Off the Shelf 052 with Shaun McAfee – Reform Yourself

Last updated on: January 22, 2019 at 3:41 pm By Pete Socks

Shaun McAfee was raised Protestant but at 24, he experienced a profound conversion to the Catholic Church with the writings of James Cardinal Gibbons and modern apologists. He is the author of Filling Our Father’s House (Sophia Institute Press) among other books, and holds a Masters in Dogmatic Theology. Shaun is the founder and editor of EpicPew.com and contributes to many online Catholic resources. On this episode Shaun and I discuss his book Reform Yourself!: How to Pray, Find Peace, and Grow in... Read more

Think about what your entertainment is teaching; Church Fathers: Day 158

Last updated on: December 31, 2017 at 6:39 am By Pete Socks

Just as in our own time, the ancient Roman public flocked to lowbrow entertainment full of dirty jokes, sex, and immorality. An early Christian writer, traditionally identified as St. Cyprian, says that what you watch will eventually affect what you do. And now on to the shameless corruption of the stage. I’m ashamed to tell you what things are said. I’m ashamed even to denounce the things that happen—the tricks of arguments, the cheatings of adulterers, the immodesties of women,... Read more

Be Christian in your entertainment; Church Fathers: Day 157

Last updated on: December 27, 2017 at 9:52 pm By Pete Socks

The pagans, says Tertullian, behave one way in real life and a completely different way when they go to sports or plays. That’s because they let their feelings guide their judgment. It’s strange how the same man who can barely bring himself to lift his tunic in public, even when the call of nature urges him, takes it off in the circus, as if he longed to expose himself in front of everybody. Or how a father who carefully protects... Read more

Hate only evil; Church Fathers: Day 156

Last updated on: December 26, 2017 at 8:23 am By Pete Socks

There is only one thing we’re allowed to hate, says St. Gregory of Nyssa, and that is evil itself. Writing to three devout women, he tells them that to hate our neighbors is to ally ourselves with the devil. The Lawgiver of our life has commanded only one hatred to us: the hatred of the Serpent. He has not told us to use the faculty of hatred for any other purpose except as a resource against wickedness. “I will put... Read more

Only you can hurt your own salvation; Church Fathers: Day 155

Last updated on: December 26, 2017 at 7:19 am By Pete Socks

No one can take salvation away from you, but you can reject it, says St. John Chrysostom. If you’ve built your house on stone, no storm can blow it down. So there is no way anyone can injure you if you don’t choose to injure yourself. But if you’re not willing to be temperate and to help yourself from your own resources, then no one will ever be able to do you any good. This is what was made obvious... Read more

Don’t give an opening to rumor; Church Fathers: Day 154

Last updated on: December 24, 2017 at 7:08 am By Pete Socks

Living properly isn’t always enough, St. Basil tells a bishop who had been the victim of nasty rumors. We must appear to live properly as well, so that people don’t think ill of us. After all, we represent Christ, not just ourselves. One of the hardest things to do—almost impossible, in fact—is to rise above slander. I am quite sure of this, and I imagine your excellency is as well. Yet it is possible not to give a handle by... Read more

Give praise instead of blasphemy; Church Fathers: Day 153

Last updated on: December 24, 2017 at 7:00 am By Pete Socks

I can’t help it,” we often say when we’ve cursed and used bad language. St. John Chrysostom has a practical suggestion: if you can’t help saying something when you get hurt, teach yourself to speak in thanksgiving instead of blasphemy. But, you say, you are not able to be silent when goaded by pain. And I do not hinder you from speaking. But instead of blasphemy, speak praise. Instead of discontent, express thankfulness. Make confession to your Master; cry aloud... Read more

Ignore insults and keep silent; Church Fathers: Day 152

Last updated on: December 22, 2017 at 10:18 pm By Pete Socks

Is someone abusing or insulting you? Best to keep silent, says St. Ambrose. You will keep yourself from sin, and people will think better of you. But we must also guard against anyone who provokes us, and spurs us on, and exasperates us, and supplies what will excite us to licentiousness or lust. So if anyone reviles us, irritates, stirs us up to violence, tries to make us quarrel— let us keep silence. Let us not be ashamed to become... Read more

Don’t return insult for insult; Church Fathers: Day 151

Last updated on: December 22, 2017 at 6:38 am By Pete Socks

The devil tempts us to snap back when someone insults us, says St. Ambrose. Or, often enough, the devil doesn’t have to do it, because someone else is willing to whisper in our ears. But we will always come out on top if we keep cool and silent. So, then, you should also guard your humility. But if you are unwilling to appear too humble, you think like this, saying to yourself, “Am I supposed to let this man despise... Read more

Run away from mockery; Church Fathers: Day 150

Last updated on: December 21, 2017 at 7:01 am By Pete Socks

Making fun of people makes us like Satan, says St. Ephrem the Syrian. Not only should we avoid doing it ourselves, but we should flee if we even hear mockery. If you love derision, you are just like Satan; and if you mock your fellow, you are the mouth of the devil. If you delight in calling people names because of their defects and flaws, Satan is not in creation but you have seized his place by force. Run far... Read more