As human beings, we learn to do great things by imitating others. “Imitation is natural for man from childhood,” says Aristotle, “one of his advantages over the lower animals being this, that he is the most imitative creature in the … Continue reading
Christology
Atlas and the Infant
In the heart of Midtown Manhattan lies a juxtaposition of cosmic irony. On the west side of Fifth Avenue, between 50th and 51st Streets, stands Atlas, a four-story bronze statue of the great Titan of ancient Greek mythology, who was … Continue reading
Christian Royalty
A few months ago, a new heir, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, was born to the English throne. There was much buzz surrounding the revelation of the baby’s gender and name. When the reveal came, it captivated the hearts of not only … Continue reading
Eucharistic Love
Sometimes we take our Catholic lingo for granted, forgetting that like any other group, we have jargon. It takes time to get acclimated to it. If we are not attentive, sometimes the meaning of our own jargon eludes us. Maybe … Continue reading
How Low You Reach
Easter reveals to us how far God will reach to save us and bring us to eternal life in him. This divine desire has astonished the faithful for centuries and has taken those who ponder it up to the great … Continue reading
Born for What?
“Why did you decide to give your life to this work?” The old farmer, weather-worn and bowed with age, answered my question with a wry smile: “Bad luck and being born into it.” Born into a family who had farmed … Continue reading
The Savior of the World
Editor’s note: This post was originally published on August 19, 2013 as part of a series called To the Heights. The entire series can be found here. Father Vincent Ferrer Bagan was ordained to the priesthood in May 2015 and is … Continue reading
The Tongue of the Wise
Sticks and stones may break bones, but words wound hearts. A well chosen insult cuts to the core, searching out secret soft spots so that the fresh wound festers more than the former. How cleverly cruel we can be, delighting … Continue reading
In the Image
Above is an image of Zinaida Serebriakova, a woman created in the image of the Triune God. Zinaida sees herself in the mirror and knows herself; she sees herself to be beautiful, knows herself to be good. Seeing and knowing … Continue reading
Jesus Can
The waters of Baptism have washed billions of men and women. They keep flowing. The Church has absolved sins since her foundation. She still pardons. God secretly has graced and forgiven unknown multitudes. He ever labors. Jesus is always able … Continue reading
What Must Be Done
And so it’s Ordinary Time again. Even the die-hard observers of the liturgical season of Christmas have pulled down their trees and their nativity scenes. And it’s not even the first day of Ordinary Time anymore. Every Monday is at … Continue reading
Your King Comes
See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; but upon you the Lord shines, and over you appears his glory. The entire cosmos speaks of Christ, announces his coming, yet only a few dare look to the … Continue reading
I Decided to Bow My Head at the Name of Jesus
I decided to bow my head at the name of Jesus. I wish I could say I was led to this by feelings of pious devotion. I was not. I just saw some priests doing it and it seemed like … Continue reading
Here He Comes
It’s been a long, cold, lonely winter. It feels like years since it’s been here. The Beatles have Good News for us: Here Comes the Sun! In this iconic song, George Harrison captures (even if unwittingly) the Advent sentiments that … Continue reading
Recognizing the Lord
As the first season of the new liturgical year, Advent possesses a twofold character. Having just ended the liturgical year celebrating the solemnity of Jesus Christ reigning over the universe in glory, we begin the cycle again with a dynamic … Continue reading
Neon Signs and Christ
Neon sign psychics. Reality TV mediums. Palm reading ads stuffed into the nooks and crannies of the subway. Anyone who does such things is an abomination to the Lord, and because of such abominations the Lord, your God, is dispossessing … Continue reading
What the Father Was Doing During the Crucifixion
Editor’s note: This is the fifth post in our newest series, Beholding True Beauty, which consists of prayerful reflections on works of sacred art. The series will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the month of October. Read the whole … Continue reading
Come Closer
Editor’s note: This is the third post in our newest series, Beholding True Beauty, which consists of prayerful reflections on works of sacred art. The series will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the month of October. Read the whole … Continue reading
Scourged
“But Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released to them Barabbas, and handed over Jesus scourged so that He might be crucified” (Mark 15:15). How much can a single word hold? St. Mark used only one to record the scourging … Continue reading
The Untamed Lion
“Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you” (Mr. Beaver, The Lion Witch and the Wardrobe). A personal relationship with Jesus Christ is not a hunky-dory friendship with a buddy. Jesus is the God-man, and … Continue reading
Woe and Praise
I recently met a young person who told me, “You’re the first person I’ve met who is my age and actually believes in God.” With the growing number of “nones”—those who identify as having no religious beliefs—many Christians worry that … Continue reading
Strength to Climb
I love the collect the Church prays on today’s feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. It voices a simple and robust request for God to act in our lives through the Blessed Virgin Mary: May the venerable intercession of … Continue reading
Do Not Forget Affliction
On the day of prosperity do not forget affliction, and on the day of affliction do not forget prosperity (Sir. 11:27). The wisdom literature of the Bible sometimes gives us very concrete and everyday proverbs, things we can ponder and … Continue reading
All We Need Is Love
No generation passes without affording us some deeper insight into what it is to be human. Professors opine, poets and songwriters construe their craft, and politicians enact laws all to enlarge our experience of life, even if at the end … Continue reading
Walk Close to Jesus
Editor’s note: This is the thirteenth and final post in our newest series, reflecting on the Hillbilly Thomists’ recent, self-titled album. The series has run throughout the Easter season. Read the whole series here. This post concerns the song “Just … Continue reading