Today, we’re often afraid of that which is “dangerous.” We prefer to stick to the comfortable, recognizable. Such beliefs were not the notion of the two most famous Inklings, who used the word much more deliberately.
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Reflection on Sunday’s Reading (12/13/20)
“Do not quench the Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19) Oftentimes, when captivated, our minds press us forward, leading us as though under a trance. Something encourages us to act and we respond without hesitation. But then, we stop. Our mind orders us that our current movement is but mere folly, that we are acting rashly. WeContinue reading “Reflection on Sunday’s Reading (12/13/20)”
Gandalf on Refusing Your Destination
“‘You are right, Frodo,’ said Gandalf: ‘to go back is to admit defeat, and face worse defeat to come.” (Gandalf, The Fellowship of the Ring) Whenever we set out to accomplish something, the temptation to mediocrity is quick to knock upon our doors and push us in the direction away from our necessary destination. St.Continue reading “Gandalf on Refusing Your Destination”
Be Still
“Come and see the works of the LORD, who has done fearsome deeds on earth; Who stops wars to the ends of the earth, breaks the bow, splinters the spear, and burns the shields with fire; “Be still and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.”” PsalmsContinue reading “Be Still”
Daily Gospel Reflection 7/29
John 11:19-27 Many of the Jews had come to Martha and Maryto comfort them about their brother [Lazarus, who had died].When Martha heard that Jesus was coming,she went to meet him;but Mary sat at home.Martha said to Jesus,“Lord, if you had been here,my brother would not have died.But even now I know that whatever youContinue reading “Daily Gospel Reflection 7/29”
Blog – Moments
For the first time in months, I can say, without hesitation, that I am busy.Busy.The word has such a nagging tone to it. It calls to mind the running of errands, the doing of taxes, and the sweeping of floors.But as I reflect upon all the busyness of the past few weeks, I am remindedContinue reading “Blog – Moments”
Eucharistic Renaissance
Like most people reading this blog, I can recall those moments in childhood when my mother would announce, “it’s time to go to Mass!” and would be met with a chorus of groans from the family. It wasn’t so long ago that I found myself dreading the early morning wake ups that characterized my Sundays.ButContinue reading “Eucharistic Renaissance”
Blog: Silence
For the past two weeks, the managers of this account of have been reading Shūsaku Endō’s Silence, a novel that chronicles the lives of European missionaries’ journey to a largely anti-Catholic Japan. The book is raw, haunting, and at times, saddening. Readers find not the typical hagiography of a martyred saint, but rather the frustratingContinue reading “Blog: Silence”
The Jesus Prayer
“𝘗𝘳𝘢𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘤𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨.”-1 Thessalonians 5:17This ancient edict of Paul, to pray continuously throughout our lives, seems at first, daunting. “The Prayer” or the “Jesus Prayer” was the Church’s answer to this command.Most commonly practiced in the Eastern Orthodox circles of Christianity, the Jesus Prayer is a simple invocation that’s repeated throughout one’s day:“𝐋𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐉𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭,Continue reading “The Jesus Prayer”
How Can we Call Someone a ‘Saint’?
Critics of the Church may sometimes point out the absurdity of naming someone a saint. “Surely they lived a good life,” the argument begins, “but how can we possibly claim that a person has been saved?”Let’s begin by recalling what a saint is. Indeed saints are people like Franics, Paul, Ignatius – those famous peopleContinue reading “How Can we Call Someone a ‘Saint’?”
Catholicism Rekindled 