Most recall the well-known words of Jesus, “ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.” Today’s Gospel passage is also about asking, seeking and knocking, but the big difference is that door remains locked. Not only that, but the master inside tells the person knocking to get lost because he does not even know him. “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell... Read more
One of the best-known Peruvian saints is Saint Martin de Porres. Born of a Spanish father and a black mother from Panama in the late 1500s, Saint Martin became known during his lifetime as someone who took care of the sick, both inside and outside the convent. When he’s represented in art, you will see him holding a broom since one of his jobs as a lay Dominican brother was to clean the convent, and most of the time, you... Read more
Cuando un niño es presentado por sus padres y padrinos para ser bautizado, el sacerdote o diácono hace esta pregunta a los padres del niño: “Ustedes, padres, que piden el bautismo para su hijo, deben darse cuenta de que contraen la obligación de educarlo en la fe, para que, guardando los mandamientos divinos, ame a Dios y a su prójimo, como Cristo nos enseñó. ¿Se dan ustedes cuenta de la obligación que contraen? Los padres sin duda siempre responden obedientemente... Read more
When an infant is presented by his or her parents and godparents to be baptized, the priest or deacon asks the parents of the child this question, “You have asked to have your child baptized. In doing so you are accepting the responsibility of training him in the practice of the faith. It will be your duty to bring him up to keep God’s commandments as Christ taught us, by loving God and our neighbor. Do you clearly understand the... Read more
In the summertime when I go to my sister’s house, my nephews and niece love to blow bubbles outdoors. The little one especially, she gets so excited to see them. They run after them to pop them, and they love the really big ones. There is so much excitement for something as simple as a bubble which is made of water and soap; so much excitement for something that lasts for just a few seconds. “Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth,... Read more
Saint Paul to the Colossians 2:12-14 You were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. And even when you were dead in transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, he brought you to life along with him, having forgiven us all our transgressions; obliterating the bond against us, with its legal claims, which was opposed to us, he also removed it from... Read more
Last week, Bishop Stephen Parkes of Savannah issued a letter outlining upcoming changes in the celebration of the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite in the Diocese. On my own accord, and speaking as an individual (as my blog clearly states) and not as an official representative of the Diocese of Savannah, I have compiled the following Q & A based on many of the criticisms Bishop Parkes has faced in the past few days. It is important to note... Read more
Hace varios años leí emocionado sobre un hallazgo increíble en los archivos del Vaticano. Era tan increíble que terminó siendo falso. Un científico había encontrado un documento del primer siglo donde un historiador romano registró como testigo ocular el milagro de Jesús resucitando a un bebé. Después de investigar por algunos minutos aprendí que el artículo era falso. Me consolé diciendo, “Bueno, siempre tenemos a Josefo y Tácito”. He conocido a personas que dudan la historicidad de Jesús. Afirman que... Read more
A few years ago, I read excitingly about an unbelievable find in the Vatican Archives. It was so unbelievable, it ended up being false. A scientist had found a first century document where a Roman historian recorded an eye witness account of Jesus resurrecting a stillborn baby. After a few minutes of research I learned that the article was a hoax. I said out loud in consolation, “well, we always have Josephus and Tacitus.” I have encountered people who question... Read more
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Human life is science, not faith
Human life is science, not faith. With the recent overturning of the Supreme Court Decision Roe v. Wade, I have noted that many of the people unhappy with the overturning criticize that Christianity and the Bible have influenced the overturning, and that science must prevail. They are upset that religious views are being imposed on the whole country. What these critics do not realize, is that human life is not about faith, but science. If you Google the simple question,... Read more