Archive - Dec 2009 - Oct 2016 http://colleagueslist.blogspot.ca/

Saturday 28 January 2017

Colleagues Listii, January 29th, 2017

Vol. XII. No. 17

*****

GLOBAL AND ECUMENICAL IN SCOPE
CANADIAN IN PERSPECTIVE


Wayne A. Holst, Editor
My E-Mail Address:

waholst@telus.net


Colleagues List Web Site:
http://colleagueslistII.blogspot.com


***** 

Dear Colleague:

This is my first complete CL issue
since returning from our five week
Omani, Egyptian and Spanish sojourn.

I have worked through many emails
and websites since we left home -
mid-December and hope that this
issue fills some info-gaps.

I include, below, a book notice for
"Pilgrimage" - a biography of Pope
Francis by Mark Shriver.

Also included is a short review of a
book by Canadian Tara Owens entitled
"Embracing the Body" which I did for
Faith Today, the magazine of the
Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.

Colleague Contributions - provides a
notice of the death of Tom Harpur,
and columns from some of our regular
contributors.

Net Notes - offers some of my discoveries
online during the past weeks.

Wisdom of the Week - is always insightful.

I now have a listing of many of our Adult
Spiritual Development programs at St. David's
Calgary where I serve as we begin 2017.

Thanks for reading. So good to be back!

Wayne

*****
 
SPECIAL ITEMS

PILGRIMAGE
My Search for
the Real Pope Francis,
by Mark K. Shriver

Random House Canada, Toronto
December, 2016. $33.00 CAD.
ISBN #978-0-8129-982-3.

Publisher's Promo:

A down-to-earth and deeply intimate
portrait of Pope Francis and his faith,
based on interviews with the men and
women who knew him simply as Jorge
Mario Bergoglio

Early on the evening of March 13, 2013,
the newly elected Pope Francis stepped
out onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica
and did something remarkable: Before he
imparted his blessing to the crowd, he
asked the crowd to bless him, then bowed
low to receive this grace. In the days that
followed, Mark K. Shriver—along with the

rest of the world -was astonished to see a
pope who paid his own hotel bill, eschewed
limousines, and made his home in a suite
of austere rooms in a Vatican guesthouse
rather than the grand papal apartment in
the Apostolic Palace.

By setting an example of humility and
accessibility, Francis breathed new life
into the Catholic Church, attracting the
admiration of Catholics and non-Catholics
alike.

In "Pilgrimage" Shriver retraces Francis’s
personal journey, revealing the origins of
his open, unpretentious style and explaining
how it revitalized Shriver’s own faith and
renewed his commitment to the Church.

To help us understand how Jorge Mario
Bergoglio became Pope Francis, Shriver
travels to Bergoglio’s native Argentina to
meet with the people who knew him as a
child, as a young Jesuit priest, and as a
reformist bishop. Shriver visits the
confessional where Bergoglio first felt
called to a faith-based life and takes us to
the humble parish where the future pontiff’s
pastoral career began: in a church created
from a converted vegetable shed in an area
just outside the city of Buenos Aires. In
these impoverished surroundings, Bergoglio
answered Christ’s call to feed the hungry,
clothe the naked, and shelter the homeless,
following the example set by his papal

namesake, St. Francis of Assisi.

In this deeply reported yet highly personal
book, Mark K. Shriver explores how Francis's
commitment has struck a chord in the hearts
of millions who long to make faith, love,
humility, and mercy part of their lives as they
go out into the world to serve and learn from
the most marginalized.

--

Author's Words:

(The Jesuits, the order to which Bergoglio, or
later pope Francis belonged, did innovative and
courageous missionary work in Latin America,
and it was from that ethos that the current pope
emerged in Argentina.)

They were as comfortable working with the poor
and marginalized as with the wealthy and well-
connected; often earning the jealousy and
suspicion of religious and political authorities.

I longed to apply my Catholic notions about
social justice through politics (as evidenced
through a Jesuit-turned-pope like Francis.)

