My Name Is Saul ★★★★★ 4.5/5 “The time I was born for is here. I will wage war against these Christians, and I will emerge victorious. My name is Saul.” St. Paul the Apostle is a towering biblical figure, but almost nothing is known about his early life as Saul of Tarsus. As death loomed […]
Do You Solemnly Swear? A Nation of Law, The Dark Side ★★★★★ 4.5/5 What if your former girlfriend decides to use her 6-year-old daughter to punish you for breaking up with her?How do you prove that you are innocent of the worst case of sexual perversion against a child? Is it possible to refute the […]
St. Ignatius and writing Last Monday, July 31st, was the feast day of St. Ignatius. Best known as the founder of the Jesuits, Ignatius of Loyola was a soldier who came to his faith while recovering from wounds he received in battle. Bored, Ignatius resorted to reading the stories of saints because he ran out of … St Ignatius and Writing: Remembering Answered Prayers Read More »
A declaration of dependence America’s declaration of independence is fundamentally a declaration of dependence on God wrote Archbishop Fulton Sheen over eighty years ago. When we read the five-man committee’s words, we cannot help but be moved by their implicit reason and truth. WHEN in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to … A Declaration of Dependence Read More »
Perfect timing. Does such a thing exist outside of Tom Brady’s perfectly thrown and received football passes? Or Steph Curry’s three point basketball shots? Or does such a thing as perfect timing really exist? Perhaps, or if not perfect, nearly so. But of even of more interest to you and me is that the timing … Perfect Timing: Are You Lark, Owl or Third Bird? Read More »
The real reason we work isn’t what we think, it’s the awe we’re after, not the money. If you are asked what your primary motivation to work would be, your first reply would be money… “I work for money.” Are you sure that’s it? Money is good, right, of course. We expect that the fruits … The Real Reason We Work: It’s the Awe We’re After Read More »
Our culture's never ending torrent of breaking news overwhelms us with the most recent salacious, depraved and/or corrupt action of President, priest, Cardinal or CEO, always with widened eye, surprise and shock, an implied, "Can you believe he/she did...?"
The Fragrance Shed by a Violet ★★★★★ 4.5/5 After her series of articles is awarded three Pulitzer Prizes, investigative reporter Kate Townsend is haunted by the knowledge that her new-found fame has been purchased at too high a price. She is certain that McCall, an internationally acclaimed cardiologist, researcher, and a 2002 nominee for the … Fragrance Shed by Violent Read More »
Both sides believe we're willing the good of the other. There's the rub. Love: How Extrordinarily Wrong We Are About It
Even The Dogs: The Canaanite Woman and Us Initially, perhaps for some, each time we read this Gospel passage, we think that Jesus is being crass, even cruel. But that’s because all too readily, we impose our own motives on Christ. And yet, it is a curious interaction. So odd that it begs for a … Even The Dogs: The Canaanite Woman and Us Read More »
T Lord, we thank you for this heat! "Lord, thank you for this soaking perspiration each time we go outside, so wet that we need to change Eight novels later, I return to say, "Thank you Lord for criticism." Gratitude, its essential presence especially when we must say thank you for this gift with gritted teeth.
A declaration of dependence America’s declaration of independence is fundamentally a declaration of dependence on God wrote Archbishop Fulton Sheen over eighty years ago. When we read the five-man committee’s words, we cannot help but be moved by their implicit reason and truth. WHEN in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to … A Declaration of Dependence Read More »
St. Ignatius and writing Last Monday, July 31st, was the feast day of St. Ignatius. Best known as the founder of the Jesuits, Ignatius of Loyola was a soldier who came to his faith while recovering from wounds he received in battle. Bored, Ignatius resorted to reading the stories of saints because he ran out of … St Ignatius and Writing: Remembering Answered Prayers Read More »
Malthus Revisited: The Cup of Wrath ★★★★★ 4.5/5 Eighteen-year-old Morgan Gardner did not seem like someone who could save the world—unless you took the time to notice her eyes. And most people didn’t. Morgan’s exceptional gifts were known only to her and to the animals she could understand better than people. For a long time, … Malthus Revisited Read More »
Photo NC Register A declaration of dependence America's declaration of independence is fundamentally a declaration of dependence on God wrote Archbishop
On reparations, policy and guilt "This is nuts," I said to John after reading that New York was paying reparations to black Americans "affected by
W Humility Rules: Back to Benedict's School It was an Episcoplian priest's sermon about humility that was the tipping point for my faith., more
Caviezel's Sound of Freedom wasn't a fun way to spend the 4th of July. But since, for me, it was a 'must see,' John, our friend Fr. Dan and I secured Caviezel's Sound of Freedom...the power of a small boy who answers, "Teddy Bear" when asked his name. Then to, "No, what is your real name?""Miguel," the child states. Then, "Can you find my sister?"Cannot be overplayed.
