For Mary Mother of God (January 1), Epiphany (January 2), the Baptism of the Lord (January 9), January 16, January 23, and January 30. Mary, Mother of God – January 1, 2022 Readings: Nm 6:22–27 • Ps 67:2–3, 5, 6, 8 • Gal 4:4–7 • Lk 2:16– … [Read more...]
Archives for 2021
Whose Rite? A Response to E. Tyler Graham
Recently, E. Tyler Graham wrote an article for this publication[1. E. Tyler Graham, “Shepherding the Flock Out of the 1962 Missal,” Homiletic and Pastoral Review, November 2021, www … [Read more...]
Transcendence After America Project
Restoring Jesus Christ to the Public Square
On the New Evangelization . . . . . . For her part, the Church in the United States is called, in season and out of season, to proclaim a Gospel which not only proposes unchanging moral truths but proposes them precisely as the key to … [Read more...]
Rethinking Bella Dodd and Infiltration of the Catholic Priesthood
Dr. Bella Dodd, the famous one-time Communist lawyer who reverted to the Catholic Faith of her youth, has been the subject of much discussion over the past few decades. She is said to have planted 1,100 to 1,200 men into the Catholic … [Read more...]
The Church’s Teaching on Marriage, Part One
Go to Part II Go to Part III It is often said that the Church is too concerned about sexual morality. The Church should rather be concerned about poverty, discrimination, and climate change. Such an accusation is a bit disingenuous in … [Read more...]
Thinking About Ministry After Covid
Based On Ecclesiological Insights of Pope Francis
The opening paragraph of Lumen Gentium states, “Since the Church is in Christ like a sacrament or as a sign and instrument both of a very closely knit union with God and of the unity of the whole human race, it desires now to unfold more f … [Read more...]
God Inside You
When the Unmoved Mover moved in you, Kicked tiny feet against virginal womb, When you felt first under your very bones, The presence of God in earthen tones: What sentiment? Did you cry for mirth? Or fumble for … [Read more...]
Homilies for December 2021
For December 5, December 8 (Immaculate Conception), December 12, December 19, December 24 (Vigil of the Nativity), December 25 (Christmas Day), and December 26 (The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph) Second Sunday of Advent – D … [Read more...]
Parish Evangelization
It is common to hear or read references to the New Evangelization based on the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation of St. John Paul II, Christifidelis Laici (On the Vocation and the Mission of the Lay Faithful in the Church and in the World) … [Read more...]
Shepherding the Flock Out of the 1962 Missal
The time has come, says God to Moses. You must lead my people out of Egypt, out of captivity, toward the Promised Land.[1. Ex 3:10.] Unfortunately for the eager travelers, the journey lasts 40 years,[2. Deut 1:3.] and along the way the … [Read more...]
Reflections on Three Saving Mysteries of the Christmas Season
“I will tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to me, ‘You are my son, today I have begotten you’” (Ps 2:7). The psalmist is referring here to Israel’s anointed, or messianic, king. As God’s anointed one, he is God’s “son,” God’s earthly re … [Read more...]
On Humility, or, Christianity as Bull-dung
Note: This essay first appeared on the Christ-Animated Learning Blog with Christian Scholar’s Review. In a post engagingly entitled “Academic Freedom: From Ram-skit to Bull-dung,”[1. Crystal Downing, “Academic Freedom: From Ram-skit to Bu … [Read more...]
A Touch of Experience: Where Are You?
“In the light of the experience of many couples and of the data, . . . theological reflection is . . . called to study further the difference, both anthropological and moral, between contraception and recourse to the rhythm of the cycle: it … [Read more...]
Book Reviews – December 2021
Christmas Around the Fire. By Ryan N.S. Topping. Reviewed by Mark McCann. (skip to review) Meet the Gentle Jesus: First Communion Preparation Program. By Liguori Publications. Reviewed by Mark McCann. (skip to review) The Healing … [Read more...]
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