Blog of the Archdiocese of Washington
In the ancient Church, and until rather recently, we genuflected at the two references to the incarnation in the Mass: at the Creed and at the Last Gospel (John 1). Why did we do this? It was explained to me that the mystery was so deep that one could only fall in silent reverence. There …
As the feast of Christmas approaches some reflection on the Motherhood of Mary seems appropriate. As mother to Jesus she has carried him in her womb some nine months now, and the time approaches when she will give birth to him, will show him to the world. In this, she is not only his mother, …
Continue reading “On the Tender Motherhood of Mary, Mother of God and my Mother Too”
Along with many of you, I am reading Pope Benedict’s latest book, volume 3 of Jesus of Nazareth, on the infancy narratives. I was very moved at a very brief reflection that he made on Mary, as the Angel Gabriel left her. His remarks consider on her faith in a very touching manner. I must …
Late last week on the blog the I made mention of the sins that “cry to heaven for vengeance.” The traditional list, is summarized in the Catechism which states The catechetical tradition also recalls that there are “sins that cry to heaven”: the blood of Abel, the sin of the Sodomites, the cry of the …
Continue reading “The Sin of Sodom and Gomorrah is not about “Hospitality””
I was reminded recently of one of my favorite hymns as I read the first reading at Mass. In particular these lines stood out: [An] angel came out of the temple, crying out in a loud voice to the one sitting on the cloud [Jesus], “Use your sickle and reap the harvest, for the time …
Continue reading “The Biblical roots of the Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
Currently in the Liturgies of daily Mass we have been reading the Book of Revelation. It is commonly read at the end of the liturgical year, for it bespeaks the end of, and passing qualities of all things of this world. It is also a book of glory, depicting the ultimate victory of our Lord …
Continue reading “Why the Modern View of the Book of Revelation may be Flawed.”
I have blogged before on Purgatory. For example here: Purgatory – Biblical and Reasonable. I have also provided a PDF document on the Biblical roots of the teaching here: PDF Document on Purgatory . On this Feast of All Souls I want to reflect on Purgatory as the necessary result of a promise. Many people …
The video below is a humorous commercial that illustrates that sometimes our enemy, Satan disguises himself in very unlikely ways. It would seem that one of the more common tactics of Satan in our times is to hide and/or disguise himself. Indeed, in our times he is never more powerful than when he is denied …
Continue reading “Satan Likes to Hide, but every now and then, He shows his face.”