After his entrance into Jerusalem, Jesus did what the people expected of him. He became a prophet. He became a judge. Of course, he did, as was so often the case, in a way which was contrary to their expectations and desires. He came to judge the claims of Israel about herself. “On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he... Read more
From UPI: Pope Benedict XVI took time during Palm Sunday mass in Rome to denounce the war in Iraq, calling for an immediate end of the conflict. The pope completed Sunday’s ceremony by blaming the disruption of regular Iraqi life on the international conflict and his plea for an end to the war was met with thunderous applause at St. Peter’s Square, the Voice of America reported. “Enough with the slaughters, enough with the violence, enough with the hatred in... Read more
When Jesus brought Lazarus back to life, his followers saw it as a sign of messianic destiny. Jesus could lead Israel to independence. Jesus could be a king like no other king. The general populace of Israel thought they found someone they could follow — because they thought he was someone they could use. They thought they could tame Jesus. They thought they could use him to bless themselves. And thus they cheered him as he entered into Jerusalem. To get him... Read more
via CNN Chiara Lubich, founder of the international Focolare movement of the Roman Catholic Church and one of the most influential women in modern Catholicism, died Friday, her movement said. She was 88. Lubich died at her home south of Rome after being discharged from a hospital Thursday night, in line with her wishes. She had been in frail health for years and had recently had respiratory problems. Read more
I am an American. I am also an American citizen, which is not exactly the same as being American. I was born in Pittsburgh. I spent 9 years in St. Louis, 10 years in Northern and Central California, and I have been in Houston for 3 years now. I have no intention of denying my American patrimony. I have no intention of leaving the United States. I am patriotic when it comes to my country. I am not comfortable with... Read more
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you realize that we will be judged more strictly, for we all fall short in many respects. If anyone does not fall short in speech, he is a perfect man, able to bridle his whole body also. If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we also guide their whole bodies. It is the same with ships: even though they are so large and... Read more
I wasn’t there, but from everything I’ve heard, the years after the Second Vatican Council were, for many in the West, a time of confusion and chaos. Changes from the Council (such as the abandonment of the Latin mass and the prohibition on eating meat on Friday) were seen as marking a decisive break with the past. Everything was up for grabs. Priests abandoned their cassocks and occasionally their orders, mass became a time for spiritual experimentation (much of it... Read more
The final plea of “De consolatione philosophiae” can be considered a synthesis of all the teachings which Boethius directs to himself and to all those who may find themselves in similar circumstances. This is what he writes while in jail: “Fight against your vices, dedicate yourselves to a virtuous life directed by hope which elevates your heart to the skies with humble prayer. The pain you have suffered may change, refuse to lie; it is an advantage to keep the... Read more
While the storm clouds gather far across the sea, Let us swear allegiance to a land that’s free, Let us all be grateful for a land so fair, As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer. God Bless America, Land that I love. Stand beside her, and guide her Thru the night with a light from above. From the mountains, to the prairies, To the oceans, white with foam God bless America, My home sweet home. Read more
It’s always nice to be noticed…sort of caters to that desire for recognition for work done. Well, Vox Nova got noticed this week by someone named David Hartline, the administrator of The Catholic Report. Though I have never heard of him or his project, he describes The Catholic Report as the “definitive source” for all things Catholic. I better put down my Catechism! Within the context of his brief mention of Vox Nova, Hartline exemplifies the sort of confusion that... Read more
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