It seems many people today are not happy. I mean truly genuinely happy. They may think the accumulation of material goods will satisfy that internal longing but in the end they find it does not. So this naturally leads to the question of how does one obtain true happiness? Dr. Christopher Kaczor attempts to define how positive psychology and faith overlap and in fact go hand in hand to providing that true happiness people so desperately want in his new... Read more
Mary was an instrument of redemption St. John of Damascus speaks to God the Son, declaring all that he accom- plished by taking on flesh to redeem us. Then comes an important question: Who was the human instrument God chose to make that redemption possible? The Father predestined her; the prophets foretold her through the Holy Spirit. His sanctifying power overshadowed her, cleansed her, and made her holy. Then you, Word of the Father, leaving your place in heaven, invited... Read more
This week Saint Joseph Communications is back to sponsor another media giveaway. One lucky winner will receive one copy of the 5 CD set, Exploring the Early Church Fathers by Michael Barber (you can read my review here). I use Rafflecopter to run my giveaways which makes it simple for you and me! Enter below. The contest starts at midnight tonight EST and will end 12 AM EST 9/16 with a winner being announced later that day. a Rafflecopter giveaway Read more
Mary was the first to adore her Son St. Peter Julian Eymard, known as the “Apostle of the Eucharist,” devoted his life to encouraging Eucharistic adoration and devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. Here he reminds adorers of our Lord that they are following Mary’s example. All Mary’s life—taken as a whole—may be summed up in this one word—adoration; for adoration is the perfect service of God, and it embraces all the duties of the creature toward the Creator. It was... Read more
Early on in my time as a reviewer I became very interested in reading about the Church Fathers. Books have been my primary source of information including ones written by Mike Aquilina and Jimmy Akin. Recently I stumbled upon a magnificent 5 CD set on the topic from Saint Joseph Cummunications. The title of the set is Exploring the Early Church Fathers and is from a talk given by Dr. Michael Barber. If you have any interest in patristics this... Read more
Mary has shown herself to be your mother St. Ignatius Loyola recalls all the good reasons we have to call Mary our mother, and to honor her accordingly. Mary has always shown herself to be your mother. She received you to her heart when Jesus gave you to her as her child. For this reason the Scripture calls Jesus Christ her “firstborn” (see Mt 1:25). You ought to be born in her and by her, after him. She has nourished... Read more
More reasons why Mary loves us so much St. Alphonsus observes that Mary has multiple compelling reasons for loving us. Our mother loves us so much because we were entrusted to her by her beloved Jesus, when he said to her before he died, “Woman, behold your son!” (Jn 19:26). For St. John represented us all. These were our Lord’s last words; and the last requests made before death by those we love are always treasured and never forgotten. In... Read more
Mary loves us because her Son died for us Mary’s beloved Son loved us so much that he gave his life for us. What greater reason, St. Alphonsus asks, could she have for loving us as well? Yet another motive for the love of Mary towards us is this: In us, she beholds what has been purchased at the price of the death of Jesus Christ. If a mother knew that a servant had been ransomed by a beloved son... Read more
Mary loved her neighbor Genuine love for God leads inevitably to love for neighbor. St. Alphonsus points out that just as Mary loved God perfectly, she loved her neighbor perfectly. Love toward God and love toward our neighbor are commanded by the same precept: “And this commandment we have from him, that he who loves God should love his brother also” (1 Jn 4:21). St. Thomas says the reason for this is that whoever loves God, loves all that God... Read more
This week Image Books sponsors the giveaway. One lucky winner will receive one copy of The Choice of the Family: A Call to Wholeness, Abundant Life, and Enduring Happiness by Bishop Jean Laffitte (you can read my review here). I use Rafflecopter to run my giveaways which makes it simple for you and me! Enter below. The contest starts at midnight tonight EST and will end 12 AM EST 9/11 with a winner being announced later that day. a Rafflecopter giveaway Read more
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