What I read this week and some other things

Every week, I curate a list of the best links and articles to make you think and keep you informed. Enjoy!

Every week, I curate a list of the best links and articles to make you think and keep you informed. Enjoy!

Things are finally starting to calm down around here. I spent the last couple days with Andrew and Anna, which was really great. Hope you all are enjoying this last week of May!

My Writing

Two years ago: Retreat, A Rule of Life, and Letting Go (Spiritual Uprising)

What I read this week:

Popery (Catholicism/Spirituality/Religion):

  • A Letter from Fr. Richard Rohr: Although this letter is inviting us to a conference, I think that reading the way Fr. Rohr talks about the election is important. "If we do not own our fears, they will continue to manipulate our politics, culture, and religion, reinforcing a polarized and divided society. Time is much too precious—for each individual life and for our planet as a whole. We must bring as much passion to our cause as do those who call for building walls. But our job is to tear down walls." I invite you to read the rest. 

  • The Catholic Church’s Drinking Problem (Millenial): Reading this article reminds me of a man who came to speak at UD Campus Ministry's Dinner and Discourse and talked about how alcohol can be sacramental, but it can also be addicting and damaging. In the Catholic Church, we have a definite drinking problem. I'm interested in what you, my friends and readers, think. 

  • Dorothy Day: Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History (Ignatian Solidarity Network): I love Dorothy Day. "The prospect of Day as a modern-day saint would give young Catholic women many things to chew on. In a world focused on telling young girls to look pretty in Photoshop selfies or that their self-worth is measured by internet followers, it is important for young women to have a role model who is hard-working, smart, and selfless. Day is a fantastic role model because she was marked by the virtues of Christ—justice, mercy, compassion, and love. When I think of what kind of woman I want to be, Dorothy Day comes to mind. In deed and word, she illustrated that Catholic leadership is not limited to men, but open for all. Canonizing Day would also show women and men that sainthood is an attainable feat for all, not reserved for some. Through her conversion story, Day represents all of us as sinners in need of grace." I hope they do canonize her. 

  • Vatican PR aide warns Catholic blogs create ‘cesspool of hatred’ (Crux Now): An interesting point. I think that a lot of the time I'm easily angered by the things that Catholic Bloggers write and this is why--“Often times the obsessed, scrupulous, self-appointed, nostalgia-hankering virtual guardians of faith or of liturgical practices are very disturbed, broken and angry individuals, who never found a platform or pulpit in real life and so resort to the Internet and become trolling pontiffs and holy executioners!” I hope that I am never accused of this, but God knows I've been attacked for enough of the orthodox, yet "liberal" things that I post. Ugh.  

  • Dear Church (A Frank Letter From A Queer Christian) (Nomad): This is beautiful, familiar, heart-wrenching. 

  • Pope Francis might jettison idea of a ‘just war’ (Crux Now): About time. 

Pens/Pencils/Stationery:  

Paperbacks (Reading, Books, and Writing):

Life in General:

Tough and Awkward Topics: 

  • We Weren’t That Resilient (Maureen O'Leary): This is an important reminder for people who complain about "young people these days" and how weak or sensitive they are. We really weren't that resilient. I think about this a lot, working with my students I see a lot of brokenness. They're no more broken than we were, though, and they have a hell of a lot more hope and desire to change the world. 

  • Banging on the doors of bigotry (Socialist Worker): I don't know very much about DePaul, other than that I have former students who considered going there. However, I think that what's happening there is a microcosm for what's happening in the larger political arena. Something to consider. Note: This is not an objective source. Do your own research, too. 

  • Let's Talk About the Toxic Way South Korea Is Handling its Rape Problem (Vice): Trigger warning. 

To Make You Smile:

Academia, Education, and Teaching: 

Parenting: 

  • 4th Grader Comes Home With Disturbing News—Then Mom Realizes Her “Worst Nightmare” Is Coming True (Faith It): I think this is an important. "It’s simply not enough to instruct your children to “Be Nice!” You’ve got to be more specific than that. Kids think if they aren’t being outright unkind, they are being nice. We know better." There are a lot of "good" kids growing up to be bullies because no one teaches them compassion. We say "be nice," but nice isn't real. Teach kids to be kind. 

  • What I Teach My Teenage Daughter In Response To Her School’s Sexist Dress Code (Patheos): This is important. Teaching kids that they have control over their bodies and that they cannot cause someone else to be distracted (sin) is crucial to creating a world where rape-culture isn't a thing. 

  • I Don’t Want Obedient Children (Love, Joy, Feminism): This article is great in pointing out that the tradition of children being ever-obedient, unquestioning, seen and not heard, is detrimental to the adults that the children grow up to be. I appreciated this quote: "My husband often says that he’s not raising children, he’s raising adults. After all, our job as parents is to prepare our children for adulthood, not simply to mitigate the challenges of raising children in the here and now." And I appreciate this one: "In the end, I don’t want obedient children. I want children who are curious, confident, and compassionate, children who know how to communicate effectively and value cooperation and compromise."All parents should so discern.