Don’t worry about being too generous St. Cyprian tells us to be generous in giving to the poor. But don’t we have to worry about feeding ourselves, too? No need to worry: trust in Christ, and you will be provided for. If you’re afraid that you might use up all your property by being so generous, and be reduced to poverty, cheer up and don’t worry. You can’t run out if you’re supplying the service of Christ or performing the... Read more
The Open Book Podcast Episode 004 Podcast: Download (Duration 31:34– 29 MB) Talking Catholic Literary Giants including C.S.Lewis and J.R.R Tolkien with guest, author Joseph Pearce. Music for this episode provided courtesy of Sam Rocha from his album Late to Love. The intro song is Genesis Time, and the closing song is In Self’s Place. To get your own copy of this album visit his website here. Visit Ignatius Press to learn more about Joseph’s book Catholic Literary Giants: A Field Guide to the Catholic Literary Landscape. Saint Benedict Press is... Read more
Deposit your wealth in heaven Writing to a young widow still grieving her husband, St. John Chrysostom advises her to put all her goods in heaven—a better investment than she could ever find here on earth. Now, once and for all, if you want to keep your property in security and earn good interest on it as well, I’ll show you the plan, and the place where no one who wants to steal it can get in. What place is... Read more
PETE: You loaded a lot of stats into your book The Catholic Advantage: Why Health, Happiness and Heaven Await the Faithful. How much research went into this book and how long did it take from concept to finished draft? BILL DONOHUE: I’ve been collecting data and health, happiness, and religion for years, but I went into high gear for about a year-and-a-half doing the research and another year-and-a-half of writing. Because of all the demands of my job, which consists... Read more
The sick need your help, not just sympathy Commodianus tells us that we owe help—not just kind words—to the sick who are in need. God himself will pay us back far more than our help costs us. If your brother should be weak—I mean a poor man—do not go to visit him empty-handed. Do good in the sight of God. Pay your obedience in money. That will help him recover—or, if he should die, then he will be refreshed, though... Read more
See poverty as an opportunity for service Theodoret tells a rich nobleman that the poverty he sees all around him is there for a reason: it’s a call for the rich to act, giving them an opportunity to serve God by their generosity to God’s people. When he distributes wealth and poverty among us, the Creator does not judge unjustly. He gives the rich the poverty of the poor as a means for the rich to be useful. So he... Read more
Be thankful in adversity as well as in prosperity Pope St. Gregory the Great, having heard that one of his noble friends had suddenly fallen on hard times, advises his friend to bear adversity with patience. But Gregory doesn’t stop with sympathy and advice: he also gives the material help he knows his friend needs, but might be too proud to ask for. I know all about your troubles with the things of this world. But our only comfort when... Read more
This week publisher Image Books sponsors thegiveaway. One lucky winner will receive one copy of The Catholic Advantage: Why Health, Happiness, and Heaven Await the Faithful (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 3/13 with a winner being announced later that day. Good luck! a Rafflecopter giveaway Read more
Use your money for good “Money is the root of all evil,” we often hear. But what St. Paul really said was that “the love of money is the root of all evils” (1 Timothy 6:10). St. Cyril of Jerusalem tells us that money can be used for good or for evil: you, the Christian, should use yours for good, and you will reap the reward of your works. Riches, gold, and silver do not belong to the devil, as... Read more
Be happy with enough Wealth isn’t really much fun, says St. John Chrysostom. A simple life is not only more conducive to virtue, but also just feels better. Let’s see whether wealth has any pleasure or honor—for in my eyes the case is just the opposite. First of all, if you don’t mind, let’s look into the meals of rich and poor, and ask the guests which ones enjoy the purest and most genuine pleasure. Is it the ones who... Read more
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