Antisemitism as spiritual evil "Prejudice means racism," my friend insisted, reacting to my remark that we're all prejudiced. About something, maybe many
The rosary of Our Lady was a favored book of two popes. Therefore I ordered it and put away for future reading. And forgot about it. Until this week. This
Schedules, Deadlines and Prayer: What Do They Have in Common? Time. Whether it's a meeting, task or appointment, schedules are part of our lives.
I know nothing about love I’d been Catholic for just a few months when the young priest approached me in the empty church. Everyone had left after the
Commencement Addresses: three to consider. Speaking to young people virtually clutching their hopefully hard-earned diplomas requires more than a little
Faith and its razors edge Do you ever think you have it wired? Lord, I’ve got this. When suddenly, like a thunder bolt, you realize you’ve been
Do you not know that life is a soldier’s service? The stirrings of Greek Stoic’s Epictetus philosophy were formed by his early subjugation as slave to Epictetus wasn’t a soldier either but he understood the consequences of neglecting responsibilities His statement, “Do you not know what life is a soldier’s service?” applies to each of us, whether uniformed or not.
St. Thomas and Us: A twinship Caravaggio’s magnificent painting of The Incredulity of St Thomas graphically details a story we’re very familiar
We are an Easter people Easy to say when all is light, love and happiness. But how about when it feels like all is lost? Or when everywhere we look, we
What’s it all about? Do you remember that Burt Bacharach song, What’s it all about, Alfie? Is it just for the moment we live?What’s it all about when you
the awful simplicity of sin The awful simplicity of sin Isn’t it strange when something we’ve repeatedly read and/or heard in the liturgy one day seems to
Deeply invested in blindness Deeply invested in blindness: we are all Jews now. The sobering, jolting truth of a phase penned by Liel Liebowitz: we are
Our life on earth- a journey of forgiveness, letting go A journey of forgiveness “Our life on earth is a journey of forgiveness,” declared Fr. Paul at the
Prayer is the fulcrom of Lent, of our life as Christians. But recent readings in the litrugy make me wonder , “Do we know how to pray?”
Funny s… asks What’s Happend? Lettering, comic design for t-shirt or poster-Whatever’s happening: make it holy Whatever’s Happening: Make it holy It is
Fasting isn’t giving something up. Instead, it’s gaining mastery over our appetites, over our bodies’ need for food. It’s about emptying so that we can be filled with what we each hunger for: Him.
I don’t want to know pretty young woman with hands over ears and eyes closed on white background The right not to know Since I’m an admirer of Alexander
The world: the great yes and the great no The world: The Great Yes and the Great No It’s a cryptic but arresting phrase, isn’t it: The great yes and the
Who, me. What have you got to do with me? What have you got to do with me? “…Catching sight of Jesus from a distance,he ran up and prostrated himself
In praise of inequality. Title grab your attention? Good. Because the notion of universal equality is irrational and foolish. Perhaps even sinful if done against God’s Law. In praise of inequality!!
The use and misuse of power. When we see a phrase like this, we think of powerful persons, institutions or some kind of disaster, don’t we? The use and misuse of power connotes vastness.
Content and context symbol. Businessman turns wooden cubes and changes the word context to content. Beautiful grey table, grey background. Business and We can’t know the effect of speaking truth to listeners who seem closed, even outraged at our words. The loss of context: Pope Benedict and Islamophobia.
Marking the end of the Christmas season in the Christian liturgy, Epiphany Sunday occurs twelve days after Christmas and commemorates three events—manifestations— in the life of Christ:
Nativity Of Jesus Scene With The Holy Family With Comet At Sunrise The virgin shall conceive Since the beginning of Advent, the readings of the Christian Transfixed by the horrifying headlines, anxiety overwhelms. Must you weary my God? And yet the virgin shall conceive.
Brain training with dumbbells, human train intellect, mind workout vector illustration Curbing the Aggressive, Capricious, Untrustworthy Intellect It’s a In our knowledge obsessed twenty-first century, the statement, Curbing the Aggressive, Capricious, Untrustworthy Intellect sounds like heresy
A Goldfish jumping out of a small crowded bowl into a larger empty bowl Let’s get away from the crowd Time goes so fast, doesn’t it? These blessed days of We need solitude, silence and a quiet mind: let’s get away from the crowd for this last week of Advent.
Remembering: Was it Really Two Years ago..after years of searching for a faith that reeks of truth. One with rules. Comman
Male and female anatomy human character, people dummy front and view side body silhouette, isolated on white, flat vector illustration. Black, outline and Our bodies ourselves or vehicles for mission? Go and do likewise. Put aside hopesickness and drive our vehicles for mission!
Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus with plain and zigzag border and white background Hope holders: Reflections on Mary “Hope Holders Reflections on Mary” conveys the search for, and then the gift, of this faith- the stunning, world-shaking descent of it
about the inspiration which led the Pope to proclaim this last Sunday in the Christian liturgy as Christ the King of the Universe.
day of the dead calendar day first of november November’s the month of the Dead November’s the month of the dead “I continue to think that we start from
Bronze statue of the Tudor politician, considered by Catholics to be a saint, Sir Thomas More. Next to Chelsea Old Church, London. Sculpted by L Cubitt
the cultivation of mind, “which enables a person “to have a connected view or grasp of things” Newman Center-lighthouses of grace,
hand in blue rubber glove holding blue microfiber cleaning cloth and spray bottle with sterilizing solution make cleaning and disinfection for good
Rude man driving his car and arguing a lot// Leaning into crazy Leaning into crazy: dealing with impossible people “Man, go ahead, beat me up! Shoot me!
Enemy word on the red enter key-Concept of the enemy and the rivalry online on the Internet and social networks. I have no human enemies “As a disciple of
Businessman with chalk drawing angel and devil on his shoulders concept for conscience, decisions, uncertainty or moral dilemma The battleground of
Saint Benedict holding his staff, a book and a cup with a black background. The Rule of Benedict: My School The Prologue of the Rule of Benedict contains Always, it feels new. The school of Benedict: my school. When it happened, my initial conversion to Christian Catholicism felt sudden.
Sinner. A lonely sinfull man stands in front of a hell gates. Hell fire. Religious concept. 3d rendering. How many will be saved? The question, “How many
https://youtu.be/rNFNtBk7Cag?t=958 We should kneel down in gratitude! We should kneel down in gratitude! McCoullough’s comment, “We should kneel down in
Little sister hugging her newborn brother. Toddler kid meeting new sibling. Cute girl and new born baby boy relax in a home bedroom. Family with children the distinctly separate natures of women and men…The deepest longing of woman’s heart is to give herself lovingly, to belong to another, and to possess this other being completely. But this surrender…
St. Peter: Buffoon or Hero of ours, makes me smile…maybe even laugh with the sheer joy of God’s choices and that I-and you- are among them
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-hps7KCOXk Bishop Barron speaking about Elijah and the widow The law of the gift “Your being increases in the measure
“I thirst,” He said as He hung there. Thirsting for water? No! For you and me… Nothing’s worse than getting used to the magnificent.
The movie Freedom: The movie Freedom: the heroic story of slavery in America and England. Once again, the article I’d written for today sits in draft form
The word GRACE written in vintage letterpress lead type Prayer: Discipline, Practice or Conversation? Prayer is all those things: discipline, practice and
Hand holding red alert sign isolated on white Religion begins with experience Religion does not start out with the notion of God. It starts with a
Dr. Bernard Nathanson Father of Prochoice: Dr. Bernard Nathanson Reading three books The Hand of God, Aborting America and Pillar of Fire is a bit much
Back of graduates during commencement at university. Graduate walking. It’s June: the month of graduation speeches Over my professional life, I have come
No or your choice symbol. Turned wooden cubes and changed concept words No choice to Your choice. Beautiful grey table grey background, copy space.
Letting go psychology concept as a heavy anchor transforming into a flying group of birds as a motivational metaphor for liberation and leaving a life or
work was something I knew I needed. Forever…at least as long as able. I think, and therefore write in praise of work, more than a little.
