Blog of the Archdiocese of Washington
This is part two of an article on temptation. See yesterday’s post for part one. How can we overcome temptation? Remote Battles are Essential! When people ask about overcoming temptation they most often have in mind what to do “in the moment” of temptation. But if we focus merely on the moment of temptation we …
Continue reading “Some Strategies for Overcoming Temptation”
In the modern world, the word “piety” has come to be associated with being religious. And while it does have religious application, its original meaning was far wider and richer. The English word “piety” comes from the Latin pietas, which spoke of family love and by extension love for one’s ancestors, one’s country, and surely God. …
Continue reading “What is Piety and How Does the Modern Diminishment of it Spell Doom for Us?”
Have you undertaken certain Lenten practices or abstinences to assist you growth in holiness? If so, you do well. Practices such as these are included in what are known as “active purifications.” Active purifications consist of our holy works and efforts and our mortifications, which, by the grace of God, help to purify our mind, our heart, and what is …
Continue reading “What Are Passive Purifications and Why Are They Needed?”
The themes of early Lent are pretty basic. The ashes of Ash Wednesday announce the simple truth that we are going to die and thereafter face judgment. Hence, we need to repent and come to believe the good news that only Jesus can save us. Another early reading from Thursday after Ash Wednesday featured Moses laying out the basic …
The Gospel for today’s Mass shocks most modern readers and perhaps a few ancient ones as well. It is the story of the Syrophoenician woman who begs Jesus to heal her daughter. But Jesus ignores and then rebuffs her. Our shock says perhaps more about our poor understanding of love than about Jesus’ terse response. For review, here is …
Continue reading “Stern Love – A Meditation on a Moment When Jesus Was Unkind”
There are four aspects of powerful preaching displayed by Jesus in this passage. Jesus is not just a powerful preacher Himself, but also models what it means to be a powerful and effective preacher. In using the word “preacher” here we ought to be careful not to reduce preaching merely to what takes place in …
Continue reading “A Portrait of Powerful Preaching – A Homily for the 4th Sunday of the Year”
The first reading today speaks to us of the call of Samuel. In examining it, we can see what it is that makes a great prophet. Put more theologically, we can see the ways in which God’s graces form a great prophet. Samuel was surely one of the most significant prophets of the Old Testament …
Continue reading “The Formation of a Great Prophet – A Homily for the Second Sunday of the Year”
The mysteries of Christmas are many. Among them is the mystery of the music heard that night. The angels shouted the great declaration, “Glory to God in the Highest,” and creation takes it up as a song. But why this music? Is it merely window dressing, or does it disclose a mystery to us? Is it merely …
Continue reading “I Hear Music in the Air! – A Homily for Christmas”