the Essays & Reflections
Author: Paul Prins
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Translating the Psalms for a Book of Hours
Translating scripture is a complex process. I pull back the curtain on the translation process of the Psalms for the Divine Office. From sources to some of the complexities involved in this interpretive process.
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Discover the Tradition of Christian Mysticism
The tradition of Christian Mysticism has roots in second temple Judaism. It’s woven its way through nearly every denomination and movement of the Church for two millennia. Let this brief overview help you learn about mysticism.
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A Prayer for the Recently Deceased
A prayer for when a sibling in Christ has passed on. Words that might help us be present in this time of grief and loss. I wrote these words after my father-in-law passed during the pandemic in fall 2021.
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The Christ We Follow
As followers of Jesus, it is hard to see Him clearly. Subtly, we start following a Christ that looks like us, or who we wish to be. Soothing our souls by turning from the wild, transforming love of God. Who is the Christ we follow?
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UnChristian: Lets Stop Calling Others This
What if instead of calling others ‘UnChristian’ we said, ‘the Jesus I follow looks/acts different.’ There are three reasons I suggest we stop casting others out of Christianity.
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God loves us, and we will be okay.
In my writing and speaking I focus a lot on the unearned grace, tenderness, and love of God. For in my life, I cannot recall a time I didn’t believe I earned all the affection I received. And was therefore to blame when I felt unloved. I am not the only one with this experience,
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Paris Liberated 78 Years Ago Today
78 years ago today, Paris was liberated from the Nazi fascists who had spent four years occupying, murdering, and oppressing the people of this city. Political ideologies that wield violence as power must be resisted and condemned.
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Grace will invite you
In the quiet stillness God awaited me. It was there in a moment that could have easily been lost. Jesus invited me. Invited me to see a life of grace as one of endless invitations. That the reality of grace must first unseat each of the ways I now see myself. For all my weaknesses,
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Rediscovering the Kingdom of God
When we proclaim the Kingdom of God we tell a bigger story than exchanging sin for salvation. We disclose the reality of an eternal kingdom with Christ as King, that is near and coming. It is the good news.
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There’s No Fight between Science and the Church
There is not a fight between science and the Church/Theology. Within the decade humanity will likely know life has existed off planet (Mars). The church needs to prepare for this reality. We need to teach that the creation myths in Genesis are not literal, but theological stories.Stories that tell us about relationships with one another/creation,