Catholic teaching tells us that marriage is a great good. This means, contrary to what some might think, what is done in marriage is good; that is, we must see sexuality itself to be a good. It must not be seen to be bad; rather, it is something holy and sacred, and this is why it can be profaned. That which is holy requires us to treat it with the respect which it is due, to follow its contours and... Read more
One day some old men came to see Abba Anthony. In the midst of them was Abba Joseph. Wanting to test them, the old man suggested a text from the Scriptures, and, beginning with the youngest, he asked them what it meant. Each gave his opinion as he was able. But to each one the old man said, “You have not understood it.” Last of all he said to Abba Joseph, “How would you explain this saying?” and he replied,... Read more
Of all the titles given to Mary, Mediatrix of all Graces and Co-Redemptrix are among the most controversial, even among Catholics. The problem lies in the way they are being read and interpreted. Certainly if we have a predisposition to see these titles as heretical, we will interpret them in such a way so as to force their meaning to be in contradiction to Scripture and authentic Christian tradition. But not everyone misinterprets them for this reason. By the nature... Read more
In the time before the incarnation, humanity was, as it were, stumbling around in the darkness of the night, with our sin covering up the light of truth. We had gone astray and closed ourselves off from God. “So it was we who strayed from the way of truth, and the light of righteousness did not shine on us, and the sun did not rise upon us“ (Wis. 5:6 RSV).  There were, to be sure, various holy men and women... Read more
Interfaith dialogue is a constant element of any religious faith. Such dialogue, however, tends not to be on the level of the dogmatic teachings of the different faiths, but on practical matters, such as questions concerning the morality or immorality of particular actions or on the way communities as a whole are to understand shared historical experiences. Dialogue brings people with their differing beliefs together. Each will share their respective understanding, and in doing so, each tradition finds itself influenced... Read more
This post is a part of the Patheos Catholic Channel series, “Catholicity: Identity and Its Discontents.” Read more here. I tend to dislike dealing with so-called identity politics because they are often the cause of great conflict and strife. They do not have to be. There are legitimate reasons for them, and good can emerge from them if we use them as a way to establish who we are so we know what we have to offer to others as... Read more
It was revealed to Abba Anthony in his desert that there was one who was his equal in the city. He was a doctor by profession and whatever he had beyond his means he gave to the poor, and every day he sang the Sanctus with the angels.[1] St. Anthony, in his walk with God, was constantly shown many things which surprised him. Some of them came in and through the people he met, but others came to him in... Read more
This is the fourth and last post in a series of texts exploring how Mary and the saints can hear our prayers. To read the first post, click here, and to read the second, click here, and for the third, click here . Our soul is meant to be united to our body. That is our proper way of life. What God intended for us in our creation was to have our soul and body working together, with the soul... Read more
In the spiritual classic, The Way of a Pilgrim and The Pilgrim Continues His Way, a discussion on spiritual direction ensued. What were we to do if we had no spiritual director? We should, it was said, search for one, but until God sends one our way, we should be able to be directed from and learn from anyone around us. With the proper spirit, we can be directed by the wisdom of anyone we meet with, for all people... Read more
Empty your emptiness into the empty Word, Silence your silent cry with His silence. Drain your drainage, it is all absurd: The dead must die to all their defiance. Cross over the crossing by the Cross, Carry not your carriage to the earth, It is dross, it is all but dire dross! Worth less than worthless, it is worth! Fly swiftly, flying all the way away, Higher, higher, higher than all the heights. Pay the payment without pay, Child of... Read more
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