The Catholic Church has always seemed to me to be like the solid Rock of Gibralter — stable and permanent. St. Peter, the Rock, and the Roman Catholic Church share the stability of the Rock of Gibraltar Even though we live in a … [Read more...]
About Fr. Kenneth Baker SJ
Fr. Kenneth Baker, S.J., is editor emeritus of HPR, having served as editor for over 30 years. He is the author of the best selling Fundamentals of Catholicism (three volumes) and of the popular introduction to the Scripture, Inside the Bible.
True freedom is interior
April 18, 2013 By 16 Comments
Interior freedom is gained by loving God and one’s neighbor, and by not being inordinately attached to any created thing. Alexander Solzhenitsyn and St. Therese of Lisieux Freedom is what makes man to be … [Read more...]
The Virtue of Fidelity
March 26, 2013 By 5 Comments
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 … [Read more...]
On striving for perfection
February 24, 2013 By
Our ultimate goal in life, a supernatural goal, which is the face-to-face vision of God in heaven for all eternity, is a state of perfection. Gradual progress or growth from imperfect to perfect is a natural characteristic of all … [Read more...]
Are doctrine and morals too controversial?
January 16, 2013 By
What happens to a parish, and to its parishioners, when the pastor refuses to preach Catholic doctrine and morals on the grounds that they are now “too controversial”? Cardinal Francis George and Cardinal Timothy Dolan are well … [Read more...]
What does it mean to be “pastoral”?
November 26, 2012 By
The term “pastoral” comes from the Latin, pastor, meaning “shepherd,” and thus refers to the work and concern of the shepherd for his sheep. In the current ecclesiastical jargon, what is the meaning of the word … [Read more...]
Theologians’ academic respectability
October 22, 2012 By
The teaching authority of the Church is the only guarantee the theologian has for both his academic respectability, and his intellectual freedom. Over the years, we have printed many articles on the proper relationship that should exist … [Read more...]
The Theology of St. Paul
September 5, 2012 By
St. Paul is the most important theologian in the history of the Church ... since St. Paul first gave expression to many truths that are the basis of the Creed and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. St. Paul's conversion and … [Read more...]
Evolution and the Catholic Faith
August 6, 2012 By
Evolution is a theory but not an established fact, because the origins of human life are not now observable, since, according to the theory, life arose from inert matter millions or billions of years ago. If evolution were a fact, it would … [Read more...]
“How I Got to Be Ninety-Five”
June 20, 2012 By
The party was suffused with joy and Christian charity in celebrating the birthday of a mature man trying follow our Lord’s commandment: "Love one another." Recently, I attended a birthday party for an uncle who just turned ninety-five. … [Read more...]
The Hypostatic Union
May 7, 2012 By
The Hypostatic Union had a profound effect on Jesus’ human nature, as he is both true man and, also, God. Jesus is not a human person like us, but a divine Person. Holy Trinity by Hendrick Van Balen Jesus Christ of Nazareth is the … [Read more...]
The Interior Life
April 17, 2012 By
The interior life for a Catholic means finding God in all things, leading to a life of contemplation in action. Faith in Jesus Christ has consequences. A devout Catholic, who takes his faith seriously, will live in way that is in … [Read more...]
Living as a creature
January 30, 2012 By
The Bible begins with the solemn words, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1). The Nicene Creed, which we pray at every Sunday Mass, begins: “I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of … [Read more...]
Seeing man from the eyes of Christ
January 1, 2012 By
Jesus Christ, God and Man, is the center and heart of our Catholic faith. In the Creed, we express our belief in certain events of his life and in certain truths concerning him: that he is the only Son of the Father, God from God, … [Read more...]
Thanksgiving
November 15, 2011 By
Thanksgiving Day, on the last Thursday in November, is a major event in American culture and life. On this day, most Americans want to be, and try to be, home with their family. The feast is 400 years old, and was made a national holiday by … [Read more...]
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