Quincy Howard

The foundation of good fruit lies in healthy soil. But in these times, when not-so-good fruit has become the norm, how do we cultivate the richness of our spiritual soil?

Horizons: Collectively and individually, Americans must contend with our contradictions about true freedom if we hope to become a cohesive nation capable of attaining a more perfect union.

"My Muslim sister gives me a glimpse into a path to peace," writes Sr. Quincy Howard. "There is a way to sit with the pain while praying for love and healing to displace hatred and violence." 

Horizons - As my prayer life has deepened over the years, I've stumbled upon a prayer formula that has become one of my central tools of resilience and accountability.

So many of our systems allow for, or even incentivize, terrible outcomes, and we are dragged along for the ride. The wounds caused by a sense of complicity can range from cognitive dissonance to personal shame or outrage.

When someone's actions or words hurt or annoy, consider the Most Respectful Interpretation rather than jumping to conclusions about intent.

Horizons: You have nothing to lose by making hope a practice. In the worst-case scenario, you will have courageously stayed engaged. And you might surprise yourself by helping to chart a better course for humanity.

Horizons - Jesus' story shows us that new life can come from death, that we can find meaning in tough times, that there is light in the darkness. With the inevitable passing away, something new springs forth.

The synod is a God event. This historic season in the church and in humanity urges us to enter into the biblical story, to trust and to embark on a new journey for the people of God.

Horizons - If you've ever been tasked with cleaning out a family home after the passing of the last of a family's older generation, you have an inkling of the difficult decisions confronting religious communities today.

Horizons - In early 2021 I knew that the stress of my ministry wasn't sustainable. But crafting an intentional exit plan and exploring different ministry options seemed like an impossible luxury, given the relentless pace.

Horizons - What might commitment look like for all of us in the midst of this massive, disruptive global transition? How might the current crisis be a catalyst to push that evolution forward, opening hearts and minds to new possibilities?

Horizons - Three encounters at my motherhouse — involving significant differences of opinion — gave me pause and had me reflecting on progressive and inclusive authenticity.