Tag: Jesus

“Why Did Jesus Build His Own Church?” and Other Reflections on Matthew 16

This past Sunday’s readings were on the papacy. The First Reading was from Isaiah 22:19:23, in which the LORD to Shebna, master of the palace: “I will thrust you from your office and pull you down from your station. On that day I will summon my servant Eliakim, son of Hilkiah; I will clothe him… Continue reading “Why Did Jesus Build His Own Church?” and Other Reflections on Matthew 16

What Bible Did the Sadducees Use?

In Matthew 22:23-33,we hear: That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question.  “Teacher,” they said, “Moses told us that if a man dies without having children, his brother must marry the widow and have children for him. Now there were seven brothers among us. The first… Continue reading What Bible Did the Sadducees Use?

Looking to Mary as a Model of Obedience

I’t s no real surprise that the perfect model for obedience is Mary.  We see this on obvious display when the angel Gabriel comes to Her, and She consents to the Incarnation in total faith and complete obedience: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word” (Luke 1:38).  It’s… Continue reading Looking to Mary as a Model of Obedience

Come and Stay with Christ: Abp. Dolan’s Call for Eucharistic Adoration

Archbishop Dolan really seems to “get” it.  It’s so refreshing to hear the Gospel laid out in such bar and beautiful terms, particularly by the Archbishop of New York City. In a beautiful blog post about Eucharistic Adoration (with a nod towards Kansas City’s International House of Prayer, a non-denominational church which does 24/7 prayer), +… Continue reading Come and Stay with Christ: Abp. Dolan’s Call for Eucharistic Adoration

Can Catholics and Orthodox Pray Directly to the Father?

I stumbled upon a Presbyterian blog which reminded me once more of how much work needs to be done in making sure people have some idea what Catholics believe – and don’t.  The blogger, Benjamin Glaser, remarking on 1 Timothy 2, said: Nothing separates us more from our Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox brothers and… Continue reading Can Catholics and Orthodox Pray Directly to the Father?

The Passion of Christ in the Joyful Mysteries

For those of you who might not be familiar, the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary focus on five specific events related to the birth and childhood of Christ, drawn primarily from the first two chapters of Luke’s Gospel: The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38) The Visitation (Luke 1:39-56) The Nativity (Luke 2:1-20) The Presentation in the Temple… Continue reading The Passion of Christ in the Joyful Mysteries

Understanding Sex Through the Mystery of the Trinity

One of my friends has been trying to explain the Theology of the Body to one of his friends, and asked for a good way to explain what Catholics mean when we say that sex should be “unitive and procreative.”  What we mean is that: Unitive: Sex should draw the husband and wife together into… Continue reading Understanding Sex Through the Mystery of the Trinity

Did the Apostles Doubt Christ When He Appeared in Galilee?

Happy Ascension Thursday, maybe!  In some parts of the US, we celebrate Ascension Thursday today. In other parts of the US (including here in Virginia), we celebrate Ascension Thursday on Sunday.  Depending on where they are on Thursday and Sunday, travelers may celebrate today twice, or not at all.  It’s a mess. I agree with Fr.… Continue reading Did the Apostles Doubt Christ When He Appeared in Galilee?

Why Liberal Scholars Are Wrong on John 21 and Luke 5

I’ve mentioned before that the New American Bible has some extremely sketchy footnotes. By buying into liberal theology, the original NAB editors slip in all sorts of absurdities into the footnotes. Let’s take a concrete example of this — John 21. First, some Scriptural background: In Luke 5, as Jesus was standing by the Lake… Continue reading Why Liberal Scholars Are Wrong on John 21 and Luke 5