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”

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”

Choosing and Choice

Why is it that the most godless political party keeps trying to convince others, especially Christians, that God is really on their side? They’ve done it on billboards, in response to chastisement by a religious leader (e.g., Nancy Pelosi), and even two open letters (here and here) declaring their adherence to Catholic principles. Archbishop Cordileone (Pelosi’s bishop) and others responded, apparently to noContinue reading “Choosing and Choice”

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”

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””