Search Results for: demons

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Still There! A Meditation on the Universal Inclination to “the Good”

In yesterday’s post I discussed the overall disconnect from reality effected by nominalism and its successor movements (e.g., Cartesian, Kantian, nihilist). Increasingly we live in our heads and no longer view reality itself as a reliable indicator of what is; we claim a kind of right to determine our own individual notion of reality. This …

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There Was a Man Who Had Two Sons – A Homily for the 4th Sunday of Lent

Today’s Gospel is about a man who had two sons, both of whom forsook him and refused to relive in relationship with him. Although the sons seem to have very different personalities (one outwardly rebellious, the other outwardly obedient) they actually have similar internal struggles. In effect, neither one of them really wants a relationship …

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What is Sacred Music? It’s a Bit More Complex than You May Think

There was a discussion a few years ago on my Facebook page about Church music. My parish, Holy Comforter-St. Cyprian in Washington, D.C., was featured on EWTN’s nightly news (see video below); the discussion centered on that report. Among the many forms of music we use here at my parish, gospel music is predominant at …

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Many Who Are Last Shall Be First: A Meditation on the Great Reversal Declared in Scripture

One of the strong traditions of Scripture is of the great reversal that will one day come for many. I have been sobered by it when I consider how blessed I have been in this life; I have been consoled by it when I struggle to understand why some people seem to suffer so much …

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Prayer and Fasting or Just Prayer? A Consideration of a Biblical “Disagreement”

With the renewed interest in demonology, Jesus’ instruction that demons must be driven out with prayer and fasting (cf Mk 9:29, Matt 17:21) is frequently quoted. And many people are acquainted with this text in this form. But a problem emerges for some people when they go to their Bible to look up those texts. …

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The Gospel Train Reaches Temptation Station – Stay on Board, Children! A Homily for the First Sunday of Lent

There’s an old gospel song tradition that speaks of the Christian life as a ride on the “Gospel train.” The Gospel train is not always an easy ride with perfect scenery, but you’ve gotta get your ticket and stay on board. Mysteriously, the train sometimes passes through difficult terrain. But just stay on board! On …

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Making a Quiet Place for Our Lord This Lent – A Meditation on a Teaching from Diadochus of Photice

There is a remarkable passage in the breviary from Diadochus of Photice (pronounced Di-áh-do-cuss of Fóe-tah-chee). Little is known of his life. He lived from around 400 to 485 A.D. He was a mystic and theologian who particularly refuted Christological heresies and upheld the teachings of the Council of Chalcedon. He became bishop of Photice, …

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