The book of Job tells about a man who loses everything — his money, his health, even his children. His friends conclude that God is punishing him, but Job insists he hasn’t done anything to deserve such suffering. Then he speaks my all-time favorite words in Scripture (Job 19:25): “I know that my redeemer lives.” […]
Father John Catoir: Embracing the God of love
Christians believe that Jesus Christ can be trusted. He taught that every human being is personally invited to an intimate relationship with the divine being. We can’t explain the mystery of it, but we know it’s true. How do we know? Faith gives us the power to see the facts surrounding the mystery without fully […]
Father Kenneth Doyle: ‘Our new pastor’s Masses are irritating’
Q: Our parish had a change in pastors this year. Previous to his arrival, I had been attending daily Mass for 18 years. Now I go only on Sunday because I just don’t like this priest; some of the things he does at Mass put me in such a bad mood that I feel that […]
Father John Catoir: Joy is an exercise to be practiced daily
We all have bad days. But not all days are bad. For those who live a life devoid of joy, I’d suggest looking at joy as a form of exercise. First, think of joy as a feeling. Feelings follow thoughts. Faithless thoughts upset your emotions. But uplifting thoughts, those that bring you joy, can help […]
Msgr. Owen F. Campion: Twenty-second Sunday in Ordianry Time
God does not forsake us Jeremiah 20:7-9 Romans 12:1-2 Matthew 16:21-27 The Book of Jeremiah provides this weekend’s first reading. Jeremiah was the son of a priest Hilkiah and therefore of the priestly caste. He was active as a prophet for two generations. Critics denounced him as disloyal to his people and race. He was […]
Viriditas: Sister Joane Mary Caritas Gepitulan, Daughters of St. Paul
‘I point them to the Lord’ “What do I do in the bookstore all day?” some people ask. It could be boring watching the pedestrians, cars and buses go by when there are no visitors in the store. However, I make it a point to pray for all those who pass by. I pray that […]
Father Eugene Hemrick: For every evil, there’s a lot of good
Recently, as I walked to the first tee on the golf course, I heard a friend yell, “Father Gene, I desperately need to talk with you!” He wanted to know my take on the horrific events happening around the world recently. My first thought was to tell him that we are experiencing the age-old problem […]
Kathleen T. Choi: But why?
Why do I have to go to church? Because God said to. The 10 Commandments include, “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.” The Catholic catechism says, “On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass.” Jesus worshiped on the Sabbath. Why can’t I just pray […]
Kathleen T. Choi: Where’s the Kingdom?
One of the loveliest images in the Bible appears in Psalm 85. The psalmist laments Israel’s unfaithfulness, but then he promises that God will forgive and bless his people. “Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss.” Like lions lying down with lambs, justice kissing peace is something I don’t expect to see […]
Father John Catoir: God’s love has to overcome any fear of judgment
A letter came to me recently, thanking me for helping the person see Jesus as “a loving brother or a kind Father” rather than as a judge. This letter is similar to many others that have graced my life. I, too, grew up with a lot of fear about eternal punishment, and though it certainly […]
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