Monthly Archives: February 2014

In-Sight: Compassionate Leadership

Posted on February 26, 2014 by Steve Harper

This week, I offer a guest column–an excerpt from an article in Contemplative Journal describing the transformation taking place across the earth in work environments where compassion is replacing control….      “Across the globe, in board rooms, in cubicles, on … Continue reading →

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Lumen Fidei: Salvation by Faith

Posted on February 24, 2014 by Steve Harper

The light of Christ comes to us and shines out of us as we put our faith in him.  Our faith is comprised of two basic features: (1) our trust in Christ as the Way, Truth, and Life, and (2) … Continue reading →

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Ancient Wisdom: February 23, 2014 (Year A)

Posted on February 22, 2014 by Steve Harper

Read:  Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18 Meditation: “Be it…Do it” The arrangement if this week’s Old Testament lesson makes it clear that holiness is not only a profession, it is a performance. Every illustration of holiness is an incarnation of it. Today, … Continue reading →

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In-Sight: Admiration Born of Authenticity

Posted on February 19, 2014 by Steve Harper

Not long ago, I heard a person ask how we can admire Mother Teresa so much after her admission that she lived so long and intensely with a sense of God’s absence.  Questions like these have arisen following the publication … Continue reading →

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Lumen Fidei: The Fullness of Christian Faith

Posted on February 17, 2014 by Steve Harper

All that the Old Testament matriarchs and patriarchs looked and longed for came into being in the Incarnation of Jesus.  The Cosmic Christ (“angel of the Lord”…”Word”…or whatever else we have called it) became flesh and dwelt among us, full … Continue reading →

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Ancient Wisdom: February 16, 2014. (Year A)

Posted on February 15, 2014 by Steve Harper

Read: Deuteuronomy 30:15-20 Meditation: “It’s Up to You” The lectionary readings the past few weeks have directly or indirectly borne witness to God’s faithfulness–as all biblical passages do in one way or another. Again today, we are reminded that God … Continue reading →

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In-Sight: Our Ultimate Vision

Posted on February 12, 2014 by Steve Harper

In his General Audience on March 7, 2007 Pope Benedict XVI said, ” Let us devote our attention to the Apostolic Fathers, that is, to the first and second generations in the Church subsequent to the Apostles. And thus, we … Continue reading →

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Lumen Fidei: The Faith of Israel

Posted on February 10, 2014 by Steve Harper

After Abraham, the biblical narrative moves quickly to Israel–a people and a land.  Both are not yet realized, and a long journey into personhood and place occurs.  Trust is at the heart of Israel’s development, but it is marked with … Continue reading →

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Ancient Wisdom: February 9, 2014 (Year A)

Posted on February 8, 2014 by Steve Harper

Read:  Isaiah 58:1-12 Meditation:  “Act Like It!” In a scathing denouncement of superficial religiosity, which demeans the name of religion itself, God tells Israel to drop all the pious talk and public shows and enact their faith. The same message … Continue reading →

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Uncategorized: A Gift of Love

Posted on February 5, 2014 by Steve Harper

If your church gives a gift to graduates, or to those deploying for military service, perhaps you’d like to consider giving them my book, ‘A Pocket Guide to Prayer.’  It is something they can use to remember your love and … Continue reading →

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Ministry Musings: Quantity Envy

Posted on February 5, 2014 by Steve Harper

The United States may be the only place where pastors feel inferior if they serve small churches–or at least one of only a few places in Christianity where the “bigger is better” lie has eaten into the soul of the … Continue reading →

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Uncategorized: Pronouncing “Oboedire”

Posted on February 4, 2014 by Steve Harper

Every so often folks,ask how to pronounce “Oboedire.” Oboe (like the musical instrument)–deer—ay.

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Lumen Fidei: Abraham, Our Father in Faith

Posted on February 3, 2014 by Steve Harper

God began the creation saying, “Let there be light!”  From the first moment of cosmic existence, light has been the illuminating and invigorating factor.  Consequently, we can go back before Jesus (the fullness of Light) and see men and women … Continue reading →

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Ancient Wisdom: February 2, 2014. (Year A)

Posted on February 1, 2014 by Steve Harper

Read:  Micah 6:1-8 Meditation:  “When God Speaks” We don’t realize how foolish and arrogant we sound until God decides to speak.  We parade our “theological opinions” while never fully living up to them–and then God breaks in to put things … Continue reading →

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