The Charismatic Gifts
I want you to look at the second reading and there you will notice one of the most controversial lists in US Catholicism. What you are reading there from St. Paul are some of what we now call the Charismatic...
Book Excerpts
Tight Rope Walking for Christ
It is easy to live Christianity by simply attending mass on Sunday and being a nice person the rest of the week. However, true Catholicism is active and it calls people to live in such a way that we show...
To Receive or Not to Receive
Several months ago, I had an argument online with a faithful Catholic. The issue was that he had lunch and then went to mass. His devotion was not planned. The priest distributed communion fifty-five minutes after the man finished his lunch and the man decided he could not receive. The Church requires an hour. Continue reading →
Being Catholic in the USA
I work in several languages and it is my position that all Catholics need to be at least diglots, (speak two languages) if not polyglots (speak more than two.) Many in the United States reject that position. “This is America!” You will hear them say, “Speak English!” This is not a Catholic position but a secular US position. Indeed, as Catholics if we only speak English then we close ourselves to the way of international fellowship with those who worship as we do. Continue reading →
Light Shines Stronger in the Darkness
As Catholics we have been through a troubled time in which our faith was tried and found wanting. It is clear that people seeking to destroy our voice have used the failings of some priests and other Catholics against us. Continue reading →
Be Committed to Christ Everyday
The focus of the 2008 presidential primary election season was bringing change. God calls for change as well, but it is a change of hearts, not of governments. Jesus called his listeners to repent; he never demanded that they overthrow the government. Nor did He call for acts of terrorism in any, way, shape or form. The same can be said for Paul who demanded support for the emperor despite the fact that the emperor ultimately had him executed. Continue reading →