The Commons: 08/28/2026

Linn says:

School is great! The kids are curious about the wheelchair and also extra-helpful. I’m often out pushing myself and I end up having someone help me finish the trip. I’m practicing my Spanish with the wheelchair van drivers. Thanks for your prayers and encouragement!

Tony R says:

How expensive life is getting. I heard from Al Mohler on his radio program that he thinks tech is part of the rising cost of everything. Regardless of the reason, I think it’s getting quite tough for the average American, which from what I know is your average parishioner. I see why young people are curious for any change (dem. socialism)… Sure, you may think that dem. socialism is irrational or unwise. But that’s increasingly becoming the alternative.

I’m not sure the American church is ready for mercy ministries. It takes a lot of time, energy, and communal effort. I repeat, communal effort. American Christianity has strong individualism, in my experience. Many mercy ministries are not “Jesus and me” theology. I think mercy ministries may be the next thing for the remnant. And if so, we’ll have to get ready for the Christians who are planning to condemn us for pursuing a “social gospel.”
Being involved in Latin American missions, I have seen real poverty. Some Americans know poverty. Perhaps it is just a few. Nevertheless, American Christians would be wise to start thinking missionally about the forseeable physical needs in this country.

Coming from a Latin American heritage, there are many, many thinkers who have paved the way in all this. La misión integral (The integral mission). We don’t have to come up with anything new. We have God’s word and thinkers who’ve gone before us to apply God’s word effectively in poverty contexts.

We’d do well to consider building a theology ready to serve both the physical and spiritual needs of the poor in this country. It might be around the corner.

A theology of community might be the start. Getting rid of this very unbiblical-individualistic “Jesus and me” theology that pervades so many Christians I have known. I came from such thinking. Thank God for his grace by showing me the way forward. Grace changes everything…

filbertz says:

Tony R, you voiced some very thoughtful and pertinent issues. So many evangelical churches, especially the ‘larger’ ones, seek to portray an upper-middle class vibe or style and everyone seems to cue off that feel. Those churches and those ‘believers’ will really struggle with the loss of finances and the demand for supports to assist needy families and individuals. They will crumble under the pressure. I think the Catholic church is much better equipped to assist as it is international instead of merely local, has a history of assisting the poor and won’t need to reinvent the wheel, and have always been mindful of the poor and struggling in societies. I’m retired and have a concerned eye upon the shrinking purchasing power of my finances.

John in AZ says:

If you ever eat something you shouldn’t have and want to get rid of it, just look at White House.gov. I found it horrifically appalling. It’s supposed to be the official US government website of the executive branch. Instead, it’s a vomit inducing collection of lies and propaganda. I was sickened to see it had a section called “Media Offenders”. A government that calls the free press “the enemy of the people” cannot be trusted.

Linn says:

Tony-I worked as a missionary in Colombia for 7 years. Churches that had cooperative projects served their people well. One had an affordable school and they employed women from the surrounding neighborhood to make uniforms, which they soon did for other schools. Another had a bakery where they trained the formerly addicted in a transferable skill. It will be interesting to see how they deal with the effects of the earthquake which affected many middle-class neighborhoods in the city of Cali where I once lived and worked. I have seen Facebook and YouTube videos of churches cooking meals and providing activities for children in some of the affected areas.

Muff Potter says:

@ Robert F,
Aided and abetted by far-right fundagelicals.
He (Trump) is after all, their hero.

Robert F says:

One more time: Lake Ontario — now isn’t that a beautiful name!!

Muff Potter says:

@ BrianD,
I loved Berry’s book, ‘Jayber Crow’.
Berry knew America first hand, and it showed in his writing.

bob1 says:

Fantastic. Thanks much Duane!

Does it deepen our love for God and neighbor?

This stood out to me. I’m reading a book by Gupta about the centrality of love in Paul’s
writings.