The world was established with enough resources so that everyone could and should be able to use them to have their needs fulfilled. The goods of the earth are meant to be used by all, which leads to the teaching that there is to be a universal destination or distribution of goods: Whether believers or not, we are agreed today that the earth is essentially a shared inheritance, whose fruits are meant to benefit everyone. For believers, this becomes a... Read more
One of the most interesting, and yet, most difficult texts in Scripture is Job. Whether or not one reads it as actual history, it presents to us one universal question, why do innocent (or just) people suffer in the world? After exploring various potential answers, the text says that the real answer is beyond us, that there are too many variables involved, variables which only God alone knows, which is why God alone knows the answer. We must have faith... Read more
We should strive to better ourselves, and to do so every day. We should strive for justice, seeking out how we follow its expectations with prudence, not legalistically. Justice must always be coordinated with mercy, not apart from it. This is why, if and when we do some wrong, we should not use that as an excuse to ignore our call to be better, but rather, we should just accept it as a momentary slip on our part and just... Read more
Wisdom is important in our lives; we must be aware of the situations we find ourselves in and deal with them appropriately, making the most of what we have been given. “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:15-17 RSV). There is much evil which goes on around... Read more
Religions can and should be forces of good. Most of them have principles which promote justice over injustice, the common good over private, selfish desires. Religion should lead people to act for the betterment of all instead of trying to escape the world in some sort of quietest retreat. It is imperative that religion is not used for selfish purposes, for when that happens, religion, far from being a source of justice and goodness in the world, easily becomes a... Read more
Christian teaching is the doctrine of love. It presents to us the incarnation, showing us how the God who is love is revealed to us in and through Jesus Christ. Despite sin, despite all that humanity has done, God did not stand apart from humanity, but came amongst it, indicating that God, despite the transcendence of the divine nature, is immanent with us. God is no isolationist, and neither should we be. We are meant to follow the path of... Read more
Toxic masculinity creates a false notion of masculinity, suggesting various qualities men should embrace if they want to prove themselves to be “real men.” One of those qualities is strength, and by making it such an important notion for manliness, it shows itself to be an ideology of power and toughness over compassion and mercy. Through its glorification of power and strength, it tells men that they should take what they want from others. The more they do so, the... Read more
St. Jerome, interpreting the way Jesus was predicted to have the government upon his shoulders (cf. Isa. 9:6), suggested that this could be seen as being about the cross: And although he showed that he was God from the fact that he had been said “Emmanuel” above [cf. Isa 7:14; 8:8], that is, God with us, nevertheless now he says that his government has come upon his shoulder. This means either that he himself carried his own cross [cf. John... Read more
We often have odd ideas cross our minds, causing us to wonder how and why we thought them. When this happens, it is best to ignore them, and that means, not to ponder them and why we had them. But, because of how we are, this often is easier said than done. We end up contemplating them, trying to discern where the thoughts came from, trying to figure out what we did to cause them, and in the process, we... Read more
St. Catherine of Siena was revered for her mystical, indeed, prophetic connection to God; and like many prophets, she often spoke harshly against the religious authorities of her day, pointing out how they often lived their lives contrary to their vocation. Even the Pope could and would receive her criticism when it was necessary. Thus, she said that those who taught the faith should do so more than with their words, but with their lives; they should not be hypocrites,... Read more
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