Author: Dana Robinson

If the word does not yet exist, it should. Mononomism would refer to the prevailing practice in our society whereby no one uses his last name. Everyone identifies himself or is identified by others only by his first name. Each of us ‘goes by’ only…

In 1863 Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday of November as Thanksgiving Day. In 1925 Pius XI instituted the last Sunday of the liturgical year as the Feast of Christ the King. One wonders if the President and the Pontiff are somewhere remarking on the…

“And so I tell you, everyone of men’s sins and blasphemies will be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Sprit will not be forgiven…..either in this world or the next” (Mt. 12:31)  As a kid I didn’t understand Jesus’ admonition about this ‘one unforgivable sin’ recorded…

A phrase making its way around the media these past few weeks is “the enemy within”. Those who spout it no doubt are referring to different enemies. For me, the phrase brings to mind the famous quote in the Pogo cartoon strip on Earth Day…

And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites.So, He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all…” (Lk.21) We are taught that through the sacramental…

Is culture dynamic? Does its dynamism have a destiny or telos? Is there a vitalizing force that supports and promotes it? Can culture devolve from a state of vigorous flourishment to one of listless function and eventually to one of inevitable floundering?  These questions are…

Like tiny patches of blue peeping through stormy skies, references to cultural renaissance are appearing, albeit infrequently, in today’s troubled atmosphere.  Just as we are certain there is light above the clouds, do we dare believe these encouraging references to a cultural reawakening are harbingers…

Are Christians globalists? The term globalism did not exist several generations ago. At that time, it was not uncommon for men to prioritize their commitments as follows: God, family, nation, and employee loyalty. Today things are quite different. We live with godless secularism, fluid definitions…

St. Paul writes that Christianity without the cross is meaningless. The cross, of course, holds deep and varied significance. It represents shame and glory, death and resurrection, sacrifice and fulfillment, etc. One interpretation often held is that its vertical and horizontal beams symbolize the inseparability…

‘The holiness of truth’. How would many of us today interpret this phrase from St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians? Would the reference to holiness be so outlandish to us that we would be befuddled by its meaninglessness?  Would we, like the jaded Pontius Pilate…