https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/333 Sun, 21 Jun 2026 18:29:57 GMT 2026-06-21T18:29:57Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/147368 Title: The heart of spirituality : reclaiming trust and truth Authors: Berry, John Anthony Abstract: Could it be that the deepest spiritual crisis of our time is not unbelief or disenchantment, but a profound imbalance? The real challenge haunting contemporary spirituality is precisely how to overcome the deep and persistent axes of imbalance that define our age. We are living in a time shaped by the predominance of immanence over transcendence, fragmentation over coherence, ethics over metaphysics, alterity without true encounter, and kenosis devoid of glory. As several contemporary analysts of late modern culture have observed, the erosion of shared narratives and institutional trust has reshaped the conditions under which religious belief and spiritual practice are pursued today. What I seek to propose is a long-overdue synthesis, a kind of third way, one in which spirituality holds interiority and transcendence in creative tension, ethics and metaphysics in harmonious interplay, plurality and tradition in dialogue, and kenosis and glory in rhythmic exchange. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/147368 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/147199 Title: «Hacia adelante, hacia lo alto» la fuerza de la esperanza en los escritos de Lucio Gera Authors: Zammit, Mark Joseph Abstract: This article explores the theology of hope in the thought of Lucio Gera within the framework of Latin American theology. Hope is presented not as a purely eschatological expectation but as a historical, communal, and pastoral force rooted in the lived faith of the people. Drawing on Gera’s reflections on poverty, culture, ecclesiology, popular religiosity, and liberation, the study shows how hope emerges from concrete historical suffering and inspires transformative commitment to justice and dignity. The article examines Gera’s understanding of hope as a social and political virtue, as well as its ecclesial and cultural dimensions, highlighting the role of faith, community, and popular spirituality in sustaining hope. Finally, it analyses Gera’s integration of historical commitment and eschatological openness, proposing hope as a dynamic theological virtue that bridges history and transcendence and calls believers to active participation in God’s liberating project.; Este artículo explora la teología de la esperanza en el pensamiento de Lucio Gera en el marco de la teología latinoamericana. La esperanza se presenta no como una mera expectativa escatológica, sino como una fuerza histórica, comunitaria y pastoral arraigada en la fe del pueblo. A partir de las reflexiones de Gera sobre la pobreza, la cultura, la eclesiología, la religiosidad popular y la liberación, el estudio muestra cómo la esperanza surge del sufrimiento histórico concreto e inspira un compromiso transformador con la justicia y la dignidad humana. El artículo analiza la comprensión de la esperanza como virtud social y política, así como sus dimensiones eclesiales y culturales, subrayando el papel de la fe, la comunidad y la espiritualidad popular en su dinamismo. Finalmente, se examina la integración entre compromiso histórico y apertura escatológica, proponiendo la esperanza como una virtud teologal dinámica que articula historia y trascendencia. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/147199 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145451 Title: Traditional roots, modern shoots. Maltese family dynamics in a changing world Authors: Berry, John Anthony Abstract: Examining the situation in Malta concerning the family reveals two un deniable facts. Firstly, the family is the most fundamental institution of society. Secondly, families play a vital role in the country’s well-being and growth. A nation’s health is directly linked to the strength of its families, which are the foundation of society. Numerous indicators from various sources demonstrate that individuals with strong family bonds experience greater happiness and improved physical and mental health. In Maltese society, respect (24.5%), communication (17.8%), trust (16.3%), love (15.2%), and understanding (6.6%) are the most highly valued traits in a relationship. In essence, the adage “unity is strength” applies to the concept of family closeness. Strong families and societal prosperity are inherently intertwined, with education and upbringing playing vital roles along with values, tradition, and adaptability to changing times. Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145451 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145450 Title: Of harlots and holiness : the Church as the 'Casta Meretrix’ in Hans Urs von Balthasar Authors: Berry, John Anthony Abstract: Casta Meretrix articulates the Church’s paradoxical identity as simultaneously holy and sinful, a motif profoundly reconfigured by Hans Urs von Balthasar. Drawing on biblical typology, patristic interpretation, and historical allegory—from Rahab and Hosea to Tamar and the Shulamite—Balthasar constructs a nuanced ecclesiology that honors divine grace while acknowledging human frailty. This essay examines his method, showing how Casta Meretrix offers a critical framework for engaging ecclesial sin, historical failings, and the Church’s redemptive vocation, emphasizing vigilance, penitential self-awareness, and the transformative power of divine love within a flawed yet elect community. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145450 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z