Leading from Faith With Passion

News often is bleak. Political life in several places is more polarized. One result is that people, whom governments ought to serve, are not helped. David Clegg’s story is encouraging; it also demonstrates how elected officials can serve both individuals and the common good.

A recently elected D.A. with a passion for #restorativejustice: Meet David Clegg '11 Div. https://t.co/f7zrKRYPM2 pic.twitter.com/gcBQNKY0eB

— Yale Divinity School (@YaleDivSchool) August 26, 2020

Faithful Civic Engagement

The Society of Jesus in Canada and the U.S. released a  document to help practitioners of Ignatian spirituality engage their ”shared political life” at local, state, provincial and federal levels. In his introductory letter to the document Fr. Kesicki noted that “‘Contemplation and Political Action’ is not a voter guide.… Instead, it applies our tradition of Ignatian spirituality to our shared political life.”

"Contemplation and Political Action: An Ignatian Guide to Civic Engagement" shows us how we can live our faith through political action: https://t.co/OxBYLSjhD8 pic.twitter.com/cNiXLOseES

— Fr. Tim Kesicki, SJ (@FrTimSJ) September 16, 2020

Not Ordinary Times

Voting is a measured action, a deliberative one. “Yet while the right choice is not obvious, neither is it unknowable”: from an editorial in America Magazine this week.

The editors of America: Donald Trump is a unique threat to the Constitution

1/https://t.co/1ke7tuOhKG

— America Magazine (@americamag) September 16, 2020

Bouncing Between Zoom Classes

Youngsters have shorter attention spans. That makes learning challenging, and remote learning more challenging. Nat Geo posted that the “right ‘sensory diet’ might help kids focus at home.” 

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Wiki-image Yellow Column by “Arntor | CC BY-SA 4.0"

"Two Key Words of Integral Ecology"

Pope Francis received a delegation of Laudato Si! Communities. He reflected on “contemplation and compassion” in his address. Jack Wolf tweeted the Vatican News post that offered context for Francis’ address and a summary. 

Pope: contemplation, compassion indispensable for integral ecology - Vatican News https://t.co/hAsjXYZddF via @GoogleNews

— JACK WOLF (@JackWolf57) September 13, 2020

First Letter to Corinthians at Weekday Masses

To help appreciate St. Paul’s letter Thinking Faith delved into its archives and posted Jesuit Nicholas King’s consideration of it. He described Paul’s opening thanksgiving as “something of an unexploded bomb.” The beginnings of Paul's letters contain crucial elements that on which he elaborated.

What do we learn in today's first reading about Paul's solution to the problem of Christian disunity? https://t.co/7xbJq71HwW

— Thinking Faith (@ThinkingFaith) September 2, 2020

Healing Catecheses Continue

Pope Francis continued his series of catecheses at the General Audience today. “To Heal the World” is the name of the series the Pope offers in the face of the pandemic. Today Francis highlighted solidarity and faith.

Vatican News summarized the catechesis.

Message of Pope Francis for World Day of Prayer for Care of Creation

Francis infused joy in his annual message. He called for joyful solidarity in the care of creation.

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Unsplash-image Looking Up by “Casey Horner”