The Life of Virtue

I have recently been blessed to experience beautiful weather along with magnificent sunrises and sunset.  Such moments of aesthetic appeal call to my mind other instances of natural beauty that I have been blessed to see.  I am reminded of a return flight from Australia during which I viewed the most captivating burnt orange aura encircling the earth as the sun set over the earth's horizon.  I also recall many late summer evenings when everything around seemed to radiate in an extraordinary way.  The sunrise that I witnessed this morning was no different.  In every case, these glimpses of beauty have brought me to ponder God more deeply. Romano Guardini is the author of a book whose final pages capture this reality as well.   The Living God concludes with a reflection on the "gentle and powerful beauty [that] reigns over all."  This is the reason that natural events (sunrises, sunsets, schools of fish swimming, etc.) and natural forms (mountain...

This post is a follow-up to last week's post, "Cramming for the 'Final Exam.'"   As I finished that post, I realized that it does little good to exhort Catholic Christians to prepare well for the forthcoming judgment if they are not provided some direction for effective preparation.  The best teachers help their students prepare well for the exams that cover the content of the courses they teach.  While it would be pretentious to count myself among the best teachers of religious and spiritual things, the method works, so I'll employ it. Our world is inundated with media outlets of all types, from television to print to billboards to new digital media such as podcasts and internet video clips, and everything in between.  When it comes to the Catholic Church, and to Catholic beliefs and lifestyle, much of the media paints an errant picture, or at least a very incomplete picture.  Rare is a newspaper article, a popular book, or a segment on any round-the-...

Recently, my family and I took a long road trip.  Along the way, a couple of bumper stickers caused me to take a second look.  These weren't the average automobile decor, such as "Honor Student at _____ Elementary School" or "[Insert Favorite Sports Team Here]" or "I'd Rather Be [insert favorite hobby]."  I realized in just a split second that these bumper stickers were trying to say something profound.  Immediately, I also realized that they were quite wrong, and that bumper sticker theology can lead people far astray in their thought processes.  For brevity's sake, one example of bad bumper sticker theology will suffice. Imagine my angst when I saw the following: A quick search on Google Images reveals that this quote, or some similar version of it, is attributed to a Catholic priest.  Not only is this simply wrong, but it is quite disconcerting that a Catholic priest might say something akin.  This quote flies directly in the face of ...

Earlier this week, I received this email from a young lady in my youth ministry: Derek, I was flipping through my Bible for the first time in a while today and I choose to read a random passage. My random choice landed on Ezekiel 7. I read the whole chapter and was horrified after I finished. Does this passage really mean what is says or does it have a symbolic purpose? The following is the best answer that I could muster. I welcome any other input. You’re right! The seventh chapter of the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel is scary, but only if we fail to examine it within its correct context. In fact, the fear that arises in us is put to rest by the final chapters of the book and by the rest of Sacred Scripture. To begin, let’s accept that being “horrified,” in this case, may have been a good thing. No sane person wishes for herself, her friends, or her enemies, to experience the fate of Israel in Ezekiel 7 . Being “horrified” means that a person knows good things from bad things and that s...

INQUIRER: St. Alexander, I've recently witnessed a lot of people who are angry at the Catholic Church; and I've even seen some who openly say that the Church is wrong.  Can the Catholic Church ever be destroyed? [caption id="attachment_245" align="alignnone" width="155" caption="St. Alexander of Alexandria"] [/caption] ST. ALEXANDER OF ALEXANDRIA: The one and only Catholic and Apostolic Church can never be destroyed, though all the world should seek to make war against it.  It is victorious over every impious revolt of the heretics who rise up against it.

This afternoon, I read and meditated on the first chapter of the Letter of St. Paul to Titus.  Verses 15 and 16 of that chapter pierced my heart deeply.  I let out a silent cry to God: "Let my deeds be acceptable in your sight, O Lord!"  I shudder at the idea that I profess to know God but deny him by my deeds.  I pray, rather, that my beliefs are proven through my actions.  In that prayer, I ask for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, St. Augustine, St. Paul, Pope John Paul the Great, and all the angels and saints. God bless!

Mark Shea has a wonderful new article on Catholic Exchange about Catholics and their study of Sacred Scripture.  As a novice Scripture scholar myself, I find his thoughts affirmative and informative.  Thanks, Mark!

