A few weeks ago, Pope Francis released his apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love) in response to the recent Synod on the family. Some were hoping that the document would move towards normalizing and validating sexual relationships that…
Pastoral Orthodoxy
The Teacher Trap
“Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” James 3:1 I have been a teacher for many years and these words still haunt me. Being a…
On the Necessity of the Resurection
We have now come through the long lonely days of Lent to celebrate new life in Easter. So now what? Lent is the spiritual boot camp where we are training our souls towards greater holiness. We concentrate on the sacrificial…
The Lord’s Prayer – Dependance on God, Part 5
Did you ever wonder why Jesus instructed us to ask for “daily” bread? Why not ask for a lifetime supply of bread? Couldn’t God do that? Couldn’t God by His infinite power simply provide for all of our material needs?…
The Lord’s Prayer, Part 4 – Surrender to the Father
“Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.” At one time I was contemplating the priestly and religious life. I considered what it would be like to take on the three vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience….
God Loves a Cheerful Giver
We are now in the season of Lent. As we all know it is a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. If you are anything like me, Lent does not fill you with the same child-like joy that Advent does….
On the Necessity of Justice for Mercy
We have now entered the Year of Mercy, a wonderful year when we focus on the incredible love and forgiveness that Christ brought to the world. Mercy is a truly heavenly thing. As Shakespeare wrote, “The quality of mercy is…
The Lord’s Prayer, Part 3 – Thy Kingdom Come
Continuing our reflection of the “Our Father,” it is now time to turn our attention to the phrase “Thy Kingdom Come.” Essentially there are two things we are praying for when we say these words. First, we are praying for…
Catholic Pop Culture of 2015
As I have for the last two years I shall recall any good things from the popular culture that are harmonious or helpful to Catholic culture. There were many things past year and many things coming up in 2016 that…
The Lord’s Prayer Part 2: The Holiness of God’s Name
When he spoke with God through the Burning Bush, Moses asked God what Name he should give the people when they ask what God has sent him. Moses might have been trying to be a bit too clever. It is…