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Contributor Biographies Jan 2024

Contributor Biographies

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Homily For Mass Of The Holy Spirit, Dale Launderville Osb Jan 2024

Homily For Mass Of The Holy Spirit, Dale Launderville Osb

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This year, the monks of Saint John’s Abbey, the sponsoring religious order of the Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary, convened to elect a new abbot, after the retirement of the previous, who had served for twenty years. This homily was given by Father Dale Launderville, OSB at the Mass of the Holy Spirit, which both opened the official election process and was the culmination of a year-long process of discernment and prayer that enable the monks to enter the voting confident of the aid of the Holy Spirit.


Benedicta Riepp: An Analysis Of Structural Elements In Her Life, Mary L. Parks Jan 2024

Benedicta Riepp: An Analysis Of Structural Elements In Her Life, Mary L. Parks

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Mother Benedicta Riepp struggled at a great personal cost for autonomy on behalf of North American Benedictine women. Her efforts ultimately led to the reshaping of the Benedictine tradition for women in the United States. This paper analyzes some of the most significant structural elements in Mother Benedicta’s life.


A Narrative Analysis Of Gensis 15, Patrick Russell Jan 2024

A Narrative Analysis Of Gensis 15, Patrick Russell

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This paper seeks to read Genesis 15 through a narrative lens. While historical critical method provides some framework, the main purpose is to read this text as a work of literature: a story told to an audience to convey something of shared importance. What theological insights a reader gains from this literary approach may be different from that which one sees when analyzing the text with a more tradition lens.


Harmony Unveiled: Navigating The Trinity’S Practical Symphony With Lacugna And Augustine, Andrenique D. Rolle Jan 2024

Harmony Unveiled: Navigating The Trinity’S Practical Symphony With Lacugna And Augustine, Andrenique D. Rolle

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This paper compares Catherine M. LaCugna's practical take on the Trinity with Augustine's theoretical insights. LaCugna highlights real-world implications, while Augustine delves into philosophical intricacies. Despite differences, both converge on perichoresis, emphasizing an inseparable communion within the Triune God. Together, they offer a holistic view—bridging theory and practice for spiritual fulfillment and communal harmony.


Comparing And Contrasting Luther’S And Aquinas’ Viewpoints Regarding The Essence Of Justification: A Step Towards Promoting Ecumenical Harmony, Paulinus Daeli Osc Jan 2024

Comparing And Contrasting Luther’S And Aquinas’ Viewpoints Regarding The Essence Of Justification: A Step Towards Promoting Ecumenical Harmony, Paulinus Daeli Osc

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This article is intended for Christians who recognize the importance of diversity in ecumenical unity. By comparing the views of Thomas Aquinas and Martin Luther on the idea of justification, the author seeks to convey that faith in Christ helps one to grow and develop spiritually. The similarities and differences of the two figures offered in this sense invite Christians to see that their differences need not be contradictory and that they can be juxtaposed.


Augustine's Analogy: How To Say God, Eric Kalimbiriro Osc Jan 2024

Augustine's Analogy: How To Say God, Eric Kalimbiriro Osc

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Augustine's analogy of the Trinity regards the question of how to speak about God. Augustine maintained that human language and material images are limited in their ability to wholly capture the essence of God, who is beyond human comprehension. He understood that the language we use to describe God is necessarily metaphorical and analogical, as we cannot fully grasp the transcendent nature of the divine. By using analogy, Augustine aimed to help his audiences come to some rudimentary understanding of the Trinity. This paper argues that Augustine's use of analogy provides a persuasive approach for understanding the Trinity. It focuses …


Photo Series: Tree, Jacqueline Leiter Osb Jan 2024

Photo Series: Tree, Jacqueline Leiter Osb

Obsculta

These five photos, and their associated texts, by Sister Jacqueline Leiter, OSB are reflections on key aspects of Christian living. Dispersed throughout this volume of the journal, they offer moments of pause between the other articles.


To Till And To Keep: Following The Ethical Imperative To Care For Creation Through Gender Exploration And Expression, Phoebe Carstens Jan 2024

To Till And To Keep: Following The Ethical Imperative To Care For Creation Through Gender Exploration And Expression, Phoebe Carstens

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In light of the recent USCCB document regarding 'the Moral Limits to Technological Manipulation of the Human Body,' this essay explores an alternative, transgender-affirming ethical framework drawn from Pope Francis's Laudato si’. Within this framework, gender-affirming care is presented as fulfilling the call to care for creation through exploration and cultivation of the self.