An article by Charles Colson reveals that religious persecution is masquerading as religious freedom and toleration in some areas of the world, particularly the Middle East.  The evidence certainly supports such a claim, yet there is no outcry from secular America or its media.  Indeed, people who don't pay attention to the real evidence have had the proverbial wool pulled over their eyes again. Pray that basic human rights, religious freedom counted among them, will prevail over deception and persecution.  God bless!

In recent years, our national conference of Catholic bishops has garnered a lackluster record for immediately acknowledging and engaging pressing political and economic issues.  The typical scenario goes something like this: a potentially ugly issue rears its head; the American media grabs hold and puts a very positive yet modernist twist on said issue; a few of the most outspoken bishops call for other bishops and lay Catholics to carefully consider the situation and make good choices based on a properly-formed moral conscience; and the USCCB makes a statement that is ambiguous and ineffective because they have not the desire to seem "unpastoral." Yet, in the wake of the most recent presidential election and the potential scandal (in the Catholic sense, not the political) that accompanies it, our beloved pastors are making efforts to properly form Catholics' consciences much earlier in the process.  Indeed, they are making clear where they will di...

[Hat tip to The Bible Geek for this thought, which has begun to sink in more than two weeks after it was first presented to me.] Last night, my eyes fell upon a passage from St. Paul's letter to the Colossians (part of Evening Prayer) that had a different effect than the hundred-or-so times I have prayed it previously.  The Apostle wrote that Christ made "peace by the blood of his cross" (1:20). Wasn't the cross, and Jesus crucifixion, an ugly, tumultuous event?  How can peace come through something that seems to be the opposite of peace? Alas, St. Paul was not the first person to pass along this nugget of wisdom that caused a bit of head-scratching.  Our Lord, Himself, told His disciples to "be of good cheer" during times of bitter trial.  He said that loneliness and spiritual attack were necessary, even inescapable, so that "you may have peace" (Jn. 16:32-33). But isn't discipleship of Christ supposed to be easy? ...

I have been blessed today by my reading regimen, which has included Sacred Scripture, The Confessions of St. Augustine, and news reports of the recently-commenced synod of bishops in Rome.  In all of the perused passages, two passages stood above the rest.  Such words resounded  deeply within my mind and heart (and I hope that they will resound your minds and hearts, too). St. Augustine wrote: "...unhappy is the man who knows all this [scientific knowledge], but does not know you; happy is he who knows you, even if he does not know such things" ( Confessions , Book V, Chapter IV).  Although they were simple at first glance, those words required me to pause and ponder.  In those moments of meditation, God revealed to me something about myself. In recent days and weeks, I have been quite perturbed about the lack of "meaningful" scholarship that I have produced in recent months; that I haven't been able to read many theological and histor...

The latest synod of bishops gathering in Rome, which opens today, has taken the theme of "The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church."  Any lover and/or student of Scripture will surely be fascinated by the results of this synod.  Pope Benedict XVI, because he has called this synod and chosen its theme, is clearly pointing the Catholic faithful toward a deeper love and appreciation of Scripture. However, the implicit statement doesn't end there.  This author believes that the pontiff would like to send a reminder message that all of our Christian actions should be rooted in Scripture (which ultimately means that they are rooted in Christ, Who is the One, Eternal Word of God).  Indeed, only those who allow Scripture to dwell inside them will be able to build the City of God most efficiently and effectively. As a lover of Scripture, this author is extremely excited about the potential that is held by this synod.  So much wisdom can be ga...

On August 28 of each year, the Church celebrates the Memorial of St. Augustine of Hippo, a theologian and bishop from the 5th century.  In the midst of a personal celebration of the memorial (it's almost like a birthday celebration because he's my patron), it was quite easy to lose track of time.  However, I must take the opportunity to write about the saint who has interceded for and passed on much of God's grace to a recalcitrant sinner, even if it is a day late. Because of my deep devotion and connection to St. Augustine, it is most proper to read his ancient words on a regular basis, and to meditate on how they are applicable to my life.  As my eyes traversed the pages of Confessions yesterday, there appeared a passage on the relationship between humility and conversion.  The great saint clearly identified the importance of a virtue whose importance has diminished throughout history. "Therefore, by humble devotion return is made to you, and ...

