Readings for July 27, 2014: 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time “Liberal” and “conservative.” The definitions of these terms are seldom stated. Usually they are just presumed. Often people call “conservative” those who like old-fashioned things and “liberal” those who favor…
The Old vs. the New
St. Paul’s Conversion and My Own Conversion Story
St. Paul’s Conversion Paul was the most ferocious enemy of the Church, who as a zealous Jew and Pharisee was persecuting Christians during the first century. He rooted out Christians in the synagogues, taking them into Jerusalem in chains to have…
Anatomy of a Liturgically-Centered Evangelizing Ministry
Last month I wrote in broad terms about how scheduling decisions affect our ability to evangelize. This month I’d like to look at a case study to show how these principles can be applied in real life. Background: The Apostolate …
Jesus: The Word of God
John’s Gospel begins: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. It is perhaps one of the most profound openings to any story ever written. When I teach this Gospel in…
Chosen, Schmozen
Sometimes I think we hear bible and religious terms to the tune of: “That again, what’s the big deal?” Terms like: holy, sanctified, sacred, ancient, established, marked, set apart, covenant, chosen. As we rush through life and religion, we sometimes make…
The Wheat and the Tares
Readings for July 20, 2014: 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time At one time or another, we’ve all dreamed of a perfect world. Imagine a company where everyone is productive, a government full of honest politicians, a church where all are…
Purity Is Not a Dirty Word
My recent pilgrimage to Rome and Medjugorje was filled with many trials and graces. Our band of 36, experienced long flight delays, luggage loss, nearly 24-hour flight delay, extreme heat and money loss. However, I am sure it was just…
How Can I Forgive When I Can’t Forget?
While many people believe forgetting an injury is part of forgiveness, Fr. Justin Waltz of St. Leo’s Church in Minot suggested just the opposite. In fact, he stated that forgetting is not even possible. “The only type of forgetting I…
The God Particles: Part Three
“The Spirit comes to enlighten the mind first of the one who receives him, and then, through him, the minds of others as well. As light strikes the eyes of a man who comes out of darkness into the sunshine…
G.P.S. (God Powered Salvation)
But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find Him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. (Deuteronomy 4:29 KJV) God wants to fulfill His promises to us, to…