Blog of the Archdiocese of Washington
We human beings are inclined to thinking categorically and absolutely. But not all (or even most) categories are absolute. Is there such a thing as absolute goodness, with no error admixed? Yes, most assuredly. God is so, as are the saints He has perfected in Heaven. But is there such a thing as absolute evil, …
Continue reading “Is There Such a Thing as Pure Evil? Here’s What St. Thomas Says.”
We are currently reading from St. Paul’s Second Letter to the Thessalonians in daily Mass, and given the focus of on the “end times,” it might be good to review certain basic Catholic teachings on this matter, the theology of which is called eschatology. The Catholic approach to the end times is different from that …
Continue reading “Essential Catholic Teachings on the End Times”
In daily Mass this week (21st Week of the Year) we are reading from the Second Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians. I thought it might be helpful to present some notes I have assembled over the years from various sources. My goal is to bring the text a bit more alive and to provide …
In the readings today the Lord describes a danger: our tendency to make light of judgment and not be sober that one day we must account for our actions. In the first reading the Lord sets forth His desire to save us, but we must understand that our will, our yes, is essential to our …
Continue reading “Sober and Serious about Salvation – A Homily for the 21st Sunday of the Year”
I am often struck by the mystery of the relationship that dogs and cats set up with their owners. While I realize that we humans often project what we want their behavior to mean, I am still fascinated by the reality of how our pets come to “know” us and set up a kind of …
In today’s first reading (Monday of the 18th Week) the Prophet Jeremiah denounces the false prophets of his day, who promise all sorts grand visions for Israel despite its sin. Jeremiah says to the people, By breaking a wooden yoke, you forge an iron yoke! (Jer 28:13) In other words, by failing to repent (breaking …
There was more violence this past weekend. A man, whatever his grievance, killed three police officers and wounded four others. Pray for their souls. And what has this gotten us? More anger. And no progress on justice at all. History is replete with the failures of those who thought they could usher in justice with …
Continue reading “How Do You Solve the Problem of Violence? A Commentary on Superheroes”
One could easily reduce today’s Gospel to trite moralisms: Help people in trouble; Be kind to strangers; etc. While these are certainly good thoughts, I would argue that it is about far deeper things than human kindness or ethics. This is a Gospel about the transformative power of God’s love and our need to receive …
Continue reading “Love Lightens Every Load – A Homily for the 15th Sunday of the Year”