(Courtesy: EWTN ) Today, the Church celebrates the Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  It is a memorial during which all the faithful are reminded that Mary, the Mother of Our Lord, has been made queen of all the heavens and the earth (the Fifth Glorious Mystery of the Rosary).  Because we are creatures of this earth and disciples of Christ, we, too, must honor the Blessed Mother as queen. Let us remember that giving honor to Mary in no way takes focus off of Christ, Our King.  In fact, the glory, honor, and blessing given to the Queen will only be reflected by her toward the King, her Son.  Thus, we may faithfully conclude that an intimate relationship with the Queen of Heaven will lead us into a more intimate relationship with Christ the King. Personal experience proves, however, that such an intimate relationship with Mary is easier to write and speak about than it is to achieve.  I have committed and re-committed myself ...

In recent days, this author has encountered much difficulty in trying to find the "perfect" opportunity to write about Pope Benedict XVI's messages during the World Youth Day celebration.  Alas, the Holy Spirit has moved, and the hours of this day are passing more slowly than usual.  Thus, there is ample time and motivation to opine about the pontiff's clairvoyance. Within the second reading of today's Mass (the Feast of the Transfiguration), two sentences provided the important link that had been missing from this over-exerted mind.  "Moreover, we possess the prophetic message that is altogether reliable.  You will do well to be attentive to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts."   The connection became so clear: Pope Benedict, who is the successor of the man who first articulated this truth (St. Peter), proclaimed a prophetic message to the world's young people;...

Another fine article from an Illinois priest who has begun teaching...gasp!...TRUTH!   http://www.humanaevitaepriests.org/ Enjoy!

"Why doesn't God answer my prayers?" Everyone who reads this post has probably heard that question at least once.  Some of us have even asked that question (to ourselves or to others explicitly), perhaps on multiple occassions.  Well, the answer is clear! We've all heard the cliche: God does answer prayers; sometimes He answers with "No."  Indeed, He does, and such is His divine, omniscient prerogative!  However, in this author's own prayers and meditations, it seems necessary to seek a deeper explanation. The Gospel of John offers a wonderful insight: "We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if any one is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him" (Jn. 9:31).  Thus we can explain the lack of "acceptable" answers from the Giver.  Only when we cut sin out of our lives (a difficult task in its own right), worship God properly, and conform our will to His do we begin to receive the answers for which we beg. There ...

Today is a most blessed day in the liturgical year.  It is the day that all of humanity's salvation was put on its right path.  Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation (also known as the celebration of the Incarnation of Our Lord). It is appropriate, then, to reach for a deeper understanding of how and why the Second Person of the Trinity became fully human while remaining fully divine.  It is necessary for faithful Christians to grasp this concept because perfect humanity could be the only vehicle for the salvation of fallen humanity. Read and pray the words of St. Cyril of Alexandria: The only-begotten Son proceeds from the very substance of God the Father, possessing all of His Begetter in His own nature.  He became flesh, according to the Scripture, blending Himself, as it were, with our nature by an inexpressible combination and union with this earthly body.  Thus He who is God by nature became, and is truly, a Man from heaven.  He was not merely "inspired,...

In recent days, God has granted an abundance of clarity in my mind and heart so that I have been able to notice and understand a key difference in my life.  Specifically, I have been focused on the differences between my experience of Holy Week and Easter as a non-Catholic and, for the last four years, as a Catholic.  The differences are tremendous! As a non-Catholic for all of my young life (and as a practical agnostic for my latter adolescence and young adulthood), I was never presented with the concept of Holy Week.  I knew what Good Friday was, and I heard the term "Maundy" Thursday.  Never was the term Holy Saturday mentioned.  Moreover, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday were never presented as special days, during which special church services were held.  Every day from Monday after Palm Sunday until Easter Sunday seemed ordinary days to me. Easter Sunday was celebrated with new, bright-colored clothes, a morning church service, and (sometimes) lunch at a restaurant after...

If my readers have tendencies similar to my own, then they stay engaged in the politics despite disappointment in the overall political culture and especially the methodologies employed.  My stance on politics has not changed (I wish we could find a way to do away with the whole system), but I have been intrigued in recent days by the stories being reported about Reverend Jeremiah Wright, Senator Barack Obama's pastor (click here or here ).  In fact, this latest mega-story has cemented my opinions even further. My concern for this story, however, has been based less on politics than on historical on logical inaccuracies, as well as the theological downfalls.  After having listened to a few of his tirades, it is clear that his arguments are appeal solely to the emotions of his listeners rather than to solid historical fact, the theological tenets of his professed faith, or simple logic.  Indeed, statements of gross error and misleading "facts" were the norm in such sermon...