from Eastern Europe). Summer weeks typically see between 2,500 and 6,000 visitors, with a total of 100,000 each year-although Taizé is off the beaten path (in France’s Burgundy region, midway between Lyons and Geneva).
What attracts so many to this place?
How to be a Christian in a Non-Christian World?
Is there a Lay Theology?
by Mark and Louise Zwick
It happened again, and as usual we had become upset and angry. An
immigrant just asked us for the upteenth time, “Marcos, usted es un
sacerdote y Luisa una monja?” (Mark, are you a priest and Louise a
nun?)
“No! No!” We say for the upteenth time. “Somos laicos.” We are lay
people. And if they insist, we say in frustration, “No! Somos laicos
tontos y estupidos.”
A priest or sister might run Casa Juan Diego better than lay people. No
matter what they say, all the good people have not left the active
ministry. As a matter of fact, priests and sisters have been
instrumental in bringing Casa Juan Diego to where it is today–and that
includes our chief shepherds.
But the point is: Lay people can and should be doing this work. Why
should anyone think that to be committed, one must be a priest or
sister? Why should it seem unusual for lay people to try to live the
Gospel? Continue reading “How to be a Christian in a Non-Christian World?
Is there a Lay Theology?”