When I chose the name Teresa of Avila for my Confirmation name during my freshman year of high school, I didn’t know what an important, meaningful decision I’d made. I picked her because she founded the Discalced Carmelites, a group of sisters I had grown close to in Indianapolis and admired for their contemplation, simplicity, …
Lessons from Good Pope John, Part 3: Detachment and trust
This is the last post in a series about the exemplary life of Blessed Pope John XXIII, whose feast we celebrated on October 11. Today's post is on detachment and trust. John allowed God to carry him through life, just as his father carried him on his shoulders when he was a boy. His motto …
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Lessons from Good Pope John, Part 2: Compassion and courage
This post is the second piece in a series about Pope John XXIII, who opened the Vatican II Council on October 11, 1962. I hope we can celebrate the 50th anniversary of the council, and live out its mission, by following the example of the Good Pope. John’s motto for his papacy was “pastor and …
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Lessons from Good Pope John, Part 1: Humor and Humility
Today, we celebrate the life of Blessed Pope John XXIII, who opened the Second Vatican Council—arguably the most important religious event of the twentieth century—on October 11, 1962. Much has been written about the council on the occasion of its 50th anniversary, and I hope to contribute to that body of work in the coming …
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A new narrative
The malicious and intentional spreading of an offensive, anti-Muslim video. The murder of an American ambassador. Protests around the world. Hate crimes against mosques in the U.S. All of these events seem to further solidify the already-entrenched narrative about Muslim-Christian relations—that Muslims and Christians are in a “clash of civilizations,” fundamentally at odds, and hell-bent …
JORDAN DENARI DUFFNER 