Like many of my friends, I had been yearning
for a church I could believe in again (following
great disillusionment following corruption and 
priest scandals of the past decades.)
 
This was the personal context in which Pope
Francis entered my consciousness: skeptical,
disillusioned, and uncertain whether the church
remained a force for good in the world...

We need a spiritual leader who restores the
gospel's message to feed the hungry, to clothe
the naked, to shelter the homeless. We all,
regardless of our religion, long for an authentic
leader who reaches out and helps others, who
truly believes in the Jewish call of Tikkun Olam,
to repair the world, or the Islamic call to Islah,
to improve, to better the world, to make peace.
And we want that leader to be warm, accessible
and hopeful...

(I was not easily convinced that he was 'the
real deal.')

But two recurrent themes kept uplifting me --
humility and mercy. I started to succumb to
a third way of thinking, seeing and living --
and that was -- joy. I also learned that joy
was something new in his life too...

Pope Francis seemed like the right messenger
with the right message, a man of substance
with an enduring style...

(Then I got a call suggesting that I write a book
about him, and how his background shapes his
papacy).

(An in-depth look into his formation and
priestly experience has helped me understand
the man we see today)...

He is whole-heartedly committed to the Jesuit
founder Ignatius's call to "go forth and set the
world on fire for the Lord."

But he is still human, he is still a Jesuit, but one
whose talents may require a step outside the
order in which he was trained and has flourished.

(This is the story of what has evolved for Francis
and for us and I want to share it with you.)

- from the Prologue

--

My Thoughts:

Mark K. Shriver has strong American Catholic
credentials and that may both appeal to and
discourage people from reading his book.

He is part of the Kennedy clan - well-connected
but also committed to social justice. He sees
links and patterns in the story of Francis with 
how his own life has developed. Of course,
Shriver is not a member of any order of clergy,
or an academic. He is an intelligent writer and
Catholic layman. What he brings to this work
is a deep faith and commitment to service in the
world - just like he sees in the pope.

I like the way Shriver's investigation provides
many insights to his own life. That could also
be said for those who may read this book.

While he is a deeply committed Catholic, I like
the way Shriver writes with an ecumenical and
inter-faith (broadly human) perspective.

The author is not hesitant to point out the
flaws and missteps he has discovered in
Bergoglio's background. Shriver questions
some of the earlier political stances he took
as a Jesuit leader. But Shriver is also helpful
in showing how that early churchman was
able to change his mind and see his heart
evolve in response to the challenging
circumstances within which he served.

The humility, mercy and joy reflected in the
papal ministry of Francis seems to have come
from some negative experience, and this has
rubbed off on Shriver.

It could also rub off on you from reading this
book. I am happy to include it in my library.

--

New York Times Review:
http://tinyurl.com/hmtcgj4

--

Buy the book from Amazon.ca:
http://tinyurl.com/hqoacwu
 
****

Faith Today Review, by Wayne Holst

EMBRACING THE BODY, Finding God in

Our Flesh and Bone, by Tara M. Owens,
Inter Varsity Press, 2015, 254 pages.
$16.79, e-book $9.99.

*****

Canadian-born author Tara Owens believes

there is a much more worthy alternative to
the destructive body-worship and porn so
dominant in contemporary culture. She sees
in a reaction to this a constructive outcome,
and encourages modern Christians to come
to know their own bodies and those of others
in healing and celebrative ways.

Owens asserts that while traditional Christianity

has often been a poor teacher by denigrating the
human body at the expense of the spirit - there
is to be found in better Christian theological
and spiritual traditions the source of a new
appreciation for flesh and bone. Indeed, God
is to be found there.

Our bodies have been the cause of much

shame and guilt, as well as of false pride -  
yet our bodies have much to teach us about
divinity. The author unpacks this thesis in a
series of well-designed chapters clarifying
such themes as fear and impulse, celebration
and connectivity.

The author has a strong command of biblical

and liturgical theology, and she directs that skill
in penetrating and healing ways. Sexuality, she
maintains, is beyond all else, 'good-focused.'  
Our bodies are not something negative, Rather,
they have been beautifully created by God. This
awareness can guide us positively into becoming
more complete individuals and relational beings.

