We need a Good Shepherd, not a wolf in sheep’s clothing. We are plagued in our modern society by people who pretend to guide others but are only looking out for themselves. Fr. Stanley Rother was a priest who stood between the wolves and the faithful he had been called to serve. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. He stands between them and the wolves. Fr. Stanley Rother was a priest from Oklahoma City who went... Read more
The document Dignitas infinita, recently published by the Dicastery of the Doctrine of the Faith, establishes a strong intellectual foundation for human dignity before delving modern trends that we can identify as offenses to humanity. As prefect of the Dicastery of the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Fernández is the author of the document, even though Cardinal Ladaria began the work on it around five years ago. The opening paragraphs give the impression that the moral judgments will derive from... Read more
The recent document from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith on infinite dignity offers a unique point of theological convergence between the pontifical programs of Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis. Pope John Paul II put the figure of Christ as model of humanity very much at the center of his pontificate, underlining this with his first encyclical, Redemptor Hominis. In fact, we could argue that the fundamental phrase of his pontificate resides within this document when... Read more
We live in a world of people who enjoy being offended. The greatest sin is not to offend someone. And yet, we live in a society that loves to be offended. However, are we offended by the right things? The latest document from the Dicastery of the Doctrine of the Faith teaches us how to be offended. Much of the secular news media is hostile to the latest document coming out of the Vatican. Those who seek to not offend anyone... Read more
Jesus spoke the words of the Institution of the Eucharist and disappeared from their sight. We could almost look at the encounter with Cleopas and the unnamed disciple headed towards Emmaus as the first example of Eucharistic Adoration. This gives us a clue about what happens for us when we adore Christ in the Eucharist. When we celebrate the Eucharist, we gather around Jesus, but it is not a funeral. However, we do commemorate the sacrifice that Jesus made on... Read more
Although morality is not the sole purpose of religion in this world, it is nonetheless an important function. If God intervenes in the world of human experience, what moral implications does this have? Postmodern thinkers seem to say that the only options from which we can choose are cold logic and heartfelt compassion. This is, however, a false dichotomy. Since the attitude of the general population moves towards an absolute primacy of “compassion,” society at large perceives objective moral authority... Read more
How should we look at purgatory? Is purgatory a temporary hell, or is it a mediaeval myth? Do Catholics even still believe in purgatory? Yes, Catholics do indeed still believe in purgatory. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains it as follows: All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven... Read more
In the year 1963, it is safe to say most people felt a general anxiety about the future of humanity. With the looming threat of nuclear war, people all over the globe sought reasons to continue to hope for peace, even though the obstacles seemed insurmountable. So many people today are unable to find peace because fear overwhelms them. They are afraid of losing their job, or of getting sick, or of political upheaval. Fear is a powerful emotion and... Read more
Life can easily feel overwhelming. Most of us find powerlessness distressing and want to feel like we are always in control. It can be disconcerting when we find ourselves in a situation that is far beyond our capability to handle. Navigating the complexities of life and finding practical solutions to our problems can often feel like an exercise in futility. Nevertheless, we can always find hope, and we can devise a strategy that helps us to feel less overwhelmed. We... Read more
Most of us have times when it’s hard to pray. In this article, I want to share some tips that I learned from running that help me pray when I don’t feel like it. Praying is like Running During COVID, I discovered running with the Nike Run Club app. It was very helpful and motivating to have a virtual coach “in my ear” as I confronted this new world of running. I am a runner–at least, that is what Coach... Read more
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