Newman's Faith In A Synodal Church, Emily Heidick Jan 2024

Newman's Faith In A Synodal Church, Emily Heidick

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This piece is a brief exploration of the theology of how the church develops by John Henry Newman with particular attention to the connection to the synodal church of today.


The Adaptation Of The Papacy Within The Church, Kristyn Demers Jan 2024

The Adaptation Of The Papacy Within The Church, Kristyn Demers

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This short essay briefly details the changes within the Catholic Church's ecclesiology and its view of the papacy from its inception to the modern day. It focuses on the “witness” and “monarch” models that describe the structures of the church during the first and second millennia, and glances at the changes currently happening within the third millennium.


Junia The Apostle: History And Future Of Women In The Church, Hannah Miers Jan 2024

Junia The Apostle: History And Future Of Women In The Church, Hannah Miers

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The piece sheds light on the identity of the individual mentioned as Junia in Paul's writings to the Romans. Numerous sources, spanning from the Patristics to contemporary academia, shed further insight into her life and character. The more significant question for our times becomes why Junia is less well-known and how she exemplifies a change (though slow) in the Roman Catholic Church's perspective on women.


Paul And Gender: Early Reception And Modern Implications, Phoebe Carstens Jan 2024

Paul And Gender: Early Reception And Modern Implications, Phoebe Carstens

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Within Paul’s letters, there is a wealth of theological and ministerial material with a variety of implications and interpretations—what Paul seems to say about the position of women in the Church is the object of much debate. This piece highlights the ways in which Paul displays an openness to greater involvement of women in the Christian movement and a breaking of traditional female gender roles, yet simultaneously upholds rigid boundaries of marked gender distinction, thus mirroring a current stance of the Church today.


A Spirit Of Dialogue In Unitatis Redintegratio, Emily Heidick Jan 2024

A Spirit Of Dialogue In Unitatis Redintegratio, Emily Heidick

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This piece is reflection on Unitatis Redintegratio and the style of Vatican II, which aims to lift up the spirit of dialogue and ecumenism.


Interpretation Of Luke 15:11-32: For Parents Of Children Who Have Fallen Away From The Faith And Have Other Children At Home, Anisabel Palma Jan 2024

Interpretation Of Luke 15:11-32: For Parents Of Children Who Have Fallen Away From The Faith And Have Other Children At Home, Anisabel Palma

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This piece aims to interpret the pericope of Luke 15:11-32, the parable of the Prodigal Son, for parents with children fallen away from the faith and other children with them. Its purpose is to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ during those difficult moments, offering hope and trust in the loving God of the merciful Father. It is aims to explore the graces that God bestows upon parents who mourn the estrangement of their child.


Different Forms Of Power In Worship Spaces, Patrick Russell Jan 2024

Different Forms Of Power In Worship Spaces, Patrick Russell

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This project examines the importance of power in a worship space. In particular, looking at the historical structures of St. Paul's Cathedral in London and St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow, this paper strives to lay out the presence of power inherent in places of worship. While other aspects could be used: power as a political structure, power of shared identity, power of scale, and power as a means of limits are given here for consideration.


Rejoice Always: Philippians 4:4-7 And Paul’S Equation For Peace Of Heart, Andrea Frey Jan 2024

Rejoice Always: Philippians 4:4-7 And Paul’S Equation For Peace Of Heart, Andrea Frey

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Paul's instruction to the Philippians to "Rejoice always", found in Philippians 4:4-7, is a guide to help a community and its members achieve peace. Focusing on these verses, this paper examines the elements Paul suggests to achieve peace of heart and mind.


Bioethics And A Theology Of Vulnerability, Carrie Oneil-Smith Jan 2024

Bioethics And A Theology Of Vulnerability, Carrie Oneil-Smith

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This essay looks at how a theology of vulnerability can contribute to ethical decision-making in an increasingly secular society. Relationality, power dynamics and scriptural justifications are considered, as well as early contributions made to this nascent field of Christian thought. This essay was written for a class on Health Care Ethics taught by Dr. Mary Ann Kish.


The Importance Of Luke 3, Patrick Russell Jan 2024

The Importance Of Luke 3, Patrick Russell

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This paper attempts to show the literary and theological significance of the genealogy in Luke 3. Though the text can be read as merely something to convey facts; the textual placement and the theological themes at work within the genealogy in relation to Luke-Acts are not arbitrary. In light of the overall use of genealogies in the ancient near east this pericope becomes something far more dynamic than it might otherwise seem upon first glance.


