Blog of the Archdiocese of Washington
Catholics are often unaware just how biblical the Sacred Liturgy is. The design of our traditional churches; the use of candles, incense, and golden vessels; the postures of standing and kneeling; the altar; the singing of hymns; priests wearing albs and so forth are all depicted in the Scriptures. Some of these details were features …
The readings for this Feast of Christ the King evoke three images of Christ as King. All of them are to some extent paradoxical because they emphasize things we don’t usually associate with kings. They also tell us that we have already met King Jesus even if we don’t realize it. Let’s look at these three …
Continue reading “Not Your Average King – A Homily for the Feast of Christ the King”
This is the thirteenth and final installment in a series on the Four Last Things: Death, Judgment, Heaven and Hell. The teachings of the Lord on Hell are difficult, especially in today’s climate. The most difficult questions that arise relate to its eternal nature and how to square its existence with a God who is loving …
Continue reading “Why Damnation Is Eternal and Other Teachings on Hell”
There is a rather humorous aspect of the story of the Tower of Babel in the Book of Genesis. You likely know the basic story, which begins with the men of that early time saying, Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make …
Continue reading “Our God Sits High Yet Looks Low – A Meditation on Our Smallness”
Red Mass Homily Most Reverend José H. Gomez Archbishop of Los Angeles Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle Washington, D.C. October 1, 2017 My dear brothers and sisters, I am so honored to be with you this morning. I bring you greetings from the family of God in Los Angeles, the City of the Angels. The …
Continue reading “Red Mass Homily: Most Reverend José H. Gomez”
In Sunday’s Gospel the Lord firmly sets before us the need for the cross, not as an end in itself, but as the way to glory. Let’s consider the Gospel in three stages. I. The Pattern that is Announced – The text says, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and …
Continue reading “Trademarks of the True Messiah – A Homily for the 22nd Sunday of the Year”
Most Catholics have heard the critique from non-Catholics that it is wrong to call priests “Father.” It is a rather tired old charge, which basically goes as follows: Jesus says, “Call no man on earth your father.” But Catholics call their priests “Father.” Therefore, the Catholic Church is wrong to espouse this and is likely …
One of the more puzzling aspects of demonology is the freedom that Satan and demons appear to have in roaming the earth, causing trouble. If the condemned are consigned to Hell for all eternity, why is Satan allowed to wander about outside of Hell? Isn’t he supposed to be suffering in Hell along with his …