It is not always obvious what sort of life a Christian ought to live. We know that we should be pure in heart, hunger for righteousness, forgive our enemies and pray for them. We are to imitate Christ’s self-sacrificial love, even to death on a cross. But what does that mean at 5:00 A.M. when […]
Continue readingWhy be Catholic? Answering Christopher Hitchens
The atheist Christopher Hitchens used to debate religious believers publicly. One question he was famous for asking in debate was, “What good can a believer do than an unbeliever cannot do?” His assumption was that an atheist could do any good deed a Christian believer can do. Faith, it seems, adds nothing to the picture. […]
Continue readingCalling Missionary Disciples: Convocation of Catholic Leaders
The United States Bishops convened a “Convocation of Catholic Leaders” in Orlando, Florida from July 1-4. Thousands converged from all over the country. There were bishops, priests, deacons, religious, and lay leaders from hundreds of dioceses, parishes, and Catholic apostolates. The theme was “Missionary Discipleship.” The theme was timely. Months ago, Bishop Robert Baker announced that […]
Continue readingNarratio
Man is a story-telling animal. We make sense of our experiences, or fail to make sense of them, by the stories we tell. We perceive our lives as going well or badly in terms of the narrative of our lives. One of the greatest gifts of Catholic faith is the story of salvation history. The […]
Continue readingTwo Atheists walk into a Catholic . . .
Catholics share many beliefs with other cultures, religions, and philosophies. They are the parts of the faith that can be known through the rational investigation of nature, so they are in principle available to everyone. St. Thomas refers to these as “preambles to faith,” since they provide a bridge to the deeper elements of Catholic […]
Continue readingLiberalism and the Catholic Tradition: Problems with the Modesto Statement
. The US Regional Meeting of Popular Movements recently concluded. Many members of the Church hierarchy lent their support. Ironically, the conference returned the favor by throwing hierarchy under the bus. The conference’s “Modesto Statement” attacked hierarchy in all its forms as “intrinsically immoral.” . This position is philosophically incoherent, theologically heterodox, politically untenable, and […]
Continue readingGrace and Freedom
We have free will because we can deliberate, but our choices do not proceed like Buridan’s Ass. On the contrary, we are the freest when we can easily and quickly choose the good, not when we are locked in indecision. A man who deeply loves his wife may hardly be tempted at all by a […]
Continue readingLuther 2.0
. The Reformation of the sixteenth century raised fundamental questions about the Christian faith. Can we keep the moral law with the help of grace? Is sacred tradition a reliable guide? What role should reason play in Christian life and theology? Is the Mass a sacred sacrifice offered to God? Is Christian marriage a sacrament? […]
Continue readingGetting the Most Out of Mass
In statistical terms, the Catholic Church in North America is in trouble. Surveys show consistently that we lose more adult members than we gain. The reasons have little to do with hot-button political issues, unpopular doctrines, or even Church scandal. The most common reason people give for leaving the Church is their failure to connect […]
Continue readingThe Convivial Christ
Jesus was not an ideologue. He did not push a political program. When Pilate confronted him about his agenda, Jesus responded, “My kingdom is not of this world.” Jesus recognized the legitimacy of government. (“Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s.”) He simply took no overt stand in favor or against the various political factions of […]
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