We have no right to happiness: last words of CS Lewis. Even if you’re not wondering why these were the last words of CS Lewis, it’s worth pondering. The brief article appeared in the Saturday Evening Post Lin Wilder
Only after years of ‘doing it my way’ was I able to open myself to hear the beauty and more, the wisdom behind Benedict ‘s labor of obedience
Man with black skin begging forgive and caucasian woman rejecting him in a park Forgiveness, ignorance and redemption We pray it every day. “…Forgive us
Fire particles. Glowing effects with little flame parts burned sparks decent vector realistic set isolated. Fire light effect, spark in bright
Father Stu, the movie How do I pay for all the blessings? It’s a question all of us ask, or should. But the phrase is Mark Wahlburg’s explanation for what
He rides into Jerusalem He rides into Jerusalem amidst lavish, unrestrained, almost unanimous exaltation. Slowly-on the colt of a donkey. So many details here, in this story. Why a colt? So that a fully grown adult male on the colt prefigures the excruciating burden He will soon carry? To assure that these faces, now adoring, soon to turn vicious as they scream, “Crucify Him!”, to the ones who know His innocence, perhaps even sense that “Something greater than Solomon is here” but who lack the courage to defy the mob and confess the Truth that stands before them can see […]
Our new home in Belverde Texas Lenten Greetings from Texas Right, after twenty years in the west: eighteen in Nevada and a year and a half in California,
Most of us are settling for Bette Midler’s God. “I think most of us are settling for Bette Midler’s God.” It was a terrific headline. Hardly what anyone expects a priest to say when starting his homily on a Bible passage. Fr. Chris Kanowitz, smiled at the cognitive dissonance apparent in the expressions of each of us seated in front of him at that Thursday’s daily Mass. A newly ordained priest, he’d gotten the reaction he wanted: we woke up. Although it’s been close to five years since Fr. Chris grabbed and held the attention of everyone of us, I’ve […]
Passport cover. Leather cover of passport citizen. Template of biometric international document with chip. Golden globe on red and blue background. Icon “Think on these things folks as we slog through Lent. Our citizenship is in heaven.”
Best way to disempower evil: Look at it Bishop Robert Barron’s sermon for the first Sunday of Lent- Three Levels of Temptation- is on St. Luke’s account The best way to disempower evil: to look at it, to see it. It’s a simple statement.
Sacrifice: Brought to the Citizens of the World in Real Time For the ten days, President Vlodomyr Zalensky has acted as David to the Goliath Russian
Fire flames on black background background No man can tame the tongue I should probably title this one “Part Two” because it’s inadvertently a And his phrase, “No man can tame the tongue” shouted at me. And impelled this second article
Business Man holding handcuffs after releasing over sunset background. Freedom and Burden-free concept The business of sin Until I listened to Fr. Even health has become a battle for money. Of course, it’s the business of sin.
Graphic conceptual illustration of iconic butterfly casting a shadow of the Christian cross of Jesus against a painted textured background Sin doesn’t With his customary clarity, Bishop Baron makes plain what I’d missed before: sin doesn’t come first-we get it backwards.
Leave room for the wrath Bless those who persecute , bless and do notcurse them. If possible, on your part, live at peace withall. Beloved, do not look
Colorized MRI Image Of Head Showing Brain Depression and the new science of sprituality “I don’t believe depression exists- instead, it’s a loss of
Optician eyeglasses being cleaned by tiny figurine symbolizing clear vision Do we see what is there or what we expect to see? All too frequently, our
https://youtu.be/CZJvBfoHDk0?t=157 You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore to decide to be happy Her name was Jane Marczewski (Nightbirde.) And she
Saint Benedict holding his staff, a book and a cup with a black background. Thinking, yet again, about the Rule of Benedict. The Prologue of the Rule of
Tom Brady’s career have affirmed that football is metaphor for life. And so when American Underdog was released, I had to see it.
The star shines over the manger of christmas of Jesus Christ. The manger: Lessons from King Ahaz If the name of Ahaz rings a bell, it’s because we hear it
What should we do? John’s was the kind of calling I feared as a new Christian; the fear that kept me from inviting Jesus completely into my heart and soul.
Once again: Reflections on George Bailey and it’s a wonderful life Once Again: Reflections On George Bailey and It’s A Wonderful Life. This past Wednesday
Courtesy of Fr. Boniface Hicks Advent: Make It About The third coming. Advent, the season which begins each Sunday following the Feast of Christ, King of
A picture of Abraham Lincoln standing outside at Gettysburg Happy Thanksgiving: A Republic if you can keep it. It was exactly 400 years ago, in November
Holiness must be caught Holiness can’t be taught At a daily mass a few weeks ago, the celebrant spoke about a sentinal conversation while in the seminary.
Catholics and Bonhoeffer’s cheap grace Because I am outspoken about being Catholic, in the early years following my conversion, I frequently entered into conversation with those who no longer attend Mass. Almost always, the first few reasons were ideologic: “I disagree with the Church on abortion, birth control, homosexuality, and the church’s refusal to ordain women as priests” tended to head the list. Anne Rice enthusiastically and publically returned to Catholicism and then left again because of the same list. But things changed in 2016. And even more in 2020. Suddenly, Anne Rice’s objections to Catholicism were legitimized. Including even […]
Second Chance written on rural road The cities of sin: the gates of Hell? A most peculiar title, isn’t it? It’s language is disquieting, even frightening,
https://youtu.be/rSACa4bEPLY?t=37 Marty Goetz and Misha singing For Such a time as This, Esther’s song For such a time as this (Esther’s Song) Until I met
Never forget our friends in heaven-Does considering saints as advisors and friends sound odd? ‘I believe in the community of saints’