In the aftermath of certain types of sins, we can be tempted to close off parts of ourselves: for instance, you sin sexually, and you start to think that your masculinity/femininity (or your body more broadly) is evil. But that’s not what Christianity teaches. We need to remember that sin is a perversion of something good, and our hatred of sin shouldn’t lead us into a hatred of the underlying good, and that God doesn’t just want to heal you when you fall, He wants to heal you where you fall.
Tag: liturgical year
Happy Easter to Those Who Screwed Up Lent (And Those Who Didn’t)!
Did your Lent not go as planned? Did you make a lot of resolutions and then mostly fail at them? Or maybe you failed to even make any Lenten resolutions, and sort of wandered your way into Easter. Well, if that sounds like you, St. John Chrysostom has a message for you.
St. Joseph, the Shadow of the Father
Why did Pope Francis create a new “Year for St. Joseph” beginning today? And what can parents and priests learn from Joseph as the “shadow of the Father”?
Who are the “Four Living Creatures” of Revelation?
Today’s First Reading is from Rev. 4:1-11, in which St. John presents a heavenly vision. There are many strange details, but one of the ones that has captured the imagination of Christians for the last two millennia is of the “four living creatures.” Here’s what John describes (Rev. 4:6-8): And round the throne, on each… Continue reading Who are the “Four Living Creatures” of Revelation?
A Word of Praise, and Sadness, for St. Junipero Serra
Today is the feast day of St. Junipero Serra, and so I wanted to share something that I wrote recently on Facebook: I’m saddened by the mob’s destruction of the St. Junipero Serra statue in San Francisco, and the City of Ventura’s decision to remove their Serra statue. [Since writing this, there’s been one clear… Continue reading A Word of Praise, and Sadness, for St. Junipero Serra
It’s Not Too Late to Have a Life-Changing Lent (No, Really!)
First of all, happy (slightly belated) Easter! I hope it has been an amazing experience for you, as it has been for me. If it hasn’t been, that’s okay! Yesterday, we released an episode of The Catholic Podcast that I did with Chloe Langr on “the Easter that wasn’t.” In other words, if you feel… Continue reading It’s Not Too Late to Have a Life-Changing Lent (No, Really!)
Did Christ Die for All?
As we commemorate Good Friday, it’s a good time to ask: did Christ die on the Cross for all of us, or just for some?
Not the Lent We Asked For, But the Lent We Need.
If this is the Lent that we need, how can we respond to it, and what good is God doing amidst the present difficulties?
7 Quick Ways to Understand the New “Sunday of the Word of God”
Today, the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, we celebrate the “Sunday of the Word of God” for the first time. If you’re wondering what it’s all about, look no further!
The Theology of Giving
This week, a quiet war is taking place in houses across America (and indeed, across much of the world). Will it be be a time of thanksgiving, giving honor and glory to God for the many blessings with which He has blessed us? Or will it be a time of Black Friday sales and buying… Continue reading The Theology of Giving