Tuesday Nov. 19: Caring for others is, first of all, helping them to overcome that enormous temptation of self-rejection. Whether we are rich or poor, famous or unknown, fully abled or disabled, we all share the fear of being left alone and abandoned, a fear that remains hidden under the surface of our self-composure. It is rooted much more deeply …
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”” Matthew 18:20 ESV I just returned from a brief visit to Reynosa, Mexico with a team of nine from our church. What a celebration of God’s presence as we celebrated 25 years of Faith Ministry in the area across the border from McAllen, TX. I …
“And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 10:38-39 ESV “Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” John 12:25 ESV
In light of the mass shootings and murders of 29 innocent victims, those recovering and fighting for their lives, the grieving families (again and again), what will we do? Merely throw our hands up into the air? God says that is not enough! We need to come together in this country, stop the hypocrisy and empty rhetoric that makes safety …
Thursday, August 1, 2019 From Richard Rohr’s daily meditations Rebecca Cox Jackson (1795–1871) was born into a free family in Pennsylvania. After a mystical encounter, she divorced her husband and became an itinerant preacher. She discovered the Shakers and eventually founded the first black Shaker community in Philadelphia. Jackson’s spiritual awakening was catalyzed by what Joy Bostic describes as an …
Wednesday, July 31, 2019 Jarena Lee (1783–1864) was the first authorized woman preacher in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Her spiritual autobiography—the first by an African American woman published in the United States—describes her childhood and her journeys across the United States. Though born to free black parents, she was hired out from the age of seven and worked far …
Black Women Mystics (a worthy focus in this time of heightened racism) Tuesday, July 30, 2019 Mysticism is not all ecstatic visions. People who have endured great suffering and let it open them to a new consciousness or perspective are often mystics. They discover that they are always sustained by Love’s presence. James Finley has a beautiful image for this …
Black Women Mystics Monday, July 29, 2019 Today, I’d like to feature the words of a modern mystic I am honored to know. Dr. Barbara Holmes is a teacher in our own Living School, a former lawyer, professor, and author of several books. She has taught me, our staff, and students so much. I hope you will go deeper with …
Mystic: Howard Thurman Thursday, July 25, 2019 By Richard Rohr Today, as you read this second excerpt from Howard Thurman’s book Jesus and the Disinherited, hold an open heart and mind. In other words, read with a contemplative stance. The meditation ends with a question that I’ll hope you’ll sit with—as Thurman and his companion did for five hours—and not …
Mystic: Howard Thurman Wednesday, July 24, 2019 By Richard Rohr Howard Thurman lovingly critiqued Christianity, which has often ignored the direct teaching and witness of Jesus in relationship with those who are oppressed. This excerpt is from one of Thurman’s most well-known books, Jesus and the Disinherited. I think this message is important today and always. To those who need …