Marcus Mescher
@mmescher.bsky.social
Catholic moral theologian focusing on solidarity, integral ecology, moral injury & repair
Reposted by Marcus Mescher
Johnny Zokovitch writes about Bonhoeffer's words about the importance of the church doing what it's always done — bandaging the wounds of those crushed under the wheel of injustice — but also the need to drive a spike into the spokes of the wheel of injustice itself. Following Jesus comes at a cost.
Discipleship, in times like these, comes with a cost
By Johnny Zokovitch During my college years, one of my professors turned me on to the philosophy of Søren Kierkegaard. What I found so compelling in Kierkegaard was his insistence on the way that faith had been co-opted by culture. Kierkegaard reflected on how, for the early Christian community, their allegiance to their faith could cost them so much for being in conflict with the culture surrounding them — resulting in their loss of livelihood, social and economic isolation, the severing of family bonds, and perhaps even their lives.
paxchristiusa.org
October 24, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Johnny Zokovitch writes about Bonhoeffer's words about the importance of the church doing what it's always done — bandaging the wounds of those crushed under the wheel of injustice — but also the need to drive a spike into the spokes of the wheel of injustice itself. Following Jesus comes at a cost.
Reposted by Marcus Mescher
V. 14. no. 2 features a 3-article symposium that emerged from the @sofcethics.bsky.social on "Christian Family Ethics and Shame." In his introduction, Marcus Mescher contextualizes the topic & provides an overview of the conversation. @mmescher.bsky.social
doi.org/10.55476/001...
doi.org/10.55476/001...
Christian Family Ethics and Shame: Three Perspectives | Published in Journal of Moral Theology
By Marcus Mescher. This essay provides a more expansive account of shame in the Christian moral life, heeding the experience of individuals, couples, and families, and the impact of shame on the churc...
doi.org
August 13, 2025 at 2:29 PM
V. 14. no. 2 features a 3-article symposium that emerged from the @sofcethics.bsky.social on "Christian Family Ethics and Shame." In his introduction, Marcus Mescher contextualizes the topic & provides an overview of the conversation. @mmescher.bsky.social
doi.org/10.55476/001...
doi.org/10.55476/001...
Today’s gospel is often domesticated, reduced to random acts of kindness or helping in an emergency. Jesus’ command to “Go and do likewise” is to emulate the Samaritan’s compassion, courage, and boundary-breaking solidarity in our own context. There is no “us” and “them” in God’s eyes. Just us.
July 13, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Today’s gospel is often domesticated, reduced to random acts of kindness or helping in an emergency. Jesus’ command to “Go and do likewise” is to emulate the Samaritan’s compassion, courage, and boundary-breaking solidarity in our own context. There is no “us” and “them” in God’s eyes. Just us.
Reposted by Marcus Mescher
The most sobering part about becoming 1930’s Germany is realizing that no one is going to come here and liberate those being brutalized. If this historically inhumane regime is going to be overthrown, We The American People are going to have to do it.
July 2, 2025 at 11:00 PM
The most sobering part about becoming 1930’s Germany is realizing that no one is going to come here and liberate those being brutalized. If this historically inhumane regime is going to be overthrown, We The American People are going to have to do it.
Reposted by Marcus Mescher
I really don’t understand how anyone in this administration, or anyone who supports them, sleep at night.
USAID cuts could lead to 14 million deaths over the next five years, researchers say
An analysis published Monday in the medical journal The Lancet projects that cuts to the agency will lead to more deaths from diseases like AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.
www.nbcnews.com
June 30, 2025 at 11:30 PM
I really don’t understand how anyone in this administration, or anyone who supports them, sleep at night.
Reposted by Marcus Mescher
On hearing Trump invoke God after bombing Iran on the feast of Corpus Christi
www.americamagazine.org/politics-soc...
www.americamagazine.org/politics-soc...
On hearing Trump invoke God after bombing Iran on the feast of Corpus Christi
How should American Catholics respond to the U.S. attacks on Iran? Perhaps the Feast of Corpus Christi offers a counterpoint to the god of war, power and vengeance invoked by so many today.
www.americamagazine.org
June 27, 2025 at 1:52 AM
On hearing Trump invoke God after bombing Iran on the feast of Corpus Christi
www.americamagazine.org/politics-soc...
www.americamagazine.org/politics-soc...
