I used to teach a class on world religions. In the process of my research, I became fascinated with the different belief systems that developed all over the word. When studying these religions, especially the Eastern ones, I was able…
Reclaiming the Strangeness of Christianity
Lessons from the Fall of King David
To this day, King David is revered as the greatest of the Old Testament kings. God directed Samuel to the house of Jesse to find someone after God’s own heart to lead His people Israel (1 Samuel 13:14). The prophet…
See the Good in Others
I don’t know if you are like me, but I constantly have to fight against making snap judgments. For example, at my church, there is one non-handicap space towards the front of the building. In the morning, I try to…
Why I Need Confession
Very often you hear the question, “Why do I need to go tell my sins to a priest? Why can’t I just go to God directly?” There are many wiser and holier people than me who have handled this subject….
A Divided Mind At Prayer
I have many, many faults. This should not be news to anyone who knows me. This is especially true when it comes to my spiritual life. I have been graced with a number of mentors and spiritual directors that have…
St. Ambrose, Bishops, and Abortion
Towards the end of the 4th century, St. Ambrose took his life into his hands. Ambrose was a man who did not want to be bishop. In fact, in the city of Milan when the previous bishop died, there was…
Why Can’t I See God?
As my school year is drawing to a close, I reflect on one particular class that I had. There were three students that insisted that God should show Himself to them. They said that they asked God to make Himself…
Pentecost: A Return to Unity
Yesterday was the Feast Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came down upon the Disciples. Most of us are familiar with the story, but I wanted to take a moment and look a little deeper. St. Luke gives us…
Answering the Question: “Do We Become Angels?”
“Do we become angels when we die?” The short answer is “no.” But in this article I want to explore not only the answer, but how the answer should be given. A common misconception about human life is that when…
True Love Leads to Loving Truth
There are days when it feels like no one is listening. Part of this is the fact that I am getting older and the world I used to know is slipping away. All people begin to feel this way with…