Continuing his discussion of the theology of Pope Francis, Dan Amiri writes: Guardini is not the only influence on Pope Francis, of course. Pope Francis’ theology seems heavily influenced by his pastoral work in Argentina. That is to say, Pope Francis’ theology is pastoral in nature, and it is also shaped by his experiences in Argentina. Pope Francis’ biography on the Vatican website is eager to mention that Francis is a “simple pastor.” Like St. John Paul II, he has an acute... Read more
The next installment in the little series that Where Peter Is is running: While well-educated and academically trained, it can be said that Pope Francis does not belong to any one “school.” He is not strictly an “Augustinian” or a “Thomist,” though he cites Aquinas quite liberally. However, one person to whom we can likely grant a place of honor is Romano Guardini, to whom Francis devoted his doctoral studies. Guardini, of course, was one of the great thinkers of the early... Read more
…of introducing us to the theology of Pope Francis: In God’s gift of faith, a supernatural infused virtue, we realize that a great love has been offered us, a good word has been spoken to us, and that when we welcome that word, Jesus Christ the Word made flesh, the Holy Spirit transforms us, lights up our way to the future and enables us joyfully to advance along that way on wings of hope. Pope Francis, Lumen Fidei It has been... Read more
I remain… unconvinced. With the exception of childhood tragedy, World War I, and his romance with Edith, Tolkien just did not live a cinematic life. He spent most of it in a room, grading stuff, or in another room, typing stuff. His actual views of things, most postmoderns would be ignorantly horrified about. He believed the internal combustion engine was the most evil invention of the modern world. He was a hard-assed Catholic who loudly made his responses in Latin... Read more
…here are some lovely shots of bubbles freezing: People who demand miracles a lot should remember that the first miracle God performed is the creation of the universe and that, in Catholic understanding, creation is still going on in every square inch and in every nanosecond of time. Here and there (and for more often than most people think), God still does what most people call miracles and Scripture calls “signs”. But he resolutely refuses (even when he was in... Read more
…here: In section 254 of Evangelii Gaudium, Francis takes up and even advances Vatican II’s teachings on other religions. Here is the full paragraph: Non-Christians, by God’s gracious initiative, when they are faithful to their own consciences, can live “justified by the grace of God,” and thus be “associated to the paschal mystery of Jesus Christ.” But due to the sacramental dimension of sanctifying grace, God’s working in them tends to produce signs and rites, sacred expressions which in turn bring others... Read more
This is an authentic expression of Catholic spirituality: Authentic Christian spirituality seeks the good of the other, even if it costs one’s own life. It is therefore fitting that St. Valentine’s Day associate the death of a martyr with the joy of lovers: Ever since Jesus died praying for mercy to his murderers, the authentic Christian way has sought life for others, if necessary, at the cost of one’s own. Real disciples of Jesus worry more about the bodily health... Read more
She writes: I wrote this song weeping in prayer for all the mamas who have had their children separated from them at the borders of our country. A mother’s love is fierce, enduring, and never gives up. I’ve loved you for so long now You’re flesh of my flesh and bone of my bone You’re a rib from my chest. I hardly know where I end and where you begin Your heartbeat from my heartbeat Your skin on my skin.... Read more
No matter how many times you make clear you are prolife, the the phony “prolife” Cult of Trump has no interest in that fact. Every time you question, not the prolife ethic, but the methods of the prolife movement or the Cult of Trump, they again subject you to the stupid scrutiny and the suspicious accusing questions. The other day, Simcha Fisher, mother of 10 and as gung ho a pro-life Catholic as you could ask for remarked on the... Read more
From the GoFundMe that has been set up to help them: For those of you how know Shalimar, the first thing that you notice about her is her big beautiful smile. However, behind that smile is a family that is struggling, has struggled for a long time, and continues to struggle. She and her 11 children are in danger of losing their home because they cannot afford the mortgage. She is trying to get back into nursing to help her... Read more
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