The Concept Of Suffering In Children Of Heaven: Analyzing The Differences And Similarities Between Augustine’S And Ibn Arabi’S Theodicy, Paulinus Daeli Osc Jan 2024

The Concept Of Suffering In Children Of Heaven: Analyzing The Differences And Similarities Between Augustine’S And Ibn Arabi’S Theodicy, Paulinus Daeli Osc

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This article discusses the theodicy of Augustine and Ibn Arabi. Although these two theologians come from different traditions and backgrounds, they articulate that the realm of suffering in the human world can help us sharpen our faith in God. I use the movie Children of Heaven (by Majid Majidi) to parse the similarities and differences in their theologies. The symbols found in the movie show that the two theologies are related. This article explores the themes of human suffering in the movie and goes beyond a simple review.


Considering Hope, Rachel Henry Jan 2024

Considering Hope, Rachel Henry

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Hope based on an expected outcome can be elusive in a world that contains so much suffering. This piece considers Karl Rahner's theological hope as a more appropriate and helpful framework in the context of the diminishing vocations to monastic communities in the United States.


Theology Of Paradise Today, Sarah Skrove Jan 2024

Theology Of Paradise Today, Sarah Skrove

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This piece discusses the shift in the Christian Church's soteriology from one of paradise to one of atonement. The implications of this change in theory extend into modern day issues like racial inequality and mental health stigma. Through understanding a theology of paradise, we can catch a glimpse of how differently our world might look.


Monasticism And Christian Discipleship, Jacqueline Leiter Osb Jan 2024

Monasticism And Christian Discipleship, Jacqueline Leiter Osb

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Christian discipleship is about following Jesus. This essay explores discipleship as described in the Rule of Benedict through the lens of four hallmarks of discipleship as described in the New Testament: 1) responding to a call, 2) abiding with Christ, 3) living in community with mutual love and service, and 4) taking up one’s cross and imitating Christ. It reflects on these hallmarks and their application for Christian discipleship today.


Photo Series: Creation, Jacqueline Leiter Osb Jan 2024

Photo Series: Creation, Jacqueline Leiter Osb

Obsculta

These five photos, and their associated texts, by Sister Jacqueline Leiter, OSB are reflections on key aspects of Christian living. Dispersed throughout this volume of the journal, they offer moments of pause between the other articles.


Unha Vez Tiven Un Cravo (Once I Had A Nail), Roslie De Castro, Scott Cooper Jan 2024

Unha Vez Tiven Un Cravo (Once I Had A Nail), Roslie De Castro, Scott Cooper

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Rosalia de Castro was a nineteenth-century Spanish Catholic writer now best-known for her novels, but her poetry is widely admired in the Spanish-speaking world as well. This devotional poem is written in the language of her native region of Galicia, and the translator hopes that this new version will awaken interest in Castro's work in the English-speaking world.


Photo Series: Sorrow, Jacqueline Leiter Osb Jan 2024

Photo Series: Sorrow, Jacqueline Leiter Osb

Obsculta

These five photos, and their associated texts, by Sister Jacqueline Leiter, OSB are reflections on key aspects of Christian living. Dispersed throughout this volume of the journal, they offer moments of pause between the other articles.


The Art Of Silence In Waiting, Melissa Tovar-Guerrero Jan 2024

The Art Of Silence In Waiting, Melissa Tovar-Guerrero

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This piece reflects on what can happen when we decide not to worry and elect to learn the art of remaining silent. Like any art, it requires time to learn how to skillfully apply it in our lives. This paper was written as a homily for the Synoptic Gospels class at the Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary.


To Embody Christ's Image: Queer Presence In Liturgy, Maggie Nadalin Jan 2024

To Embody Christ's Image: Queer Presence In Liturgy, Maggie Nadalin

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This paper examines how approaching liturgical issues from a Queer vantage-point in both theory and practice offers a fresh lens for not only understanding liturgy but recognizing the urgent need for Queer-influenced liturgical rites.


Photo Series: True North, Jacqueline Leiter Osb Jan 2024

Photo Series: True North, Jacqueline Leiter Osb

Obsculta

These five photos, and their associated texts, by Sister Jacqueline Leiter, OSB are reflections on key aspects of Christian living. Dispersed throughout this volume of the journal, they offer moments of pause between the other articles.


Gluten-Free Hosts And The Cross: Revelatory Suffering In Christianity, Gilbert Perez Jan 2024

Gluten-Free Hosts And The Cross: Revelatory Suffering In Christianity, Gilbert Perez

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The body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus are said to be made present by the Eucharist: bread and wine placed on the altar. However, the Roman Catholic Church teaches there is no validity to consecrations with gluten-free Hosts. This article notes the past permissions on gluten-free hosts and explores how present and former practices exhibit the nature of the Crucifixion, humanity’s participation in a world it abuses, and, furthermore, how to remedy this source of exclusion.