“Think about the possibilities if we all made a sincere daily commitment, no matter how small, to make a positive difference in the lives of those around us.” Do we sometimes feel overwhelmed in the face of the relentless assault on the Church, our beliefs and our families by the media and modern culture? Is it difficult to stand up […]
Church
Uncomfortable Christianity
“It’s time to recognize that Christianity is not a comfortable religion. The doctrines we profess are stumbling blocks, and the demands are uncomfortable.” We have gotten too comfortable. Walking around as baptized Christians, we probably don’t often think about what that means. Christianity is radical. If we really profess what Christianity professes and live what Christianity demands, we will not […]
The Church needs Tentmakers
“As a tentmaker, you have a unique role to play in the Church – that of evangelist, of disciple, in the nitty gritty of life, in the ‘temporal order.’” In his memoir, A Severe Mercy, Sheldon Vanauken details his conversion to Christianity, a journey in which the writings of C.S. Lewis played a part. After readings the works of Lewis, […]
We are earthen vessels… with a responsibility
“The Church is made up of sinners, yes, but gives those sinners the graces to become saints.” I love the Church. I’m not saying this always comes easily for me, but it is something I strive to toward, praying for an increase in that love. Again, it’s not easy. In fact, it can be downright painful and confusing. In times […]
Our Responsibility as the Flock
Detail of Chair of St. Peter
Dnalor 01, Rom, Vatikan, Petersdom, Cathedra Petri (Bernini) 4, Detail, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Today we celebrate the feast of the Chair of St. Peter. The Gospel for the feast is Matthew’s account of the events at Caesarea Philippi, where Peter receives the mission from Jesus to lead His Church. This year, we happened to hear Mark’s account of the incident just yesterday, on the Thursday of the 6th Week of Ordinary Time. It […]
Mary and the Early Church
There are many unknowns about Mary’s life during the public ministry of Christ and especially after His death and resurrection. We know that she was present at the Cross, that John the Apostle took her into his home, and that she was present in the Upper Room during the time of the prayer preceding Pentecost. But other than that, answers […]
When I am “the Church”
What is the Church? Perhaps I used to think that question had an easy answer. But even flipping open the Catechism will give you several different images, definitions, and nuances. It’s something Councils have discussed and ink has spilled out from theological pens about for ages. The Mystical Body of Christ, the Bishops in union with the Pope, the […]
Daily Quote from Pope Benedict XVI
“History has shown that, when the Church becomes less worldly, her missionary witness shines more brightly. Once liberated from material and political burdens and privileges, the Church can reach out more effectively and in a truly Christian way to the whole world.” (Pope Benedict XVI) Print this entry
Daily Quote from Blessed John Paul II
“The saints have always been the source and origin of renewal in the most difficult moments in the Church’s history.” (Blessed John Paul II) Print this entry
Daily Quote from Francis Fernandez
“If each Christian were to speak in conformity with the Faith, we would surely change the world. We cannot sit silently in the face of such crimes as abortion and the degradation of marriage and the family. Nor can we surrender to those forces that would seek to remove God from the formation of the young.” (Francis Fernandez; In Conversation […]