Sometimes, what is good and useful for a time must be put aside, not because it was never good, but because people have come to abuse the good, using it in a way which runs contrary to its original intention so that it no longer serves the good it once promoted. That abuse can actually turn the good thing into an idol, and those who promote it end up no longer promoting the good originally intended by it but some... Read more
Studying and learning from patristic writers can be very rewarding for the Christian, but they must make sure they do so with care. They should realize, as Abelard and others would point out, patristic authors often had divergent theological opinions, and they often manifested that disagreement in very uncharitable forms. While on particular issues, we might find, as it were, a patristic consensus, to do so often requires reading authors coming from different context, using different forms of vocabulary, and... Read more
Paul told us of the two-part journey of the God-man, Jesus. The first part of the journey was the kenotic descent of the God-man all the way down to the depths of the earth (that is, to death and the edge of being itself). The second part is found in the glorification of the God-man, where the God-man, having experienced the full range of potentiality contained within being, is raised from the dead and then ascends all the way through... Read more
When the World Day of the Sick was first initiated thirty years ago, St John Paul II wanted Christians to think about, pray for, and take care of the sick, because often the sick, especially those with highly contagious and deadly diseases, or those with long-term illness, were often forgotten and ignored: The Christian community has always paid particular attention to the sick and the world of suffering in its multiple manifestations. In the wake of such a long tradition,... Read more
Christ is baptized in the Jordan, and all creation rejoices! Christ is baptized in the Jordan, with the angels looking in with awe! The one who baptizes all things with grace is baptized by John. What great humility! What great love! Christ is baptized in the Jordan, and nothing remains the same: Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you,... Read more
Paul warned us against acting religious, doing things merely to please people and the world around us, including and especially our fellow Christians, without first making sure our heart is in the right place. “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to... Read more
All Christians have been given a charism thanks to the grace imparted to them in their baptism (and chrismation or confirmation). It is this charism which gives them their own particular mission in life. Not everyone has the same mission, not everyone has the same work to do. Nonetheless, all have something invaluable to contribute to the world. All missions complement each other. Thus, no matter what one’s mission is, what one’s charism is, if they live it out properly,... Read more
The 19th century Russian philosopher Vladimir Solovoyov began his Lectures on Godmanhood by stating that he would discuss the truths of positive religion. That was the purpose of his lectures. But, he also noted, he did not want to dismiss what religious critics were saying about religion. Rather, he said that they were right; religion was no longer as it should be: I will not dispute those who at the present time maintain a negative attitude toward the religious principle.... Read more
Some Christians are so focused on theological speculations and otherworldly contemplations that they do not properly live out their lives. They think Christianity, Christian existence, is all about forming the best ideas, ignoring that they are to live out those ideas and not just sit around thinking about them. Christ, after all, was very active in his ministry. He did not just sit around in contemplation, nor did he go around seeking theological debates. He was interested in being with... Read more
Paul, speaking eschatologically, tells us that Christ will give all things over to God so that God can be and will be all in all: Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. “For God has put all things in subjection under his feet.”... Read more
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