Read about the gift of centering prayer from one of our Give Us This Day writers:

Bringing together contemplatives to pray in silent community offers not only encouragement to individuals but fosters the beautiful spiritual energy that arises when two or three are gathered in God's name. My latest in @ncronline.bsky.social www.ncronline.org/spirituality...

welp, I guess the nation's largest city is no longer free to elect a mayor of its choosing

Olivia Poust, assistant director of the CRC, visited Versailles as "No Kings" protests swept the United States. In this blog post, she reflects on the current political reality in the U.S. in relation to the history of absolutism in France under Louis XIV.

Four opportunities to retreat with me in the coming months — Marriottsville, Md; Garrison, NY; Paradox, NY, and Maryland a second time. Info here: notstrictlyspiritual.com/events/

Hmmm… Who was in charge in 2024? Oh yeah.

It’s plain for all to see.

“...we are not a Church of sides, but rather one that is literally ‘universal' in its reach, its mission, its makeup. We are, in a sense, a Church of both/and, not either/or.” From my latest Life Lines column. notstrictlyspiritual.com/life-lines/a...

"A Church of both/and" My latest Life Lines column —about the election of Pope Leo XIV. evangelist.org/news/2025/ma...

Today's front page.

Vicar of Christ

Just a normal Friday night at the asylum…

Trump posted a picture of himself dressed as the pope. One of the most vile humans to walk the planet and he’s imagining himself as the pope.

In today’s Gospel, Mary Magdalene is called by name, at which point she recognizes the risen Christ before her. We are each called by name, each beloved before our God. Read more: notstrictlyspiritual.com/faith/a-pray...

Pope Francis’s "Urbi et Orbi" Easter speech: “How much contempt is stirred up at times towards the vulnerable, the marginalized and migrants...I appeal to all those in positions of political responsibility in our world not to yield to the logic of fear which only leads to isolation from others.”

Heartbroken this morning, waking up to the news of the Holy Father’s death. He was a breath of fresh air in our Church. I pray the Cardinals choose a successor who will continue his ministry of tenderness and compassion, justice and joy, simplicity and inclusivity. Photo by @marydtp.bsky.social

We are at the midway point of Lent. Have you lost sight of your original Lenten promises? No worries. You can’t fail Lent. Just begin again. My latest Life Lines column: notstrictlyspiritual.com/life-lines/y... #lent

On this Feast of St. Benedict, the story I wrote after visiting his monastery in Subiaco, Italy. notstrictlyspiritual.com/travel/foots...

In honor of the 12th anniversary of the election of @Pontifex, the column I wrote a few days later. Still holds. #PopeFrancis notstrictlyspiritual.com/faith/my-pop...

“Fight Nazis, Not Students,”’they chant.

A Roman pontiff as beacon of the free world? History is strange, but here we are. Me in @nytopinion on the 12th anniversary of Francis' election: The Age of Trump Has Its Prophet: Pope Francis www.nytimes.com/2025/03/13/o...

The ashes may be gone from our foreheads, but the real work is just beginning. If you don’t live up to the promises you made yesterday, dust yourself off and start again. It is not about achieving goals but deepening relationship—with God, with self, with others. When all else fails, choose love.

Dictator.

New podcast has posted in time for the start of #Lent. Join me for a conversation about new ways to look at old traditions. Don’t forget to subscribe on your favorite platform! www.buzzsprout.com/1240406/epis...

Never forget this day, February 28, 2025, when an American president abused and betrayed a democratic ally in the midst of a barbaric war with Russia. This grotesque stain will never wash away.

Doing final proofs of my upcoming book of reflections for Advent/Christmas 2025/2026, from @litpress.bsky.social

Today’s Trump/Zelensky meeting reminded me of Krushchev’s quote: “We will take America without firing a shot. We do not have to invade the U.S. We will destroy you from within.” The silence from the GOP, whose foreign policy was centered in spreading American democracy, is deafening.

Donald Trump has betrayed America. If you couldn’t see it before, you just saw it today.

It has been the most accelerated, precipitous decline the last month. Just awful. Absolutely awful abdication of American duty, service and leadership. We are heading quickly toward a failed state and everyone who could take actual action is just wincing and watching it happen.

What an embarrassment to our country. Again. I guess I can just put that comment on endless loop.

Trump and Vance just made Zelensky one of the most popular leaders in the world.

I am so ashamed of our treatment of Zelensky. We are far beyond deplorable.

This is important for everyone to see. Donald Trump is a fucking mobbed up bully and he’s playing for Putin. This is not who we are. This is not how the United States treats its allies. Russia is NOT our ally and trump is getting us in trouble. President Zelenskyy is right. Trump is a disgrace.👇

Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦

Trump and JD Vance attacking President Zelenskyy in the Oval Office sends a clear message to the world: America is one election away from abandoning our allies. The damage to our global standing could be irreversible.

DISGRACE

Constant simmering rage should really burn more calories.

Oh my God. Donald Trump and JD Vance are attacking Zelensky in the Oval Office. This is a complete fucking embarrassment.

"NATO is not the thing that Russia is afraid of. Russia is afraid of democracy expanding to Russia. Why are we in NATO? Its because we are afraid of Russia. And the only thing that really works – the only security guarantee that works – is NATO's umbrella," Kaja Kallas said in an interview with AFP

JD Vance is loathsome

A$$hole in Chief

DOGE recommends cuts to the FAA. Hundreds of workers get fired, including those tasked with producing air traffic navigation maps. Now Starlink is reportedly in line to take over a $2 billion contract to upgrade the nation's air traffic control systems. See how this works?

Tomorrow, February 28, let’s disrupt the status quo by spending ONLY at businesses that uplift our communities. That means: 🚫 No gas from corporate giants 🚫 No fast food chains 🚫 No big-box retailers (Target, Walmart, Amazon, etc.)