Marsilio Ficino, with his typical wisdom, explained why many people do not believe in God. He said that they do not sense or experience the divine realm because they have become too attached to material creation: I need not say how people suffering from a bloody inflammation of the eye see everything as red, and those with a bitter taste on the tongue taste everything as bitter. In the same way the mind, which from a long-standing desire and indulgence... Read more
The legend surrounding St. Eustathius tell us how he went from being a Roman general (originally named Placidus) to becoming a Christian convert and eventual martyr for the faith. While he was on a hunt, he saw a great stag; between the antlers of the stag, he saw the cross, and through the cross, Jesus is said to have spoken to him, telling him to become Christian. While he was away his wife, Tatiana, also received a vision of Christ,... Read more
A prudent man sees danger and hides himself; but the simple go on, and suffer for it (Prov. 27:12 RSV). Imagine a lone sniper outside a Catholic parish. He is randomly shooting people as they entered the church. Authorities are looking for him, but they cannot not find him. Some people believe there is no sniper, because they do not see him, and so try to get into the church, only to be shot and killed by the sniper. Others... Read more
In Australia, in the Arctic, in the Western United States (such as in California, Oregon and Washington), we have seen larger, far more devastating wildfires develop and spread throughout the last few years. Pictures of the fires are horrifying. Millions of acres are lost. Countless animal and human lives are lost. Homes and businesses are destroyed. And for those who are not even close to the fire have to face the smoke which it produces, which not only blocks out... Read more
“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Cor. 1:18 RSV). Jesus accepted death on the cross as a part of his mission in the world. Those who dot understand why he died, why he accepted such a shameful death, see it as proof of his impotence. They say it is foolishness to the extreme to believe in such an impotent... Read more
Jesus was often asked questions by people who were not looking for him to give them answers which they could use to learn from and use to transform their lives. Instead, they wanted him to give answers which they believed they could use to criticize Jesus and ruin his reputation. They knew his presence challenged the way things were; people in positions of power and authority felt threatened by Jesus. They came asking him questions, hoping that, if they trapped... Read more
The annual National Catholic Prayer Breakfast will be awarding William Barr the “Christifideles Laici Award” this year at their virtual breakfast meeting (on Sept. 23). The award, the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast says, is given “In Honor and Gratitude for Fidelity to the Church, Exemplary Selfless and Steadfast Service in the Lord’s Vineyard.” William Barr, the Attorney General, is faithful to the church’s teaching? He represents the selfless and steadfast service in the Lord’s Vineyard? How so? What exactly has... Read more
One of the most unusual defenses some Christians give for capital punishment is to suggest that Jesus gave it his approval. They say Jesus, in his interrogation from Pilate, told Pilate that God had given him the authority to execute people. Since God gave him such authority, he was perfectly in his right to use it. It was a power granted to the state, and its officials are free to use it whenever they want. Thus, they say, Pilate did... Read more
Jesus often was praised by those who thought they could flatter him, appeal to his vanity and get something out of him as a kind of reward. Sometimes, the praise was done indirectly, such as when a woman praised his mother: As he said this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that you sucked!” But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the... Read more
Jesus, in various parables, indicates that he desires everyone to partake of the kingdom of God, the good and the bad, the rich and the poor. This can be found especially in the way he preached, where we can find an indication of the preferential option he gave for the outcast, those ridiculed by society, that is for the poor and vulnerable. They were close to his heart. They were the ones who were most affected by social sin. They... Read more
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