While we can, and will, contemplate and try to understand the eucharist, we must keep in mind it is one of the great mysteries of the faith. Our reflections must not lead us to take away from its transcendent character. While many, if not most Christians, have a faith seeking understanding, we must not confuse our understanding and the rationale we give for our it with the fullness of the faith itself. We must not even confuse the explanation we... Read more
A poor man or woman concerned about climate change might find their own personal situation makes it difficult for them to do much to help deal with the problem. Indeed, they might even be forced, thanks to their context, to do things which will contribute to the problem, such as if they are poor and can only afford an old, used car which is a gas guzzler. They might desire to own a better vehicle, and would get one if... Read more
The foundation of a good spiritual life is love. Those who love others will be generous to them, demonstrating the way love, by its nature, will be giving. But it is important to note that the more someone develops and puts love into practice, the more they will discern other characteristics or qualities connected to and develop out of that love. This is why, as we engage love, we will find ourselves developing all kinds of virtues. Love is kind.... Read more
Salvation is by grace, not works. Grace is given out to sinners, blessing them so that they can be transformed and changed by it. God hopes, by giving it out so freely, that sinners will stop sinning and become holy saints. God constantly shares grace to everyone in the world; no one, not even sinners, are free from its blessings. Indeed, without such a blessing, without grace, we could never become the person we are meant to be. God doesn’t... Read more
Throughout his ministry, Jesus promoted human dignity. Jesus went to those who were denied it by society. This is one of the reasons why religious and secular authorities did not like him: they saw his actions as undermining their power, a power which in part, centered upon a construction of society which supported and promoted a few and denigrated the rest. Instead of disassociating with those treated, if not actually deemed, as subhuman because of what they did (such as... Read more
Not only does what Hamas did to Israel deserves widespread condemnation, Israel is certainly justified in defending itself from further, and worse, attacks. Saying this does not mean we should accept a disproportionate response from Israel. Justified self-defense must be done in such a way that the defender does not become an unjust aggressor themselves. There are rules of engagement which must be followed. If Israel does not do so, they can be guilty of war crimes, and those crimes... Read more
The Christian faith is a faith of hope and love, not fear. Those who think they can use threats to frighten people, and through such fear, make them Christians, have ignored or lost an element of the Christian faith, “for God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control” (2 Tim. 1:7 RSV). We are not to be afraid for Jesus has given us his peace: “Peace I leave with you;... Read more
The truths of the Christian faith have practical implications which follow from them. The teaching of II Nicea, the Seventh Ecumenical Council, concerning the validity of images represents one such implication. It explores how the incarnation demonstrates that we can use images to represent our faith. God, in the incarnation, assumed not just a generic human nature, but became a particular man, Jesus. As every person is not some nebulous, unimaginable blob, but rather, has an imaginable form, so Jesus... Read more
Teachers need to know their students, addressing them according to their abilities. Many do this by finding a way to work as a catalyst, helping their students draw conclusions for themselves. A student who believes they have accomplished something will more likely retain what they learned than if they were just given a lecture and told to remember what they were told. This is not to say there should not be any lectures; they have their uses, but we must... Read more
One of the most attractive elements of the Catholic faith is its teachings, especially those which relate to social justice and the dignity of all creation. One of its least attractive elements is the way so many of its official institutions contradict and resist those teachings. Many become Catholic because of the ideals they hear being presented, but others, including such converts, lose faith when it seems the institutional church does not takes its teachings seriously. It is even worse... Read more
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