This post is the fourth in a series exploring Mary’s death and assumption into heaven. To read the first, click here to read the second, click here, and to read the third, click here.  While the typology that we have discussed which sees Mary as the New Ark of the Covenant is important and gives us a way to understand her assumption, we do not have to rely upon it to see the fittingness of the teaching and why... Read more
This post is the third in a series exploring Mary’s death and assumption into heaven. To read the first, click here and to read the second, click here. The vision of the woman of the Apocalypse, the woman “clothed with the sun,” is the revelation of the eschatological glory Jesus rendered to humanity. The woman who gave birth to the messiah, to the king of kings and God-man, is seen in the heavens, indicating that she has been taken to... Read more
The death of Harambe the gorilla is not anything which should be taken lightly. There is no doubt, as the situation evolved, the right decision was made to save the life of the young child who had found his way next to the gorilla. Although the decision was right, it does not make the death any less sad. We often find ourselves put in bad situations where we have to act in ways which go against our wishes and desires,... Read more
Jesus told us that he came to give us abundant life (cf. Jn. 10:10). Thanks to him, the fetters of sin which leave our lives empty and full of despair are able to be taken off, allowing us to share in the bounty of heaven. Sin wounds us, leaving us stranded in a dark, loathsome, existence. Though it is incapable of destroying the goodness of nature, and totally eliminating the beauty which God gave to his creation, sin corrupts that... Read more
But some one will say, Some have ere now been arrested and convicted as evil-doers. For you condemn many, many a time, after inquiring into the life of each of the accused severally, but not on account of those of whom we have been speaking. And this we acknowledge, that as among the Greeks those who teach such theories as please themselves are all called by the one name “Philosopher,” though their doctrines be diverse, so also among the Barbarians... Read more
This post is the second in a series exploring Mary’s death and assumption into heaven. To read the first, click here. Let us now look in brief at the Assumption of Mary by exploring a few points as to what the teaching means as well as its significance, so that we can better appreciate what makes it worthy of being a dogma and not just some interesting theological side-note. First, and usually the most understood element of the teaching, is... Read more
We live in a day and age where people tend to follow headlines over complex analysis, skipping the explanation which serves as the foundation for their talking point. A simple summary is enough to produce a factoid which must be believed. Paradox is criticized by the nice, simple pre-packaged answer made for easy consumption. In debates, truth is overturned by the pat solution as the mob follows the most simplistic rhetoric over the reality which they can’t understand. This disease... Read more
Baptism cleanses us of all our sins, both original and actual, up to the point of baptism. But since most of us continue to sin after baptism it is clear that we need more grace, more mercy, more help from God. We need forgiveness not just for our pre-baptismal sins, but especially those we commit afterwards. And because God is patient and kind, full of love and grace for all of us, this is what he gives: time and time... Read more
In recent times, one of the most misunderstood teachings of the Catholic Church has been the teaching of the assumption of Mary. Many believe that the teaching implies that Mary did not actually die. They think that she was taken into heaven as an end to her temporal life instead of death. As confirmation of this, they say that since she knew no sin, original or personal, she would not have died, because death is the consequence of sin. While... Read more
Who we as a person comes in part from our choices, from our actions, from the freedom God has given to us to shape our identity. We are able to write biographies because of this, for through the deeds someone has done, we know a little of the person behind the deeds.[1] We must of course realize that our freedom is a limited, contingent form of freedom. There are many things given over to us which are outside of our... Read more
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