". . . the monks had Christ living and working in them by faith, by charity. The monks were united by the Holy Spirit in the peace of God . . . But the Icarians were united only by the frail bonds of an “armed neutrality” of insatiable animal appetites."
Sins of Fathers . . . And of Kings
The Protestant Reformation became a permanent feature of religious life in Europe. It might otherwise have remained a largely German affair. In later years, the growth of the British Empire ensured that the split in the Latin Church spread over the whole globe.
The Crisis of Fatherhood and the Litany of St. Joseph
The Church has always taught us that human fatherhood is merely a reflection: as Jesus himself puts it, "call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven." (Matthew 23:9) Human fathers are merely stewards, and our authority is not our own, nor do we exercise if for our own sake.
Steyn, Spong, Kempton, and The Passion Of The Christ
Steyn, Spong, Kempton . . . Steyn, Spong, Kempton? The Passion of the Christ I know, but . . . who are those guys. I'll explain. It goes back to February 25, 2004. Twenty-two years ago today. We might not remember the exact date, but most of us (except the youngsters) will remember the event. On … Continue reading Steyn, Spong, Kempton, and The Passion Of The Christ
Patron of Agape: St. Valentine
Here is a saint who gave his life to bring men and women together in the loving bond of Christian marriage, and whose last thought as he faced his own death was directed toward comforting another. What better image to offer in response to the self-indulgent, dehumanizing sexuality that is so prevalent today?
Love is the Root of Catholic Teaching on Marriage
It’s amazing how hard it is for many people to understand this seemingly obvious truth: there’s no social problem that isn’t made worse by the dissolution of traditional families, and none that wouldn’t be significantly alleviated by more intact families.
The Fight for Life Continues
Abortion is just one front in the endless battle against "the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12)
Welcome to Mission Territory
So, yes, by all means, let's keep fighting the political fight, but given the societal trends (and the Gallup data above is just the latest evidence), we can expect the political arena to become increasingly difficult. Long term we need to work on bringing our country back to Christ.
What Is Man That Thou Art Mindful of Him?
What is Man? What is Man in the eyes of God, that is. The Psalmist expresses a thought that has surely occurred to all of us, at one time or other: When I look at thy heavens, the work of thy fingers,the moon and the stars which thou hast established;what is man that thou art … Continue reading What Is Man That Thou Art Mindful of Him?
Religion, Culture, & Politics: Which is the Foundation?
"Religion, Culture, and Politics" was one of the first things I published on this site in January 2021. I had just returned to bloggery in the aftermath of the Year of Covid and the doings surrounding the 2020 election. Many of us were surprised to discover, in the unofficial but potent alliance of various media, … Continue reading Religion, Culture, & Politics: Which is the Foundation?