Join Richard Rohr, CAC staff, teachers, and guests on a journey through Fr. Richard’s foundational teachings on contemplative Christianity. Discover how to embo...
How do we put the genius of St. Francis to work in our own lives?
In this final episode of our Third Season, Richard takes us through Chapter 13 of Eager to Love, "Francis: A Natural Spiritual Genius". Mike, Drew, and Paul then engage in a rich conversation with author Jon Sweeney, who shares his journey of writing about St. Francis and how it has shaped his understanding of compassion and sensitivity in daily life. The discussion emphasizes the importance of navigating the complexities of living out spiritual values in a world filled with challenges. Sweeney highlights the radical love inherent in Franciscan spirituality and the significance of daily practice in living out these principles. The conversation also touches on Francis' critique of social structures and his solidarity with the suffering of the world, culminating in the emotional depth of his teachings that intertwine love and wound.
Jon M. Sweeney is an award-winning author and independent scholar. His books on Franciscan spirituality have sold a quarter million copies. He’s also the author of forty books on spirituality, mysticism, biography, and memoir including Meister Eckhart’s Book of the Heart, coauthored with Mark S. Burrows and, Thomas Merton: An Introduction to His Life and Practices. Jon is religion editor at Monkfish Book Publishing, editor of Living City magazine, and the book reviewer at SpiritualityandPractice.com.
Hosted by CAC Staff: Paul Swanson, Drew Jackson, and Mike Petrow
Resources:
Grab a copy of Eager to Love here.
The transcript for this episode can be found here.
Pick up a copy of Jon's book, The Complete Francis of Assisi: His Life, The Complete Writings, and The Little Flowers, here.
Find Jon's book, St. Francis of Assisi: His Life, Teachings, and Practice, here
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1:21:29
John Duns Scotus with Sr. Mary Beth Ingham
What is the note you are being called to add to the great universal orchestra?
Today Richard helps us unpack Chapter 12 of Eager to Love, "John Duns Scotus: Anything but a Dunce". Mike and Paul are then joined by Sr Mary Beth Ingham, who shares her journey of understanding Scotus. Ingham addresses the title of her book Scotus for Dunces: An Introduction to the Subtle Doctor, explaining its playful yet meaningful approach to making Scotus's complex ideas accessible. The three discuss the importance of individuality within the context of community, the Univocity of being as a bridge between human experience and divine understanding, and the significance of recognizing the dignity of each person's experience. The conversation culminates in a reflection on the mysticism of Scotus and why his teachings matter for us today.
Sr. Mary Beth Ingham, CSJ currently serves as Congregational Leader of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, California. Mary Beth is Professor Emerita, LMU Philosophy Dept and formerly Professor of Philosophical Theology at the Franciscan School of Theology. She holds a doctorate in Medieval Philosophy from the University of Fribourg, Switzerland and has published widely on the thought of Franciscan Master Blessed John Duns Scotus. Her monographs include Scotus for Dunces: An Introduction to the Subtle Doctor (2003), Rejoicing in the Works of the Lord: Beauty in the Franciscan Tradition (2009), The Harmony of Goodness: Mutuality and Moral Living in John Duns Scotus (2012), and Understanding John Duns Scotus: Of Realty the Rarest-Veined Unraveller (2017). In her research, she argues that the spirituality of beauty, the via pulchritudinis, is at the heart of the Franciscan intellectual tradition.
Hosted by CAC Staff: Paul Swanson, and Drew Jackson
Resources:
Grab a copy of Eager to Love here.
The transcript for this episode can be found here.
Learn more about Sr Mary Beth Ingham's books, here.
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1:25:16
Bonaventure with Sr. Margaret Carney
How can we meet the Divine with both our minds and our hearts?
Today Richard guides us through the Eleventh Chapter of his book, Eager to Love, entitled, "Bonaventure: To Return to Love is to Yield to the Source". We're then once again joined by the inimitable Sr. Margaret Carney, who delves into the life and teachings of Bonaventure, exploring his significance in the Franciscan tradition, his mysticism, and the three great truths that underpin his theological vision. Sr. Carney, along with hosts Paul Swanson and Drew Jackson, discuss the importance of love in academia, the journey back to God, and how Bonaventure's teachings can be applied to contemporary challenges.
