“Every day, every decision, is an opportunity” Christmas is fast approaching. People are worried about decorations, Christmas cards, shopping, and the like, trying to balance (or even find) meaning in the season through all of the materialism and commercialism that takes the forefront. I’ve been visiting family after losing my wife to Alzheimer’s this fall,Continue reading “Christmas, Morality, and Grace”
Tag Archives: Catholicism
Life is a Test: Are You Ready?
Some thoughts on Thanksgiving I’m traveling this week and don’t get to daily mass or watch it on TV, so I picked up one of my Bible apps and dialed up today’s readings. The gospel was one we had recently heard during Ordinary Time, Luke 21:12-19 (33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time). Today’s was a slightly shorterContinue reading “Life is a Test: Are You Ready?”
The Coming Feast of Christ the King and our Approach to Time
By Deacon Keith Fournier, JD, MTS, MPhil Next week we will celebrate the Feast Christ the King in the revised liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church. Yet, for many Catholics who commemorate the Feast, it is just one more somewhat esoteric celebration which we go through every year at this time. This mistake is atContinue reading “The Coming Feast of Christ the King and our Approach to Time”
Are You a Living Room Catholic (LRC)?
“You can’t be a part-time Catholic when there is a full-time Satan.” (from Scott Hahn’s Facebook site) I don’t recall where I got the term “living room Catholic” but it struck me when I heard it as “Catholic in name only” (CINO). Then I watched a conversion story on the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN)Continue reading “Are You a Living Room Catholic (LRC)?”
Admonish the Sinner
“Stop judging, that you may not be judged.” “Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye?” (Matt. 7:1, 3) We are reluctant to criticize others, probably because we don’t take criticism very well ourselves. We often rely on the above statements ofContinue reading “Admonish the Sinner”
Turning the Corner
The United States, after the last election is turning the corner in rebuilding a constitutional government; smaller, more efficient, less intrusive, and stronger. With the death of Pope Francis, the Church also has an opportunity to return to the basics of Catholicism and Christianity in general. The Church has elected a new pope. We shallContinue reading “Turning the Corner”
God’s Binary World
The spirit of relativism, which rules our society, insists that any choice we make, as long as it makes us “feel good,” is the right choice. God tells us that isn’t so. We have two choices, God, or not God. This is the question Joshua asks the Israelites just before his death after recounting theContinue reading “God’s Binary World”
Why Do We Need Lent?
Lent is right in front of us, a little more than a week away. Lent this year begins with Ash Wednesday on March 5, 2025. Why do we do this every year? It’s more than just a build-up to our celebration of the Passion of Our Lord (Palm Sunday, Good Friday) in preparation for rememberingContinue reading “Why Do We Need Lent?”
The Time is Fulfilled
A Christmas Missive “And do this because you know the time; it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” Romans 13:11 Christmas is just about here. We have been waiting with eager anticipation. Time seems to have crawled while also seemingContinue reading “The Time is Fulfilled”
Pope Francis and the 2024 US Election
In a recent interview Pope Francis is quoted as saying, “In political morality, it is generally said that not voting is bad, not good: one must vote. And one has to choose the lesser evil.” In this interview he acknowledges that abortion is killing but he also says that the one who throws out migrantsContinue reading “Pope Francis and the 2024 US Election”
One May Not Do Evil that Good May Come of It
(CCC 1756, 1761, 1789) How critical is intent in one’s actions? Article 1756 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) states, “It is therefore an error to judge morality of human acts by considering only the intention that inspires them or the circumstances (environment, social pressure, duress or emergency, etc.) which supply their context.Continue reading “One May Not Do Evil that Good May Come of It “
Taste and See the Goodness of the Lord
Reflections on the Readings from the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle B Before we get into this week’s reflections we should take a quick look at the Church’s teaching on the Eucharist, the Bread of Life, Panis Angelicus. First of all, the Eucharist is a sacrament. A sacrament is an outward sign, instituted by Christ which givesContinue reading “Taste and See the Goodness of the Lord”
The True Bread from Heaven
Reflections on the Readings for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time As we continue our travel through Chapter Six of the Gospel of John, we enter into the Bread of Life discourse. Dr. Peter Kreeft points out that, while in English we have the one term for life, in the Greek, in which this gospel wasContinue reading “The True Bread from Heaven”
Jesus Feeds the Multitudes:
Reflections on the Readings for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B in the liturgical cycle focuses mainly on the gospel of Mark. However, the gospel of Mark is the shortest of the gospels, so the Church fills out the year with readings from other gospels, mostly the gospel of John. Thus, this week (andContinue reading “Jesus Feeds the Multitudes:”
