The words of the centurion, words that we say again and again at every celebration of Holy Mass, are among the truest words that we can ever utter: “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul s … [Read more...]
Sacrificing Sacrifice
May 26, 2023 by E. Tyler Graham
In the midst of the Eucharistic Revival, Dr. Lawrence Feingold, seminary professor at Kenrick-Glennon and author of (among many other things) The Eucharist: Mystery of Presence, Sacrifice, and Communion, suggests that we may be missing … [Read more...]
True Thanksgiving
May 26, 2023 by Alissa Thorell
The word “eucharist” may be defined in a few ways, but one of the original translations from the Greek is “thanksgiving” or “to give thanks.”[1. Cf. CCC 1328.] In modern culture, we often associate thankfulness with a sense of being happy … [Read more...]
The Bride’s Response to the Bridegroom
Understanding the Call to Repent
February 24, 2023 by Christina Rine
How should one consider the question, “Should the Church repent”? It is a complex question when being considered in both the light of the holiness of the Church and in the darkness of the sinfulness of her members through pre … [Read more...]
It’s All Just a Mathematical Equation
August 30, 2022 by Karen Eriksson-Lee
The devil wants to divide us. It’s as simple as that. As simple as a mathematical equation, but one that has devastating consequences. As Catholic Christians, who have been taught that evil spirits flee “in the name of Jesus,” we should k … [Read more...]
Becoming Members of the Suffering Servant
“For This Shall Every Good Man Pray”
September 24, 2021 by Mark Drogin
The final Gospel ends with Jesus teaching us to fish for human souls. The three synoptic Gospels report Jesus saying, “I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19; Mark 1:17; Luke 5:10); the conclusion of the final Gospel describes Jesus i … [Read more...]
Deferring Absolution in Clerical Abuse Cases
March 12, 2021 by Fr. Matthew P. Schneider, LC
Deferring absolution is the key moment of decision on several key moral issues like contraception and relations with legal but not legitimate spouses, so it ends up being somewhat controversial. However, regarding clerical abuse, I think … [Read more...]
Clergy Sex Abuse: Why Do We Still Need to Talk About This?
Often at the scene of a horrific accident, police will tell bystanders to “Move along. There is nothing to see here.” The Catholic Church sex abuse scandal is a terrible tragedy and many laity feel they are being given this very mess … [Read more...]
Forgive and You Will Be Forgiven
June 24, 2020 by Rev. Kenneth M. Dos Santos, MIC
Is forgiveness a completely dispensable act, a gift we receive from God and others, or, is it something we all require and need? Is not forgiveness an act which originates in the mercy of God? And, if so, isn’t the act of forgiveness e … [Read more...]
The Book of Jonah
On Repentance, Mission, and Compassion
April 4, 2020 by Fr. Matthew Gonzalez
Of the twelve minor prophets, the book that has been consistently pondered and examined with much fascination is the Book of Jonah. This is attributed to its mythical imagery, which illustrates the prophet’s journey to the land of Nineveh. U … [Read more...]
The Curse of Crying and the Gift of Tears in The Confessions
December 28, 2015 by Sr. Mary John Kramer, OP
Tears manifest the reality of the finitude of man. Tears are most often an expression of being overwhelmed by passion. They can be consented to, embraced, wallowed in, squelched, or avoided. Tears are a silent confession of man’s own r … [Read more...]
Who Am I to Judge?
November 16, 2015 by Fr. Daniel Richards
We have all become quite familiar with those words of Pope Francis, quoted two years ago during an interview on his return flight from World Youth Day in Brazil: “Who am I to judge?”[1. w2. … [Read more...]
In Truth I Tell You, Today You Will Be with Me in Paradise
April 23, 2014 by Brent Withers
The act of repentance by Dismas, the good thief on his cross next to Jesus on Calvary, fulfilled God’s greatest desire to pour forth the richness of his grace into his soul. Dismas and Christ The ultimate goal in the spiritual life and … [Read more...]
Prayer as Turning Point Toward Christ
April 9, 2014 by Carolyn Humphreys, OCDS
The good news is that even though we sin, God loves us and wants us to return to him. With God’s grace, bad habits can be unlearned. Ecclesia semper reformanda: The Church forever in need of reform. Because we are the Church, we are the o … [Read more...]
“I Haven’t Killed Anyone!” What Serious Sins Will Exclude Us From the Kingdom of God?
November 21, 2013 by Dr. Ralph Martin, STD
Why aren’t we more concerned about how even many of our fellow Catholics are engaging in behaviors (“lifestyles”), or accepting, or even approving them, in others, that scripture says will exclude them from the kingdom? Right after Va … [Read more...]
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