Paul understood that if our faith can develop and become strong, it can also weaken; this is why he encouraged us to do what we can to make sure our faith doesn’t wane. “Be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong” (1 Cor. 16:13 RSV). The next statement he made can be seen as a separate exhortation, or it can be seen as explaining how one is to hold one’s faith: “Let all that you do be... Read more
When we ignore history, the mistakes and sins of the past are bound to be repeated. When we think we no longer have to make restitution for the sins of the past, we find ourselves ignoring history, and so it should not be surprising we find ourselves replicating its evils. Catholics who, in theory, have learned that inculturation is important, and with it, the recognition of the dignity and values of the cultures around the world should be supported instead... Read more
St. Ammonas, a disciple of St. Antony of Egypt, eventually found himself in a position of authority and leadership in his community. His spiritual experiences gave him a charism that allowed him to direct other monks. He helped them receive spiritual experiences of their own. Once, he heard about some monks who were getting restless, thinking it was time for them to go somewhere else. Ammonas believed they were letting their passions get the best of them, that is, that... Read more
We have grown accustomed to accept the notion that ignorance of the law is not an excuse. The law is the law, and authorities have the power to enforce it, even upon people who had no way to know what the law expected them to do. Taken as an absolute, this would be unjust which is why, when we look to how ignorance is dealt in the judicial system, sometimes ignorance does become an excuse. If this were not the... Read more
Grace gives us what we need to be saved; it acts as a medicine, healing us from all the wounds sin has inflicted upon us in our lives. Grace comes from God. No matter what we have done, no matter how far we have strayed, no matter how much we have been defiled and wounded by sin, God is able to provide us what we need to be made whole. This is why we have every reason to believe that... Read more
Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath showed us the way people, trying to better themselves, can be forced to get into unending debt as a result. This was what happened to the Joad family, and as such, they found themselves being exploited by those with wealth. The Great Depression forced them to become migrant workers, picking fruit at such a low pay they found themselves growing deeper and deeper in debt the more they worked. To be sure, during the Great... Read more
“Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12:2 RSV).We have a responsibility to the world we live in. We should try to make things better, not worse. The more we look at the world as something to use for the sake of our own pleasure, instead of a good which deserves to be... Read more
The truth is good. This is why the knowing and willing violation of the truth is said to be “intrinsically evil.” Those who willingly seek to deceive others, that is, those who knowingly state some falsehood, or encourage others to believe it, without being forced to do so by someone else, are culpable for their lie. If someone were forced to make a statement under torture, one which they do not agree with and believe to be false, they cannot... Read more
Those who have been called to share the Gospel, making sure that others can receive its blessings, should make sure they do not place any obstacles in the way of its reception. They should act with love and care for all. They shouldn’t be acting as mercenaries, demanding specific monetary rewards for their work. This is not to say that they can’t hope that those who can should help them with their needs. What it means, however, is that if... Read more
Climate change is a reality, not mere speculation. This is why, instead of just theorizing what will happen in the future, we can see climate change is already causing grave harm to the world. Hot zones, floods, extreme storms, droughts, and even pandemics, are all connected to climate change. Things will only become worse if we do not take climate change seriously. Indeed, we should have taken it seriously many years ago. Pope Benedict XVI’s 2010 message on the... Read more
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