What are the “7 Sorrows of Mary”?

Today is the Feast Day of Our Lady of Sorrows, one of the strangest titles for the Virgin Mary. Why do we call her that? Because of her “Seven Sorrows.” And what are those? Seven moments in which she was invited to share in her Son’s suffering. Even Protestants who don’t normally have any sort of devotion to Mary should be able to appreciate the Scriptural foundation of this devotion. The Seven Sorrows are…

“That Man Might Become God”

Sebastiano Conca,The Holy Trinity and Saints in Glory (18th c.)

That’s the title of a talk that I gave on July 19th to the Immaculata Young Adult Bible Study Group at the University of San Diego. The title comes from St. Athanasius, and is quoted in the Catechism to describe why the Incarnation happened: 460 The Word became flesh to make us “partakers of the divine… Continue reading “That Man Might Become God”

Humbled by Greatness: the Soul of Creatureliness

Jacopo di Mino del Pellicciaio, Coronation of the Virgin (detail), (1350)

“This entire dynamic of goodness, approval, and reception of praise lies at the heart of our relationship with God. For in heaven, […] God showers us with praise. “Well done, my good and faithful servants” (Mt 25:23). “Come, O blessed of my Father” (Mt 25:34). In this heavenly experience, the blessed responds with gratitude. The saved creature graciously receives the divine accolade, expressing thanks. The humility of creature permits thanksgiving, and in giving thanks the creature reaffirms its humility. ” – Guest post by Matthew Rensch.

The Heart of Justification

Fra Angelico, The Coronation of the Virgin (1435)

St. Paul reports that when he went to Corinth to preach the Gospel, he experienced fear and trembling in the face of such a great task, the task preaching the good news of justification. Nothing less than the fate of their souls hung in the balance. In much the same spirit of trembling I write to you today, hoping to propose anew the good news of justification. Specifically, I propose for your consideration that justification, rightly understood, resonates with the desire of the human heart to be truly good and approved as such.

The Most Important Moment in History: Why the Incarnation Matters

Today is the Feast of the Annunciation, which celebrates the Angel Gabriel’s message to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It also celebrates the Incarnation, which is brought about through Mary’s faith-filled response (“Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word,” Luke 1:38). This is the greatest event… Continue reading The Most Important Moment in History: Why the Incarnation Matters

What Eye Has Not Seen: Divinization and the Saints

There’s a promise in the Bible so shocking that most modern preachers and homilists steer clear of it, for fear of sounding like they’re blaspheming: it’s the promise that we will be divinized. Because of our squeamishness about speaking openly and honestly about divinization, we settle for a shallow, lame view of Heaven. So first, let’s… Continue reading What Eye Has Not Seen: Divinization and the Saints