(art: Church of St. Nicetas, Macedonia, 14th cent.) Whenever the Gospel accounts of Jesus driving out the money changers from the temple come up in the Liturgy of the Word, I often see an article or hear someone asserting that the Gospel account is proof that anger can be righteous and even a virtue. It … Continue reading Our Own Anger is Still Not Good for Us
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Resurrection Saves from Sadness & Despair
(art: Resurrection, woodcut print, 15th century C.E.) In his General Audience today, Pope Leo XIV explored the topic of personal sadness and explained how the resurrection of Jesus Christ can give us a hope that replaces despair. The pope's address is part of the the cycle of catechesis that will continue throughout the entire Jubilee … Continue reading Resurrection Saves from Sadness & Despair
Pope Leo Explains the Resurrection as Cause and Model for Forgiveness
(photo: Edgar Beltran, 2025) Pope Leo XIV had important things to say about forgiveness in his General Audience on Wednesday of this week. His remarks linked forgiveness to the example of Jesus Christ when he appeared to the disciples after his resurrection (John 20:19-31), and how Jesus appears without anger or desire for revenge, but … Continue reading Pope Leo Explains the Resurrection as Cause and Model for Forgiveness
Divine Forgiveness: From Faith to Science and Back Again
(photo: Vatican Media, September 24, 2025) Pope Leo XIV addressed the topic of divine redemption today in his general audience. Divine redemption is an important concept and principle linked to divine forgiveness - i.e. forgiveness of our transgressions by God. Divine forgiveness is an important topic within forgiveness research because many people in general are … Continue reading Divine Forgiveness: From Faith to Science and Back Again
Why is real forgiveness a process?
(photo: Artist's Conk, Tom Delaney, Sherburne County, Minnesota, 2025) The mixture of hardwood oaks and aspens along with softwood pines and junipers makes for a wide variety of mushrooms and fungi in our little corner of the oak savanna. I took a photo of this Artist's Conk (Ganoderma lobatum) in our woods and I'll be … Continue reading Why is real forgiveness a process?
Forgiving Makes More Forgiveness
(photo: Prairie Deer Mouse by Tom Delaney, Sherburne County, Minnesota, 2025) An important part of my day is the time I spend in our stable, hay shed, and on our pastures. Regularly doing some outdoor work caring for animals and little ecosystems like pastures, keeps gives me a daily connection to nature and the proverbial … Continue reading Forgiving Makes More Forgiveness
Fire & Forgiveness
(photo by Tom Delaney, Sherburne County, Minnesota, 2025) The days are turning cooler here in Central Minnesota, and the night chorus of crickets swells. Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purperea) is a one tow watch all summer long, and these days are no exception. Purple Prairie Clover is a native species or prairies in Minnesota, and … Continue reading Fire & Forgiveness