When people hear the suggestion that God wills the existence of a variety of religions, they usually read into such a statement all kinds of particular ideas related to it which are not necessitated by it. In reality, without any further context, there are number of ways those words can be interpreted, among which are: 1) God wills a variety of religions, each equal to each other. 2) God wills a variety of religions, which though not equal to each... Read more
While St Moses the Black became one of the great monks of the Scetis, looking at him from his birth would have made it difficult to predict this outcome. When he was a young boy, he was a slave; when he was able to do so, he fled from his servitude. As he had nothing else he could do, he became a brigand, before quickly becoming a leader among the brigands he lived with. He quickly found his lifestyle was... Read more
Vladimir Solovyov, in his essay, “On Counterfeits,” discussing various misappropriations of the Christian faith which neglect the transforming power of Christ in the believer, began his work with a very insightful truism: “Even in the very finest human undertakings the negative side usually lets itself be heard much sooner and more intensely than the positive.” [1] Without question, this has been verified true time and time again when Pope Francis promotes some positive good; even though what he states can... Read more
At the beginning of his ministry, when Jesus was in Nazareth, he gave an indication of his messianic mission. After reading from the prophet Isaiah, Jesus told his audience that what was said by the prophet was being fulfilled in their presence: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to... Read more
Christians in the first century lived with the expectation that the end of the world was to come within their lifetime. In a way, they were correct: the eschaton became immanent in the world through the incarnation of the Logos. One way to interpret the book of the Apocalypse is to see how it relates to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The kingdom of God was making itself present to the world. Thinking that time itself would soon... Read more
If Jesus was at the border, poor and destitute, on the run from brigands and government officials alike, would you welcome him into your home, giving him food, drink, and shelter? If Jesus was at your door, speaking to you in a language you did not understand, would you belittle him before telling him to go away? If Jesus was being questioned by border patrol, being asked to show his papers, of which he had none, would you speak up... Read more
Jesus told his disciples that he was going to go and prepare a place for them, a place in his Father’s house, that is, in the eternal kingdom of God. They did not understand. Thomas, speaking up, asked not only where Jesus was going, but how to get there, to which Jesus answered: I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me. If you had known me, you would have... Read more
Marsilio Ficino, in the opening of his commentary to the Mystical Theology, understood the point of the text was to offer us the means by which we can attain union with God: The highest step for the soul ascending to God is called both darkness and light. The step is called darkness insofar as the rational soul has proceeded thus far through particular negations, that is, by denying that God Himself is this thing or that thing or some other... Read more
Over on the so-called “Catholic News Agency” news page, from an organization consistently fomenting dissent against Pope Francis, they now have a story claiming that Native Americans, with Nathan Phillips, tried to disrupt a liturgical celebration at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. . The story quotes from someone they claim is a guard who locked the doors during the liturgy to stop the disruption. Anyone who knows the basilica knows this would be an impossible task:... Read more
The Christian faith is supposed to be one of good news. Sadly, the way many Christians speak to others, it seems to be anything but good news. Jesus came to save the world, not to condemn it (cf. Jn. 3:17); why, then, do so many Christians seek any and every way they can to condemn others in the name of the Lord? The good news has turned sour. The good news has become bad news as the proclamation of the... Read more
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