All Faiths United

  In the image and likeness of God – and nothing less – were we created.  In the Christian tradition, we believe this to be our greatest inherent dignity as individuals, evenly shared among all human beings, indifferent of race, religion, or beliefs.  We are all one family – human and divine… all God’s children and all equally loved by our Father. I am your brother.  Why do you see me or treat me differently?  Is it because God would have me born to a distant land where they speak a language not your own, where perhaps someone raised me under a different faith or possibly no faith at all?  Is it the color of my skin, or could it be the vastly dissimilar opportunities that you and I have had?  But wait, my mother’s heart beat just like that of yours when they first held us in their arms.  Their tears and prayers for you and me have made their way to heaven just the same.  We could have lived and played together in bliss before the breath of ...

CHARITY AND JUSTICE Many people view charity as very different from justice in that charity equals social service and justice equals social change.   Also, charity is directed at the effects of injustice, its symptoms; while justice promotes social change in institutions or political structures.   All this is true.   But there are some ways that charity and justice are in close relationship to each other and effect each other. Many people are involved in individual charitable acts that help their neighbor or community.   With these charitable acts they are hoping for social change.   Christian churches have social services that they offer to the public.   Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services, Methodist Mission Social Services, and Baptist Community Services are just a few Christian social organizations offering charitable services to the public.   These organizations do not directly separate social service from social change. ...

Our Bodies, Hearts , and Healing During this Time of the Coronavirus   Sister Gloria Haider, OSF, May 16, 2020 HEALING AND TRANSFORMATION For Christians this is the Easter Season.   I’ve been reflecting on how after the Resurrection of Jesus, his glorified body still had the marks of his wounds on his hands, feet, and side.   After Jesus died, he appeared to the twelve apostles once when Thomas was not present and once when he was present.   Thomas had not believed that the other apostles had seen Jesus.   But, when Thomas saw Jesus, and Jesus said “put your finger here; see my hands.   Reach out your hand and put it into my side,” Thomas believed (John 20:27). So, Jesus’ glorified, divine body continued to have the wound markings.   There must be a reason for this.   I think that it was to help us understand that our wounds and heartbreaks can be healed and transformed. HEARTBREAKS During this time of coronavirus, I’ve been th...

Reflection on Choices and Transitions Sr. Ann Hayden, MM April 19, 2020 “Let us help one another move forward.” In this time of COVID-19, as we see images of a shared human struggle for life, we have begun to feel particularly close to peoples near and far of all faiths, diverse cultures, and different political leanings.   We have adjusted, in spite of our fear, and anxiety for   loved ones in family and among friends, to our efforts to invent new ways to spend time to enrich our relationships with fun, art, music, reflection, poetry, and prayer. In recent holy days of mutual human need, we have witnessed an immense outpouring of love and care for our neighbors; and for the heroes that are saving lives, providing food, safety, needed services, and essential travel.   We are filled with gratefulness and creativity in simple service to family, students, and strangers alike.   Even in this time of extreme vulnerability, we have certainly experienced...

Prayer… stillness… being with God by Sr. Shirley Mueller  I used to pray that God would feed the hungry, Or do this or that, but now I pray that he will guide me to do whatever I’m supposed to do, what I can do. I used to pray for answers, but now I’m praying for strength. I used to believe that prayer changes things, But now I know that prayer changes us and we change things. St. Mother Teresa   T he hallmark of prayer is the finding and becoming one with stillness. It is so amazing to me that God can dwell within us and be at the heart of the mystery of the Universe. I often think of the profound mystery of two molecules of hydrogen forming a unique relationship with one molecule of oxygen to give us water in all its varied forms to be the wonderful conveyor of life. In the deep silence of the Universe billions of star galaxies move in harmony to manifest such glory. In the deep silence of the mystery of water within us, as we continue to be...