“Any country that accepts abortion is not teaching its people to love, but to use any violence to get what it wants.” (Saint Teresa of Calcutta) We live in an age that is filled with signs and wonders, many of which are ominous and terrifying—our politics continues in turmoil, fears of wars and terrorism are still with us, our environment […]
A Faith Disconnected from Life I hope and pray that each of us who read these pages desires to deepen our love of God, improve our prayer life and grow in our relationship with the Lord. But too often we tend to separate our faith from our daily life and this prevents the growth we seek. The Second Vatican Council […]
I believe that one of the great challenges of our time derives from the loss of knowledge of who we are and what we are made for. Actually, we may know these eternal truths, but we tend to suppress them in our consciousness. In this age of consumerism, we tend to define ourselves, not by who we are and for […]
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:24-25) But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are […]
Do you ever feel numb or helpless because of all the problems the world faces each day? One only has to watch the news or follow the events of the day online to feel completely overwhelmed. Some of the challenges facing the world include ever-increasing threats to our Catholic faith. The Church is being accosted on all sides and the culture […]
A few years ago a priest shared some guidance with my wife and me that has been the cause of a great deal of conversation and reflection in our home. In response to learning that we pray every day about our oldest son’s future and that he be healed of his autism, he encouraged us to pray first for acceptance. […]
When my wife and I came into the Catholic Church with our two sons in 2006, we were somewhat overwhelmed by the new life we had begun. We had not only entered into full communion with the Church Christ founded, but we clearly recognized how the expectations for our marriage and how we raised our family had changed considerably as […]
“Those whose lives are diminished or weakened deserve special respect. Sick or handicapped persons should be helped to lead lives as normal as possible.” (CCC 2276) One of the few issues my wife and I were concerned about when we decided to join the Catholic Church in 2005 was how to include our oldest son, Alex, who has high-functioning autism. He […]
“We place it in His hands – no matter what comes.” Sometimes we make prayer more complicated than it needs to be. A few days ago, I finished my cup of coffee and my brief morning time of prayer by kind of muttering under my breath, “I don’t know about this day, God. So it’s yours.” It wasn’t a traditional […]
“There’s an acute tension in the life of a Catholic that comes into focus this time of year.” In some ways, the Gospel reading this Sunday couldn’t come at a better time. Here in the United States, some pastors probably cringed when they opened up the lectionary, realizing it would be hard to duck at that pitch. In a sense, […]
“Are our homes places where children learn how to live the Christian life?” In the religious education world these days, we are hearing a lot about the “domestic church” and parents as primary catechists of their children. Perhaps that might scare parents a bit. What if I’m not a teacher? Does it mean I have to have all the answers? […]
“We can get wrapped up in anxiety – but have we asked our closest friend for help?” What do Renaissance art and Frank Capra have in common? I love them both, but neither did us much favor when it comes to angelology. That begin said, whenever I talk about angels, I like to clear up some misconceptions from the beginning. […]
Dr. Scott Hahn reflects on the Mass readings for the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) Readings:Exodus 22:20–26Psalm 18:2–4, 47, 511 Thessalonians 1:5–10Matthew 22:34–40 Jesus came not to abolish the Old Testament law but to fulfill it (see Matthew 5:17). And in today’s Gospel, He reveals that love—of God and of neighbor—is the fulfillment of the whole of the […]
Dr. Scott Hahn reflects on the Mass readings for the Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) Readings:Isaiah 45:1,4–6Psalm 96:1,3–5, 7–101 Thessalonians 1:1–5Matthew 22:15–21 The Lord is king over all the earth, as we sing in today’s Psalm. Governments rise and fall by His permission, with no authority but that given from above (see John 19:11; Romans 13:1). In effect, God says […]
Dr. Scott Hahn reflects on the Mass readings for the Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) Isaiah 25:6–10Psalm 23:1–6Philippians 4:12–14, 19–20Matthew 22:1–14 Visit the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology website to listen to an audio recording of this reflection from Dr. Scott Hahn and to subscribe to receive his Sunday Mass Reflections via email. We encourage you to support […]
Dr. Scott Hahn reflects on the Mass readings for the Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A). Visit the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology website to listen to an audio recording of this reflection from Dr. Scott Hahn and to subscribe to receive his Sunday Mass Reflections via email. We encourage you to support his work. Please share on […]
Patience. This simple word can evoke such a variety of responses! “It’s impossible to practice, I simply get so annoyed.” Take a moment and examine what our first thoughts are when you hear the word PATIENCE. Was it a negative thought? Often this virtue can bring with it difficult emotions. And when those are our reactions, the desire to become […]
This week’s poem in the Catholic Poetry Room is by Jeffrey Essmann. […]
Recently I was reminded of a wonderful movie of faith, courage and redemption. It was the story from the book “Unbroken,” about the life of Louie Zamperini, an American who ran the 5,000 meter in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Louie was later drafted as a gunner aboard B-24 Bombers during World War II. He was shot down in the Pacific and […]
This week’s poem in the Catholic Poetry Room is by Retinna Bell. ANCESTORS Hebrews 11:36-40 the world couldn’t see the fog of angels surrounding those precious souls like an ever-present aroma. it couldn’t see the favorable movement of the clouds, the sea, the behavior of plankton, the respiration of redwoods, the untold number of events at any moment all connected […]
A Daily Quote to Inspire Your Catholic Faith “Christian optimism is not a sugary optimism; nor is it a mere human confidence that everything will turn out all right. “It is an optimism that sinks its roots in an awareness of our freedom, and in the sure knowledge of the power of grace. It is an optimism which leads us […]
A Daily Quote to Inspire Your Catholic Faith “Dear young men and women! Do not be surprised at this: the mystery of the Cross teaches people to live and work in a way that is different from the spirit of this world… “For all this to happen, prayer, intimate dialogue with the One who is calling you to be his […]
“Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2 Encountering the Word is your source for daily inspiration, encouragement, and guidance from God’s Holy Word in the Bible. Help spread the Gospel. Share on Facebook […]
A Daily Quote to Inspire Your Catholic Faith “Through Eve, the beautiful and desirable glory of men was extinguished; but it has revived through Mary.” (St. Ephrem the Syrian, Deacon and Doctor of the Church) The Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary is August 22. The Optional Memorial of St. Ephrem, Deacon and Doctor of the Church […]