Archives for March 2013

April 2013 Homilies

For Sunday Liturgies and Feasts Homilies for April 2013 Jesus Risen by Carravagio;  Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations by Harry Anderson; They hear his voice. 2nd Sunday of Easter—April 7, 2013 Something Greater Here than Sol … [Read more...]

The Virtue of Fidelity

My thoughts turn to the importance and need of fidelity precisely at this time when the Church is being tested, both from within and from without.    Fidelity to one’s word, to one’s promises, and to one’s vows to God is not something that … [Read more...]

Helping to Heal the Pain in the Pew: The Preachers Role

This sex abuse scandal is, perhaps, the first time our listeners in the pews truly understand the pervasiveness of sin. ... The preacher speaks of its toll on our hearts, while ...reminding us that grace is more … [Read more...]

On Giving: What goes around…

When we are reunited with God fully in the Heavenly City, how should we explain what we have done with the entirely unmerited gifts that have been given us? Parable of the Talents  by Willem de Poorter; English martyr, Robert … [Read more...]

Darkness, the Theological Virtues, and Finding the Inflection Point

... the downward inflection consists of distrust in God, and a focus on the importance of self. The upward inflection involves abandonment to divine providence, and a focus on reflecting the light of Christ. According to many Catholic … [Read more...]

Welcome, Holy Father Francis!

Like Francis of Assisi, our Holy Father is calling us back to the great saint who “rebuilt Christ's Church” by living a life of sheer simplicity and charity.    St. Francis of Assisi, Pope Francis: "Rebuild my House" Let us take this oppo … [Read more...]

Reflections on the Triduum: Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday

Editor's note: From March 28 - March 30 this year, the Church celebrates the holiest three days of the liturgical calendar, the Easter Triduum, when we commemorate the birth of the Eucharist and the priesthood, the passion, crucifixion and d … [Read more...]

Twelve-Step “Pride Elimination” Plan

At the end of Lent, as we are called to put the Crucified One at the center of our lives, we are also encouraged to let go of the many subtle ways pride tempts us to keep ourselves at the heart of things. Narcissus versus Christ washing … [Read more...]

Pondering the story of Passion Sunday: Lessons for our lives

Passion Sunday calls us to be a little more attentive to what we say about others, what we accept about others ... reminding us that there is never a single story about any place, any people, or any person. Usually, on days like Palm … [Read more...]

How Did We Get Into This Mess? The Legacy of Postmodernism.

Scholars tell us that this tipping point, when all taboos were uprooted and all universal expectations were discarded, goes by the name "Postmodernism." We have the sense that we went to sleep and woke up in a future we don’t recognize, s … [Read more...]

Lenten Reflections: Patience

We should rejoice that through our unique flaws, God is teaching us the lesson of patience. Jesus Preaching by Tissot Patience is one of the “little virtues.” We may never be called upon to practice heroic virtues, such as martyrdom. How … [Read more...]

The Latest Book Reviews

Winter into Spring Reading For March 2013 Reviews for the following books: CONSTITUTIONAL ILLUSION AND ANCHORING TRUTHS: THE TOUCHSTONE OF THE NATURAL LAW. By Hadley Arkes. (Reviewed by Fr. James V. Schall, S.J.) __________ THE SOUL O … [Read more...]

Questions Answered

How should we deal with dissenting Catholic politicians? Is there a moral obligation to reverse a vasectomy? Dissenting Politicians Question: Recently many politicians have claimed that though they are Catholic they are in favor of … [Read more...]

Lenten Reflections: Fasting

Denying material food ... nurtures an interior disposition to listen to Our Lord, and be nourished by his saving word. Through prayer and fasting, we allow Christ to satisfy our deepest hunger and thirst for God. Christ in the Wilderness … [Read more...]

Remembering Who We Are: Recovering from Cultural Amnesia.

The western loss of the larger and smaller narratives which depicted the horizons of life, is a loss of memory on a grand scale, a sign of some deep disorder for those who see it. Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus, Western Civilization … [Read more...]