This is the last installment of the ten traits of Evangelical Catholic from George Weigel’s book, Evangelical Catholicism. Previous posts here, here, here, and here. Trait nine reminds us that it is necessary to know and understand biblical language and images. The language of…
Evangelical Catholicism: It’s Our Mission
The Spirit Makes All the Difference
Readings for June 8, 2014: Pentecost Sunday As a teen, I thought the clergy were supposed to do everything. We laity were just called to pray, pay, and obey. Oh yes, and keep the commandments, of course. The original…
The Discipleship Riddle
I love today’s Gospel reading, likely because I have always enjoyed a good riddle. In verbal play, the surface meaning is generally not the only intended meaning. This double meaning is what makes the joke funny. It also provides further…
Marriage: What It Is
Marriage between one man and one woman is, for whatever reason, offensive to some people today. And because we don’t want to offend people we don’t talk about it in public. But it is important to educate people to the…
“OK Glass” – Five Catholic Applications for Google Glass
A recent flurry of press about the totally awesome Google Glass project left me pondering the Catholic take on the geekiest tool to come down the pike since the Segway. You guys know me – I love this stuff. And…
What the Samaritan Woman Teaches Us Evangelization
“Evangelism? That’s not my charism, not my personality.” “I need more education, first.” “I evangelize by example.” But the Second Vatican Council and all Popes since teach that all Catholics are called to evangelize in both deed and word. After…
Swept up by the Spirit: Journey of Transformation
“I have lived two vastly different lives—one spent exalting materialism and filled with spiritual darkness, the other spent exalting Jesus the Lord and filled with light and hope.” Because Gary Garner’s conversion was so “life and death,” he sees it that…
From Consumers to Coworkers in the New Evangelization
The Archdiocese of Detroit recently released a survey of the faithful that addressed many issues, including answers to the question: What characteristics are important in a quality pastor? Here’s what topped the list: Sounds like a pastor for the New Evangelization,…
The Ascension
Readings for June 1, 2014: The Ascension of the Lord The celebration of the Ascension used to leave me a bit flat. It was clear what Good Friday did for me. And Easter Sunday’s benefits were indisputable. But as for…
Mary, the First Believer
Readings for May 31, 2014: Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary The Beatitudes rank high on the list of all-time favorite Bible passages. But what is “beatitude,” anyway? In the bible, a “blessed” person is someone…