In the heart of Charlotte today, a small group of monks moves with a quiet, steady purpose. They are walking from Texas to Washington, D.C., a cross-country pilgrimage dedicated to the simple advocacy of peace. There are no amplified speakers, no aggressive placards, and no rhythmic chanting. There is only the rhythmic sound of footsteps.…
Empathetic Heart
Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, …. — Hebrews 2:17. The power of this verse lies in the necessity of shared humanity. It suggests that true advocacy and leadership are not born from a distance, but from the crucible of common experience. I often wonder how the landscape of…
Spiritual Shower
Yesterday’s discussion about John the Baptist dunking Christ in the Jordan triggered a very specific sensory memory for me: my recent stint at Mercy Hospital. Now, anyone who has spent more than forty-eight hours in a hospital bed knows the hierarchy of human needs quickly shifts. Forget the remote control or the “gourmet” chicken broth;…
Leadership
John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me? — Matthew 3:14. The baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist stands as one of the most significant paradoxes in the New Testament. John’s hesitation was logical; from a theological standpoint, the sinless was being submerged…
The Art of Witness: Finding Grace in the Gallery of Life
I have always lived in quiet awe of the “creatives”—the poets who distill the soul into a stanza, the musicians who find the frequency of human longing, and the artists who capture light on a canvas. Recently, Maria Popova wrote about the delicate “creative act” of letting go and holding on, an interplay she defines…