Incarnation and resurrection - God in Jesus,

both human and divine - are at the core of our
understanding of being Christian. We can rejoice
in both carnality and divinity and explore the
great potential entailed in that powerful reality.

*****

COLLEAGUE CONTRIBUTIONS


Tom Harpur (1929-2017)
Collingwood, ON

Owen Sound Sun Times
A Reflection on His Contribution -
"He Challenged Us to Think"

January 10th, 2017

http://tinyurl.com/h2mgplg


--

Martin Marty,
Chicago, IL

"Carrying On -
 The Little Man Who Wasn't There"

Sightings,
January 23rd, 2017


http://tinyurl.com/z27ujdu

--

Ron Rolheiser,
 San Antonio TX

"Orthodoxy, Sin, Heresy"

Personal Web Site
January 9th, 2017

http://tinyurl.com/hsynks2
 
*****

NET NOTES

THE OBAMAS WERE A MASTER CLASS

IN DIGNITY AND CIVILITY
Did We Learn From Them?

Washington Post,
January 19th, 2017


http://tinyurl.com/h8jakxd

--

WHY DID WHITE EVANGELICALS
VOTE FOR DONALD TRUMP?
Find Out from Them Directly

Sighting,
January 19th, 2017


http://tinyurl.com/gwxzh7t

"Franklin Graham Justifies
 American Refugee Bann
 Sayings Its Not a Biblical Issue"

Huffington Post
January 25th, 2017

http://tinyurl.com/zlxcx7t

"Where are the Trump Evangelicals Now?"

 Religion News Service
January 26th, 2017


http://tinyurl.com/hhhpm9c

***

THE GRIEVING NEED US
MORE AFTER THE FUNERAL
Taking a Longer Healing View

Christian Week,
January 23rd, 2017

http://tinyurl.com/h4t6dvj

--

WHY "THE SHACK" IS SO CONTROVERSIAL
Movie Version of the Book Coming in March

Relevant
January 18th, 2017

http://tinyurl.com/z5y73mv

--

WHAT CANADA'S POPULATION
WILL LOOK LIKE IN 2036
A Different Face is Emerging

CTV News
January 25th, 2017

http://tinyurl.com/zflvjql

--

FRANCIS SAYS LUTHER SOUGHT
CHURCH UNITY, NOT DIVISION

UCA News
January 23rd, 2017

http://tinyurl.com/gq4ty74

--

SEPARATED KERELA  CHURCHES
WORK FOR UNITY IN INDIA
Ancient and More Recent Church
Bodies are Involved in Discussion

UCA News
January 24th, 2017

http://tinyurl.com/jmapa2v

--

POPE ADVISES 'WAIT AND SEE'
APPROACH TO TRUMP

UCA News
January 24th, 2017

http://tinyurl.com/zm83j98

--

NEW CANADIAN LEGISLATION SEEKS TO
PROTECT TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY
Protecting a Vulnerable Part of Society

America Online
January 26th, 2017

http://tinyurl.com/zhm663f

--

LEARNINGS FROM THE MORMON CHOIR
AND THE TRUMP INAUGURATION
Division Over Involvement Continues

Religion News Service
January 25th, 2017

http://tinyurl.com/gpmb3td

***

WISDOM OF THE WEEK


We who believe in freedom cannot rest

until it comes.

- Ella Baker

--

It is easy to love people in memory; the hard

thing is to love them when they are there
in front of you.

- John Updike

--

Three things in human life are important.
The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind.
And the third is to be kind.

- Henry James


--

If we are to have peace on earth, our loyalties
must become ecumenical rather than sectional.
Our loyalties must transcend our race, our tribe,
our class, and our nation; and this means we
must develop a world perspective.


