The online editorial staff comprises Betsy Shirley, Jenna Barnett, Josiah R. Daniels, Mitchell Atencio, Heather Brady, Kierra Bennning, and Zachary Lee.
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Voice of the Day: Rowan Williams
“Our present ecological crisis, the biggest single practical threat to our human existence in the middle to long term, has, religious people would say, a great deal to do with our failure to think of the world as existing in relation to the mystery of God, not just as a huge warehouse of stuff to be used for our convenience.” - Rowan Williams
Verse of the Day: Justice in the Land of the Lord
"The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the Lord, and the neediest people shall exult in the Holy One of Israel. For the tyrant shall be no more, and the scoffer shall cease to be; all those alert to do evil shall be cut off— those who cause a person to lose a lawsuit, who set a trap for the arbiter in the gate, and without grounds deny justice to the one in the right." - Isaiah 29:19-21
Voice of the Day: Alice Walker
"Anybody can observe the Sabbath but making it holy surely takes the rest of the week." - Alice Walker, In Search of Our Mothers' Gardens
Prayer of the Day: Light of the World
God, you are the light of the world, you have overcome all darkness. May we share your light with those who are searching -- with words and actions that are pleasing to you. Amen.
The Morning News: Monday, January 9, 2012
So What If America Is The Most Religious Nation?; Preaching The Gospel In The Hermit Kingdom; Record-High 40 Percent Of Americans Identify As Independents In '11; Indefinite Detention Violates American Values (OPINION); Americans Drastically Overestimate How Many Unauthorized Immigrants Are In The Country, And They Don't Want To Know The Truth; Newt Dumps Christian Climate Scientist; Don't Let The Economy Pick Your Major For You.
Father Jim Martin on "Jesus and Joy"
In this segment from his new CatholicTV series "Blinks," the Rev. Jim Martin (aka our favorite Jesuit) considers why Christianity is often considered so joyless, and why "religious" usually means serious.
Watch inside...
Sunday Sermon Superfans: An Introduction
Pulpit of St. Mary le Tower parish in Ipswich, UK. Via Wylio http://bit.ly/wTWgaL
Did you hear a particularly good sermon, homily, teaching, preaching, lesson or message this Sunday?
We'd love it if you'd share it with us.
Please email Cathleen (cfalsani@sojo.net) with links to audio, video or text versions of the message you heard, and we'll share the best of the best with the rest here on God's Politics.
The Friday News: January 6, 2012
Evangelicalism's Changing Heart On Immigration, Congress, White House Cut Heating Assistance Just In Time For Winter, Unemployment Rate Key To 2012 Election, College Kids Vow To End Slavery, The 23 Best Countries For Work-Life Balance (We Are Number 23), Rick Santorum’s God And Gays Message Falls Flat In New Hampshire.
Verse of the Day: Bearing with One Another in Love
"I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." - Ephesians 4:1-3
Voice of the Day: Kelly James Clark
"My life is not simply a meaningless conglomeration of serendipitous events and unremarkable happenstance. Rather, it is a series of divine appointments with the goal of shaping my character." - Kelly James Clark
Prayer of the Day: John 3:16
God, thank you for sending your son into this world, to us a broken people, held captive by sin. Help us to trust in Jesus Christ alone as our savior, and help us to spread your love in our actions. Amen.
Rick Santorum Wins Over Evangelicals By Breaking With His Own Catholic Creed
Rick Santorum. Image via Wylio http://www.wylio.com/credits/Flickr/6184431370
Republican presidential contender Rick Santorum is a darling of the Christian right, and made a tremendous showing among evangelicals in the Iowa caucuses. But Santorum himself is a Catholic, and while many of his more socially conservative positions have endeared him to the evangelical community, they actually conflict with the teachings of his own church. The theological tensions in Santorum's record pose potential political problems for his candidacy: Can he bring Catholics into his camp despite advocating unorthodox positions? And can he maintain his reputation among conservative Christians as a principled man of religious integrity, despite taking political stances that violate the teachings of his own faith?
Santorum has often defended the role of religion in political affairs, stating that his own faith was a significant factor in his Senate career.
"The social teachings of my faith were a factor in my work as a senator," Santorum wrote in a 2007 opinion piece for the Philadelphia Enquirer, explaining his votes in favor of global AIDS relief as rooted in Christian teachings to "care for the poor."
But on two issues in particular, Santorum has broken with official Catholic doctrine to side with hardline evangelicals against accepted scientific conclusions. On several other matters, Santorum's political positions have sparked ire among Catholics concerned with social justice.
The Afternoon News: Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012
Huffington Post: An Interview with United States 39th President Jimmy Carter, Religion News Service: Romney’s Evangelical Problem Starts with Theology, Huffington Post: On Scripture: Mark 1:4-11: Does Baptism Make for Better Presidents?, Huffington Post: Obama Fails on Minimum Wage Pledge, Slate: NAACP Condemns Rick Santorum’s “Black People” Gaffe, TPM: Defense Secretary Panetta: Defense Cuts Come With ‘Additional But Acceptable Risk’, CNN: Controversial Catholic program for gays begins in Connecticut, CNN: What happens when candidates called by God drop out?
Verse of the Day: Wait for the Lord
"I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!" - Psalm 27:13-14
Prayer of the Day: Hunger and Thirst for Justice
Sustaining God, we pray for those who are hungry and thirsty. And for those of us who are not physically in need, teach us to thirst for justice. Amen.
Voice of the Day: Margaret Backhouse
"Upon this basic truth all the principles and actions of the Society of Friends are founded. Each [person] is seen as having intrinsic value, and Christ is equally concerned for the other as for me. We all become part of the divine family, and as such we are all responsible for one another, carrying our share of the shame when wrong is done and of the burden of suffering." - Margaret Backhouse
Prayer of the Day: Families of Immigrants
Loving God, we pray for the immigrant families, especially those who are separated from their loved ones because of walls and borders. Comfort them in their sorrow, but give them hope for the future: that one day lawmakers’ hearts will be changed and loved ones will be reunited. Amen.
Verse of the Day: Endurance
"Indeed we call blessed those who showed endurance. You have heard of the endurance of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful." - James 5:11
Voice of the Day: John Howard Yoder
"The work of God is the calling of a people, whether in the Old Covenant or the New… That men and women are called together to a new wholeness is itself the work of God, which gives meaning to history.” - John Howard Yoder
Verse of the Day: Judgment
"Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment." - John 7:24