Prayer is about the conversation of the soul with God, and that often includes wrestling our consciences before God. Not for nothing is one of the great images in Scripture the strange tale of Jacob wrestling with an angel. Not for nothing is his other name–given by God himself–Israel: He who struggles with God. I often hear from readers who are struggling and I often talk with other people about my struggles. That is normal healthy Christian life. Prayer happens... Read more
…here is a draft of my stab at explaining the Filioque Controversy to somebody who has never heard of it–from my upcoming book on the Creed. I post it as a form of almsgiving on the somewhat weak excuse that we are to give of our time, talent, and treasure. Silver and gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. Be kind. I’m juggling a baby, a bowling ball and a running chainsaw: trying to be... Read more
So here’s a fascinating guy for a Saturday morning: Read more
A reader (who is Catholic and staunchly opposed to abortion) describes the real and lasting legacy of MAGA “prolife” Christian witness. She writes: There’s a lot of phoniness in this world and all of it is irksome, but perhaps no phoniness is quite as nauseating as pro life phoniness. I’m working poor and chronically ill. A few years back i was diagnosed with cancer and told I had a particularly virulent kind and needed surgery and follow up care pronto.... Read more
It has become a truism that whenever pious hypocrites want to avoid actually doing something they know they should do but don’t want to do they offer… Thoughts and prayers are the #1 Republican Rite Christian prophylactic against ever actually using their immense power to change things to, you know, change things. It is the code language of Conservative Christians signaling their unwavering commitment to inaction and the sure and certain guarantee that they will double down in their efforts... Read more
“I am often reproached for continually attacking the rich. Yes, because the rich are continually attacking the poor. But those I attack are not the rich as such, only those who misuse their wealth. I point out constantly that those I accuse are not the rich but the rapacious. Wealth is one thing, covetousness another. Learn to distinguish.” -St. John Chrysostom St. John reflects the attitude of the ancient saints who believed, given the words of Jesus such as But woe... Read more
… is just what this blog needs on a Saturday morning. Who or what is Ish Kabibble, you ask? Precisely what I was wondering myself after my wife, as is her custom, wandered through the house in a cold-induced haze, muttering the mysterious incantation. I’d heard it before and had the vague impression it was the name of some old timey vaudevillian. She just knew it because her mother used to randomly say “Ish Kabibble” as an exclamation. So I... Read more
Over on the Book of Face I had a conversation with somebody about the Dorothy Day documentary. Dorothy Day was a post-abortive woman who came to regret and repent her abortion. The faith assures us that Jesus Christ forgives any sin of any person who comes to him. But many Catholics do not really believe that and take grave offense at the idea that a post-abortive woman could ever really be forgiven, much less a saint. For some reason, post-abortive... Read more
On March 6, godless, liberal, anti-Christian PBS, bent on the destruction of really truly true Christianity like all liberal media, is doing a big documentary on Servant of God Dorothy Day. It is notable how Martin Doblmeier, the guy who made the film, speaks of her: The woman who co-founded The Catholic Worker newspaper and movement “was unflinching in her sense that this is my response to how God is calling me to behave,” he said. “We’re all called to... Read more
I Because I do not hope to turn again Because I do not hope Because I do not hope to turn Desiring this man’s gift and that man’s scope I no longer strive to strive towards such things (Why should the agèd eagle stretch its wings?) Why should I mourn The vanished power of the usual reign? Because I do not hope to know The infirm glory of the positive hour Because I do not think Because I know I... Read more
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