“As the abuse crisis in the church showed, it can take years for victims of sexual abuse to come forward. Whether out of fear, shame or being told to be quiet, it can take victims years to find their voices. Other reports also prompt more speaking out. So it's not "unbelievable."”Tagged: Sexual Abuse, Sexual Harassment, Human rights issue
“In case anyone has forgotten: Child abuse is a sin. Sexual abuse is a sin. Sexual harassment is a sin. Racism, and white supremacy, is a sin. Jesus asks us to welcome the stranger. Jesus asks us to love the poor. There are indeed two sides to these issues: Good and evil.”Tagged: human rights issues, human rights, Spirituality, religious problems
“Gospel: Jesus reminds his followers that they will face opposition and persecution. So when you forgive someone others won't forgive, help a homeless person others ignore, or advocate for an LGBT person others reject, don't be surprised when people oppose you. In fact, rejoice.”Tagged: gospel, religiosity, fighting for the minority, Fight for what you believe, Empowering
“Gospel: 'My words will not pass away.' No matter what kind of evil is in the world, Jesus's words will endure. Don't despair when it seems like the Gospel is being trampled on, that the poor are forgotten, or that mercy is set aside. Christ is risen and his words are alive.”Tagged: gospel, Inspirational Quote, religiosity, Spirituality, Spiritual Journey
“It was also another reminder of how important local parishes are in helping LGBT people feel loved by God. Even if they feel rejected by some church leaders, if LGBT people feel welcome in their home parishes, or if they can find a welcoming parish, it means everything to them.”Tagged: Church, Local Parish, LGBTQ+, Welcoming the LGBT in the church, Religion
“Gospel: Today four friends bring their paralyzed friend to Jesus, who heals him. Sometimes when we feel stuck, we have to rely on our friends to carry us to God. For the Gospel says, 'When Jesus saw *their* faith,' that is, the faith of the friends. We never come to God alone.”Tagged: gospel, religiosity, Spirituality, spiritual belief, Friends
“Gospel: How can Mary say 'yes' to the Angel's request to bear a child? One way: the Angel points to the example of Elizabeth. Mary would likely have known about her cousin's pregnancy. Thus, the Angel says, 'Look what God has already done. Trust in what God can do in the future.'”Tagged: gospel, religiosity, Spirituality, spiritual enlightenment, Trust God
“Gospel: Jesus says that others are complaining about him: 'Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard!' As my NT professor once told us, people were critiquing Jesus for 'living it up.' Jesus was a joyful man who delighted in the company of other men and women. His way is about joy!”Tagged: gospel, religiosity, Spirituality, spiritual belief, the life of Jesus
“But even if the Holy Family fleeing into Egypt did not meet the current definition of refugees (and they do), modern-day refugee families still deserve our care and protection, because each refugee possesses infinite dignity and worth. They are our sisters and brothers.”Tagged: Refugees, welcome the refugees, Holy Family, Spirituality, religiosity
“Gospel: 'The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, 'Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt.'' Joseph did so and thus for a time the Holy Family became refugees. Today's refugees need the same kind of love and protection that the Holy Family needed.”Tagged: Refugees, gospel, jesus, welcome the refugees, Holy Family
“Gospel: Jesus was born into a real family. He was divine, his mother conceived without sin, and Joseph a saint, but the rest of his family--aunts and uncles and cousins--were probably ordinary people. So Jesus understands family life. Therefore, he understands your own struggles.”Tagged: jesus, Jesus cares, Jesus understands, religiosity, Spirituality
“What the church mainly needs to do with transgender people is this: Listen. Since the church is still coming to know them, we need a stance of humility and a real willingness to learn. How do they suffer? What do they hope for? Where is God at work in their lives? Listen to them.”Tagged: Church, Catholic Church, Transgender, LGBQT+, listen to their voices
“So much suffering inflicted on so many LGBT Catholics by their own church. So much misery from the hands of those who are supposed to be their pastors. We must call this what it is: abuse. An intrinsic evil.”Tagged: LGBT, LGBTQ+, Catholic Church, Catholics
“But that evil won't win. Love will. It always does. Even if it takes time. Jesus came to show us that. Don't forget. And don't lose heart.”Tagged: love always wins, Love Wins, Empowering, Motivational, Keep Going
“Gospel: Today Jesus 'withdraws' with the disciples, to move away from the crowds. At other times Jesus 'withdraws' to pray by himself. All of us, even extroverts, need time for solitude and private prayer. You and I need to connect with God, who often speaks to us in silence.”Tagged: Praying, Prayers, Solitude, solitary, Spirituality
“Gospel: Jesus is critiqued for eating with 'sinners and tax collectors,' as well as forgiving sins, speaking with women and healing the sick on the Sabbath. But for Jesus nothing should get in the way of proclaiming the Good News--which is the proclamation God's love for everyone.”Tagged: gospel, jesus, religiosity, God Cares, God loves you
“Gospel: Today Jesus says to those who wish to encounter him, 'Come and see!' Where is he inviting us to see him today? In the faces of those who are the most despised and rejected, in the faces of migrants and refugees and all forgotten ones. Come and see him there. He's waiting.”Tagged: gospel, help the poor, help the needy, Compassion, Help others
“Gospel: Jesus plucks the heads of grain for his disciples to eat. He does this in direct contradiction of the law. Why? Because sometimes there are higher values than law. Jesus knows that legalisms cannot get in the way of love or human flourishing. He says this over and over.”Tagged: gospel, Bible, religiosity, Spirituality, Spiritual
“Don't hide your light! God gave you so many gifts and talents. Put them to use, helping your brothers and sisters, and the church.”Tagged: light within, gospel, spiritual enlightenment, Spirituality, Help others
“Why does Jesus tell his disciples to "shake off" the dust from towns that reject them? One reason: there are many others waiting to hear your message. Go first to places where the ground is fertile. But also be open to returning to the old places. Because people change.”Tagged: gospel, spiritual enlightenment, Spirituality, People Change, don't waste time with unworthy people