What is our job, as Catholics, when our nation tumbles into chaos, violence, and political mayhem? This is a fair question to ask, especially for anyone living in the United States these days. Unfortunately I do not hear a lot of people asking it. Everyone seems to think they know exactly what their job is. [...]
In a very low place With very little light A man was found By God with might Who dared descend And garments rend Seeing his child With none to defend And did that man Escape that place? Owing to strength In human race?
Hear the words of St. Paul: “rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your forbearance be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:4-7).
I whipped him, and I slashed him And I stabbed him, and I kicked him And I mocked him, and I nailed him And I wouldn’t give up And I wouldn’t stop Not even when he cried out to God But then I paused… Because then I could see… That when he cried out to God… He cried out…for me?
You black and icy iron chain That shackles hand and foot, You filled my heart with doubt and shame; You filled my lungs with soot. In my youth you held me down. In winter cold you grew. You made me fear for all I had And question all I knew. When I became aware of you, I knew you for my foe. And though I begged and though I clawed You would not let me go
Would you trust a soldier Who runs into the war With no armor on his back Despite his prideful roar? He says he will not fall And he says he will not die But Truth itself will soon reveal Such claims to be a lie Would you trust that soldier And follow in his wake Knowing that his blinding pride Is just one big mistake?
This is an excerpt from St. Thomas Aquinas’ commentary on the Apostles’ Creed. Text edited by Ambrose Bean. Audio edited by Stephen Bean.
This is an excerpt from the First Letter of Peter in the New Testament. Text edited by Ambrose Bean. Audio edited by Stephen Bean.
First, we need to know who we are. We need to know where we are. We need to know the situation we are in. This is the knowledge of self which the Fathers taught us was so important. This is the message of the Old Testament. It is the call to "repent!" (Acts 2:38). It [...]
I took fifty shots that night And they rang out loud and clear They struck me each upon the heart As they shattered in my ear My friends took shots as well that night But theirs didn’t strike so deep Mine set my heart and the world ablaze While theirs put them to sleep