Margaret Carney, OSF, STD is a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities. She holds degrees in education and theology from Duquesne University, a degree in Franciscan Studies from St. Bonaventure University and a doctorate from the Pontifical University Antonianum in Rome.
Primary themes of her teaching focus on early Franciscan women, the history of the Third Order Regular and the challenges of Franciscan collaboration in the current era. She resides in Pittsburgh and continues to serve through various committees and boards of higher education and Franciscan service. Among her many honors she includes the Monika K. Hellwig Award of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities and the Pro Pontifice et Ecclesiae Award given by Pope Francis in 2016.
Hosted by CAC Staff: Paul Swanson, and Drew Jackson
Resources:
Grab a copy of Eager to Love here.
The transcript for this episode can be found here.
Pick up Sr. Margaret Carney's book, Light of Assisi: The Story of Saint Clare, here.
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1:19:22
Entering the World of Another with Omid Safi
How can we build solidarity and connection with people of different faiths and cultures?
Today on Everything Belongs, Father Richard Rohr guides us through Chapter 10 of his book, Eager to Love, "Entering the World of Another: Francis and the Sultan of Egypt." Hosts Mike Petrow and Drew Jackson then engage in a profound conversation with Brother Omid Safi about the essence of love in Islam, and the role of poetry and language in navigating spiritual and interfaith dialogues. Brother Omid and our hosts delve into the intersections of spirituality, and how learning from different traditions can enrich our own spiritual journey. The three explore the significance of the encounter between Saint Francis and the Sultan as a model for compassion and dialogue, as well as the the need for a unified approach to spirituality that transcends divisions.
Brother Omid Safi is a teacher in the Sufi tradition of Radical Love and Founder of Illuminated Courses & Tours. He is currently a professor at Duke University specializing in Islamic spirituality and contemporary thought. A leading Muslim public intellectual, Omid is committed to the intersection of spirituality and social justice. His most recent book is Radical Love: Teachings from the Islamic Mystical Tradition.
Hosted by CAC Staff: Mike Petrow, Paul Swanson, and Drew Jackson
Resources:
A transcript for this episode can be found here.
Grab a copy of Eager to Love here.
Learn more about the work of Brother Omid Safi here.
Listen to Brother Omid's podcast, Sufi Heart, here.
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1:26:11
The Legacy of Clare with Sr. Margaret Carney
What or whom do you want to reflect out into the world?
Today we're exploring the 9th Chapter from Richard's book Eager to Love, entitled, "The Legacy of Clare: Living the Life at Depth." In this conversation, CAC hosts are joined by the dynamic Sister Margaret Carney, who shares her deep connection to Franciscan spirituality and journey into religious life, highlighting the joy and challenges of living out these ideals. She discusses the significance of Clare of Assisi's commitment to place and community, the metaphor of the mirror in Clare's teachings, and the unique contributions Clare made beyond the shadow of Francis. The conversation also touches on the themes of downward mobility, the role of conversion in Franciscan spirituality, and how we can live out Clare's example in today's world.
Margaret Carney, OSF, STD is a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities. She holds degrees in education and theology from Duquesne University, a degree in Franciscan Studies from St. Bonaventure University and a doctorate from the Pontifical University Antonianum in Rome.
Primary themes of her teaching focus on early Franciscan women, the history of the Third Order Regular and the challenges of Franciscan collaboration in the current era. She resides in Pittsburgh and continues to serve through various committees and boards of higher education and Franciscan service. Among her many honors she includes the Monika K. Hellwig Award of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities and the Pro Pontifice et Ecclesiae Award given by Pope Francis in 2016.
Hosted by CAC Staff: Mike Petrow, Paul Swanson, and Drew Jackson
Resources:
A PDF of the transcript for this episode can be found here.
Grab a copy of Eager to Love here.
Pick up Sr. Margaret Carney's book, Light of Assisi: The Story of Saint Clare, here.
Join Richard Rohr, CAC staff, teachers, and guests on a journey through Fr. Richard’s foundational teachings on contemplative Christianity. Discover how to embody this wisdom in our daily lives, co-creating a world where everything and everyone belongs.
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