Here are some key points from Pope Francis’ Ash Wednesday homily: Lent opens with a piercing sound, that of a trumpet that does not please the ears, but instead proclaims a fast. It is a loud sound that seeks to slow down our life, which is so fast-paced, yet often directionless. It is a summons… Read More Pope Francis: Do You Live for Fire or Ash?

At Grotto, Mike Jordan Laskey writes: In his brief remarks, Pope Francis hit on the Catholic Church’s three traditional Lenten practices, which, in addition to fasting, include prayer and almsgiving (material support for those living on the margins). Fasting finds its meaning only if it’s connected to the other two practices. The Church certainly makes… Read More This Year, Try a More Integrated Approach to Lent

via the Vatican: God created the earth for the benefit of all, so that it would be a welcoming place where no one would feel excluded and where everyone could find a home. Our planet is rich in natural resources. And indigenous peoples, with their abundant variety of languages, cultures, traditions, knowledge and ancestral methods,… Read More Pope Francis: God Created the Earth for the Benefit of All

via the Vatican: Indeed, when we fail to live as children of God, we often behave in a destructive way towards our neighbours and other creatures – and ourselves as well – since we begin to think more or less consciously that we can use them as we will. Intemperance then takes the upper hand:… Read More Pope Francis Explains Lenten Fasting, Almsgiving, and Prayer

Pope Francis recently cautioned the world about the rise of populism and nationalism, comparing this development to the interwar period. We see it in the xenophobic backlash to the refugee crisis, as well as rising antisemitism, anti-Muslim discrimination, and other forms of bigotry. We see it in the rise of far right parties (often with… Read More 20th Century Critiques of Populist Nationalism Remain True

via the Vatican: To see all the flags parade together, dancing in the hands of joyful young people, is a prophetic sign, counter to the sad current trend of conflicting nationalisms, that raise walls and close up against universality, against the encounter between peoples. It is a sign that young Christians are a leaven of… Read More World Youth Day Showed Prophetic Alternative to the Rise of Conflicting Nationalisms

via the Atlantic: “Our country and many others around the world have entered a dark period when virulent nationalism and bigotry are on the rise,” says Atlantic staff writer Emma Green. In a new Atlantic Argument, Green explains how the recent uptick in anti-Semitism is particularly alarming in Europe…. “So how do we stop this?”… Read More Americans and Europeans Should Take Rising Anti-Semitism Seriously