Today is Holy Wednesday, often known in the West as “Spy Wednesday,” because it’s the day that commemorates Judas’ betrayal of Christ. And it’s a good reminder that (a) we, too, betray Jesus regularly; and (b) Jesus loves even those who betray and disown Him.
Tag: liturgical year
Holy Tuesday Soul Booster
As we approach Triduum, here are a few resources to deepen our commitment to Jesus Christ.
Palm Sunday Soul Booster
To get deeper into the spirit of Holy Week, and to help you to do the same, I’ll be posting daily “soul boosts” containing the following: (1) a hymn tied to the liturgical day; (2) a timely Biblical text; (3) a beautiful piece of religious art; (4) a spiritual reflection; and (5) a Saint you should get to know (or get to know better). Today’s Palm Sunday, also called Passion Sunday (or “Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord”).
Let’s start with the obvious: why does this day go by two different titles?
3 Reasons to Love St. Joseph
Today, as you might imagine, is a special day for me. It’s my “name day,” the feast day of St. Joseph. One aspect of celebrating your name day is to know and love your namesake Saint. So let me share with you three things that I love about St. Joseph:
Year of Mercy, Year of Justice
Last month, Pope Francis celebrated the opening of the Year for Mercy. But before we praise mercy, then, we first have to ask what it is. What makes it unique? Matthew Rensch (Burlington) looks at some of the oft-overlooked features of this virtue.
Who Are You, Christian?
What Catholics can learn from Martin Luther.
Did Pope Francis Praise Lucifer?
Did Pope Francis praise Lucifer and declare him the Son of God? Yes, but not the Lucifer you’re thinking of.
Why was Jesus Born of a Virgin? (Four Wrong Answers, and the Right One)
As Christmas day approaches, we’re also confronted with a part of the faith that has caused great difficulty for Catholic and Protestant believers alike: the Virgin Birth. About a quarter of Americans deny the Virgin Birth (along with about a quarter of Anglican clergy in England). What should we say to these doubters? Why should we believe in the Virgin Birth, and why does it matter? Why was Jesus born of a Virgin? And why did the early Christians think this doctrine so important that they included it in both the Apostle’s Creed and Nicene Creed as a core part of what it is to hold the Christian faith?
The O Antiphons
Back in 2011, I wrote a series of reflections for the last seven evenings of Advent (tonight through the evening of December 23rd), focused upon the traditional “O Antiphons” tied to each night. Each one addresses Christ by a different title, based upon the Messianic prophesies in the Book of Isaiah. Most people are familiar with these titles… Continue reading The O Antiphons
Hellfire & Jack Daniel’s: Gaudete Sunday
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!” (Phil. 4:4)
Let’s talk about hell.
But first, let’s talk about Jack Daniel, the famous whiskey distiller.