Perspective
Lay collaboration and episcopal authority
The Vatican is a hotbed of rumor, gossip and speculation at the best of times — and these times are not those times. The Roman atmosphere at the beginning of […]
Perspective Archive
Perspective
Our most primal fear
At Mass for Wednesday of the first week of the year, we read a text from Hebrews that describes our most basic and primal fear. Our inordinate fear of what people […]
Perspective
Mindsets for growth
During the new year, many of us adopt new resolutions to improve ourselves. I suggest that we first take a step back to connect with mindsets that drive us to […]
Perspective
Talking to some young Jesuits about social justice and evangelization
While I was in Chicago for the Christmas break, I had a wonderful meeting with around 30 young Jesuits, all in their “pre-tertianship” period of formation. This means that these […]
Perspective
Dealing with turbulence
David and I were fortunate enough to have all the kids home for Christmas. From all corners of the country they came, beginning the week before the holy day, one […]
Perspective
Extra! Extra! Read all about it?
Fifty-three journalists were killed worldwide in 2018. Some died in war, but a shocking number died exposing corruption, covering protests or just doing their job. Time magazine called them and […]
Perspective
Oh, my aching head
Migraines affect millions of people in this country every year. I am fortunate to not have recurring migraines, but I did experience a severe migraine once. About 10 years ago […]
Perspective
Holy Mother Church
I’ve been having some trouble lately with the Nicene Creed. The First Council of Constantinople in 381 added the sentence, “I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic church.” […]
Perspective
It’s OK to start 2019 with you
I’ve always appreciated the notion of self-care in an Oprah Winfrey, hot-baths-and-expensive-chocolates kind of way. We work so hard, the thinking goes, that we deserve a break here and there. […]
Perspective
Gene-edited babies and the runaway train of IVF
In November 2018, a Chinese scientist named He Jankui (known to his associates as “JK”) claimed that he had successfully produced the world’s first gene-edited human babies using “gene surgery.” […]
Perspective
Cleansed and conformed to God’s will
“Father, We Thank Thee, Who Hast Planted” has long been one of my favorite hymns. Its tune, taken from the 16th-century Genevan Psalter, is eminently singable. The hymn text — […]
Perspective
Christmas is about what is right
Lately, the news has really weighed me down. It was heartbreaking to see the raging fires in California night after night and take in scenes of ravaged land, smoldering ruins […]