What a tremendous piece of good news! Oh, how I wish that was true of my two sisters’ families in Italy: to have the Lord drop in for a visit as they struggle, not only financially, but also with pain, doubts and anxieties! Oh, how I wish that the...
A careful reading of the Gospels reveals the utter amazement of the crowds over the fact that Jesus taught with authority and convincing force. Apparently, they were accustomed to hearing nice, soothing words of reassurance, compromises and watered...
Salvation has always been the most important concept for Christians. Their core belief, regardless of denomination, is that from the beginning human sinfulness barred us from heaven, but God in his mercy sent his Son to atone for our sins and make...
Part 1 documented that “Outside the Church there is no salvation” has been a consistent Catholic teaching. Part 2 examined the current confusion that surrounds the doctrine. Part 3 suggested that the Church has not changed it because it fears...
Part 1 documented that “Outside the Church there is no salvation” has been a consistent Catholic teaching for many centuries. Part 2 examined the current confusion that surrounds the doctrine and ended by wondering whether that confusion is a sign...
Part 1 documented that “Outside the Church there is no salvation” has been a consistent Catholic teaching for many centuries. The essay quoted thirteen popes from Innocent III to John Paul II, named five prominent scholar-saints who supported the...
Some years ago a close friend told me of an experience she had in the early 1950s. A recent convert to Catholicism at the time, she was talking to a priest about the death of her grandfather, a Congregationalist minister whom she described as the...
The Gospel passage (Luke 16:8) for 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time contains a line that says, “And the master commended the dishonest steward for acting prudently.” I find that statement to be rather remarkable. Because the steward in this Gospel text...
