Baptism is important. Through it, we begin our Christian life, regenerated by grace. It is also how we are incorporated into Christ, becoming a part of the church, the body of Christ. While grace can be said to be bound to baptism so that a valid baptism will always bring us grace, God is not bound by the ritual. God can offer that grace by other means. However one receives it, one is born again, regenerated by grace, incorporated into... Read more
Scripture is full of examples of those who were promised great things by God and yet found their lives to be full of struggles. Their difficulties, or the struggles of those around them, often had them wrestling with God. Some, like Job, felt as if God had abandoned them and so they wrestled with God in order to try to make sense of their experiences. Others wrestled with God so as to find God’s mercy, if not for themselves, than... Read more
Christ teaches that we are going to have our lives judged; everything about us will be revealed, and through it, who and what we have made of ourselves will be made known to everyone, including, and especially ourselves. We will not be able to hide from the truth anymore. Everyone, including the best of us, have things which we are ashamed about, things which we wish we had not done, but there is no getting away from what we have... Read more
All injustice requires satisfaction as a part of the process which reverses and heals the damage which it been done. This is true, not only on an individual basis, but communally as well Those who rightfully accuse society of wrongdoing, asking for and demanding reparations for injustices, have Jesus on their side, for Jesus was clear that all such debts must be paid in full: Make friends quickly with your accuser, while you are going with him to court, lest... Read more
One of the most interesting images Jesus used for himself was that of a mother hen seeking to protect her brood: O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! (Matt. 23:37 RSV). There are many elements which can be brought out of this text, each which could serve as a significant reflection... Read more
There are many teachings proclaimed by the Christian faith. While each have their value and significance, we must not presume they are all equally important. They are not. Nor should we think that all teachings hold the same level of inspiration. Many things which are taught are derivative in nature and in value; while they are connected to greater truths, they are derived more through human reason, with all the limitations and implications connected with it. This is why such... Read more
Paul speaks of Christian freedom, highlighting what differentiates it from other notions of freedom: Christians are to follow after the good, to seek after and engage what is helpful (to themselves as well as to others); they are not to be mere slaves to the passions, letting the passions dictate to them what they should do. This is because, though the passions can and do include various elements of the good, people get so attached to them that they ignore... Read more
There is a tendency among some Catholics to suggest that Catholic teaching has not developed or changed over time. If they studied history, they would know differently; indeed, if they studied the saints and major thinkers throughout the centuries, they would see how change has been incorporated within Catholic tradition and recognized as serving an important way for the Holy Spirit to direct the church. Nicholas of Cusa, an important fifteenth century theologian, philosopher, and canon lawyer, indicated that church... Read more
St. Isaac the Syrian, like many ascetic writers, could be quite rigorous in his discussions concerning the behavior expected by monks; if one only read such appeals, he would appear to be one of many moralistic writers, offering, perhaps, some sound advice, but without the deep spiritual core needed to make such advice anything but a burden upon the listener. For that is what happens with legalist: even if they are technically correct, in so far as they go, they... Read more
When various Christians try to engage Islam, pointing out that despite the various (and significant) differences which exists between the two faiths, they still worship the same God, other Christians quickly speak up and say it is impossible because of those very differences. It is as if they believe God is created by one’s own thoughts about God, justifying Feuerbach and others like him in saying God is created in the image of humanity instead of humanity in the image... Read more
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