Photo: Signs and Wonders for Our Times The struggle for moral survival Karol Wojtyla’s {Saint Pope John Paul ll) early life was forged in a crucible. The phrase is no overstatement for the man born in 1920 Poland. By the age of twenty-one Karol was expert in the terror tactics of Nazi Germany. Upon “liberation” […]
The Struggle for Moral Survival Read More »
Development versus Alteration: The crucial distinction Last Friday’s Office of Readings dealt with development versus alteration: the crucial distinction. Fifth-century monk, Saint Vincent of Lerins, writes enthusiastically of the development of doctrine. Is there to be no development of religion in the Church of Christ? Certainly, there is to be development and on the largest
Development versus Alteration: The crucial distinction Read More »
I wrote this article over two years ago. This looming election begs for reflection on our nation and its unarguably providential origins. And so biographer David McCoullough’s words warrant meditation. We should kneel down in gratitude! McCoullough’s comment, “We should kneel down in gratitude!” applies, of course, to more than the personage of George Washington.
We Should Kneel Down in Gratitude! Read More »
Reclaiming the joy of wonder There are some weeks, like the one that just ended, where the end of the week looms. And still, I’ve no idea what to write about. But when I spied another lecture from the Institute of Catholic Culture:. Let them be reborn in wonder. my interest peaked, due to the
Reclaiming the Joy of Wonder Read More »
The time is running out The liturgy for Wednesday morning eerily fit the twenty-third anniversary of 9/11. A day that seemed to change everything but In reality accelerated the forces that were already set in motion. Like all first-century Christians, Paul was certain that this world was ending. I tell you, brothers, the time is
The Time is Running Out Read More »
Lack of gratitude Recently, I confessed my consistent failures in praying a nightly examination of conscience. Then I asked if the priest could make some suggestions. Father Charlie Banks replied, “Conscious examen” suggesting a review of the day, starting with the good things, giving thanks for them. Then on to those that hadn’t been so
Lack of Gratitude: The Deadliest Sin Read More »
Instead of a Sunday, A Day Off “Instead of a Sunday,” Baron K. told us, “the Russians have a day off. This happens at certain intervals which vary in different parts of the country. First they had a five-day week, with the sixth day off, then they had a nine-day work period, with the tenth
Instead of a Sunday, A Day Off Read More »
Saint James Church, Medjugorje, Bosnia Saint James and Medjugorje I’d not thought much about Saint James–until Thursday’s daily 6am Mass, that is. July 25 is Saint James the Greater’s Feast Day. During that liturgy, I got a nudge–more a push– to dump the reflection I’d written for today and write this new one. Okay… James
Saint James and Medjugorje Read More »
Maintaining the integrity of words isn’t my phrase. But that of Bishop Erik Varden and expresses a belief that is dear to my heart. Why do I think it so dear that it warrants 800 words? Even as a kid, I loved words. The process of learning to use words that perfectly encapsulated worlds of
Maintaining the Integrity of Words: Religious Freedom Week Read More »
Stir into flame Saint Paul’s Letter to Timothy from last week’s Christian liturgy feels directed to each of the 8.1 billion living souls in this June of 2024. Although there’s controversy about authorship and dates of these letters, orthodox concensus declares it as Paul’s last letter. He writes to his successor in Ephesus, from prison.