Work for the Kingdom is never wasted When we work, says St. Basil, we do it for the sake of the good things that will come from our work. But only work for holiness and truth can never disappoint us, because it always leads to the good things we hope for. Toil in the field is no novelty to farmers. Sailors are not surprised to run into a storm at sea. The hired hand expects to sweat in the summer... Read more
Trust God’s promises, and take what comes When Jesus was transfigured, says St. Gregory the Great, Peter wanted to live in that glory forever. But the time was not right. We have work to do here before we can live in glory with Jesus forever. The Apostle Peter was excited by the revelation of these mysteries. He despised what was mundane and scorned what was earthly, and he was filled with a sort of frenzied craving for what was eternal.... Read more
Welcome back to “The Clergy Speaks”, a recurring feature here at The Catholic Book Blogger. “The Clergy Speaks” is a column focusing on one question I have asked various members of the clergy. That question is: What five books would you recommend as must-reads for Catholics today? I left the responses open to current or classic books with the only restriction being that the Bible and the Catechism could not be used as they are a given. This week we... Read more
Thanksgiving is upon us. What better way to reflect on this season of thanks than listening to a talk or to geared toward this subject. Here are my picks for the week that I will be listening to……how about you? Click the cover image above to purchase this talk as either a CD or MP3. Dr. Scott Hahn explains the essential teachings from God’s Word regarding the theology and practice of Catholic family life based on the image of the... Read more
Be pleased with what pleases God God knows more than we do, and sometimes hard times may do us as much good as good times. St. Leo the Great reminds us to be thankful for both, and let the uncertainty of life teach us spiritual constancy. God wants us to be good, because he is good. So none of God’s judgments should displease us. For if we don’t give him thanks in all things, what are we doing but blaming... Read more
PETE: How difficult was it for you to write Gay and Catholic: Accepting My Sexuality, Finding Community, Living My Faith and be so open about your story and struggles? EVE TUSHNET: I didn’t really have a choice. I’d tried several times to write a version of this book, but I always stalled out, I think largely because I was still drinking and wasn’t able to be honest about my alcoholism. I didn’t want to write about that, but the book... Read more
Give your leisure to the Lord Making a humorous but still pointed apology for a long sermon, St. Basil tells his congregation that the longer he keeps them there, the longer they stay out of trouble. Unless your leisure is also filled with love of the Lord, it’s easy to fall into the pit of vice. I’m ashamed to see that my sermon has gone on longer than usual. If I consider the abundance of matters on which I have... Read more
Learn the lesson of the bees St. Basil points to the bees as an example to all Christians. They work industriously with no complaints, their queen leads them by mildness (St. Basil calls it a king, but most of the rest of his entomology is surprisingly accurate), and if they sting they die. Some of these unreasoning creatures even have a government, if the feature of government is to make the activity of all the individuals serve one common end.... Read more
Be happy with enough, and you’ll get what you want The rich have many problems, says Tatian, and the poor have few. Be satisfied with a little, and you’ll find it much easier to get what you want. I don’t want to be a king. I’m not anxious to be rich. I decline military command. I detest fornication. No insatiable greed makes me go to sea. I don’t strive for chaplets; I have no mad thirst for fame. I despise... Read more
This week publisher Ave Maria Press sponsors the CBB giveaway. One lucky winner will receive one copy of Gay and Catholic: Accepting My Sexuality, Finding Community, Living My Faith (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 Friday 11/28 with a winner being announced later that day. Good Luck! a Rafflecopter giveaway Read more
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