Author: Joe Heschmeyer

4 Things You Probably Have Wrong About the Hobby Lobby Decision

Today, the Supreme Court issued its decision in the Hobby Lobby case (Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc.), siding with Hobby Lobby. It was a 5-4 decision, with Justice Alito writing the opinion (Justice Kennedy, who joined the majority, also wrote a concurring opinion). The Court’s decision, holding that the HHS Mandate violates Hobby Lobby’s… Continue reading 4 Things You Probably Have Wrong About the Hobby Lobby Decision

The Universal Call to Holiness: The Antidote to Clericalism

You don’t have to be a priest, nun or monk to be a Saint. We need Saints who are homemakers, construction workers, and even lawyers. Today is the feast day of St. Josemaria, Escrivá, founder of Opus Dei, and one of my favorite Saints. He helped sound a vitally important wakeup call within the Church,… Continue reading The Universal Call to Holiness: The Antidote to Clericalism

Living by the Bread from Heaven: The Eucharist and Trust in God

Peter Paul Rubens, The Israelites Gathering Manna in the Desert (1627) In today’s First Reading, Moses reminds the Israelites of how God fed them “with manna, a food unknown to you and your fathers, in order to show you that not by bread alone does one live, but by every word that comes forth from… Continue reading Living by the Bread from Heaven: The Eucharist and Trust in God

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ: How Can We Know It’s True?

That’s the theme of the talk I gave last Wednesday. You can see the whole talk here (I’ve also embedded the video, in four parts, below). Here’s a copy of the materials that I handed out: it’ll be easier to follow the talk if you watch (or listen to) the video while reading along: KNOW YOUR… Continue reading The Resurrection of Jesus Christ: How Can We Know It’s True?

Do Protestant Views on the Eucharist and Religious Imagery Contradict?

There are a lot of Protestants, particularly Evangelicals within the Calvinist tradition, who hold (a) that symbolic depictions of Christ, like the Crucifix, are idolatrous and wrong, and (b) that the Eucharist is a religious symbol. As far as I can tell, these two views just can’t be reconciled; at least, not without declaring Christ… Continue reading Do Protestant Views on the Eucharist and Religious Imagery Contradict?

Abortion, and the Undermining of Democracy

Chief Photographer’s Mate (CPHoM) Robert F. Sargent,Into the Jaws of Death (1944) Today, we commemorate the 70th anniversary of D-Day, the storming of the beaches of Normandy by Allied soldiers in World War II. There, the forces of democracy helped bravely battle back the forces of tyranny and oppression. As such, it seems a fitting… Continue reading Abortion, and the Undermining of Democracy

Know Your Faith!: How to Make the Case for the Resurrection

This summer, I’m doing a six-part series at Mother Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Church, 2014 NW 46th St, Topeka, KS 66618, called Know Your Faith!  There are two weekly sessions: Wednesday mornings: 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m, or Wednesday evenings: 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Both are free, and open to the public. You don’t need to RSVP,… Continue reading Know Your Faith!: How to Make the Case for the Resurrection

Sedevacantism is Impossible: How We Can Know Francis is Pope

In recent days, there’s been a nasty dustup between several prominent Catholic bloggers. The argument was ostensibly about “tone,” and it quickly devolved into a lot of bruised egos, and personal attacks on other Catholics for making personal attacks. It was an ugly spectacle, and I’ve stayed well clear of it. Pope Francis But while… Continue reading Sedevacantism is Impossible: How We Can Know Francis is Pope