I’ve been feeling depressed about many things. I’ve been depressed about AI—about people using AI to write books and articles; AI stealing art and gobbling up water from poor communities; AI ruining mental health. Not to mention endless wars and genocides, climate despair, rising wealth inequality, and more. In all of this, I’ve found myself…
In the gospels, Jesus tells us to go into the world and spread the good news. This desire to convert non-Christians was distorted by popes and many Catholics in the 15th and 16th-centuries. The doctrine of discovery, papal bulls that legitimized colonization, were written with lots of religious justification. In June, I went to an…
In light of a second Trump term, I’m turning to writers and artists who live their values through their art. I seek inspiration and sustenance and courage to do the same—to let words change me and live with integrity and touch this bruised and burning world with bare, loving hands. In 1934, T.S. Eliot visited…
On a blazing, Washington, DC summer day in 2021, I walked to the Mount Pleasant farmer’s market with my friends and housemates Joy and Ashley. Joy had been volunteering with Mt. Pleasant library, and at their table they were selling tote bags, stickers, and shirts that said “What’s more punk than the public library?” Joy,…
Speak Out Against Nuclear War, a speech by Corita Kent from June 25, 1982. “And we carry out that pledge by belonging to the whole world As responsible, participating adults — Committing ourselves to the making of this community, To the making of this new peace, Using all our energy, time, money and creativity. …
On a bright Sunday afternoon last month, my friend Ashley and I went to an “anti-militarist field day” outside the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. It was organized by a group of recent college grads and was part of the Boeing Arms Genocide campaign. My desire to learn about anti-war efforts like these…
I often hang out with idealistic Christians. People in my circles want to get back to the roots of the Gospel, to emphasize justice and liberation over condemnation and exclusion. It can feel so exciting to find other people who care about these things. Sometimes, though, I realize, with a jolt, that I’m not on…
While I was in college in San Diego, one of my favorite places to wander around with a camera and journal was Balboa Park — a giant, urban park studded with Spanish architecture that holds museums, art, a conservatory and gardens. With buskers playing instruments and dancing, it is always full of music. Alcázar Garden…
Episode 61 of Messy Jesus Business podcast, with Sister Julia Walsh. Podcast: Play in new window | Download Subscribe: Stitcher | Email | RSS | More “Every time I’ve been raw and vulnerable before God, I’ve been surprised at how Jesus has responded to it.” -Father Justin Claravall IN THIS EPISODE For this episode of Messy Jesus Business podcast, Sister Julia Walsh chats with Father…
Episode 59 of Messy Jesus Business podcast, with Sister Julia Walsh. Podcast: Play in new window | Download Subscribe: Stitcher | Email | RSS | More “One needs to be looking for Christ in the world, not for the mistakes the world makes about Christ.” – Phyllis Zagano IN THIS EPISODE In this episode of Messy Jesus Business podcast, Sister Julia Walsh talks with scholar,…
Episode 58 of Messy Jesus Business podcast, with Sister Julia Walsh. Podcast: Play in new window | Download Subscribe: Stitcher | Email | RSS | More “We’re shaped … and affected by what we love, what we care about, what we pay attention to, what we admire.” – Robert Ellsberg IN THIS EPISODE “Our faith is rooted not in maxims, but in a narrative,” shares…
Episode 57 of Messy Jesus Business podcast, with Sister Julia Walsh. Podcast: Play in new window | Download Subscribe: Stitcher | Email | RSS | More “Readers complete a text. And so storytelling is a collaborative activity.” – Liam Callanan IN THIS EPISODE “The act of listening is a very powerful one,” begins Liam Callanan in conversation with Sister Julia Walsh as her guest in…
