1. What Do You Do When God Feels Distant? St. John of the Cross called it “the dark night of the soul.” The Benedictine friar Augustine Baker referred to it as “the great desolation.” The ancient Christian mystics depicted it in a prayer labyrinth, representing the Christian life, which at times would draw near to God and at other times would seem impossibly distant. It is the experience of spiritual dryness, and it is a common experience for many of us at some point in our Christian [.....]
This time last year I was married & pregnant with my whole life on the horizon. I would often brag about how happy I (thought I) was and give others advice. I felt good and I felt blessed. I remember writing a blog post with my ex-husband about how to be in a healthy relationship.
The only thing I was missing was the most important part: a strong connection between my creator, my husband and myself.
I am not about to complain about the drama that [.....]
Life's most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others? - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
I saw this quote and this picture floating around on Twitter and Instagram last Monday, which was the day of formal recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Every year when people are led to commemorate a special figure in history I am filled with frustration and dismay. MLK's national holiday is no different. I am reminded of how his legacy and his mission have been romanticized and co-opted [.....]
1. What Kind of World Is This?
What kind of world is it where our elected leaders are always trying to take food away from the hungry? Only two months after a boost in SNAP benefits from the Recovery ACT expired, meaning that $5 billion less is available to help vulnerable people, SNAP is again on the chopping block as Congress negotiates a new Farm Bill...continue reading
2. 'Dear Martin': Bishop's Letters to MLK Trace the Highs and Lows in Race Relations The nation will [.....]
I had the idea for this blog post a couple weeks ago, but I thought it best to wait until around this time to release it. Usually, this is the stage, just two weeks into the new year, in which people are slowly becoming less committed to their resolutions.
I know there is much disdain for the phrase "new year, new me." We all have family and friends who commit themselves to something on January 1st, whether it be to exercise more, eat healthier, become a better [.....]
The Ghetto Monk is a home for contemplative thought from the young, spiritual, radical, and ratchet.