Waiting is a natural part of life. But it’s often hard to wait. And in our modern world which pampers us in so many ways with instant gratification, we expect things to happen, well … instantly. And when they don’t, we often quickly become impatient. If when the traffic light turns green and the person […]
The world – and especially the poor – needs a national and global economy that justly and fairly works for everyone. The hungry, homeless, unemployed, underemployed, refugees, and all destitute fellow human beings desperately need, and deserve a just and fair sharing of the wealth. But instead, most economies are designed to overwhelmingly benefit the […]
Advent has begun and in many gatherings in our churches we sing/hear the familiar hymn, “O Come, O Come, Emanuel.” Beginning on December 17, the “O Antiphons” will be recited during the Liturgy of the Hours; December 23 features “O Emmanuel.” On one level the name Emmanuel can signal haunting melodies, Advent wreathes, winter’s arrival, […]
Children have an uncanny ability to ask questions whose answers are not simple. The curiosity and simplicity of children looking for answers to life’s deeper questions can both challenge and bring joy to an adult attempting to provide an answer in a meaningful and understandable way. Recently a child at faith formation asked, “How does God speak […]
Not only is the United States a divided country, but the Catholic Church in the U.S. is as divided as the nation. And the presidential election drove home that point. According to the Jesuit review America, the Associated Press VoteCast declared that 50 percent of Catholics backed Trump, while 49 percent voted for Biden (see: https://bit.ly/2UfR0cQ). […]
More than anything else the world needs saints! And that is exactly what God is urging you and me to become. Not next week, not next month, not next year, but now is the time humanity needs us to decisively commit our lives to faithfully walk in the footsteps of the Lord Jesus – just […]
Children have an uncanny ability to ask questions whose answers are not simple. The curiosity and simplicity of children looking for answers to life’s deeper questions can both challenge and bring joy to an adult attempting to provide an answer in a meaningful and understandable way. Recently a child at faith formation asked, “How does God speak […]
The readings of the Eucharistic liturgy for November 8th present two major understandings of the notion of wisdom in Scripture, one in reference to God and the other to human beings. The first reading (Wisdom 6:12-16), picking up on Lady Wisdom of Proverbs 8, presents wisdom as an attribute of God; while wisdom belongs to God, it can […]
Note: This is the second of a two-part series on our responsibilities as what our Bishops call “Faithful Citizens”. In some cases, the document, “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship” has been quoted and the specific article number is put in parentheses. In the first installment, we looked at the Church’s teaching to always follow our […]
Note: This is the first of a two-part series that approaches issues for Catholics in the upcoming election. This column deals with the issue of conscience and prudence, and the next column will deal with public policy issues and the guidance from Catholic Social Teaching. The two major political parties have finished their conventions, and […]
