Not Getting Stuck in Dryness - Strategies for Coping with Phases of Spiritual Dryness Among Religious Brothers and Sisters in Germany—Findings from Qualitative Interviews

Many believers experience phases of spiritual dryness in their lives coupled with feelings of exhaustion, confusion, and emotional emptiness. Even religious sisters and brothers experience such phases. But how do they cope with phases of spiritual dryness, and what resources do they use to overcome them? In a qualitative study, 30 religious brothers and sisters utilized four main categories of resources: internal reflective resources, internal spiritual resources, external personal resources, and external other resources. A primary strategy does not seem to exist for overcoming phases of spiritual dryness. In the context of this study, therefore, several resources emerged that were used in accordance with the triggers and were applied against the background of the life situation, context and attitudes, perceptions, behavioral competencies, resources, and abilities of the person concerned.

Visitatio Christi: Matthew 25:33-46 as Apocalyptic-Ethical Impulse

Through an exploration of the interpretation history of Matt. 25:33-46, this article develops an apocalyptic ethics based on Christ’s encountering us in the least of his brothers and sisters. Proposing the newly coined expression ‘ visitatio Christi’, the article offers a counterpoint to the common theological-ethical theme of imitatio Christi. First, it recalls how Jesus’ eschatological parable has time and again inspired love of the neighbour in need (e.g., the works of mercy) and challenged the scope of the required option for the poor (e.g., the debate about charity and structural change). Next, the article shows how an apocalyptic ethics based in Matthew 25, which imagines our moral life as a response to the visitatio Christi, implies a transformation of attitude/perception, a reversal of roles, and finds its source in the sacramental presence of Christ in the poor. Finally, the different aspects of the argument are recapitulated drawing upon Pope Francis’s use of Matthew 25.

Christian response amid economic suffering due to the Covid-19 pandemic

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused suffering not only in the health sector but also in the economic sector. Christians are also not spared from this economic suffering. The purpose of this article is to find out how Christians should respond amid the economic suffering caused by the Covid-19 Pandemic. This research used a qualitative method and based on library research to find out the response of Christians amid economic suffering in Acts 11:27-30 and to confirm the implications for Christians today in responding to the economic suffering caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The conclusion drawn from this study is that Christians should have faith in God who sustains their lives during the pandemic and take actions that are in line with their faith. The prosperous Christians should be willing and ready in blessing the other Christians who are suffering more. Likewise, Christians who are in economic decline respond by trusting in God's providence and humbly receiving God's blessings through the gifts of brothers and sisters who love them. Christians need to with the government in dealing with this economic suffering until the COVID-19 pandemic ends.

I’m holding a gathering

This chapter sets the scene for Ti difé boulé. The text begins with a folkloric tone: it is nighttime after people in the village have finished work. Fireflies are flitting about. A woman called Lamèsi announces that Grinn Prominnin, who has been absent for a long time, has returned with news and ideas. This visionary calls a gathering to find out what happened to the narrator’s brothers and sisters—that is, to understand the crises that have occurred within the family over the past two hundred years and to identify “the traces they have left in our blood” (14). The narrator has learned to speak “tongues” and emerges from “the realm of the past” to tell his audience the story of Haiti’s history and what went wrong. The narrator situates the book’s focus in the revolutionary crucible of the years 1789-1820 when the ascendant indigenous elite snatched up the unprecedented successes of the self-emancipated revolutionaries and freedom fighters.

Hospitalitas Menurut Amos Yong dan Falsafah Hidup Orang Basudara untuk Dialog Interreligius

This article aims to explore hospitality as the basic character needed in developing interreligious dialogues. The underlying idea is that every religion has its particular characteristics of hospitality that can be valuable to start an effective dialogue. The author discerns the local wisdom phrased as hidup orang basudara as one of the chracteristics of the Moluccan hospitality that can be used to develop interreligious dialogue in Molucca, Indonesia. By drawing insights from the derriderian concept of “true hospitality” that surpasses ‘friendship’, hospitality model is offered as a better alternative in the praxis of building interreligious dialogue. This model is also considered more relevant to the people of Molucca, especially among the Christians and the Muslims, during the post-conflict period. The concept of hospitality is in line with some of the Moluccan local wisdoms that are explored in this article as well. In order to embark on the journey of reconciliation, people are invited to go beyond friendship, that is, towards living together as brothers and sisters.

Absurd Sensationalism, Receded Morality in an Urban Family in the Vultures (1971)

A family is an organized system that connects all members together to exalt happiness and share grief to each other; they do not only help and hold shoulders with shoulders to strengthens family bonds and teach each other morality of life, respect and honour but also parents scold their sons and daughters for committing any mistakes to recuperate themselves in their career. Therefore, the sacred dignity of the family has been shattered nowadays in order to grab wealth and money. As Father has certain respect and honour at home similarly brothers and sisters have assured place in their parents ‟ heart. The play The Vulture has exposed a middle class family in the urban set up that comprises many family members who can fulfil their house with happiness and pleasure but their thirst for wealth and money shattered their tranquil life. Pappa has accumulated property after so much works though he has grabbed his brother Sakharam’s part who visits his home frequently to ask his part but his all efforts turned into dust and he is insulted by his nephews Ramakant and Umakant. They all are frustrated with the established system and they all started fighting for inheritance. They batter their own father for getting his hidden money though they all know that their demands and threat are transient, they will see the same satiation as they place their father at the moment. Their pursuit has no eternity as they show themselves that they have no goal; purposelessness, meaninglessness, disillusionment prevailed in their life. They sensationalize their arguments to quench their thirst and throw out their moral duty in respect of their father and family. For gaining absurd pursuit, they replicate the vulture like behaviour to kill their own father yet they are addicted to drinking and smoking and drugs, and keeping illicit relationship and outing at night for entertainment.

EPISCOPUL ȘI / SAU RECEPTAREA SOBORNICEASCĂ A KATHOLICITĂȚII (ΚΑΘΟΛΙΚΉ) BISERICII

In the Symbol of Faith, we profess that the Church is Catholic. Therefore, we can understand this catholicity in several ways. First of them, the Church is catholic because it proclaims the apostolic faith in its entirety; she is the place where we meet Christ in his sacraments and receive the spiritual gifts needed to grow in holiness together with our brothers and sisters. The Church is also catholic because its communion embraces the whole human been, and she is sent to bring to the entire world the joy of redemption. Not eventually, the Church is catholic because it reconciles the wonderful diversity of God’s gifts to build up His People in love, unity and harmony.