Saving the Humanities: The liberal arts under fire
Let us start with a quick quiz: 1. Which literary character falls “down the rabbit hole”? 2. When seven paintings were stolen recently from a Rotterdam museum, taken to Romania and possibly burned, did you care? 3. Not long ago a news story on National Public Radio announced that a long-
Lose Yourself: Getting past ‘me’ to ‘thee’
Is there a record of any other person in antiquity whose love of children and interest in them equalled that of Jesus? His love was such that he held up a small child as an example that adults must, in some way, choose to resemble. This is a bold challenge, and yet Jesus’ references to…
Of Many Things
In the midst of war and injustice, the name of Jesus is a scandal.
In this one child resides the best of who we are, the hope for who we might become.
Letters
Reply All
To Heal the SufferingRe “Healing Communities” (Editorial, 12/2): Bravo. While we still have more questions than answers, the science behind the causes of mental illness has come a long way in the last 30 years. Understanding the chemistry of the brain and its disorders is many orders of
Editorials
A Home for Christmas
Those living on the street and in shelters share in the Holy Family’s experience of transience and insecurity. But how often are they welcomed with reverence and joy?
Books
The Mystic of Milledgeville
This little book provides an intimate portrait of the artist as a young Catholic woman who desires to become both a saint and a famous writer That rsquo s the territory of Flannery O rsquo Connor rsquo s 1925 ndash 64 newly published book A Prayer Journal edited by W A Sessions O rsquo Connor
Messiah Complex
Reza Aslan rsquo s study of the historical Jesus has been hovering near the top of The New York Times best-seller list for several weeks It is written in an engaging style and reads like a historical novel But the author does not want it to be taken as ldquo fiction rdquo but as a…
For the Love of Neighbor
Caron E Gentry is a lecturer in the School of International Relations at the University of St Andrew rsquo s in Scotland She is also a student of theology who has taught a course on international relations and Christianity This volume is the outcome of her effort to join the two disciplines The
Art
Weaving the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art explores the textile trade.
Well before globalization and technology unified the world, trade in textiles wove it both practically and sumptuously together.
Poetry
From the Rough Ways
This is a fearful night.The cloud-wrack scudsHundreds of feet above us, on a blastThat shrieks of war.Wind rips at mighty oaksAnd threatens roof-tops cowering at their feet.Men feel its fingers in their very soulsAnd barricade the entrance, lest the dogWithin, half-tamed, leap up at sound of roaring
The Word
Family in Flight
Family life in antiquity was a life of insecurity though families in many parts of the world still know this insecurity well even today The warm pictures we might concoct of ancient families mdash though certainly the ancients loved their children and spouses loved each other just as families do
Manifest Divinity
The Magi knew how to treat the king After seeking him far beyond the bounds of their country these astrologers ldquo when they saw that the star had stopped they were overwhelmed with joy On entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother and they knelt down and paid him homage T
Family in Flight
Family life in antiquity was a life of insecurity though families in many parts of the world still know this insecurity well even today The warm pictures we might concoct of ancient families mdash though certainly the ancients loved their children and spouses loved each other just as families do
Columns
Breaking the Glass Slipper
Editor Kerry Weber on empowering girls and young women to write their own stories.
Current Comment
Current Comment
A test for the U.S. in the troubled waters of the East China Sea.
Faith
Have Faith in Joy: The ultimate response to the good news
Does Christian joy, which flows from believing in the good news, mean that I am supposed to be happy all the time? Short answer: No.
In the midst of war and injustice, the name of Jesus is a scandal.
In this one child resides the best of who we are, the hope for who we might become.
Signs Of the Times
A.C.L.U. Suit Targets U.S. Bishops
Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, president of the USCCB, calls lawsuit “misguided” and “baseless.”
Nationwide Protest For Better Wages
Workers around the country stepped away from their jobs at fast-food restaurants and other low-wage sites on Dec. 4 in protests demanding improved wages. Workers and supporters say their wages are too low to support their families and that many as a result are forced to rely on government assistance
Nelson Mandela: World Acclaims the Father of a Democratic South Africa
As South Africans prepared for the memorial service for Nelson Mandela on Dec. 10, tributes from around the world poured in, acclaiming a man who steered South Africa away from certain conflict and through a slow, sometimes painful process of reconciliation—one that is in many ways ongoing.Des
News Briefs
Church leaders in the Central African Republic are hoping the arrival of U.N. troops will end bloodshed in Bangui, where at least 16 people were killed on Dec. 5 after the city was attacked by supporters of former President François Bozizé. • At a hearing on capitol hill on Dec. 5, Rev. Larry
New Vatican Commission on Sexual Abuse
Group will advise pope on ways to prevent abuse and provide pastoral care.
Washington Front
Capitol Exhortations
A Washington read of the political challenges in “The Joy of the Gospel.”
Politics
Faith
Culture
Vatican
Scripture
Podcasts