Reposted by Marcus Mescher
Bishop Seitz: “We remain resolute in our call for protection of refugees amid their disparate treatment by our government.” Pope Leo has said: “Where there is love, there is no room for prejudice, for ‘security’ zones, for the exclusionary mindset that is emerging in political nationalisms.”
June 20, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Bishop Seitz: “We remain resolute in our call for protection of refugees amid their disparate treatment by our government.” Pope Leo has said: “Where there is love, there is no room for prejudice, for ‘security’ zones, for the exclusionary mindset that is emerging in political nationalisms.”
Reposted by Marcus Mescher
"In the name of human dignity and international law, I reiterate to those in positions of responsibility the frequent warning of Pope Francis: 'War is always a defeat!' And that of Pope Pius XII: 'Nothing is lost with peace. Everything may be lost with war.'" #PopeLeoXIV #PrayForPeace
June 18, 2025 at 11:55 AM
"In the name of human dignity and international law, I reiterate to those in positions of responsibility the frequent warning of Pope Francis: 'War is always a defeat!' And that of Pope Pius XII: 'Nothing is lost with peace. Everything may be lost with war.'" #PopeLeoXIV #PrayForPeace
#PopeFrancis brought humility and reform to the papacy. In word and action, he modeled a steadfast commitment to mercy, solidarity, and hope. In this Easter Season of new life, let us pray for him. And let us answer his call to radical love in service to those in greatest need and our common home.
April 21, 2025 at 11:22 AM
#PopeFrancis brought humility and reform to the papacy. In word and action, he modeled a steadfast commitment to mercy, solidarity, and hope. In this Easter Season of new life, let us pray for him. And let us answer his call to radical love in service to those in greatest need and our common home.
Reposted by Marcus Mescher
Join Mairead Maguire in fasting for children of Gaza
Pax Christi International's Catholic Nonviolence Initiative sent out the following message today. Pax Christi USA encourages our members and supporters to prayerfully consider joining in this powerful witness: We invite you to accompany and…
Pax Christi International's Catholic Nonviolence Initiative sent out the following message today. Pax Christi USA encourages our members and supporters to prayerfully consider joining in this powerful witness: We invite you to accompany and…
Join Mairead Maguire in fasting for children of Gaza
Pax Christi International's Catholic Nonviolence Initiative sent out the following message today. Pax Christi USA encourages our members and supporters to prayerfully consider joining in this powerful witness: We invite you to accompany and support the 40-day fast of Mairead Maguire for the children of Gaza. Mairead is a Noble Peace Prize laureate and a member of the Advisory Council of Pax Christi’s
paxchristiusa.org
April 1, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Join Mairead Maguire in fasting for children of Gaza
Pax Christi International's Catholic Nonviolence Initiative sent out the following message today. Pax Christi USA encourages our members and supporters to prayerfully consider joining in this powerful witness: We invite you to accompany and…
Pax Christi International's Catholic Nonviolence Initiative sent out the following message today. Pax Christi USA encourages our members and supporters to prayerfully consider joining in this powerful witness: We invite you to accompany and…
“Our persecution is nothing more nor less than sharing the destiny of the poor … if they kill me, I will resurrect in the Salvadoran people … may my blood be a seed of liberation.”
Let us remember St. Óscar Romero, killed while celebrating Mass 45 years ago today.
Let us remember St. Óscar Romero, killed while celebrating Mass 45 years ago today.
March 24, 2025 at 12:53 PM
“Our persecution is nothing more nor less than sharing the destiny of the poor … if they kill me, I will resurrect in the Salvadoran people … may my blood be a seed of liberation.”
Let us remember St. Óscar Romero, killed while celebrating Mass 45 years ago today.
Let us remember St. Óscar Romero, killed while celebrating Mass 45 years ago today.
Reposted by Marcus Mescher
Elon Musk warned that "the fundamental weakness of Western civilization is empathy," so I'm hoping he reads this, for I found his opposite: www.nytimes.com/2025/03/22/o...
