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
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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
The Treasure of the Church
Where are the treasures of the Church? Perhaps you have seen some in art museums. There are stunning reliquaries, beautiful chalices, and intricately decorated liturgical books. And yet behind glass these treasures appear dead. They sit sadly empty, no longer … Continue reading
The Restorer of Lost Things
Between the liturgical procession complete with marching band, the local variety of pizza without mozzarella cheese, and the statue of a poor Franciscan friar entirely covered with money, the St. Anthony’s feast day celebration I saw last year was full … Continue reading
Faith, Hope, and Love Towards Canaan’s Land
Editor’s note: This is the twelfth post in our newest series, reflecting on the Hillbilly Thomists’ recent, self-titled album. The series will run each Tuesday and Thursday throughout the Easter season. Read the whole series here. This post concerns the … Continue reading
Burning Coals for Breakfast
“Come, have breakfast.” (John 21:12) How did Peter react when he heard this delightful invitation from Jesus? The invitation is so human; starting the day with a warm bowl of oatmeal is a delight, but fish and loaves with Jesus … Continue reading
Hitting the Mark
When I first saw curling I was confused: what are they doing sweeping brooms in front of a giant hockey puck? Why do they start barking out calls as soon as it is released? What are they even trying to … Continue reading
The Light of the Just One
We tend to shy away from our sins and weaknesses coming to light. When we hear of someone caught and punished for committing injustice, we might be tempted to think them worse off than those ‘lucky’ evildoers who get off … Continue reading
Finding a Friend in the Folio
Until recently, I thought that I was the only person to have written a quirky, pious, ukulele song for St. Isidore the Farmer. Perhaps I still am. However, while searching through some medieval manuscripts I found that even in this, … Continue reading
Seeds from Reading
“Pick up and read, pick up and read.” While in a garden, St. Augustine heard these words spoken by a child and was inspired to pick up Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Reading, he received the grace of conversion which … Continue reading
A Discerning Eye
My father once remarked that after years of eye exams, he had memorized the eye chart. This level of mastery of the material would guarantee success on an algebra or biology test, but it is not helpful in an eye … Continue reading
Quizbowl and the Rosary Lady
Can you name this sixth President of the Uni…Bzzz! John Quincy Adams! In high school I enjoyed being on the “It’s Academic” team, which competed with other high schools on two televised quiz-shows each year, along with the lower-stakes, but … Continue reading
A Word for Bread
Editor’s note: This is the fourth post in a series commenting on the first words of Christ as presented in the Gospels. It is written,“One does not live by bread alone.” (Lk 4:4) With our modern dietary aversion to gluten … Continue reading