Author Archives: William Ockham

Unknown's avatar

About William Ockham

I am a father of two with eclectic interests in theology, philosophy and sports. I chose the pseudonym William Ockham in honor of his contributions to philosophy, specifically Occam's Razor, and its contributions to modern scientific theory. My blog (www.teilhard.com) explores Ignatian Spirituality and the intersection of faith, science and reason through the life and writings of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (pictured above).

St. Thérèse of Lisieux and Teilhard de Chardin

In honor of the Feast of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Sr. Joan L. Roccasalvo, C.S.J. had a good article in the Catholic News Agency on the spirituality of St. Thérèse and its relationship to the vision of Teilhard de Chardin: … Continue reading

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Ignorance of Some Scientists

There is an interesting internet discussion between Dan Horan and John Slattery regarding David Barash’s provocative article in the New York Times. I lack the time to do justice to this topic but the substance of my views is very … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Teilhard de Chardin Quote of the Week (September 29, 2014): Origins of Belief

“To believe is to develop an act of synthesis whose first origin is inapprehensible. . . [O]ne has to verify the solidity of an inevitable initial faith, and then one has to verify the organic continuity of the successive stages which … Continue reading

Posted in Teilhard Quote of the Week | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sunday Reflection, 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time (September 28, 2014): Kenosis in an Evolutionary World

Have in you the same attitude that is also in Christ Jesus, Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human … Continue reading

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Sunday Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Spiritual and Psychological Damage of Failing to Forgive

One of my (many) weaknesses is that I have a long memory for any actual or perceived wrong done to me. Forgiving unconditionally is one of the things that I continue to work on. I recently came across an excellent blogpost … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Teilhard de Chardin Quote of the Week (September 22, 2014): Spiritual Progress

“[I]t remains true that, expressed in forms that are infinitely varied, there can ultimately be only one psychological axis of spiritual progress towards God. Even if they are expressed in completely subjective terms, many of the things I am going … Continue reading

Posted in Teilhard Quote of the Week | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sunday Reflection, 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time (September 21, 2014): God’s Generosity Trumps Human “Fairness”

  “Are you envious because I am generous?’ — Matthew 20:15” This weekend is the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time. The readings can be found here. The Gospel is the parable of the landowner who hires workers at different times … Continue reading

Posted in Sunday Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

The collaboration of knowledge, belief and faith

Adam D. Hincks, S.J. has an outstanding article that is on the front cover of this week’s issue of America Magazine. Fr. Hincks is an astrophysicist at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver.  The article is a thoughtful and compelling … Continue reading

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Reason and Faith | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Teilhard de Chardin Quote of the Week (September 15, 2014): The Cross and Progress

“If the Cross is to reign over an earth that has suddenly awaken to consciousness of a biological movement drawing it ahead, then at all costs and as soon as possible it must (if it is to be able to … Continue reading

Posted in Teilhard Quote of the Week | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sunday Reflection, Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14): Freedom of the Cross

“[I]n spite of the profound readjustments that are being made in our phenomenal vision of the world, the Cross still stands; it rears itself up ever more erect at the common meeting place of all values and all problems, deep … Continue reading

Posted in Sunday Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments