We human beings have struggled with the mystery of suffering for as long as we’ve existed. Why does suffering happen? Does it have a purpose? Can there be meaning in suffering? Different religions have different answers to the question. Paganism…
The Meaning of Suffering
The ONE thing
Focus is necessary and important in many areas of our lives. It is needed not only in our daily lives as we navigate our usual tasks but also in our spiritual lives. In fact, most of the spiritual masters and…
Are You Ready to Evangelize? Really Ready?
We hand out CDs to fallen away Catholics. We support or take part in street evangelization teams, hanging out in front of shopping malls and discount stores. We support and listen to Catholic radio. These are good. They are like…
Why pray for the dead?
I’ll never forget that bleak January day when my father died. It was very hard to believe in the resurrection as I watched the undertakers carry away his lifeless corpse in a body bag. But imagine this scene. You are…
You Saint You!
In November our Church calls us to remember the remarkable of the Church both recognized (All Saints) and those unrecognized (All Souls). We set up memorial tables, reverence the book of the dead and attend memorial Masses. All the while…
Trust God and Get Some Rest
The protector of Israel never dozes or sleeps. Psalm 121:4 Problems sneak into our lives right under God’s nose—or so it seems. It’s only natural that we do all we can to solve them. God gave us our brains and…
The Truth about Sexuality
Hugh Hefner’s recent passing is an opportunity to reflect on his legacy, the now widely prevalent view of sexuality in the Western world. This is a view that sees any sort of sexual stimulation as legitimate, even good, so long…
Let It Go
We’ve all been there. Someone cuts you off in traffic and almost causes an accident. Irresponsible fool. You can’t walk your dog at the local park because there are ten off-leash dogs even though the sign clearly forbids it. Lazy,…
Golden Obedience
Make a Box out of acacia wood…. Cover it with pure gold inside and out and put a gold border all around it….Put the two stone tables inside the Box and put the lid on top of it. Exodus 25:…
Forgiveness
Sunday Readings for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, September 17. Just about everyone can recite the Lord’s Prayer from memory. That’s precisely the problem, though. We often rattle it off without really thinking about what we are saying. “Forgive…