Archives for 2013

Combating the Contraceptive Understanding of Celibacy

On the one hand, we must appreciate how sex is holy. It might be good to say “holy” instead of “good.” Ironically, the idea that celibacy is a sacrifice treats sex as a good in the same way that a candy bar is a good. But this view belongs t … [Read more...]

The Heart of Hope

Since Christians are called to be Christ in the world ... we have to allow Christ’s Spirit to embrace suffering in love within us, for without his Spirit abiding within us, we would never have the strength to suffer out of love.   Many of … [Read more...]

Abortion: Unmasking the Demon

It is true that fatherhood is the main target of Satan’s forces, but his is a multi-pronged strategy which includes the destruction of motherhood and childhood. This is blatant in abortions.   The spiritual dimension of abortion, based on … [Read more...]

Dietrich von Hildebrand on the Natural Ends of Religion

The ultimate aim of all authentic religious practice, von Hildebrand always insists, is the creation of a truly supernatural life in the soul of the believer, in order to bring him to a final end with God that fallen nature can never hope … [Read more...]

Faith, Hope, and Charity

I would like to propose what I believe is the solution to a major source of misunderstanding between Catholics and Protestants on the one hand, and theologians and exegetes on the other. Christ Sleeping Through the Storm at Sea by … [Read more...]

The Latest Book Reviews

Late Summer Reading For August 2013   Reviews for the following books: A MYSTICISM OF KINDNESS: The Biography of “Marie Christine.”  By Astrid M. O’Brien. (Scranton: Scranton University Press, 2010). (Reviewed by Rev. John J. Conley, S. … [Read more...]

Aquinas’s Vision of Divine and Human Happiness

St. Thomas Aquinas reminds us that only the pure of heart see God without distortion ... Sharing the mind and heart of Christ, we share the eternal happiness of his vision.   Holy Trinty by Rubens We all have some vision or other of God … [Read more...]

Questions Answered

For August 2013

Is there another theory of the origin of the Synoptic Gospels besides Marcan (or "Markan") priority? How important is the ceremony in the liturgy?      Authors of the Synoptic Gospels: Saints Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Question: Is ther … [Read more...]

Recovering the Christian Tradition: Self-denial & Self-fulfillment

It is time now, on the 50th anniversary of Vatican II, to focus the light on the recovery of the riches of the Christian message regarding self-fulfillment and self-denial ... to enrich the new culture with the old. Christ and the Woman … [Read more...]

St. Joseph, “blessed spouse of Mary”

August 2013 Editorial

Scripture and sacred tradition do not tell us too much about Joseph.  Yet, all we need to know is that the heart of his life beats between Mary and Jesus, how he found his truest self between our Lady and her God. St. Joseph and the Baby … [Read more...]

Homilies for August 2013

For Sunday Liturgies and Feasts Homilies for August 2013 18th Sunday of the Year—August 4, 2013 True Treasure Purpose: To explain the problem with greed, and to encourage spiritual poverty. Readings: Ecc 1:2; 2:21-23 ● Ps 90:3- … [Read more...]

The Role of Doctrine in Inspiring Believers to Moral Greatness

In order to demonstrate this essential coexistence of nature and grace in the life of the Church, and the life of the believer, it must be shown that doctrine is necessary for salvation, not superfluous, but essential to the Church’s m … [Read more...]

On Thinking the Actual World Out of Existence

The scanty conceptions to which we can attain of celestial things give us, from their excellence, more pleasure than all the knowledge of the world in which we live; just as a half-glimpse of persons that we love is more delightful than a … [Read more...]

“Humanae Vitae” and Sacred Scripture: A Missed Opportunity

While prophetic in many ways, the most controversial encyclical of the twentieth century might have been better received had a stronger biblical argument been made in its favor. This July 2013 we commemorate the 45th anniversary of Pope … [Read more...]

The Science of Divine Love

The science of divine love is measured along a dimension of intensity and depth, rather than the worldly one of quantity. With this equation, the means for our sanctification is established. All our actions, prayers, and sufferings build up … [Read more...]