Pastoral, Liturgical, Teaching, and Social Justice Moments brought to you by www.DignityUSA.org.
Breath of the Spirit is DignityUSA’s electronic spiritual and liturgical resource for our members and potential members. Nothing can replace your chapter or other faith community, but we hope you will find further support here for integrating your spirituality with your sexuality and all the strands of your life.
We welcome relevant homilies, inspirational writings, social justice opportunities, or theological articles from other sources also — particularly from wise women and men who can help us grow as gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) and allied Catholic/Christians. You may volunteer to help with this program or send your comments by e-mailing [email protected] ATTN: Breath of the Spirit.
Was Jesus of Nazareth actually born in Bethlehem? Or is that just a theological way for Matthew and Luke to convey their belief that he was the Messiah?
One of the problems with the readings contained in our liturgical celebration of Advent is that many of us logically employ them to prepare for Christmas, forgetting that none of them were composed for that purpose. This is especially true on “Latare Sunday.” Our sacred authors aren’t rejoicing... more
The term “salvation history” is ideal for describing what our biblical sacred authors experienced. Both the writers of the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures encountered a God who worked in their everyday lives. It was those daily, historical events that they tried to share with their readers.
No matter what’s happening in the religious institutions to which we belong, if we’re serious about loving one another, we’re doing what God demands we do.
Did the historical Jesus actually conceive of himself as a king? Though the Roman authorities nailed that insurrectionist title on his cross, there’s no reason to believe he ever accepted it.
For almost a century and a half, scholars have debated whether the historical Jesus actually preached God’s kingdom among us right here and now, or whether he preached about its future arrival. Both opinions can be defended from Scripture.
I have it on good authority that we commit a biblical mortal sin if we proclaim the shorter version of today’s gospel reading instead of the longer.
In order to properly understand our gospels, it’s important to remember they were written two or three generations after the ministry of the historical Jesus. Contrary to popular opinion, they’re not a complication of notes taken by eyewitnesses to that ministry. The four evangelists and the... more
One of the keys for understanding Mark’s message in today’s gospel pericope is that his Jesus only twice asks someone, “What do you want me to do for you?” Here, and in last weekend’s reading. We saw that James and John’s response to his question wasn’t the one other Christs should make. Today’s... more
It’s been over a month since we’ve heard the second of Mark’s three predictions of Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection. Finally, we have the third. Following the same pattern of the previous two, it begins with the prediction - which for some reason has been omitted in today’s liturgical reading... more
Some of us have been traditionally confused about the message the historical Jesus actually preached. Those who believe, for instance, that he primarily came to get us into heaven will have problems with today’s gospel pericope. Listen carefully to the dialogue between Jesus and the rich young man.
Biblical morality revolves around relationships. That’s why today’s three readings are so significant.