Jim, I particularly resonated with the following quotes that "As always, there is a need to achieve not so much organizations or methods or structures, but a deeper and more widespread holiness." and "the future is here (present now ) in the urgent appeal of the peoples of the world for more justice, in their will for peace, in their conscious or unconscious thirst for a higher life, that life precisely which the Church of Christ can and wishes to give them.” So I would start with demythologizing “holiness.” How do we experience this? how do we talk about it? What does it look like? both personally or internally and in community or collectively. This “thirst for a higher life” must become what we bring to the surface of our subconscious mind in order for it to become embedded in our daily thoughts and habits before we can truly comprehend what the Church of Christ can offer to every human being that we share this planet with. For me just the simple awareness that “when I look into the eyes of another human being or observe their behavior, I am actually looking at my own self” - at a different level of self understanding either from the past or from the future seems help me comprehend what holiness is. And there are so many other teachings of the Church of Christ that could alleviate so much of the unnecessary suffering of our fellow human beings.
On Jan 7, 2026, at 1:18 PM, James Wiegel via Dialogue <dialogue@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
The current pope is calling for a re-reading and study of the documents from Vatican II ‘62-65 as they give guidance for these days. Our councils and formation date from this same time period. I wonder what we would say?
https://www.facebook.com/share/1CJhetcnS5/
Jim Wiegel “…the long work of turning their lives into a celebration is not easy. Come and let us talk“.
The Sunflowers. Mary Oliver
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