On this most solemn and sacred of days, the day in which the Church remembers the violent death of Her Spouse and Lord, we are accustomed to the Passion narratives (in the West) and the lengthy and ornate funeral procession (in the East). But today marks not only the death of the only truly innocent man to walk the earth, but also the death of the first saint of the Church. No, I don’t mean Jesus, God is far above... Read more
Today is Entrance Sunday (or Palm Sunday, as it is more commonly known in the West.) This is the day when the Church remembers the entrance of our Lord into Jerusalem. But what does this day mean? Why all the celebration, the festivity the pomp? The entrance of the Lord into Jerusalem marks the beginning of the fulfillment of God’s covenant. The Final Covenant in His Blood, which was foretold by the Prophets and IS our salvation. But since it... Read more
We have a pope. White smoke rises and the feast begins. Now we must wait to see the face of our new father. Read more
The Chair is empty. It is a somber day for all Catholics. As the doors to the papal residence closed and we got our last glimpse of our Pontiff, we are left with the memory of a truly great man. And now we must reside in limbo until we see the white smoke billow up from the Sistine, and are strengthened again in knowing that we have a shepherd. Rather than bog you down with my reflections upon this momentous... Read more
Today, for those who aren’t aware, is the beginning of Lent for Eastern Christians. Unlike the formal Ash Wednesday services of the West, the Great Fast in the East comes up quietly and with much lounging. That’s right, lounging. It’s a day of fasting, but one of happy fasting, picnics in the park, kite flying, and generally keeping with Christ’s command to “anoint your head and wash your face,” rather than bearing the unhappy countenance of the hypocrites. So, since today is... Read more
Along with Papal infallibility, priestly celibacy, and Marian Dogmas, the veneration of saints is probably one of the most well known (and controversial) facets of the Catholic faith. Everyone knows that Catholic’s have saints, people who did the will of God in times past. We know their names, we venerate their images, celebrate their feast days, but have we missed something? Certainly we haven’t missed their lives, we know the lives of at least a few saints very well; the Apostles, St.... Read more
After being bombarded in the wake of my earlier post on Hell, I decided that it was necessary to take a moment to explain myself. So, I shall list off the valid critiques I have received and try in earnest to respond to them, and thus clarify what was said in my earlier post. 1. Hell as separation from God. I think it’s fair to begin by saying that all of us understand that this is not to be understood as a... Read more
I know what you’re all thinking, “Is he joking, or just a moron who doesn’t know what day it is.” And while I refuse to comment on whether or not I’m a moron, I will say with abject certainty that I do indeed know what today is. And yes, it’s Christmas. Now that we’re clear that I do, in fact, know that today is January the sixth, let us move on to why I’m saying this. For Eastern Catholics today... Read more
Hell is one of those topics that makes people uncomfortable, like the female reproductive system, prostate exams, or being asked personal questions by complete strangers. However, unlike these other uncomfortable things, many people don’t believe in Hell. Many Christians in fact don’t believe in Hell. But I’m a little confused by this rejection. So, in an attempt to understand, I think it might be necessary to address the evil elephant cloud in the room and finally ask the question; what... Read more
The Scriptures are filled with miracles, stories of great deeds being done for Israel and the early followers of Christ. Miracles in the Bible can be said to fit into two categories: ones everyone talks about, and ones no one’s thought about. Sure, everyone knows the parting of the Red Sea, the water to wine, and the virgin birth; but how much time do we spend discussing the teaching of St. Paul? To understand this truly bizarre miracle we first... Read more
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