I do admit to loving movies, to having been deeply influenced by some great ones and to believing that film is a relatively untapped treasure among Catholics, a treasure that can provide insight into self, neighbor and even to God.
Arts and Culture
Fr. Robert Lauder is a philosophy professor at St. John’s University and the author of “Pope Francis’ Spirituality and Our Story” (Resurrection Press).
Francis’ Emphasis On Mercy
Sixth in a series AS I have been reporting in several columns in this series on Pope Francis’ vision for the Church, I have found a marvelous guide in Cardinal Walter Kasper’s “Pope Francis’ Revolution of Tenderness and Love” (New York: Paulist Press, 2015, pp. 117, $16.95). I cannot recall any book the length of […]
An Integrated Message
Fifth in a series, Though I think there are many exceptionally good sections of Cardinal Walter Kasper’s “Pope Francis’ Revolution of Tenderness and Love” (New York: Paulist Press, 2015, pp. 117, $16.95), I found Chapter Four illuminated for me my experience of contemporary culture and also the thought of some of the philosophers I teach at St. John’s University. The chapter’s title is “The Gospel: Origin, Foundation, and Source of Joy.”
The Impact of Liberation Theology on Pope Francis
What has made Cardinal Walter Kasper’s “Pope Francis’ Revolution of Tenderness and Love” especially interesting to me is that Cardinal Kasper seems to know the Holy Father’s theology and spiritual approach to problems so well.
See, Judge, Act
Third in a series IN THE FIRST FEW months of his pontificate Pope Francis was depicted, at least in some reports, as though he was totally different from the popes who had preceded him. The impression was received by some that there was little connection between Francis and his predecessors. Of course this was a very wrong impression.
What Is God Asking of Us?
Second in a series Writing this series about Pope Francis and Cardinal Walter Kasper’s book “Pope Francis’ Revolution of Tenderness and Love” (New York: Paulist Press, 2015, pp.117, $16.95), I have become aware that I am reacting toward this pope in a way that I have never reacted to any other pope. Of course like […]
Insider’s Look at Francis’ Vision
First in a series, AT THE END OF every philosophy course that I teach at St. John’s University, Jamaica, I ask the students for an evaluation of the course, the books used and the teacher. I suggest that the students not sign the evaluation so that they will feel free to be completely honest. I stress that they should not be concerned about hurting my feelings. I want to know their reactions to the course, to the assigned books and to me. I take the evaluations so seriously that I have made significant changes in courses because of what the students have written in evaluations.
Rediscovering a Classic
Every fall semester at St. John’s University, I have the students in my Honors Introduction to Philosophy class read, write about and discuss Viktor E. Frankl’s book “Man’s Search for Meaning.” If there is anyone reading this column who has not read Frankl’s book, I strongly encourage them to read it. I marvel at Frankl’s insights.
Signs of Faith for Each Other
I IMAGINE THAT readers of this column have attended a First Communion Mass. In my years as a priest, I have attended many. Back in April, I was at a First Communion Mass that moved me to have many thoughts about the Eucharist and about the place it should have in every Catholic’s life. Perhaps […]
Listening to the Lay People
Anyone who has read my last two columns knows that I have been reflecting on the meaning of the term “a mysticism of the people.” In his essay in Commonweal (April 10, 2015) “Open House: How Pope Francis Sees the Church,” Cardinal Walter Kasper claims that behind the Holy Father’s pastoral style stands an entire theology which the cardinal calls “a mysticism of the people.”