Opinion | If Elon Musk Were Empathetic (Gift Article)
Valentino Deng also has roots in Africa, but he exudes the empathy that Musk scorns.
www.nytimes.com
March 22, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Elon Musk warned that "the fundamental weakness of Western civilization is empathy," so I'm hoping he reads this, for I found his opposite: www.nytimes.com/2025/03/22/o...
Reposted by Marcus Mescher
My Jesuit university, and our university president, made it into mainstream higher ed news, in a good way: www.insidehighered.com/news/institu...
Religious Freedom as a Defense for DEI?
Georgetown University cited its Jesuit mission in responding to Trump administration critiques of DEI. Could religious freedom protect against attacks on diversity practices?
www.insidehighered.com
March 13, 2025 at 4:58 PM
My Jesuit university, and our university president, made it into mainstream higher ed news, in a good way: www.insidehighered.com/news/institu...
In El Salvador this week, I met with neighborhood leaders, non-profits, and base ecclesial communities. All lamented the drastic and draconian cuts to USAID. It means less access to water, food, healthcare (especially for women and children), and legal rights. It will also cause preventable deaths.
Elon Musk says that no one has died because he slashed humanitarian aid. I went to South Sudan to check if that's true. It's not. Meet Peter, Achol and Evan, ages 10, 8 and 5. The reckless actions of the world's richest men are killing the world's poorest kids www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Opinion | Musk Said No One Has Died Since Aid Was Cut. That Isn’t True. (Gift Article)
A journey through the front lines of global poverty shows that when the world’s richest men slash aid for the world’s poorest children, the result is sickness, starvation and death.
www.nytimes.com
March 16, 2025 at 12:39 PM
In El Salvador this week, I met with neighborhood leaders, non-profits, and base ecclesial communities. All lamented the drastic and draconian cuts to USAID. It means less access to water, food, healthcare (especially for women and children), and legal rights. It will also cause preventable deaths.
A gift to be in Paisnal to commemorate the 48th anniversary of the murder of Fr. Rutillio Grande, S.J., and his companions, Nelson and Manuel. #presente
March 13, 2025 at 4:44 AM
A gift to be in Paisnal to commemorate the 48th anniversary of the murder of Fr. Rutillio Grande, S.J., and his companions, Nelson and Manuel. #presente
It was great fun talking about my @orbisbooks.bsky.social book, “The Ethics of Encounter,” at the University of Notre Dame. I loved the questions from students about how to apply Pope Francis’ culture of encounter and why we must keep expanding our imagination of what solidarity can make possible.
March 4, 2025 at 10:18 PM
It was great fun talking about my @orbisbooks.bsky.social book, “The Ethics of Encounter,” at the University of Notre Dame. I loved the questions from students about how to apply Pope Francis’ culture of encounter and why we must keep expanding our imagination of what solidarity can make possible.
Reposted by Marcus Mescher
New anthology alert: "Accountability, Healing, and Trust" on the Catholic Sex Abuse Crisis, featuring
@mmescher.bsky.social 's chapter "Walking with Survivors: What Are We to Do with This Pain?"
Don't miss it!
litpress.org/Products/889...
@mmescher.bsky.social 's chapter "Walking with Survivors: What Are We to Do with This Pain?"
Don't miss it!
litpress.org/Products/889...
February 8, 2025 at 3:38 PM
New anthology alert: "Accountability, Healing, and Trust" on the Catholic Sex Abuse Crisis, featuring
@mmescher.bsky.social 's chapter "Walking with Survivors: What Are We to Do with This Pain?"
Don't miss it!
litpress.org/Products/889...
@mmescher.bsky.social 's chapter "Walking with Survivors: What Are We to Do with This Pain?"
Don't miss it!
litpress.org/Products/889...
I went forest bathing and it was such a moving experience to use my senses and feel so deeply connected to nature, even in this late fall season when trees are bare, leaves are brown, and life seems to be retreating. The squirrels were still playing, the birds still singing, and I can carry on, too.
