Leila at Like Mother, Like Daughter has a great Christmas post (liturgically, we’re still in Christmas, even though today is the 13th Day of Christmas). One of the highlights: Those wise men did not take their eye off the star. Their pursuit necessitated the perfect balance of faith — plunging into the darkness with only… Continue reading Cloudy Nights of the Soul
Tag: faith
Who is James, “Brother of the Lord”?
The name James was pretty popular at the time of Christ, and two of Jesus’ Disciples have this name: James, son of Zebedee, and brother of John (Matthew 10:2), and James, son of Alphaeus (Matthew 10:3) We call #1 “James the Greater” and #2 “James the Lesser.” Since the various New Testament writers signal which… Continue reading Who is James, “Brother of the Lord”?
Early Church Fathers on the Eucharist (c. 200 – c. 300 A.D.)
A few weeks ago, I posted brief snippets of the writings of the earliest Church Fathers, from the time of the Apostles until 200 A.D., showing what they believed on the Eucharist. Long story short, these men believed that the bread and wine became the Body and Blood of Christ, that this happened at the… Continue reading Early Church Fathers on the Eucharist (c. 200 – c. 300 A.D.)
Five Predictions for 2010
Phil Lawler, author of The Faithful Departed (probably the single best book on the sex abuse scandal, particularly as it related to the Church in Boston) has released a lot of good end-of-year Catholic news analysis: The 5 worst stories of 2009 The 5 most positive developments of 2009 The 5 stories to expect in… Continue reading Five Predictions for 2010
The Consummate Politician
Fr. Belli, in his homily yesterday, noted Matthew 2:7-8, Then Herod called the magi secretly and ascertained from them the time of thestar’s appearance. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligentlyfor the child. When you have found him, bring me word, that I too may go and dohim homage.” Yup. Herod… Continue reading The Consummate Politician
The Gifts of the Magi
Yesterday was Epiphany Sunday. Although the Epiphany – the 12th Day of Christmas, celebrating the wise men’s visiting the infant Jesus – technically falls on Wednesday, we celebrate it on the nearest Sunday. I love the readings from yesterday’s Mass, because they tell a real story when you compare them. Here’s what I mean: I.… Continue reading The Gifts of the Magi
Protestantism, Church History, and Psychological Defects
Happy New Year Everyone! There’s an interesting dispute going on in the combox of one of my older posts, but I wanted to provide some background first. It seems to me that the average person sort of assumes that the Bible just showed up one day, or at least that the Apostles were passing out… Continue reading Protestantism, Church History, and Psychological Defects
Jesus and the Passover
Exodus 12 lays out the requirements of the Passover meal in great depth. It’s divided into two parts: (1) you sacrifice the lamb, and (2) you eat it. So, for example, Exodus 12:5-6 says that: The lamb must be a year-old male and without blemish. You may take it from either the sheep or the… Continue reading Jesus and the Passover
Malachi 1 and the Eucharist
After complaining of the insufficiency of the Jewish sacrifice in Malachi 1, God provides a fascinating foretaste of the New Covenant in Malachi 1:11: “My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to my name, because… Continue reading Malachi 1 and the Eucharist
Happy Feast of the Holy Family!
Sunday is the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. The Gospel for this Sunday is Luke 2:41-52: Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they… Continue reading Happy Feast of the Holy Family!