My first memory of Pope Benedict XVI was a joke someone told me in high school: Cardinal Ratzinger (later Pope Benedict) was put in charge of Purgatory. Martin Luther comes to him, and Ratzinger gives him 100 years in Purgatory….
Reflections on the Life of Pope Benedict XVI
The Sadness of the Gospel
The word “Gospel” literally translates to “Good News.” This is because there is no better message we could hear: God has become one of us in order to give us eternal life. What could be better? And yet there seems…
St. Ignatius and Generosity
Tis the season to be giving! During this holiday season, we remind ourselves that this is a time for generosity. That is the essential purpose behind Christmas gifts. It isn’t the getting of cool new stuff, but an exercise in…
Advent: A Spirit of Longing
One of the things I have learned when it comes to spiritual writing is this: steal from the best. I am fortunate that I have a wonderfully profound pastor at my parish and his homily on the 1st Sunday of…
Why Was Moses’ Sin So Bad?
In my Theology class, we recently went over the sin of Moses. For those who do not recall, in Numbers 20, Moses was instructed to strike the rock with his staff so that water would miraculous flow out to the…
Does the Bible Support Abortion?
Does the Bible support abortion? I’ve started to notice a trend among my students: a hot take on an ancient Biblical text will go viral on social media (e.g. TikTok) and this will be used to defend an unorthodox position….
You Do Not Know Who Is Watching
Many decades ago there was a man who had trouble walking. He used braces on his arms to help him get from place to place. This man was a devout Catholic who would walk to mass every morning despite the…
From Transformers to Transubstantiation: The Conversion of Shia LeBeouf
By the grace of God, many people come to miraculous conversion to the Gospel. One such person is actor Shia LaBeouf. As a child actor, LaBeouf grew up in film and television and is best known for his roles in…
The Dormition of the Virgin Mary
Did Mary die? As Catholics, we believe as a matter of dogma that the Virgin Mary was conceived without Original Sin and that she was taken to heaven body and soul. We celebrate the former on the Feast of the…
Sheep’s Clothing: Hiding Content in Children’s Programing
“It is better for him if a millstone is hung around his neck and he is thrown into the sea, than that he may cause one of these little ones to sin.” (Luke 17:2) One of the most insidious things…