Posts by Joe Colletti
Integrating Scripture, Social Capital, and Social Reform
While there is no set and commonly agreed upon definition of social capital, common elements include the sum of the social, economic, and moral resources that accumulate through a network of mutual relationships; goodwill among the persons and organizations that make up the network to disseminate the resources within the network; and positive benefits from…
Read MoreIntegrating our Passions, Probity, and Prayers
The Spiritual Practice of Praying the Psalms and Seeking Social Justice Integrating our passions, probity, and our prayers can be accomplished by praying the psalms. These Old Testament prayers serve as examples of powerful petitions filled with passion and probity and often centered on social justice which can serve as patterns of prayers for us…
Read MoreWhat about Holy Saturday? What Should We Do?
Let this Saturday, Holy Saturday, be a time of deep spiritual reflection. The primary focus of the day before, Good Friday, is the crucifixion and death of Jesus and the primary focus of the day after, Easter Sunday, is his glorious resurrection. But what about the day in-between—Holy Saturday? Matthew wrote that Joseph of Arimathea…
Read MoreCombining the External and Internal: The Work of Artist FrankyJames
FrankyJames relies heavily upon the figure as a primary icon in his compositions, choosing to work in a narrative style that combines many elements of human activities and thoughts. He has effectively combined two tendencies, external and internal, to create works of compelling psychological dimensions. While using his power of imagination, he brings to his…
Read MoreNelson Mandela was Freed from Prison 26 Years Ago Today
After being confined to Robben Island for most of his 27 years in prison, Nelson Mandela walked out of prison 26 years ago, on February 11, 1990 and into the arms of a South Africa on the verge of transformation. He became South Africa’s first black president four years later on May 10, 1994 and…
Read MoreLenten “Inner” Retreats and Solving Social Struggles
Since the earliest days of the Christian Church, Lent has been associated with the 40 days that Christ spent in the desert before the beginning of his public ministry (Luke 4.14). By observing the forty days of Lent, one can imitate Jesus’ withdrawal into the wilderness for forty days and can also prepare for public…
Read MoreLectio Divina and an Image of a Homeless Person realized in Psalm 31
“I am the scorn of all my adversaries, a horror to my neighbors, an object of dread to my acquaintances, those who see me in the street flee from me. I have passed out of mind like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel.” (Psalm 31.11-12) I came across this passage…
Read MoreRobert F. Kennedy
Robert F. Kennedy (November 20, 1925 – June 6, 1968), who is often referred to as RFK or Bobby, was a contemporary social reformer who integrated his Christian faith into efforts to solve social struggles up until the day he was assassinated nearly 50 years ago.
Read MoreSojourner Truth
Sojourner Truth (c. 1797 – 1883) was an itinerant preacher, abolitionist, and women’s rights activist who was born into slavery as Isabella Baumfree. After being sold to four more owners, one fall morning at three o’clock she gathered a few articles of clothing and food and took her infant daughter, Sophia, and set off to…
Read MoreCommemorating President Abraham Lincoln 150 Years Later: A President and Christian Reformer
It was 150 years ago this week that the United States was overwhelmed with grief and sorrow upon hearing that President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. On April 14, at 10:15 pm the assassin fired a shot and on April 15 at 7:22 am the President died. A manhunt immediately began and ended 12 days later…
Read More