Magazine

Questions Answered — August 2020

The Obedience of Christ Question: Did Christ vacillate in his perfect obedience when he said, “If it is possible, let this cup pass me by”? Would this not compromise the atonement? Answer: The atonement is a concept which is much mis … [Read more...]

Cultivating Time for Eternity, Parts II and III

Ecology, Exceptionalism, and Apocalypse

It is contradictory to insist that future generations respect the natural environment when our educational systems and laws do not help them to respect themselves. The book of nature is one and indivisible: it takes in not only the … [Read more...]

On the Problem of Mental Reservation

Should we lie when the Nazi stands at the door and asks us his infamous evil question? Traditional proposals about how to solve this problem by means of what is called “mental reservation” tend to be unsatisfying, because they are based on t … [Read more...]

“Given Up for You”

Ronald Knox on the Mass as a Sacrifice

Failure to believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist is not the only crisis of Eucharistic faith the Church currently faces. It is the most well-publicized crisis of faith, because studies have consistently shown a decline … [Read more...]

St. Joseph’s Greatness in Heaven

There has been a longstanding pious tradition in the Church that St. Joseph was assumed body and soul into heaven. This was the teaching of eminent theologians and members of the hierarchy, such as the Doctors of the Church, St. Augustine … [Read more...]

Some Unpolitical Thoughts in a Time of Crisis

The former mayor of Chicago and Obama political advisor, Rahm Emanuel, made himself noteworthy by recently reiterating his political principle, “You never want a serious crisis to go to waste. And what I mean by that is an opportunity to do … [Read more...]

Homilies for September 2020

For September 6, September 13, September 20, and September 27 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time – September 6, 2020 Readings: Ez 33:7-9 •  Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9 (8) • Rom 13:8-10 • Mt 18:15-20 https:// … [Read more...]

Today’s Disbelief in the Existence of Personified Evil

The World, the Flesh, and the Devil

In my vocation as a coach, I have regular contact with youth and young adults, and they often confide their troubles to me. I have met many who have struggled with temptation, fallen into sin, and become enslaved by sinful habits. Their … [Read more...]

Reality, Grief, and Transformation

Lessons from Paul’s Letters to the Church at Corinth

Nearly two millennia ago, Paul founded a Christian community in Corinth, a port city characterized by all the diversity and rough-and-tumble usually associated with busy transport hubs. He had spent eighteen months there working to mold a … [Read more...]

Reclaiming a Lost Voice in Catholic Moral Theology

Who Was Fr. Gommar DePauw?

Many Catholics attached to the traditional rites of the Church are familiar with the brief video “Why the Latin Mass.” Fr. Gommar-Albert DePauw, the speaker, was a priest famous for his celebration of the Tridentine Mass during the pre … [Read more...]

Hope in the Darkness

For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth. . . . I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more. – Psalm 71:5, 14 Many psychological and scientific studies will be published in the upcoming months r … [Read more...]

Cultivating Time for Eternity

Ecology, Exceptionalism, and Apocalypse

The importance of ecology is no longer disputed. We must listen to the language of nature and we must answer accordingly. Yet I would like to underline a point that seems to me to be neglected, today as in the past: there is also an ecology … [Read more...]

Healing Paralysis in Contemporary Society

An Ecclesial Reading for Division and Isolation

The dramatic Markan narrative of the healing of the paralytic prompts a dialogue with contemporary issues, allowing an addressing of the complexities of our current era. There are two programmatic keys that highlight our reading: (1) Mark … [Read more...]

Homilies for August 2020

For August 2, August 9, the Assumption of Mary, August 16, August 23, and August 30. 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time – August 2, 2020   Readings: Is 55:1–3 • Ps 145:8–9, 15–18 • Rom 8:35, 37–39 • Mt 14:13–21   usccb.org/bible/rea … [Read more...]

Homilies for July 2020

For July 5, July 12, July 19, and July 26. 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time – July 5, 2020   Readings: Zech 9:9–10 • Ps 145:1–2, 8–11, 13–14 • Rom 8:9, 11–13 • Mt 11:25–30   usccb.org/bible/readings/070520.cfm   OT: Zech 9: Banish the w … [Read more...]