With the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, Jesus indicated that even if someone were to rise from the dead and warn others of what they might experience in death if they do not change their ways, many would not heed such warnings. They would find some reason to ignore or deny what they are being told. They might try to find excuses to justify themselves, explaining why the warning did not really apply to them, or they might... Read more
Pope Francis told us that his special prayer concerns for the month of November are for children, especially for those suffering in harsh, cruel living conditions. As reported by CNA, he implored us to keep them all in our prayer intentions: “Let us pray for children who are suffering, especially for those who are homeless, orphans, and victims of war.”[1] He further indicated that all children are to be our concern, which is why, if and when we find children... Read more
Church history shows that there were many women who were ordained as deacons, many of whom were also saints. Indeed, the Council of Chalcedon, in stating when they could be ordained, shows us women were ordained as deacons (i.e., deaconesses): A woman shall not receive the laying on of hands as a deaconess under forty years of age, and then only after searching examination. And if, after she has had hands laid on her and has continued for a time... Read more
Following what Jesus taught when he was asked about the greatest commandment, the Christian faith teaches us that we must do is love one another, even as we are to love God: And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the first of all?” Jesus answered, “The first is, `Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one; and you... Read more
Paul’s belief in Christ had him challenge himself and his own understanding of the way God could and would interact with the Gentiles. It did not change the way he viewed the people of Israel, the Jews, and the special relationship he believed they had with God. Indeed, in some ways, it intensified it, as it made him understand even more how special that relationship was, which is why he didn’t think Gentiles were called to convert to the Christian... Read more
The world and all that was in it was created good. Everything has its own value, a good all to itself. That good must is not based upon the value others place upon it based upon the way they think they can use it; rather, the good it has is due to the special gifts and value God gave to it, a good found in its existence as well as in its nature. This is one of the many things... Read more
Every so often, there will be a report in the news indicating the openness the Catholic Church has for the existence of aliens. From stories about Br. Guy Consolmagno, who runs the Vatican Observatory in Arizona, making it clear that the church is interested in the possibility of alien life, to Pope Francis indicating he would baptize an alien if an alien came to him and asked for it, it sometimes appears that the Catholic Church not only has embraced... Read more
Jeremiah got a sense of how God’s eternity relates to our creaturely existence in the way that God, from all eternity, knew Jeremiah and his mission in the world: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations” (Jer. 1:5 RSV). This is not a verse, as many think, that indicates anything about the personhood of the person in the womb; rather, it... Read more
Not only did Paul come to believe in Jesus, he also came to believe that he had been given a special mission by Jesus, one which granted him apostolic authority. Nonetheless, he knew he couldn’t act upon that mission until he was accepted by the church. This required him to humble himself, which was not easy for him to do. He had to address those whom he previously persecuted, explaining to them why they should accept him, not only as... Read more
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philip. 2:4 RSV). What Paul said here applies universally, and is a good standard, not just for Christians, but for everyone. We should be concerned about the common good. We should desire to work together, doing what we can to make things better for everyone. We must understand that our interest must not be in the promotion and service of money, but... Read more
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