December 9, 2024 at 3:07 PM
I went forest bathing and it was such a moving experience to use my senses and feel so deeply connected to nature, even in this late fall season when trees are bare, leaves are brown, and life seems to be retreating. The squirrels were still playing, the birds still singing, and I can carry on, too.
Reposted by Marcus Mescher
Let us honor the Four Church Women martyred in El Salvador on this date in 1980 by remembering the poor people of El Salvador for whom they lived and died.
Sr. Maura Clark, MM
Sr. Ita Ford, MM
Sr. Dorothy Kazel, OSU
Ms. Jean Donovan
¡Presente!
Sr. Maura Clark, MM
Sr. Ita Ford, MM
Sr. Dorothy Kazel, OSU
Ms. Jean Donovan
¡Presente!
December 2, 2024 at 3:34 PM
Let us honor the Four Church Women martyred in El Salvador on this date in 1980 by remembering the poor people of El Salvador for whom they lived and died.
Sr. Maura Clark, MM
Sr. Ita Ford, MM
Sr. Dorothy Kazel, OSU
Ms. Jean Donovan
¡Presente!
Sr. Maura Clark, MM
Sr. Ita Ford, MM
Sr. Dorothy Kazel, OSU
Ms. Jean Donovan
¡Presente!
Reposted by Marcus Mescher
We are proud to share our skilled work and our knowledge about how your meal got to your table.
While we keep working, you can make a donation during this season of thanks and giving and help fund change all year long: ufw.org/thanksgiving... or paypal.com/paypalme/ufw...
While we keep working, you can make a donation during this season of thanks and giving and help fund change all year long: ufw.org/thanksgiving... or paypal.com/paypalme/ufw...
November 27, 2024 at 9:21 PM
We are proud to share our skilled work and our knowledge about how your meal got to your table.
While we keep working, you can make a donation during this season of thanks and giving and help fund change all year long: ufw.org/thanksgiving... or paypal.com/paypalme/ufw...
While we keep working, you can make a donation during this season of thanks and giving and help fund change all year long: ufw.org/thanksgiving... or paypal.com/paypalme/ufw...
One month ago, Gustavo Gutiérrez joined the communion of saints. I’ve been thinking about him almost every day, especially what he taught me about the gratuitousness of God’s love and God’s desire for each person to enjoy the fullness of life—and ice cream, too!
millennialjournal.com/2024/10/24/i...
millennialjournal.com/2024/10/24/i...
Ice Cream, Gustavo Gutierrez, and a God That Delights in Us
Since I learned that Gustavo Gutierrez passed, I’ve been thinking of him and the time I spent with him at Boston College in the summers of 2008 and 2010. I’m still amazed at the joy he …
millennialjournal.com
November 23, 2024 at 12:46 AM
One month ago, Gustavo Gutiérrez joined the communion of saints. I’ve been thinking about him almost every day, especially what he taught me about the gratuitousness of God’s love and God’s desire for each person to enjoy the fullness of life—and ice cream, too!
millennialjournal.com/2024/10/24/i...
millennialjournal.com/2024/10/24/i...
I’m thankful to share my research on moral injury in Santiago, Chile. The conversations at Pontifical University, Alberto Hurtado, and Silva Henriquez have been invigorating. Building bonds across institutions (and continents) illustrates Greg Boyle’s claim, “it is the relationship that heals.”
November 21, 2024 at 6:27 PM
I’m thankful to share my research on moral injury in Santiago, Chile. The conversations at Pontifical University, Alberto Hurtado, and Silva Henriquez have been invigorating. Building bonds across institutions (and continents) illustrates Greg Boyle’s claim, “it is the relationship that heals.”
35 years ago today, soldiers trained on US soil killed six Jesuit priests, Elba (their cook), and Celina (Elba’s 15 year old daughter). We remember them and these words from Ignacio Ellacuría: “Christians and all those who hate injustice are obligated to fight it with every ounce of their strength…”
November 16, 2024 at 1:47 PM
35 years ago today, soldiers trained on US soil killed six Jesuit priests, Elba (their cook), and Celina (Elba’s 15 year old daughter). We remember them and these words from Ignacio Ellacuría: “Christians and all those who hate injustice are obligated to fight it with every ounce of their strength…”