The issue is not whether I agree with someone but rather how I treat someone with whom I profoundly disagree. We Christians are called to use the 'weapons of grace,' which means treating even our opponents with love and respect.
01717 – To Be Free
For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.
01126 – All are Children of God
Mother Teresa spent forty years ministering to the poor and dying of Calcutta. Though she never directly challenged orthodox Catholic theology, her willingness to care for Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims brought her criticism, especially since she never insisted on...
00900 – The Rich Engagement of Faith with Profound Musical Expressions
Is the rich engagement of faith with the deepest and most profound musical expressions of humankind totally off the screen? Are people to be denied this legacy and treated contemptuously? I can only speak from my own experience, which is that people long for what is...
00827 – Music: Respect vs. Love
The problem with music appreciation in general is that people are taught to have too much respect for music; they should be taught to love it instead.
00794 – Justice, Mercy, & Grace
Proximity has taught me some basic and humbling truths, including this vital lesson: Each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done. My work with the poor and the incarcerated has persuaded me that the opposite of poverty is not wealth; the opposite of...
00487 – God will Continue Clipping
God will continue clipping until so-called Christians repent of racism and bigotry; until Skid Rows are replaced by avenues of compassion and streets of hope; until child neglect is replaced by child nurture; until murder, abuse, and rape yield to mutual respect… God...
00444 – Faith Expresses a Vision That We Act Out
What we really believe is what our actions show that we believe. When we realize that faith is not what we believe but what we do, then we have to take some account of our actions. Given what we profess, we may just have to change how we live, and that may mean that...
00232 – Justice Not the Same as Charity
Justice differs from private charity: Charity is about giving a hungry person some bread, while justice is about trying to change the system so that nobody has excess bread while some have none; charity is about treating your neighbors with respect, while justice is...
00184 – Respect, Apology, & Ego
I can respect any person who can put their ego aside and say, “I made a mistake. I apologize, and I’m correcting the behavior..”