The Sabbath is made for us; we were not made for the Sabbath (cf. Mk. 2:27). The Sabbath, in all of its forms, was established so that we can rest. It was never meant to be used to prevent us from doing what was necessary to survive. Our rest makes sure we do not burn out from excessive labor. When we are exhausted, rest helps us regain our energy, and when it is replenished, we find our emotional well-being is... Read more
When we are told that humanity is made in the image and likeness of God (cf. Gen. 1:27; Wis. 2:23), we should not think that this means only humanity is made in the image and likeness of God. To think this is an exclusive claim is a mistake so many make. Granted, it is not heresy to think this, and so Christians can believe this if they wish, but they would be wrong to do so. Everything was made, in... Read more
We find the incarnation is at the heart of the Christian faith. We are taught that God, the creator of all things, took on human nature and became one of us. God did this, not only to save us, but to deify us. We are called to be partakers of the divine nature. The incarnation is a great mystery. When we reflect upon it, all kinds of paradoxes develop, not because the incarnation is false, but because it transcends what... Read more
The COVID19 pandemic is not over. We might have had some victories thanks to the development of vaccines and diligent social distancing, but we must not treat such successes as meaning the virus is no longer a threat. Yes, we got some relief, we got a little respite, but now we must look at what is happening and accept the fact that COVID19 is once again surging around the around the world. Forty six states in the United States experiencing... Read more
Something seen in the lives of many saints is the care and concern they showed for all creation. The protection St. Francis gave to many animals, freeing them from danger so that they could live long, blessed lives, was not something peculiar to Francis. Many saints understood that God’s love is for all creation and not just for humanity. This led them to imitate God and show compassion to all those who came to them in need, including those who... Read more
Throughout history, Christian worship and discipline changed to meet the needs of the needs of the people. At different times and places, people had their own unique needs. Change is necessary. While there is much we can and should learn from the past, we must also realize, as Jesus said, we must not put new wine in old wineskins (cf. Mk. 2:22). We want the wine, but we must provide our own wineskins, making sure Christian practices fit with the... Read more
Scripture says that one of Satan’s lies greatest is that we can make ourselves gods. That is, we are told we do not need anyone other than ourselves, that we have everything we need to sustain ourselves and make ourselves great. We can achieve our apotheosis all by ourselves; we need nothing from God. Every time we try to build ourselves up as great and powerful at the expense of others, because we think we do not need them, because... Read more
Imagine an oppressor whose victims find a way to escape their long-standing oppression. Those victims have, for a long time, been worked hard without being allowed to receive the just rewards of their labors. Many of them have been tortured and killed. Nonetheless, they have found a way to break the bonds of their oppression and find a new place to live. When they leave the land of their oppression, they feel it is just for them to take what... Read more
Whatever is good, whatever is borne out of love, is loved by God. Even if that good is limited, even if that good is contained in and surrounded by the filth of sin, the good remains and it is loved by God. A diamond found in a trash heap or a gold bar found in a latrine would still be valuable despite where it was found; likewise, the good in us, despite all our sin, is valuable and cherished by... Read more
“By insolence the heedless make strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom” (Prov. 13:10 RSV). One of the things we all have to accept is that we do not know all things. We are not capable of judging all things by ourselves. We have to rely upon each other. We need to listen to and heed the expertise of others. When they tell us something to do which goes against our desires, we shut put aside our selfishness... Read more
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