God In All Things

Charlie Kirk's assassination and the contrasting responses at his memorial service—his widow's radical forgiveness versus calls for political warfare—reveal the collision between authentic Gospel witness and civil religion in American Christianity. Our culture's addiction to immediate mobilisation after tragedy robs us of the contemplative space necessary for genuine transformation, replacing the narrow path of forgiveness with the broad highway of tribal retaliation.

The recent proposal to rename the Department of Defense to the Department of War represents more than a simple change in terminology—it reveals a fundamental shift from defensive protection to aggressive warfare as a primary orientation. This linguistic change challenges Christians to examine whether our ultimate trust lies in military might or in the God who calls us to be peacemakers and transforms symbols of violence into instruments of redemption.

Christian hope is a steady posture of the heart that joins human longing to God’s greater plan. It endures with patience, recognising that the ultimate promise transcends individual lifetimes.

Neuroscience research reveals that revenge activates the same reward circuits in our brains as addictive drugs, keeping us trapped in what Ignatian spirituality calls the "false self." Faith-based practices like prayer and meditation literally rewire the brain for mercy over retaliation, offering a path to the spiritual freedom that comes when we choose forgiveness over the ego's demand for revenge.

I recently had a fascinating conversation with Will Dennis, a high school theology teacher and founder of Unscripted Productions, an improv studio dedicated to helping individuals and teams discover their full potential. With a unique background spanning professional theatre, campus ministry, and applied improvisation, Will currently teaches world religions and discernment at Villa Joseph Marie, an all-girls Catholic high school in Pennsylvania.What makes Will's work particularly compelling is his conviction that improv—rooted in radical acceptance and contribution—can genuinely change the world. In our discussion, we explored the profound connections between improvisational theatre and spirituality, particularly through the lens of Ignatian principles like presence, discernment, and finding God in all things. Will shared how improv has become a laboratory for experiencing deep spiritual truths about acceptance, vulnerability, and collaborative co-creation, offering insights that bridge the sacred and the seemingly silly in remarkable ways.Read Will's SubstackUnscripted Productions

God's emotional responses are not rooted in ego or woundedness like human resentment, despair, or vengeance. Instead, divine emotions such as righteous anger, sadness, concern, disappointment, and the desire for justice flow from unconditional love and seek the wholeness and restoration of all creation.

Western Christianity often approaches artificial intelligence with anxiety rooted in dualistic thinking that separates the spiritual from the material, human from machine. Non-dualistic elements within Christian traditions, particularly Ignatian spirituality, offer a more integrated vision that can help us engage with AI as a potential extension of divine creativity rather than a threat to human uniqueness.

Gratitude forms the cornerstone of Ignatian spirituality, establishing the proper relationship between the gift-giver God and humans as recipients rather than takers. This fundamental orientation shapes our entire spiritual life, fostering virtues like humility and generosity whilst providing a powerful antidote to anxiety and negativity.

Language holds profound theological meanings that reveal connections between ordinary speech and divine reality. Jesus' teachings demonstrate how everyday words and concepts can bridge the sacred and secular, inviting us to perceive God's presence in common language.

In an era of societal anxiety and political fear, authentic spiritual hope provides an anchor through connection to our inner centre where we meet God. This hope, as modelled by Simeon and Anna, emerges through joy and active compassion, enabling us to remain present to both suffering and possibility.

Our culture commodifies time, but moments of genuine rest can become encounters with true reality. Through five theological principles—gift, freedom, contemplation, Sabbath, and anticipation—we discover that leisure isn't about escaping reality but about entering more deeply into it, where we encounter our true identity as beloved children of God rather than mere productive units.

Journey through a modern take on St. Ignatius' meditation on the Incarnation. See our digital world—with its smartphones, climate challenges, and global connections—through divine eyes. This Advent reflection, concluding with an original song, explores how God continues to enter our contemporary reality. Explore other meditations on the Ignatian Audio Meditations podcast feed.

While institutions often create complex rules to protect "simple" people, Jesus did the opposite: he kept the law simple while honoring human complexity. His radical approach trusted people's capacity for growth and authentic relationship with God, offering core values rather than elaborate regulations.

Prayer is more about relationship with the divine than a means of control, though humans naturally seek to make meaning from random and profound moments alike. Embracing life's mysteries while finding authentic meaning requires moving beyond simple answers to deeper questions of faith and existence.

Silence, once abundant, has become an endangered resource in our noisy world, impacting our spiritual, mental, and societal well-being. The power of quiet as a spiritual practice and its unequal distribution in society underscore the need to cultivate and protect moments of silence in our daily lives and communities.

Introducing a new podcast for children (and the childlike!) to explore the gospels through the power of imagination and curiosity. Each episode features a story about Jesus from the Catholic lectionary, bringing Scripture to life in a way that’s engaging and accessible for young listeners. Learn more at godinallthings.com/wonder

Human civilization's secular struggle to choose long-term good over immediate gratification aligns with Ignatian spirituality's emphasis on discernment and seeking the greater glory of God.

Hospitality is a sacred, transformative practice rooted in God's own welcoming nature, echoing from creation to Christ, and inviting us to embody divine welcome in our daily lives.

Bartimaeus, a blind man, experiences a profound transformation through his encounter with Jesus. His story invites us to reflect on our own moments of spiritual awakening and the courage it takes to follow Christ.

"Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained." Was Jesus truly giving permission to retain sins? Was his mission not all about unbinding, forgiving, and setting free?