The Life of Virtue

For centuries, the words of St. Paul have been heeded by Christians who desire to reform their own lives and defend their faith against nay-sayers. Time and time again, the first and greatest apologist of the one true Church exhorted his readers to change their ways, to put aside the sinful ways of the world, and rejoice in the goodness found in Jesus Christ. The selection from St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians used for today's Mass readings does exactly the same. In fact, the selected passage seems to be a very good synthesis of all that this first-century apostle taught after his conversion. Of the many poignant things mentioned in today's passage, three sentences stood out to me. "Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ." This sentence helped to remind me that kindness, compassion, and forgiveness are the essential elements of fruitful relationships. If I cannot exercise these qualities, my relations...

Any of my readers who espouse Christian principles should understand the fullness of the sentences below. Others might want to spend a few moments meditating on what new dimensions could be added to one's life who doesn't believe in Divine Fatherhood. Our Father in Heaven is Love. No, really! He does not have love in greater or lesser amounts than some other person. HE IS LOVE! Everything that He thinks, says, or does is Love. Because He is Love, He pours himself out into the universe, specifically for the benefit of humanity. You see, Love is not Love until it is given away. Therefore, God must give Himself away if He is Love. (Pope Benedict wrote a whole encyclical on this very topic: Deus Caritas Est .) Further, God is merciful! God is far more merciful than any human could ever imagine, or hope to be him/herself. Despite the vast sinfulness and narcissism of men and women on earth, God wants to forgive us, welcome us into His arms, and be in communion with us for eternity. ...

St. John Damascene spoke very simply and eloquently about the most important concern that humans ought to have: "What then, is more precious than to be in the hand of God? For God is Life and Light, and those who are in God's hand are in life and light." With a simple rhetorical question and answer, this eighth-century Doctor of the Church probed to the very core of human desire, of all that we hold dear. Without a doubt, nothing should be viewed as more precious or sacred than to be held in the protection of God's loving hand. God Bless.

The following passage from the Letter to the Hebrews (which we heard at Mass this past Sunday) serves as an excellent reminder to faithful Christians everywhere that Jesus Christ was, without a doubt, fully human (not at the expense of His total divinity, however); that He was subject to passions and temptations just as we are today. Brothers and Sisters: Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help (Chapter 4, verses 14 to 16). Readers of these words ought to find great solace in knowing that the Lord of Heaven and Earth was tempted greatly throughout His life. As the ideas pass through our minds and on to our hearts, we should realize that He is able...

Each Friday, faithful Catholics the world over commemorate the Passion and death of Jesus Christ. They do this in any number of ways: prayer, devotions such as the Stations of the Cross , fasting or abstaining from meat, and so on. The whole point of undertaking such prayer or sacrifice is to unite one's self to Jesus' Passion and death. For example, a person might fast on one full meal and take time some time during the day to mediate on Christ's death. Another might simply abstain from meat. Others might participate in a communal meditation on the Way of the Cross before or after performing a corporal work of mercy. Some who are truly devoted (or severly austere) might do all of the above for the greater glory of God. There is a fitting connection today. In the Catholic Church in the United States, today marks the memorial of St. Paul of the Cross , who founded an order of priests whose primary devotion was to the Passion of Our Lord (commonly known as the Passionists ...

There are several reasons for my decision to forego publication of "Musings from Memphis." Foremost among the reasons is the name of that blog. It seems that there are already musings of this, musings from there, etc. I want to have a truly unique name for my blog. Second, I believe that the scope and focus of "Musings from Memphis" is too broad. It was a forum in which I would write about politics, sports, religion, and anything in between. Further, "Musings from Memphis" had truly become solely focused on religion. (Partly because of circumstance, partly because of my own choice.) In recent months, I have become extremely disenchanted with politics. The guys and gals on the left sling mud at the guys and gals on the right, and vice versa. No one candidate or party has truly put together a plan or a vision that suits me. And, quite frankly, I have more important things to do with my time than try to analyze the political climate. There are many o...