Abraham Joshua Heschel once said, "prayer must never be a citadel for selfish concerns but rather a place for deepening concern over other people's plight. Looking at the world from God's perspective means living in the prophetic tradition: to give voice to those who live in silent agony, to eradicate injustice, to emulate God's compassion … Continue reading Prayer | Where does it begin?

In the book Abraham Joshua Heschel we find these words from Susannah Heschel, "religious truth must be lived. A law unrelated to life is both futile and fatal to faith. Rigidity and love of life cannot always be reconciled. Like Kierkegaard, he [Abraham Heschel] would vehemently condemn an aesthetic concept of Judaism acted out in … Continue reading We’ve Always Done it That Way…

Heschel gives us several profound thoughts around the idea of endless wonder. He notes "wonder is not a state of esthetic enjoyment. Endless wonder if endless tension, a situation in which we are shocked at the inadequacy of our awe, at the weakness of our shock, as well as the state of being asked the … Continue reading Endless Wonder & The Pursuit of Happiness

I have not been able to put down this book "Abraham Joshua Heschel, Essential Writings" selected with an Introduction by Susannah Heschel. It seems that it has come into my life right at the most opportune moment when I needed to read his story on prayer the most. "Indeed, we forfeit the right to pray, … Continue reading A Life of Radical Amazement

Family | Vacation | Baby Shower | Chicago | Fall Break These are the moments that I cherish the most! Time with family, unplugging from the grind of life and work, and enjoying the sights of the city. It was in Chicago where Luis lived when he & I first started our relationship. I can … Continue reading A Fall Break Vacation

I am reading these words from Howard Thurman, and I have come across Jesus and the Love Ethic which I would like to quote here: The solution which Jesus found for himself and for Israel, as they faced the hostility of the Greco-Roman world, becomes the word and the work of redemption for all the … Continue reading Jesus and the Love Ethic

How did a man who had so many profound things to say find the strength to speak? How was he able to speak into the greats like Martin Luther King, jr while still remaining grounded? This photo speaks to me about his calmness, his love for nature, stillness, and silence - a place where he … Continue reading Nature | Stillness | Silence

What makes me come alive? Going out and serving the community! Getting outside of the walls of the church to love people like Jesus loves the world. I also absolutely love helping people dig deeper to find new discoveries for their own personal selves - particularly as it relates to the LGBTQ+ community. As of … Continue reading Question for Self

I must admit that, although I have heard of Howard Thurman from other classes, I have not extensively studied this great man of the faith. At the same time as I am taking this course with Dr. Tim Van Meter (PT610: Spiritual Formation and Social Change), I am also taking Community Organizing and Preaching: Power, … Continue reading Howard Thurman

Oscar Romero realized that his final days were approaching, that the assassination attempts were strengthening, and that he would soon leave this earth to be with God as a martyr. In those final days, Oscar told a journalist this, "Martyrdom is a grace I don't believe I am worthy of. But if God accepts the … Continue reading His Final Words