Structures exist in most societies because people usually benefit from parameters that contain us and systems to guide us. That is the general rule; but exceptions accompany most rules. Whether our nation’s political structure or our church’s ecclesial institution or our society’s justice system, there are corruptible flaws that harm citizens and communities; and there […]
Americans love our annual Independence Day break in the first week of July as we stretch the national holiday through its closest weekend getting as many hours out of it as is permitted. Whereas our nation’s oldest holiday, Thanksgiving, is a day of dependence—upon God, blessings of nature, hard work, camaraderie, and generosity of others—this […]
Freedom of Speech, as spelled out in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, protects the right of individuals or communities to openly articulate opinions and ideas without interference, retaliation, or punishment from the government. We see that freedom expressed on college campuses and across the American landscape, especially as spring turns to summer. […]
“You say we’ve got nothing in common, no common ground to start from, and that we’re falling apart…And I said, ‘What about Breakfast at Tiffany’s?’ And she said, ‘I think I remember that film, and as I recall, we both kinda liked it.’ And I said, ‘Well, that’s one thing we’ve got’.” Those lyrics from […]
A year ago, working with a wonderful team at Rockhurst, we activated a podcast with the same title as my blog: “Upon This Rock.” We began by interviewing Alvin Brooks, for whom the future Alvin Brooks Center for Faith-Justice is named; his life and inspiring words encourage us to lay rock-solid foundations in our society […]
Two thousand and twenty-four has been named a Year of Prayer by the Holy Father. This designation is made in preparation for the Jubilee or Holy Year of 2025. In a sense, this is to be a quiet year amidst the thunder of war, noise of political campaigns, screeching sounds of local and global unrest, […]
“Magis” is a Latin adverb that roughly translates into English as “greater” or “more” or “higher degree.” It was made popular as a noun (the more) by Jesuits that follow the spiritual path of their founder, Ignatius of Loyola, who challenged them to dive deeper, soar higher, and proceed with more fervor in daily endeavors. […]
UPON THIS ROCK 