Gifts of the Holy Spirit

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (1830-1831) says that the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit “sustain” a Christian’s “moral life.” Moral life has to do with the good or evil acts that form the character and eternal destiny of a person. These seven gifts of the Holy Spirit—that is, […] Read more »

Blessed are the poor in Spirit

To access the Doctrinal Homily Outline for Pentecost Sunday, click here then scroll down. Over the next few weeks I’ll be posting short reflections on Christ and one of his Beatitudes. The Beatitudes and Christ Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus Christ […] Read more »

The Problem of the Gift of Self

Gift of Self Every person’s most fundamental vocation, moral responsibility, and source of fulfillment is authentic self-giving. I think this claim can be discovered by reason and experience. I also believe it permeates Sacred Scriptures and the life of the Church. It has been beautifully articulated in Vatican II’s Gaudium […] Read more »

Peace and Security

It is not possible to express completely what heaven is like. As St. Paul wrote, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Cor 2:9). However, I think there are two goods we will […] Read more »

“I got distracted by the lousy music and missed a treasure” or “External and Internal Negative and Positive Values in the Mass and in Our Participation in It.”

This post has two titles, one concrete but loose and the other abstract but very precise. They are: “I got distracted by the lousy music and missed a treasure” or “External and Internal Negative and Positive Values in the Mass and in Our Participation in It.” Examples of external negative […] Read more »

Decisive Moments of Silence

Two of the most decisive moments in salvation history involve an angel and a woman. The first is the moment of silence after the demonic Serpent spoke to Eve about the forbidden fruit but before her decision to eat it (Gn 3:4-6). Eve’s decision would affect every human being who […] Read more »