Often, when we go to worship at our local church, we bring with us a bad attitude, one which has us ignore the point of our worship. Instead of focusing on our own spiritual development, and with it, a positive relationship with God (and with others thanks to our relationship with God), we like to show off, doing what we think will make us appear to be better than everyone else. We want others to look to upon us as... Read more
God’s love for humanity, indeed, God’s love for creation, did not diminish because of sin; rather, it is because of such love that God opposes sin and works to counteract its nihilistic destruction of being. God’s love is one eternal, unchanging act of love. We do not apprehend it in the way it actually is. We are temporal creatures. We grasp after that one unchangeable eternal act of God and apprehend something different each time we do so, making it... Read more
Every human person shares the same human nature with each other. This gives to each and every human person the same human dignity. No matter what anyone has done, they do not lose their humanity, nor, therefore, their human dignity. Basic human rights flow from that dignity, which is why those who try to find a reason to ignore those rights tend to do so by denying that dignity. This is how many Christians justify any and all abuse they... Read more
War is hell. War is never a good thing. Even when it is justified, it is not a good thing. We must never think of war as being good, even if sometimes it is the only way to protect and defend the greater good. The good which is achieved in a just war certainly should be recognized, but that good must not be confused with the war itself. Peace, true peace, must always be what is desired, even when at... Read more
Jesus commends those who seek for justice (δῐκαιοσῠ́νη, often translated as righteousness), saying that they will be satisfied. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Matt. 5:6 RSV). They hunger thirst for justice, that is, not for any sort of righteousness, but the righteousness associated with the justice of God. It is a righteous justice they desire, and they find it is satisfied in and through Jesus. Jesus embraces restorative justice and works... Read more
The life of the holy nun, St. Mary of Edessa, also known as St. Mary the Harlot, is one where tragedy turned into spiritual triumph. Much of what we know of her and her life is from legends, legends written with a particular bias, but we can read between the lines and discern things today which others would likely have missed. According to what is said of her, she was orphaned around the age of seven, and her uncle, the... Read more
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
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