“He who is truly wise and practices self-control will guard his tongue, knowing that words can wound more deeply than swords, and that silence often speaks more faithfully than speech.” –Origen (c. 185 – 254 AD) Question for reflection: When I speak—especially in moments of tension or disagreement—do my words reflect the holiness and honor I seek to cultivate in …
A Prayer for Self-control, by Origen, 3rd Century
“Let us therefore pray that we may not fall into temptation, and that we may not be drawn away by our own lusts, but that we may be delivered from the evil one, and that we may be able to govern our own bodies in holiness and honor.” –Origen (c. 185 – 254 AD) Source: Origen, On Prayer, trans. Thomas …
New Vlog Entry, “Carrying a Towel,” with Stephanie Bennett
In this entry, “Carrying a Towel” . . . Jesus’ example of washing his followers’ feet is not something that many Christians experience. He encouraged them to wash one another’s feet, but is it the actual physical washing of feet that is important? Is Jesus requiring this of his followers? If so, why aren’t foot-washing ceremonies taken as seriously as …
Quote of the Week, Faith Seeking Understanding, by St. Anselm of Canterbury
“I do not seek to understand in order that I may believe, but I believe in order that I may understand.” —St. Anselm of Canterbury, medieval theologian (1033 – 1109) Source: Anselm of Canterbury, Proslogion, trans. M.J. Charlesworth (Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press, 1979), 1.
A Prayer Before Study, as we begin a new school year, by St. Thomas Aquinas
A Prayer Before Study [as we gear up for a new school year] “Creator of all things, true Source of light and wisdom, lofty origin of all being, graciously let a ray of your brilliance penetrate into the darkness of my understanding and take from me the double darkness in which I have been born, an obscurity of both sin …
A Prayer for Kindness and Wisdom, by St. Clement of Alexandria (c. 150-215)
“Be kind to Your little children, Lord; that is what we ask of You as their Tutor… May we all live in the peace that comes from You. May we journey towards Your city, sailing through the waters of sin untouched by the waves, borne tranquilly along by the Holy Spirit, Your Wisdom beyond all telling.” —St. Clement of Alexandria …
Quote of the Week, Speaking with Gentleness,” Howard Thurman
“In the midst of the outer conflict, I must find inner quietness to speak with gentleness.” —Howard Thurman (1899 – 1991) Source: Howard Thurman, Meditations of the Heart (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1953), 56. Question for reflection: When I feel tension rising in a conversation, what practices help me return to inner quietness before I respond—and how might gentleness …
New Vlog Entry, “Conversing with Chatbots?” by Stephanie Bennett
In this entry. . . Today we talk a bit about the emerging trend to engage AI agents to fulfill our needs for companionship and counseling. Perhaps you’ve heard of the Digital Shepherd. Relating to a bot for help and support is clearly easier than using our interpersonal skills to engage with an actual person, but what are we editing …
Quote of the Week, Humility and Faithful Communication, Jonathan Edwards, 17th Century
“A truly humble man is sensible of his natural distance from God; of his dependence on Him; of the insufficiency of his own power and wisdom; and that it is by God’s power that he is upheld and provided for, and that he needs God’s wisdom to lead and guide him, and His might to enable him to do what …
A Prayer for Listening, by John Calvin, 16th Century
This prayer was offered at the end of Calvin’s exposition on Zechariah 7, where he reflects on the importance of listening to God’s word rather than merely performing religious rituals: “Grant, Almighty God, that as thou hast been pleased to draw us this day by thy word, and to speak to us with so much kindness, we may not be …
