Why are the wicked joyful? Why are the wicked often prosperous and happy, while the righteous struggle? It’s because they’re not in the game, says St. Ambrose. The spectators loaf about in their luxury boxes, but the athletes who do all the work win all the prizes. Perhaps you are saying, “Why are the wicked joyful? Why do they live in luxury? Why do they not toil with me?” It is because those who have not put down their names... Read more
Don’t judge by appearances In a vision, the Shepherd tells Hermas that you can’t tell the righteous from the sinners by looking at them. In this life, we’re all like trees in the winter: who can tell which are living and which are dead? He showed me many trees that had no leaves; they were withered, and they all looked alike to me. And he said to me, “Do you see these trees?” “I see, sir, that they are all... Read more
If you are looking for quality children’s books on the saints there are numerous options to choose from. The main things most people look for are illustrations that will draw kids into the story as well as a story that will maintain their attention. The Life of Saint Benedict by Brother John McKenzie, O.S.B. fits that bill nicely. Author Brother John McKenzie is a Benedictine Monk from the Monks of Norcia, Italy. Being a Benedictine makes him the perfect candidate to... Read more
Nothing gets past God Do you think that anything escapes God’s notice? asks St. Ambrose. Even when we shut out the sun, its heat penetrates the innermost rooms of our house. Think how much more penetrating God must be. But what can be more foolish than to suppose that anything escapes God’s notice, when the sun that supplies our light enters even hidden spots, and the strength of its heat reaches to the foundations of a house and its inner... Read more
PETE: For those who do not know you, prior to 2012 you were an active blogger on the Patheos Atheist channel. In 2012 you converted and moved to the Catholic channel. Can you tell readers who have not read your book yet about your conversion? LEAH LIBRESCO: I can give a short summary – I have space for more details in the book. I grew up as an atheist and the way I made sense of ethics was very rule-based... Read more
Measure your duty by heaven, not earth St. Ambrose summarizes the opinions of classical philosophy on duty. Then he explains why a Christian has a different idea of duty: a Christian measures everything by eternity, not by our brief life on earth. The philosophers believed that duties were derived from what is virtuous and what is useful, and that from these two one should choose the better. It may happen, they say, that two virtuous or two useful things will... Read more
Remember the judgment of Christ In this transcript of the trial of St. Justin Martyr and his companions, Justin argues that no terrors the prefect threatens can shake a Christian’s confidence. It’s far more important to have a clear conscience before the judgment seat of Christ. Prefect. Listen, you who call yourself educated, and think you know the true doctrines. If you are scourged and beheaded, do you believe you will ascend into heaven? Justin. I hope that, if I... Read more
Be ready for the end of the world The last judgment may be coming very soon, says St. John Chrysostom. But whether it is or not, your own death is the end of the world for you. You need to be ready all the time, and you can do it by imitating John the Baptist. Let us imitate John the Baptist: leaving luxury and drunkenness, let us go over to the life of restraint. For surely this is the time... Read more
This week publisher Ave Maria Press sponsors the giveaway. One lucky winner will receive a copy of Arriving at Amen: Seven Catholic Prayers That Even I Can Offer by Leah Libresco (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 12AM EST 6/12 with a winner being announced later that day. a Rafflecopter giveaway Read more
The resurrection is easy for God Does the resurrection of the dead seem strangely unlikely? Well, of course, says Aphrahat—God’s miracles should seem marvelous to us. But it’s no big deal for God, who has done much more marvelous things. Concerning then this resurrection of the dead, dear friends, according to my power I will instruct you. From the beginning God created Adam—molded him from the dust of the earth, and raised him up. Now if, while Adam did not... Read more
The Catholic Book Blogger
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In