It could be that perhaps we do not like too much this Christmas with its illuminated streets, consumerist propaganda, over-played carols, unenthusiastic reunions, obligatory gifts…, or that we even dislike it. Yet, if we could free it from commercial exploitation, our deceitful ambitions, even from our boring liturgies, empty words and outdated dogmas, if we […]
Extended text of my intervention at the International Online Consultation For a bioecocentric humanism: What can we, the followers of Jesus, contribute? (June 5, 2022). What can we, the followers of Jesus, contribute to bioecocentric humanism? Not a surplus of values, nor an exclusive foundation, but the inspiration of Jesus, the inspiration that moved him […]
Text of my intervention at the (telematic) I International Congress “Beyond Religions”, organised by GABRIELLI EDITORI in collaboration with ADISTA (April 2, 2022). I propose 10 points for reflection that I consider fundamental in these times of transition towards a non-theistic, post-theistic or transtheistic philosophy, theology and spirituality. This last term, “transtheistic”, is the one […]
At the end of the Christmas festivities, I return to the narrative in Luke’s gospel about the shepherds in the fields of Bethlehem, shepherds that look for, find, and build peace. We see ourselves in them. And to better see ourselves in them, let’s say it again in case it is still necessary: all the […]
The prophets of Israel had announced peace –Shalom– for a later time, the messianic future that would witness the coming of the Messiah, the king descended from David, the “Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:5). Then, Isaiah wrote, “They shall beat their swords into mattocks and their spears into pruning-knives. Nation will not lift sword against […]
Let these reflections be accompanied by the appreciation and affection I have for Jesús Martínez-Gordo, a brilliant, fiery lecturer, and esteemed teaching colleague during my good old days at the Faculty of Theology in Vitoria-Gasteiz (Basque Country). These are endnotes to the recent “PLIEGO” (monographic booklet) published in VIDA NUEVA and subsequently posted on ATRIO […]
I have no scientific proof that God exists, nor of what there may be after death. By now, when I am into my 80s, my faith is riddled with doubts. I’m bubbling with questions as I face the structural cruelties of the powerful, the suffering of the innocent, the poverty of so many people, natural […]
In the 30th year of the common era, better known in the “western world” as “A.D.”, when the first full moon of spring illuminated the night of Palestine, a young and free prophet called Jesus of Nazareth was arrested, summarily tried and sentenced by the Roman procurator to die on a cross at the request, […]
Roger Lenaers is an elderly, wise Belgian Jesuit, author of books such as Another Christianity is Possible and Although there isn’t a God up there[1], written with intelligence and soul for those who want to go on being Jesus’ disciples without cutting themselves off from today’s world with its worldview, science and language. Having devoted […]
It’s Advent again and the prophecies written by Isaiah a mere 2,700 years ago have a new feel about them. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more (Isa 2:4). There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear […]
