In the last century, archaeologists of the Highlands Settlements north of Jerusalem uncovered evidence that reshapes traditional understandings of Israelite history and the Bible. This new history remains largely untold outside of specialized archeological and biblical studies contexts. In her new book, Undoing Conquest, Kate Common, Assistant Professor in Public and Practical Theology at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio, recovers the material evidence that challenges the theological imagination of conquest that has permeated Christianity.By examining how biblical conquest narratives shaped Christian ideology, Undoing Conquest offers ways to incorporate the story the Highlands Settlements reveal into the life of the church to repair the harms of settler-colonialism and creating a more just future.Undoing Conquest is available at 25% off through 31 March 2024 Get your copy today, visit https://maryknoll.link/e7214f

Tuesday of the Third Week of LentMt 18:21-35Peter approached Jesus and asked him,“Lord, if my brother sins against me,how often must I forgive him?As many as seven times?”Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times."

In this episode of Among the People, we had two very special guests calling in from Brazil, Fr. Dennis Moorman and Sr. Euphrasia Nyaki, also goes by Sr. Efu. They speak about their journey to becoming part of the Maryknoll community and their call to dedicate their life to mission. Sr. Efu talks about her passion to serve with women who have gone through trauma and her calling to work with them to heal their wounds. Fr. Dennis, said his experience with alcohol addiction and other mental illnesses have been the motive for his want to heal people. Fr. Dennis connects his vocation to the priesthood with his call to heal those with mental illness by asking, “What did Jesus do? He traveled around and he healed people. Made people whole and he integrated them back into the community.”Sr. Efu and Fr. Dennis have been invited to work with organizations all around the world to educate individuals and groups who have gone through trauma on how to heal themselves and be better connected to their bodies. Learn more about Fr. Dennis and Sr. Efu’s work here: Fr. Dennis and Sr. Efu.

In Pentecost at Tepeyac? Orlando Espin develops a Latinx pneumatology, or theology of the Holy Spirit, by exploring the image and enduring popular devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe.He argues that all symbols are cultural creations, and furthermore, the Spirit being divine is beyond all cultures. Therefore, no one symbol--whether dove, flame, breath, or any other—can be the only symbol possible. The feminine too can culturally symbolize the divine.To experience and express their faith in God non-European cultures can and must culturally symbolize the divine, in their respective ways.By focusing on the empowering action of the Spirit among the indigent and marginalized majority of humankind and their cultures, Espín provides a clear and compelling vision of the Holy Spirit’s subversive, empowering role in human history, societies and cultures. In Pentecost at Tepeyac? 06:18 Guadalupe symbol as female expression of faith.07:52 Reflecting on Guadalupe, Mary, and the Holy Spirit.11:02 Questioning the use of masculine language for God.16:00 Guadalupe's historical timeline and peoples' devotion.18:18 Our representations of God are not truth.23:42 Jesus killed for supporting the poor. Not divine.27:17 Elizondo questions Guadalupe's miracle and its significance.30:02 Latino family with strong Catholic commitment and marginalized. Orlando O. Espín is professor emeritus of systematic theology, University of San Diego, where he also served as director of the Center for the Study of Latino/a Catholicism. A founder of the Academy of Hispanic Catholic Theologians of the U.S (ACTHUS) he is the winner of the John Courtney Murray Award from the Catholic Theological Society of America. His many books include Idol & Grace, The Faith of the People, and Grace and Humanness (all Orbis).

Wednesday of the Second Week of LentMt 20:17-28But Jesus summoned them and said,"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,and the great ones make their authority over them felt.But it shall not be so among you.Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant;whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serveand to give his life as a ransom for many."

Feast of the Chair of Saint PeterMt 16:13-19"And so I say to you, you are Peter,and upon this rock I will build my Church,and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven.Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

In this episode of Among The People, we sit down with Maryknoll Missioner, Fr. Doug May. Growing up in a small town near Buffalo, NY, Fr. Doug now serves as a missionary Priest in Cairo, where he has been for more than two decades. He is the only United States-born, English-speaking priest in Egypt.He provides pastoral care for several communities in the Cairo area. He also works as the international coordinator for the Center for Intercultural Dialogue and Translation and the Center for Arab-West Understanding, a nongovernmental organization that fosters dialogue between Christians and Muslims and sociopolitical pluralism in Egypt and in the Middle East.

Friday of the Fifth Week in Ordinary TimeMk 7:31-37He took him off by himself away from the crowd. He put his finger into the man's earsand, spitting, touched his tongue;then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him,"Ephphatha!" (that is, "Be opened!")And immediately the man's ears were opened,his speech impediment was removed,and he spoke plainly.

In this One On One Interview, Robert Ellsberg and Elizabeth A. Johnson, discuss her new book "Come, Have Breakfast: Meditations on God and the Earth" .“‘Come, have breakfast’ (Jn 21:12) These three simple words followed by generous action open a portal into an ecological image of the living God who is active with cordial hospitality toward all creatures, nurturing their lives, desiring that all should be fed.” https://maryknoll.link/f38eb5Addresses contemporary socioeconomic concerns from a biblical and mission-based perspective. Offers a tool (a social justice inventory) for evaluating ourselves in light of a biblical theology of wealth and poverty.In her latest work, prize-winning theologian Elizabeth Johnson views planet Earth, its beauty and threatened state, through the lens of scripture. Each luminous meditation offers a snapshot of one aspect of the holy mystery who creates, indwells, redeems, vivifies, and sanctifies the whole world. Together, they offer a panoramic view of the living God who loves the earth, accompanies all its creatures in their living and their dying, and moves us to care for our uncommon common home. Get your copy online with Orbis Books: https://maryknoll.link/f38eb5

In this episode of Among the People, Fr. Joe and Luna site down with Deacon, Gregory McPhee who will be ordained as a Maryknoll Priest on Saturday, August 22nd. Deacon Gregory shares his incredible, mystical experience of how he came to find his vocation as a missioner, along with his story of mission around the world. If you are interested in learning more about Maryknoll, please visit https://maryknollsociety.orgInterested in learning more about a life of mission? https://maryknollvocations.org

Feast of the Presentation of the LordLk 2:22-40The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,“Behold, this child is destinedfor the fall and rise of many in Israel,and to be a sign that will be contradicted—and you yourself a sword will pierce—so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Thursday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary TimeMk 6:7-13He said to them,"Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there.Whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you,leave there and shake the dust off your feetin testimony against them."