Thomas O'Meara

Much has been written over the years of the history of the Dominican Order, of its founder (St Dominic), its many saints and blesseds, key historical figures, different institutions, and its activities. St Dominic in founding the Order of Preachers left nothing written, and used the Rule written by another (St Augustine's) when founding his religious order. Within the Catholic world there are many spiritual and theological traditions that have a pace in the call to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. In the realm of spirituality there are a variety of schools following the life and writings of a number of people. The Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius are one such very well-known and followed example which has been the model for many religious institutes and organisations of spiritual renewal. The Dominican 'way' has always been a less structured and defined spirituality. It is to some extent illusive, hard to define or encapsulate in one word, one line or phrase however by looking at the tradition that has developed over the last 800 plus years one can discern certain threads, certain key elements, certain constants, that shape and define it to some degree. The motto of Veritas-truth-has been often quoted as the defining word, but as like all one word mottos needs explanation, defining, distilling to meet the an ever changing context of challenges and needs. The essays in this volume examine various aspects of Dominican life. There are essays on prayer, spirituality, as well as historical and biblical pieces as well as a piece on the work of publishing. The contributors come from different parts of the world and reflect different vocations within the Order. The overarching theme in the volume is that the Dominican tradition is one of dynamic engagement, a dynamic engagement with the world, with issues, ideas, concepts, topics, biblical studies, theology, philosophy, and history in whatever activity is undertaken. It is a process, never static but always searching and calling for new ideas, new expressions, new ways to look at, to respond to the situation/s in front of us, and also importantly to make some response to the needs of the time as they confront us. It is the following of an intuition, a thought an insight, to see where it leads, to look at the context/s, all the twists of possible interpretations, understandings and to come to certain decisions in how to frame this and talk about it.

If we have learned anything from recent advances in cosmology and astronomy, it is that we have only barely begun to comprehend the vastness of our universe and all that it contains. For Christians, this raises some fascinating questions:If there are intelligent beings out there, what would be their relationship to what Christianity claims is a special history on Earth of life with God? Would the fact of persons on other planets banish or modify our understanding of God? Would it reduce the importance of Jesus? What role might goodness and evil play in extraterrestrial civilizations? Might God have incarnated himself among other races of creatures, as he became incarnate as Jesus among us? Respectful of the sciences that disclose the reality of the universe, Thomas O'Meara wonders about good and evil, intelligence and freedom, revelation and life as they might exist in other galaxies. In this book, one possible aspect of the universe we live in meets the perspective of Christian revelation.

A century has passed since Karl Rahner's birth, and two decades have passed since his death. Yet this remarkable theologian has left a legacy of wisdom as relevant today as it was during Rahner's time. In God in the World: A Guide to Karl Rahner's Theology, Thomas O 'Meara looks anew at Rahner's insights and theological principles. Through O 'Meara's clear and engaging style, readers will discover 'or rediscover, as the case may be 'how invaluable Rahner is for the church today. Rahner's is a theology that considers both people and history as important. It is a theology that begins with grace as God's self-communication, God's gift of life shared with humankind. It is a theology that directly speaks to some of the tensions we as the church, the people of God, struggle with today: religious pluralism and salvation through Jesus Christ, the roles of priests and lay ecclesial ministers, the offices of bishops and popes, the movements of secular modernity and religious fundamentalism. O 'Meara helps the reader find in Rahner a traditional revolutionary whose theology sees the depth, extent, and vitality of faith, hope and love in the hearts of all people. Thomas O 'Meara, OP PhD, is the William K. Warren Professor of Theology Emeritus at the University of Notre Dame. He studied with Karl Rahner at the University of Munich and continues to receive numerous invitations to teach and speak on Rahner. Among his recent publications are A Theologian's Journey (Paulist, revised 2002), Theology of Ministry (Paulist, 1999), Thomas Aquinas Theologian (University of Notre Dame Press, 1997).