Calling and Sending: Reflections on the Readings for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time
“The Lord took me from my flock, and said to me, Go, prophesy to my people Israel” (Amos 7:15) Many people, some of whom call themselves Christians, make the charge that Sacred Scripture is not relevant today. This is clearly not the case with today’s readings. Today’s readings depict our being chosen, called, and sentContinue reading “Calling and Sending: Reflections on the Readings for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time”
Vacation from Work, Not God
Summer is upon us. That means nicer weather (and afternoon thunderstorms around here), more outdoor activities, family outings, travel, Independence Day celebrations (don’t forget your flag), etc. However, as committed Catholics, we must remember that our commitment to God does not change with the seasons. While we might be on vacation from work, we shouldContinue reading “Vacation from Work, Not God”
My Articles on Catholic365
Although I haven’t been posting here lately, I have multiple articles on Catholic365.com. Please read and share. Catholic Men’s Groups are Vital, January 29, 2024: https://www.catholic365.com/article/35324/catholic-mens-groups-are-vital.html Hell, February 1, 2024: https://www.catholic365.com/article/35378/hell.html Lent 2024, February 8, 2024: https://www.catholic365.com/article/35470/lent-2024.html God is Calling, February 11, 2024: https://www.catholic365.com/article/35494/god-is-calling.html Jesus and His Cross, February 13, 2024: https://www.catholic365.com/article/35528/jesus-and-his-cross.html Pray Constantly, February 16, 2024: https://www.catholic365.com/article/36583/pray-constantly.html What DoContinue reading “My Articles on Catholic365”
From “Cafeteria Catholics” to “Used-to-be Catholics”
“The safest road to Hell is the gradual one — the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.” C. S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters Within a few short weeks of finishing a powerful book by Fr. William Casey entitled, You Shall Stand Firm: Preserving the Faith in an Age of Apostasy, myContinue reading “From “Cafeteria Catholics” to “Used-to-be Catholics””
We Are Sheep
“Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed … that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Rom 12:2 “The Good Shepherd ought to be the model and ‘form’ of the bishop’s pastoral office.” (CCC 896) Many years ago my brother-in-law, a non-denominational minister,Continue reading “We Are Sheep”
Letter to Editor, Catholic Virginian, September 18, 2023
Yes, There is a War on Christianity In the September 4 letters to the editor one reader declared concern over a supposed war on religion. There is a secular nature of many current issues BUT, the flaunting of practices that run afoul of the natural law and Church teaching including trying to pass laws, useContinue reading “Letter to Editor, Catholic Virginian, September 18, 2023”
The Call: A conversion story
(For those who don’t think Jesus “speaks” to them during adoration.) (While meditating on the Eucharist during Adoration, 9/8/2023) Emptiness, loss, feeling of abandonment, Seeking solace, Church, the mass, Surrounded by strangers. Movement of Heart, a calling, Planning to sin, asking God’s grace, The answer: God intercedes. He sends people to call me back. Reconciliation.Continue reading “The Call: A conversion story”
World Youth Day 2023
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette noted the reaction by Maria Seybert, 19, of Littletown, Colo., [who] was attending her first World Youth Day and seemed inspired by Francis’ exhortations to spread the faith. “Yeah, I know that our church is very broken; we have a lot of sinners and broken people,” Ms. Seybert said. “I desire to hear somethingContinue reading “World Youth Day 2023”
God’s Message Has Not Changed
The Great Commandment: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. … And a second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mt 22:36-39, cf. Dt 6:5, Lev 19:18) Dr. Peter Kreeft, in his book Because God is Real, notes,Continue reading “God’s Message Has Not Changed”
Where Are the Nathans, Ambroses, Catherines of Sienna, and Gregory the Greats of Today?
What happened to us and to the Church? Where is our sense of fearlessly standing up to injustice, relying on the Lord? We are deeply engaged in spiritual warfare and our leadership is colluding with the enemy. And many of those leaders who are not on the other side seem to be blissfully unaware ofContinue reading “Where Are the Nathans, Ambroses, Catherines of Sienna, and Gregory the Greats of Today?”
Democrats Again Try to Claim Religious Faithfulness
“When we Christians behave badly, or fail to behave well, we are making Christianity unbelievable to the outside world.” C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity Once again, in a brazen attempt to convince themselves and others, a group of thirty self-professed pro-choice Catholic Democrat representatives have written a letter claiming to be “making real the basic principles atContinue reading “Democrats Again Try to Claim Religious Faithfulness”
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