Jesus is not at all hesitant about reminding his followers that discipleship is not a warm and fuzzy business. On the contrary, he says: “Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.” (Matthew 5:11) It’s going to happen.
A Dynamic Trio: St. Augustine, St. Monica & St. Ambrose
St. Monica softened Augustine’s heart, and prepared the ground to receive the seeds of his conversion, but she herself was not able to plant those seeds: she could not convince her son to change his life.
What Would You Do? St. Maximilian Kolbe and the Gospel of Love
In the end, he gave the ultimate gift: his own life. When his jailers chose ten men at random to be starved to death in retaliation for an escape, St. Maximilian, who had not been chosen, volunteered to take the place of one of the ten.
Spiritual Warfare, the Chain of Command, and St. Equitius
Spiritual Warfare The concept of spiritual warfare reminds me of a quote widely attributed to Leon Trotsky. To wit: "You may not be interested in war, but war is interested in you." Now, there's no evidence that the old Bolshevik actually said it, but it's true. There's a battle raging, and we're all part of … Continue reading Spiritual Warfare, the Chain of Command, and St. Equitius
Whose Standard? St. Ignatius Loyola
Whose Standard Do You Follow? "Whose Standard?" That is the question posed by St. Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Jesuits. But first, would I be out of line to say that the Society of Jesus is not what it used to be? I don't want to be a Jebbie basher: I have studied under and … Continue reading Whose Standard? St. Ignatius Loyola
A Successful Failure? St. Bridget of Sweden
St. Bridget's success, and our “success” as Christians, consists in fidelity to Christ and in nothing else.
St. John Fisher, the Bishops, and Abortion
St. John Fisher St. John Fisher gave up his life on this date in 1535. He died because he would not subordinate the moral authority of the Church to the demands of the secular state. I'll have more to say about today's saint in a moment. First, let's take a moment to discuss the demands … Continue reading St. John Fisher, the Bishops, and Abortion
Pentecost Persecution and St. Julia of Corsica
Christ sent the Holy Spirit down on his Church at Pentecost, the Church against which, he had promised Peter, the "Gates of Hell" would not prevail (Matthew 16:17) . . . but he had also promised persecution (Matthew 5:11). The Persecution was not long in coming. The same Peter who boldly addresses the wondering crowds on Pentecost will soon be writing to the early Christians: In this you rejoice, though now for a little while you may have to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may redound to praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:6-7)
St. Thomas Aquinas on Miracles
Most of us have little expertise on miracles. And yet it's a topic that comes up often in Catholic discussions. Needless to say, a lot of confusion can ensue. It seems helpful to have something handy that is short, to the point, and clarifying. St. Thomas Aquinas has provided us with just that in his Summa Contra Gentiles.
Truth is Real – St. Athanasius in the 21st Century
The Church is supposed to be a Sign of Contradiction (Luke 2:34). If all she offers in the face of sin is a Nod and a Wink, however, what is she teaching? How is any distinction possible between her teaching and what the Conventional Wisdom has on offer? Do we not then give tacit assent?