St. John Chrysostom lived in a time much like our own, when everyone seemed to be trying to get rich quick. But why, he asks, do you want to be rich? Poverty is the secure life. Wealth is constant worry, but poverty is the carefree life of the angels. But since it is right not only to lament and to blame, but also to correct, let’s see why this passion and this evil have become an object of desire to you.... Read more
In a verse from the Psalms, St. Augustine sees a metaphor for the Church on earth and the Church to come. Our whole purpose on earth is to prepare us for that angelic life Christ promised us. “Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion!” (Ps. 9:11). This is addressed to those whom the Lord does not forsake as they seek him. He dwells in Zion, which means watching, and which is the image of the Church that exists now—as... Read more
God creates everything so that it all works together when it follows his will, says St. Gregory the Great. Whenever his creations resist him, they lose that peace, because it is only possible when things are regulated by God. Satan’s punishment comes from going against his own nature. God, who creates all things marvelously, regulates them himself so that, after they have been created, they agree with themselves. Whenever any resistance is made to the Creator, that agreement in peace is... Read more
What does it mean when we pray, “Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven”? It means that we should be as ready to do God’s will as the angels are, says St. Augustine. In the third petition we say, “Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.” What does this mean? It means, “As the angels serve you in Heaven, let us serve you that way on Earth.” For his holy angels obey him.... Read more
This week one lucky winner will receive a copy of Behold Your Mother – A Biblical and Historical Defense of the Marian Doctrines by Tim Staples (you can read my review of the book here) sponsored by Catholic Answers. I use Rafflecopter to run my giveaways which makes it simple for you and me. The contest begins now and ends next Thursday 4/20 with a winner chosen later that day, enter below! a Rafflecopter giveaway Read more
If you want to impress people with your power, says St. Augustine, your priorities are all wrong. You have far more real power if your will is in line with God’s. Instead of doing what an angel does, you can be what an angel is. Those who seek God through those powers that rule over the world, or parts of the world, are removed and flung far away from him—not by distances in space, but by difference of affections. They try... Read more
Don’t know much about Mary? Maybe you have a great devotion to Mary, but you still have a lot of questions? The Church has been quite clear in her teachings and dogma in which the teach the faithful the importance of Mary and her role as Mother of God. These teachings and tradition have spanned the churches 2000-year history and can be hard to piece together for the average person. In his latest book Behold Your Mother – A Biblical... Read more
St. Ambrose tells us that the death and resurrection of Christ actually changed human nature, making us capable of sharing the grace of a new creation. We don’t have to wait until we die: through Christ, we can live like angels on earth. This is why his grace and goodness have been formed upon us in Christ Jesus: so that, though we were dead according to works, we could be redeemed through faith and saved by grace, and receive the gift... Read more
If you missed this past Saturday’s show you missed out on a great discussion about Mary. But never fear, the archive is here! Tim Staples and I discussed Marian dogma and his book Behold Your Mother – A Biblical and Historical Defense of the Marian Doctrines.We take a look why some find Mary to be such a challenge during their conversion process and an overview of a number of the Church approved dogmas on Mary. You can listen to the show below or... Read more
What if you found an enormous diamond—but you threw it away because you thought it was a doorknob? Wouldn’t that be a huge loss to you? In the same way, says St. John Chrysostom, you’re missing an enormous treasure if you don’t realize what your human nature is capable of. The devil was incorporeal, but he became a lion—look, it says, “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). But we were... Read more
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