Find footnotes and references by downloading the PDF version of this post. The Gospel of Matthew ends in a striking manner. The last recorded instruction that Jesus gives to his disciples is found in Mt 28:18-20. He says, “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples [...]
Young Christians are often introduced to the Gospels before the rest of Scripture. There is a good reason for this. In the eyes of the Church, the four Gospels have always been revered above all the other books of the Bible because of their direct account of the life and words of Christ. It makes [...]
Find footnotes and references by downloading the PDF version of this post. Disputes between Protestants and Catholics over the nature of justification have led to a couple of serious problems in the Church. The first problem is that, in response to a barrage of objections, Catholics need to find ways to argue against the Protestant [...]
Find footnotes and references by downloading the PDF version of this post. Theologians occupy a unique position, and for those who have not studied theology, it can be difficult to understand the precise role that theologians play in the life of the Church. Theologians themselves might, in some cases, be confused about what exactly they [...]
I was very distracted during mass today. There were a number of things happening around me that made it hard to focus on what was happening at the altar. They were the typical things. The kids behind me were restless and vocal. The sign of peace was awkward. The music selections were questionable. I was [...]
Many of us are aware that Friday is a "day of penance" in the Church and that, for a long time, Canon Law required Catholics to abstain from meat on all Fridays. If you know this, you probably also know that the Canon changed, and Catholics are no longer bound to this practice under pain [...]
We all have difficult decisions to make in our lives, and perhaps the most important decisions pertain to our vocations. In the beginning we ask whether we're called to marriage or the religious life. If we decide we're called to marriage, we wonder who we ought to date. If we start dating, we begin discerning [...]
Perhaps we're humble enough to admit that we sin. After all, the Bible is pretty clear when it says that "all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). The smallest ounce of honest introspection will force us to admit that we are no exception to the rule. We aren't perfect. [...]
What is the first thing you say each day? What is the first thing you think of? For most people, it probably varies quite a bit. Some days it might be, "what a nice morning!" Other days it might be, "this is going to be a very busy day." Most days it's probably something like, [...]
I remember one afternoon I was walking to a college class alongside a friend. He confessed that he was bored, and he wasn't sure what to do with a couple hours of spare time that he had. With humor I said the following: "You know...I know this secret little room. It's over on the other [...]
