Radical Grace
October – December 2006
Presence, Poise and Praxis:
The Threefold Challenge for Today
by Mary Beth Ingham, CSJ
As followers of Jesus, we stand at the dawn of this
third millennium with great hope and not a little
trepidation. Our hope, of course, lies in the power of Jesus,
living and active in our world. Our trepidation comes
from our own sense of our limitations, our vulnerabilities.
We long to be peacemakers in a world torn by violence
and war; yet in our own lives we are conscious of those
moments where we have been fragmented and not at peace.
We long to promote health and life; yet in our own lives
we are painfully aware of all that is not healthy or lifegiving.
We long to build bridges, to promote justice and
right relationships, to take risks for reconciliation; yet we
are often frightened and threatened by what such risks
would require of us.
“My strength is enough for you, for in weakness power
reaches perfection” (2 Cor. 12:9). As we each seek to turn
our gaze from ourselves to Jesus, as we work to see ourselves
in the divine loving regard, the spiritual traditions of our
religious families offer us insights and support. For
Franciscans, support can sometimes come from where it is
least expected: from the complex and intricate thought of
one of our greatest medieval metaphysicians, John Duns
Scotus (1265-1308). Scotus’ manner of re-framing the vision
of the human person and the created order in the light of
divine love and generosity offers a rich source for all who
live and work in the spiritual tradition of St. Francis, the
Poverello. I am confident that in his discussion of the
constitution of the human heart and its deep desire to love
God above all things, to honor the self and to promote
justice, Scotus offers a fruitful approach for anyone who
seeks to promote right relationships with God, self, other
and creation. I draw out the elements of his vision
according to three themes: presence, poise and praxis.
Sr. Mary Beth Ingham, CSJ, a Sister of St. Joseph
of Orange, CA, holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy and serves
as Professor of Philosophy at Loyola Marymount
University, Los Angeles. her much-published work on
Franciscan John Duns Scotus includes Scotus for
Dunces: An Introduction to the Subtle Doctor.
If you enjoyed what you read, please consider joining
the growing community of CAC friends and supporters by making a
financial contribution. In return, you will receive a year’s worth
(four quarterly issues) of Radical Grace.
|
