Back in April I began a series on What's Killing American Catholicism. Events and other commitments kept me from completing the series at that time. The first post was on Cultural Catholicism and I argued that this was countered by Comprehensive Catholicism--a Catholic faith that is truly universal and transcends all cultures and ethnicities. The second installment [...]
I saw three rings entwined--one composed of smooth gold as clear as crystal and hard as diamonds. The second a circlet of thorns. The third was a ring of fire. But in saying they were three rings entwined, I saw that they were also three rings interfused. The smooth gold as clear as crystal was infused [...]
I remember as a young priest I was visiting an older woman we'll call Veronica whose life was in chaos. She was grieving over a broken marriage. Her children were a disappointment. She had health problems and money worries. She had emotional and relational difficulties. In addition to this she talked too much. The poor soul [...]
One of the difficulties about preaching is there is too much to say and too little time to say it. This is especially true of the celebrations that only come around once a year. So for Christ the King on Sunday I spoke about Blessed Miguel Pro and "Viva Christo Rey!" and the need for majestic [...]
There. That headline got your attention didn't it? As usual, I'm trying to stand things on their head. This is what I mean: Be self centered. Look after the good of your own soul first and foremost. Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. There are several advantages to this. First, it will stop [...]
The wound at the foundation of all our other wounds is the deep wound at the heart of love. Put simply, we all long for total, overwhelming, unconditional love. It is as if the whole human race is starving and in our starved and desperate state our appetites will turn to most anything to fill the [...]
I know what your problem is. In fact, I know what everyone's problem is. Furthermore, I not only know the problem, I have the solution. Maybe your problem is that your are greedy or selfish or lustful. Maybe you are insecure or you are arrogant (which is another way to be insecure). Maybe you are confused [...]
Do Catholics pray to Mary? It sure looks that way! But there is more to it than that. An increasing number of Protestants are ready to be more open minded about this controversial topic. "I'm ready to honor Mary more than we usually do" said a Protestant friend, "but I'm not going to pray to her." [...]