There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy (A Few Words for Wednesday)

May 11, 2016 by
The Return of the Prodigal Son, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (Public Domain)

The Return of the Prodigal Son, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (Public Domain)

Long ago, I shared a poem by Frederick Faber in this space.  This week, I share the words of a hymn he wrote. You can add music, too, and sing along if you like.

I first read these words in my favorite book about my favorite Old Testament book. Faber wrote lots of hymns, Faith of Our Fathers being one of the better known ones. The following hymn is a gift that reminds me of the passage that St. Paul writes to the Corinthians: [Read more…]

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The Only Race I’m Interested In This Year Isn’t Decided In November

May 6, 2016 by

By Ford Motor Company [CC BY 3.0 ], via Wikimedia Commons.

The Ford GT, GTLM Class, race car. Photograph by Ford Motor Company [CC BY 3.0 ], via Wikimedia Commons.


And I’m not sorry to say that. Far from it. The horse I’m backing is pictured above, and the race I’m referring to is held in LeMans, France, in June.

But Frank! What about the race for POTUS? How do you not lay awake at night in fear of what is at stake? The country, man. OMG! [Read more…]

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For Things C.S. Lewis Said Shortly Before He Passed On…

May 4, 2016 by
Licornedos

Sure, you can count this one!  Author unknown, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

You know how often you can find me scrolling the selections over at the Christian Broadcasting Network? Seriously? Recall how many unicorns you have ever seen, and you’ll be in the right ballpark.

But just because I’m not a fan of The 700 Club doesn’t mean I won’t ever venture through their doors when finding something that strikes my fancy. Like what, you say?

Like the transcript of an interview C.S. Lewis gave in 1963, that’s what. [Read more…]

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Breaking: Italian Supreme Court Knows When Stealing Food Is Lawful

May 3, 2016 by

The Rich Man and the Poor Lazarus Hendrick ter Brugghen [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The Rich Man and the Poor Lazarus, Hendrick ter Brugghen [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.

[Read more…]

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Heading To Philly For The World Meeting Of Families? Watch These Videos…

August 29, 2015 by

The last time I saw Diana in person, she was headed to Israel from Jordan.

My pal, Diana von Glahn, aka The Faithful Traveler,  lives in Philadelphia. Lucky her! She’ll be seeing Pope Francis, and a couple of million people inflating the population of the city, come the World Meeting Of Families in September. Even better, she’s made a number of pilgrimage related videos that you’ll want to watch whether you’re making the trip, or not.

Roll commercial! [Read more…]

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The Rolling Stones Tune “Gimme Shelter” Meets The Internet…

July 25, 2015 by

1hj5h7m4p

 

What if they got folks from all around the world to record a rendition of Mick & Keith’s Gimme Shelter via the web? How cool would that be?

The folks at Playing For Change thought it would be cool. Roll tape. [Read more…]

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Confused About The HHS Mandate And Bullying The Little Sisters Of The Poor?

July 14, 2015 by
Jeanne Jugan, Foundress of the Little Sisters of the Poor Public Domain

St. Jeanne Jugan, Foundress of the Little Sisters of the Poor
Public Domain

 

Join the club.Evidently there isn’t enough important stuff happening in the world these days, so the Obama Administration plays a game of chicken with the Little Sisters of the Poor.

Go figure.

Perhaps doing so makes the Administration feel powerful, while they neglect to do much of anything of substance in other spheres?

Here’s the Wall Street Journal interviewing Stephanie Barclay of the Becket Fund For Religious Liberty. Roll tape. [Read more…]

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The #1 Reason the Catholic Church Won’t Support Same-Sex Marriage…

June 29, 2015 by
St. John The Baptist In The Wilderness, by José Leonardo (Spain, 1601-before 1653) LACMA Collection, Public Domain

St. John The Baptist In The Wilderness, by José Leonardo (Spain, 1601-before 1653), LACMA Collection, Public Domain

It’s quite simple, actually. Oh, you won’t see the reason talked about by folks using rational thinking towards an irrational people. [Read more…]

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Because Jesus Said Plenty About Marriage, and Other Inconvenient Stuff Too…UPDATED

June 27, 2015 by
"Jesus Christ and the rich young man," Heinrich Hoffman.

“Marriage? Funny you should ask about that, young man…”*

Hey y’all. Didn’t you know that Jesus didn’t say nothin about homosexuality in the Bible? True story. You ain’t gonna find Our Lord say that particular word nowheres in the Scriptures. It’s like he never heard of that situation. Heck, everbody knows that if Jesus didn’t say it, it don’t exist. Right?

Of course, Jesus said plenty about marriage, and I’m here to tell y’all, it’s damned inconvenient to the spirit of the age nowadays. [Read more…]

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Thoughts On The Gay Marriage Decision From My Bishop…UPDATED

June 26, 2015 by
stikaut

Richard F. Stika, Bishop of Knoxville

And from the Supreme Court justices themselves. First up is the initial, and wise, reaction of my bishop, Richard F. Stika,

“Sad moment in the history of our nation. But we move on. No same sex marriages will be celebrated within the Catholic Church. Our faith teaches that marriage is a sacramental union between a man and a woman. That is our faith and our truth!!! We shall not attack the principle of same sex marriage but uphold our faith and our truths! It does not matter to the Church as marriage is a sacrament that can’t be defined by any court!”

His point is well taken. Supreme Court decisions come, and go. But the Law of the Lord is forever. Go to the diocesan website for his official response.

Next up, from the majority opinion of Justice Anthony Kennedy, the following thoughts are crucial from the standpoint of the Catholic Church, and for all who do not dissent from her teachings, [Read more…]

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