Sin corrupts and destroys that which is good, which is why, when we sin, we experience what is often described as “spiritual death.” For, when we sin, we attach ourselves to a lesser good, an attachment which gets in the way of our connection to the source and foundation of our being and to our spiritual vitality. That is, it interferes in our connection with God. Without that connection, our spirit suffers, so that, in a way, we can be... Read more
Throughout Scripture, and especially in the works of the prophets, we are told that God stands on the side of the poor, the widow, and the oppressed. Those who not only ignore the plight of those who are vulnerable, but make it worse, stand against God and God’s justice. If they do not repent, if they do not repair the harm they have done, God’s justice will come upon them, and they will experience the full force of the iniquities... Read more
I Wish We Didn’t Need To Talk About Politics Either I know many people do not want to talk about politics, but it is difficult for me to see all the malevolent actions done by the Trump administration, the way it is treating the poor, seniors, refugees, migrants, women, minorities, LGBQT, and its critics with such contempt, and not wonder how long this can go on. Will the American people, and the media, keep denying what is happening right in... Read more
The cross it the way of salvation. It is both the means which Jesus embraced so as to bring salvation to the world as well as a symbol which indicates a way of life we should follow if we want to properly receive that salvation. This is because, thanks to what Jesus has done, the cross has become a symbol of self-sacrifice, but not just any kind of self-sacrifice, but the sacrifice people make for the people they love. We... Read more
God is both transcendent and immanent, transcending all things and yet found in and able to be experienced through all things: He is outside of all things and within all things; He comprises all things and is comprised by none; He does not change either by increase or decrease, but is invisible, incomprehensible, complete, perfect, and eternal; He does not know anything from elsewhere, but He Himself is sufficient unto Himself to remain what He is.[1] God’s transcendence makes God... Read more
I am concerned about the relative silence the United States Catholic Bishops concerning all the human rights abuses of the Trump administration. Yes, they might speak, briefly, about protecting migrants, or concerns about the way the defunding of USAID has affected their ability to help those in need, but in general, the way they talk about these issues is far different from the way they have talked (and continue to talk about) culture war issues in the United States. We... Read more
I cannot properly express how influential the Inklings have been on my life. Not only do I enjoy the works they wrote, I have found many of their ideas I have helped shape the way I think and write. One significant notion of theirs that has had a lasting influence on me was the way they saw myth was to be valued, seen not as some sort of falsehood, but rather as a different way for transcendent truths to be... Read more
Jesus is the good shepherd who is willing to die in order to take care of, protect, and save his flock from harm. Who is his flock? It is not just those who come to him, seeking to be his disciples, though they certainly a part of his flock. Rather, his flock can be said to be everyone, as he calls everyone to follow after him and be received in the kingdom of God. No one is outside of his... Read more
It is easy for many to believe that all theological engagement, especially systemic theology, when done right, will produce purely objective results. The reality, however, is that this is never true. There is always a subjective element in all theological work. Even the authors of the texts found in Christian Scripture, while inspired, wrote in and through their own subjective voice (which accounts for why many events are described differently by different authors). If this is true for those divinely... Read more
I was raised in an evangelical Christian tradition, one which did recognize the season of Lent. I had heard of it, to be sure, but it was only when I decided to become Catholic did I start taking Lent seriously. And, as I was going to become Byzantine Catholic, I looked into and tried to engage the Byzantine traditions, some of which were quite different from their Western counterparts. Byzantine Catholics start Lent, not on Ash Wednesday, but two days... Read more
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