- Martin Luther King, Jr.
--

Many people seem to think it foolish, even superstitious,
to believe that the world could still change for the better.
And it is true that in winter it is sometimes so bitingly
cold that one is tempted to say, “What do I care if there
is a summer; its warmth is no help to me now.” Yes, evil
often seems to surpass good by far. But then, in spite of
us, and without our permission, there comes at last an
end to the bitter frosts. One morning the wind turns,
and there is a thaw. And so I still have hope

- Vincent van Gogh

--

God wants us to be our brother’s keeper.
To feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to
shelter the homeless, to instruct the ignorant,
at a personal sacrifice, is what God wants us
to do. What we give to the poor for Christ’s
sake is what we carry with us when we die.
As Jean-Jacques Rousseau says: “When a
man dies he carries in his clutched hands
only that which he has given away.”

- Peter Maurin

***

ON THIS DAY

"India Declares Itself a Republic"
  
http://tinyurl.com/4cxessq

"Space Shuttle Challenger Explodes After Liftoff"
   http://tinyurl.com/ada9ga

***

CLOSING THOUGHT
- Ernest Hemingway


When people talk, listen completely.
Most people never listen.


(end)

*****


For Those Interested -

ST. DAVID'S ACTS MONDAY NIGHT WINTER STUDY
A Ten Week Series January 23rd - April 3rd, 2017
Monday Evenings, TM Room 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

 
"How Jesus Became God -
  The Exaltation of a Jewish Preacher from Galilee"

http://tinyurl.com/gqzkcbx

Author: Bart D. Ehrman 
Registration/Hospitality and Book: $60.00.
Book only: $20.00


35 copies were secured for sale.
All copies have been sold.


Our Evolving Course Design:
http://tinyurl.com/j3nv7nd

--

Here is the entire course content from our
completed Monday Night Autumn 2016 Study:


"Reclaiming the Bible for a Non-Religious
  World" by Bishop John S. Spong


http://rtb.stdavidscalgary.net/

Check our entire archives for all 48 book studies
since 2000: http://tinyurl.com/q3bw6dh

***

ST. DAVID'S ACTS THURSDAY MORNING STUDY
Ten Sessions February 2nd - April 6th, 2017

"Joshua and Judges" - Formative Hebrew History

Ten sessions 10-11 AM
Gathering at 9:30 AM
In the St. David's TM Room.

No charge

Study resource -

"The DK Complete Bible Handbook"
  Edited by John Bowker


  http://tinyurl.com/odxlv7q

***

ST.DAVID'S SPIRITUAL TRAVEL PROJECT, 2017

South Africa has been chosen as our location!
We plan a nineteen-day tour that combines a
focus on faith, social justice culture, and nature,
and it will happen the month of October 2017.


A beautiful brochure with trip cost, itinerary, and
many helpful travel hints has been published.


 http://tinyurl.com/hucsaf7
Fifteen persons have put down deposits or
declared they are doing so to claim a $300.
saving. Offer stands until February 28th. This
represents half our goal of 28-30 travelers.
 
Follow our notices for weekly updates.

*****


Sunday 22 January 2017

Colleagues List, January 23rd, 2017

Vol. XII. No. 16 
 
***** 

GLOBAL AND ECUMENICAL IN SCOPE
CANADIAN IN PERSPECTIVE

Wayne A. Holst, Editor
My E-Mail Address:
waholst@telus.net

 
Colleagues List Web Site:

http://colleagueslistII.blogspot.com
 

*****

Dear Friends,

This short issue of Colleagues List is my first
since returning from five weeks in the Middle
East and Southern Spain. Marlene and I had
a wonderful exposure to Islamic cultures -
present and present - in the Sultanate of Oman,
Egypt and Andalucia (locus of medieval Moorish
Spain).

I share a column/reflection recently published
in the Anglican Journal entitled:

"From Souq to Sopping Mall"


http://tinyurl.com/gvvwmx3

Here are some of my thoughts on a modern,
moderate Islamic nation that has much to
teach about geopolitics in a violent world.

The next issue of Colleagues List will appear
next week, dated Sunday, January 29th.

Thanks for reading!

Wayne