Peter Kreeft has a practical reflection on the rules the Gospel proposes and what they’re aiming at: our eternal joy. It’s a good introduction and refresher on discernment. Read it and share it with someone in your life. He writes, in part: God’s law is short. He gave us ten commandments, not ten thousand. Why? Why not a more complete list of specifics? Because he wanted freedom and variety. Why do you think he created so many persons? Why not... Read more
Philadelphia’s Archbishop Chaput writes: Anyone who thinks that our country’s neuralgic sexuality issues can somehow be worked out respectfully in the public square in the years ahead without a parallel and vigorous defense of religious freedom had better think again. Read more
We must open doors, Pope Francis implored at Mass this morning. He said that “the people God are always asking for something closer to Jesus, they are sometimes a bit insistent in this. But it is the insistence of those who believe.” Those who truly love and long for Him can keep us honest if/when we become routinized about out faith, and lukewarm. And he was specific, according to the Vatican Radio translation: “Think of the good Christians, with good... Read more
Yesterday on The Catholic Channel on SiriusXM, Oklahoma City Archbishop Paul Coakley talked about remarkable resiliency of the people in Moore, Oklahoma. He talked about meeting a 94-year-old woman whose home was destroyed in the tornado this week. This was the second time he had a home destroyed in a tornado, the firs ttime was in 1999. And yet Archbishop Coakley watched as “She reached into her pocket and pulled out a stack of hundred dollar bills and she was... Read more
During his commencement address at Notre Dame University on Pentecost Sunday, Cardinal Dolan reminded Notre Dame of its best: It’s Notre Dame. In his commencement address yesterday, he said: Here at Notre Dame we do not strive to be like Harvard or Oxford, but like Bethlehem, Nazareth, Cana, Calvary, and the Upper Room at Pentecost . . .with Mary, as the “Word becomes flesh” in the one who called Himself “the Way, the Truth and the Life.” Here our goal... Read more
I’m officially excited about Pentecost. Some of the readings of the last week have been amazing, haven’t they? Oh, that Gospel According to John! That’s apostolic writing! It conveys Christ’s love for us and the love that is the Trinity in the most penetrating ways. If we really enter into the Gospel this week, how can we ever desire anything more Trinitarian union? There is so much in the run-up to Pentecost that is just not to be missed. Take... Read more
Cardinal Dolan has been talking about the evil of abortion for some time — offering the arms of the Catholic Church in support and healing. The Church position on abortion is clear. He has said that when he talks to the governor of New York he talks to him about these things. All the media wants is for Cardinal Dolan to say: Andrew Cuomo is a bad Catholic. Don’t expect that quote. That’s not his style. He will teach. He... Read more
“A primary mandate of our day,” is “to make abortion unthinkable by infusing the culture with the dignity and joy of the alternatives.” “We need this culture to be awash with beautiful, uplifting stories of love and courage. Of motherhood — biological and spiritual. We need people tripping over stories of self-sacrifice and the redemptive joy of true self-giving love. If we lead with love in upholding the beautiful dignity of each individual woman, women will listen, men will feel... Read more
While speaking at the Ball for Life in Manhattan the other night, I suggested we all do this: 1. Pray a Marian prayer ever day for mothers who need support. The Memorare, perhaps? Pick one of your own choosing. 2. Tell three people about the work of Good Counsel, which runs maternity homes and helps women be the moms they’re called to be. Wherever you are, find a crisis-pregnancy/maternity resource and let people know about it! Perhaps become familiar with... Read more
Via Pat Gohn’s new book on women, Blessed, Beautiful, and Bodacious: A spiritual mother is a yes. But she is neither a doormat nor someone who insinuates herself into someone’s life. She is asked—or she offers—and makes gracious replies in every case. She makes room in her person, in her heart, in her life for other people because she welcomes them as God’s plan for her for the short term or the long term. She trusts God and opens herself... Read more
Kathryn Lopez
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