Too often we treat the Lenten season as a self-improvement program. Instead of seeking to draw closer to God, we end up seeking ourselves. A classic example is someone giving up chocolate so they can lose weight. Their focus is on an ulterior motive, not God.
We humans are heavily influenced by our surroundings. That’s why we’re always encouraged to keep good company and put ourselves in places where we can build good habits. In the winter, a sense of dreariness can overcome us. People are tired of the cold and the snow. They’re ready for….
Recently, I’ve been focusing on the theme of the Presence of God while praying the Joyful Mysteries. Maintaining a sense of God’s Presence is, I think, the key to attaining holiness in ordinary life. What is holiness but allowing God to form Himself in our lives so that all we do is truly His?
Right like clockwork, every year on December 26th stores begin sweeping away their Christmas stock to put up Valentine’s Day gear. Candy, bouquets, cards, and other forms of goodies and romantic gifts can be found lining the shelves. As Catholics, we have a unique opportunity this time of year to teach others about the proper meaning of love. That’s what Valentine’s Day is supposed to be all about. But does our society recognize what love actually is?
My mom and I went out to brunch with a number of older folks we see at daily Mass. Towards the end of our outing, the matter of payment came up. It was then that Jim, a new acquaintance, found out that Margaret had paid for everyone’s meals.
The account of David committing adultery with Bathsheba opens thus: “In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab with his officers and all Israel with him; they ravaged the Ammonites, and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem.”
Take note of that last bit, “but David remained in Jerusalem.” That’s where the trouble begins.
“The Catholic Church is apostolic because it was founded by Christ on the apostles and, according to His divine will, has always been governed by their lawful successors.”
That’s a nice, clear-cut definition. Yet why does this mark matter? Of what significance is it for us?
“Catholic” is a tricky term to explain. We use it all the time in describing ourselves or the Church, but what do we really mean when we call it a mark of the Church?
If the Church possessing the mark of “One” seems contentious, how about her claim of a second mark: “Holy?”
Holy? What a bold claim! The Seventh-day Adventist I conversed with would certainly have some questions about this. She was confounded by the idea that…
“One?” an objector might exclaim. “Are you kidding me? Look at you Catholics! You’ve got traditionalists, charismatics, and all these different religious orders, rites, and liturgies. Some Catholics support abortion while others oppose it. You have one Pope saying this and another saying that. And yet you all call yourselves Catholic. How can you all be “One”?
After a religious debate with a Seventh-day Adventist, I wondered: How can someone know that Catholicism is the one true Faith? What unquestionable proofs does Catholicism have to offer that other churches do not?
Even if I have what I deem a “successful” Advent or Lent, I don’t want to stop there. I want to keep growing in my spiritual life throughout the rest of the year. But how?
I’ve been musing on Joseph and how significant his presence is. It seems as if the whole point of Joseph’s life is just to be present to Jesus and Mary. Miracles, words of wisdom, grand gestures? Nope. Just be present wholeheartedly to God and those around you. That’s enough.
A friend was thanking me for praying for him when he said something most striking. He remarked on how we ask people to pray for us, but forget to thank them later on.
What a profound thought. We say thank you to someone who’s done us some favor, and…
I was recently reflecting on the Presentation and Simeon’s surprising enthusiasm at meeting Jesus. He’d waited so long and patiently for the Messiah, and what did he see?