We live in an apostate world, and that apostasy is itself divided into groups. The direct and honest apostate leaves the Church. He or she walks out and shuts the door. What I call “the apostate in place” continues, for whatever bizarre reasons they might have, to attend mass, sing hymns, and pretend to be what they are not. They then metamorphose into a practical unbeliever when they step through the church doors and walk out. Since I’ve spent so many... Read more
Indiana passed a law a couple of weeks ago with the purpose of allowing religious freedom. I’m going to write several posts this week dealing with the many questions surrounding this law. The drama its passage has created brings all the pigs to the trough. On the one hand, we have Christian bashing by a biased and bigoted media. On the other hand, we have corporatism, flexing its muscle and openly demanding that government pass laws to suit its true... Read more
Jesus told us that when a lost soul repents, there is abounding joy in heaven. I experienced this joy when I found Christ. I was driving to Enid Oklahoma to make a speech. I felt — actually felt — an Other. I felt ecstatic love and joy rushing into me. I’ve tried to describe this joy and love, but I can’t do it. Our language does not have the words. Human language is inadequate to describe true encounters with God. The reason for this... Read more
He is risen! As it says in the hymn, “Up from the grave He arose!” The dark silence, the decay and rot of the tomb, have been turned on their heads. They are now the song of everlasting life. We are not destined for the grave. We are not bound by earthly loyalties. We are inhabitants of this earth, members of our various communities, and citizens of our many nations. But first, before anything else, we are citizens of the Kingdom... Read more
Our Passover Lamb lies in the grave. The stone rolls over the entrance and settles with a hollow thunk. The seal is placed over it and the guards take up their watch. Inside the tomb, Jesus’ body lies broken, dirty and cold in the silent nothingness of death. Blood congeals on the corpse’ forehead, back, wrists, ankles and chest. The limbs stiffen and this dead thing that once was a man becomes a figment of a living person. It is matter... Read more
I am not going to write about this week’s events until after Easter. But I do want to make one small point. The nasty reaction to an Indiana law that would provide religious freedom underscores that we live in a post Christian America. That fact should not frighten us. It is an opportunity for us to serve the Lord in meaningful ways. We can stand for Jesus in these times and actually suffer for having done it. That is not... Read more
Go to mass tonight if you can. You will be blessed. If you’re sick or you have to work or for some other reason you cannot go, try to take a moment to think on Jesus. You may be so busy or in such a problem that finding time for worship or contemplation of any sort is difficult. On the other hand, you may be flat on your back with nothing but time, dripping slowly by. Here are 5 ways... Read more
Indiana’s governor is at the center of a firestorm because he signed a religious freedom law. I am aware that any Catholic blogger, especially a Catholic blogger who writes about politics, should be all over this. But I’m not going to do it. Not this week. This is Holy Week, and I need the time with Christ. I think a lot of other people do, too. Sad to say, this issue, and its many ramifications, is not going to go... Read more
My asthma and what for everyone else would be an obnoxious cold have conspired against me. I’m still sick and need to focus on recuperating for the next few days. It’s nothing a round of antibiotics and steroids won’t cure. But I’ve enjoyed this garbage as much as I can stand. I’m going to cooperate with the medications and take care of myself. What that means is that my blogging this week will be short and to the point. Unless... Read more
The Skit Guys explain Palm Sunday. Read more
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