Category: Advancing the Kingdom

Are Catholics Christian? This question has often been posed by those poorly informed about the history of the Church. Such ignorance has not been uncommon in the past. Suffice it to say that since the followers of Christ were first called ‘Christians’ in Antioch two…

Since the mysticism of Jerusalem, the philosophy of Athens, and the governance of Rome joined forces two millennia ago western civilization as we know it has developed and continues to do so throughout the world. Though with occasional setbacks and reversals, its progress has been…

Yesterday, throughout the hours marking the inauguration of our forty-seventh president, the blessings of the Almighty were extensively and repeatedly invoked. Those attending the ceremonies, indeed the viewership around the globe, were undoubtedly – at least momentarily –  struck by the manifestation of the religious…

Even now, two millennia after that first Pentecost, the Great Commission of our Lord recorded in Matthew’s Gospel –‘Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations’ – continues to unfold. It is a fruitful exercise to reflect on the challenges Jesus’ disciples faced soon after…

Romance is in the air. For the past month or so television audiences have indulged themselves in the visual tonic brought to them by the unfailingly engaging series of Hallmark Christmas movies.  Given the bad mood in which our society has been immersed in recent…

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…