If all we ever do to learn about God is to approach Him as an academic exercise, we may come to know about Him, but we will not come to know Him. In today’s gospel (Matthew 11:25-30), Jesus speaks of a relationship with Him to which He invites us that promises rest for the weary. In light of his other sayings, […]
Our state in life is where we live out our vocation; it is the path by which we journey to Heaven. God has called each of us by name to Himself. In baptism we each received a share in the divine mission and a responsibility to be faithful to that mission. When a man and a woman answer God’s call to […]
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ—Corpus Christi. Jesus began to prepare us for this great gift of the True Presence of His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Most Holy Eucharist when He performed the miracle of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes and by His Bread of Life Discourse. This teaching […]
We are able to know certain eternal truths without the light of faith. According the Church for example, the greatest truth of all—God exists—is knowable from the light of human reason and the works of creation alone. But there exist truths that we cannot discover until God reveals them to us. The doctrine of God as a Trinity of Divine Persons is […]
“When it comes to life, the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.” – G. K. Chesterton I remember at a very young age the constant urging of my parents to always say “thank you” in response to any kindness or friendly words shared in my direction. For many years, I saw […]
“In the doctrine of Christ there is no invitation to mediocrity, but a clear call to Heaven, to love and to cheerful sacrifice.” (Fr. Francis Fernandez, In Conversation with God) Feeling let down by politicians and public figures who say they are Catholic, but whose words and actions are often contrary to the teachings of the Church? Do we seek good […]
During a recent coffee meeting, a friend said, “You seem to have your act together on the fatherhood front. What’s your secret?” I was surprised and taken aback because I don’t think I have my act together at all. I don’t mean that out of false humility. I pray every day to be a better husband and father because I […]
I have been thinking a great deal about my experience at Reconciliation this past Saturday. I felt an intense and unexplainable urge to go and confess my sins when I woke up that morning after having been deprived of this Sacrament during the coronavirus pandemic. I try to go every six weeks or so, but this was no routine visit […]
“In a world that seems to have lost its grounding, I have some good news for you today.” I think we all need some good news in our lives. I am tired of writing about the corona virus or the situations in the Church. If you’re like me, you’re weary of making and changing plans and trying to predict the […]
“God is patient with our questions, our weakness, and our struggles, just as he was patient with Thomas.” It is tradition that St. Thomas was the only Apostle to leave the Roman Empire to preach the Gospel, traveling to Syria and Persia and then to India, as far south as the southwest region of Kerala. He was eventually martyred, fulfilling […]
“We need the priesthood. We need the Eucharist. But what happens if those things are taken away?” The history of the Catholic Church in Japan is complex. For various reasons, the first missionaries had difficulty preaching the Gospel to the Japanese people. Their time in Japan was short – only a little more than forty years after Francis Xavier arrived […]
“To love with a human heart is to accept the possibility of a broken human heart.” I stood on the Mount of Olives and looked across at Jerusalem, the skyline a mix of old and new. The light blue dome of the Holy Sepulchre seemed to almost touch the dominant gold Dome of the Rock, and the Western Wall was […]
Dr. Scott Hahn reflects on the Mass readings for the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A). Readings:2 Kgs 4:8–11, 14–16Ps 89:2–3, 16–19Rom 6:3–4, 8–11Mt 10:37–42 The Liturgy this week continues to instruct us in the elements of discipleship. We’re told that even the most humble among us have a share in the mission Christ gives to His Church. We’re not all called […]
Dr. Scott Hahn reflects on the Mass readings for the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ. Readings:Deuteronomy 8:2–3, 14–16Psalm 147:12–15, 19–201 Corinthians 10:16–17John 6:51–58 The Eucharist is given to us as a challenge and a promise. That’s how Jesus presents it in today’s Gospel. He doesn’t make it easy for those who hear Him. They are repulsed and offended at […]
Dr. Scott Hahn reflects on the Mass readings for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. Readings:Exodus 34:4–6, 8–9Daniel 3:52–562 Corinthians 13:11–13John 3:16–18 We often begin Mass with the prayer from today’s Epistle: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.” We praise the God […]
Without Pentecost, the Gospel is not truly Good News. For the seven gifts and Pentecostal charisms given by the Holy Spirit on this birthday celebration of the Church Catholic are essential for the success of our mission and indispensable for a joyful, victorious Christian life. This essay on the seven gifts and Pentecostal charisms of the Holy Spirit is a reflection […]
This week’s poem in the Catholic Poetry Room is by Jeffrey Essmann. Straw Aquinas one day at his daily Mass Was swept into a moment of such bliss As to all human language quite surpass, Description mute before its bright abyss. And afterward the Doctor there and then, Still inward trembling with a holy awe, Laid down forevermore his sainted […]
There has been a great deal of talk for many years now about individual rights in our society. It is nothing new, but this idea does seem to have reached a fever pitch in the past few years. People are demanding their right to do as they please. Everyone is demanding to be free. Unfortunately, many people are working with […]
This week’s poem in the Catholic Poetry Room is by Laurie Klein. […]
If finding true peace within our souls is something one desires, and it should be, as it is an absolute prerequisite for effective prayer, then we need to ask, what is it that will allow us to establish ourselves in peace? When looking for guidance in Scripture, we can never go wrong by looking at the words spoken by Jesus […]
A Daily Quote to Inspire Your Catholic Faith “Jesus is with you even when you don’t feel His presence. He is never so close to you as He is during your spiritual battles. He is always there, close to you, encouraging you to fight your battle courageously. He is there to ward off the enemy’s blows so that you may […]
“Do thou, O Lord, protect us, guard us ever from this generation.On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among the sons of men.” (Psalm 12[11]:7-8) Encountering the Word is your source for daily inspiration, encouragement, and guidance from God’s Holy Word in the Bible. Please share on Facebook and other social media. Print this entry
A Daily Quote to Inspire Your Catholic Faith “If you do not live what you believe, you will end up believing what you live.” (Venerable Fulton J. Sheen) Help us spread the Gospel. Please share on Facebook and other social media. Print this entry
“He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8) Encountering the Word is your source for daily inspiration, encouragement, and guidance from God’s Holy Word in the Bible. Please share on Facebook and other social […]