People realize that something strange is going on with Catholic altars when they visit a church that has the full body of a saint in a glass case beneath the stone slab. Saint John Neumann’s shrine in Philadelphia (pictured above) … Continue reading
suffering
Trust in the Resurrection
We cannot always understand when, why, or how God does what he does. He remains a mystery. If we understood completely every action or event that happens in our life, then our fallen nature might lead us to think that … Continue reading
Suspense in the City of God
Much has been written about the growth of secularism in the modern world, the future of religion in public life, and the appropriate Christian response. I would like to offer another perspective, trying to deal not so much with the … Continue reading
Love or Suffering?
A while ago, I was walking past a local Catholic bookstore, and I overheard part of a conversation between some Catholic undergraduates. “Why do you pick on me so much?” one complained playfully, to which the other responded, “If I … Continue reading
Lenten Mercies
In the readings from today’s Mass, we hear an oracle from one of the most trying times in the history of Judah, the events surrounding the Babylonian exile. During this period, Jerusalem was conquered and many of its inhabitants were … Continue reading
Contra Mundum
Faith and Film Friday: Brideshead Revisited Editor’s Note: This is the fifth review in our series, Faith and Film Friday. Read the whole series here. Anyone who has even briefly surveyed popular Catholic novels has no doubt come across Evelyn … Continue reading
Being Loud
Faith and Film Friday: A Man for All Seasons Editor’s Note: This is the fourth review in our series, Faith and Film Friday. Read the whole series here. Important things—what we may call “things of consequence”—tend to be loud. Soldiers fighting a … Continue reading
Spiritually Ambidextrous
St. Paul often distinguishes between desires of the flesh and desires of the spirit, between those desires that entangle us with sin and those that draw us to God. These are at war within us, such that often we feel … Continue reading
The Voice of God
Today at Mass we hear, “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts” (Ps 95:8). What does the voice of God sound like? How will I know that it is him when I do hear it? Does God … Continue reading
Misplaced in the Woods
I once got lost in the woods. I had spent the day hiking with much of my novitiate class, and four of us toured an off-trail route later in the afternoon. Because of a hurt ankle, I lagged behind at … 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
Suffering in the New Year
At the beginning of every new year there is a sense of hope. We take stock of where we are as individuals in our life, where we want to be in a year’s time, and how to go about accomplishing … Continue reading
The Mind of Fear
Brother Phobos sat forlorn on one of the many rock formations encircling his small hermitage in Egypt’s Scetis Valley. With each gurgle of his stomach, his thoughts became increasingly distraught. He had prayed his psalms, tidied up his small monastic … Continue reading
Desiring Martyrdom
The letters of St. Ignatius were some of the first writings of Church Fathers I ever read. One of my friends bought me a copy of The Apostolic Fathers, and the summer before I entered seminary, I read through them. … Continue reading
Let This Cup Pass from Me
There are many fascinating stories about St. Catherine of Siena. She once almost got her head cut off. Another time, she caught the head of someone else just after it was cut off. Jesus literally removed her heart and replaced … Continue reading
The Crucifixion at Isenheim
Editor’s note: This is the second 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
The Unimaginable
I think that Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “It’s Quiet Uptown” from the musical Hamilton is the best recent artistic expression of the inexpressible quality of human suffering. It is a powerful piece of music and poetry. Therefore, I want to let it … Continue reading
Repent: A Cry of Hope
In the opening scene, and recurring many times throughout the 2006 Russian film, The Island, a monk named Anatoly cries out in anguish over and over again, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.” He is tortured … 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
Being Exalted on the Holy Cross
Love has conquered, therefore, Love shall be exalted forever. In speaking about the Holy Cross we are not far removed from speaking about love. On today’s feast, the Exaltation (or Triumph) of the Holy Cross, love is on full display. … Continue reading
Being Exalted on the Holy Cross
Love has conquered, therefore, Love shall be exalted forever. In speaking about the Holy Cross we are not far removed from speaking about love. On today’s feast, the Exaltation (or Triumph) of the Holy Cross, love is on full display. … Continue reading
Lord, Have Mercy
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.Rise up, O Lord, and save your people whom you have redeemed at the price of your own blood.Good Shepherd, save your sheep who are ravaged by wolves. Raise up shepherds after … Continue reading
The Blood of Christ
A few weeks ago, I was contemplating Jesus on the cross. It’s not hard to image the pain he was experiencing: the nails, thorns, and scourging rip your own soul wide open. One common tradition understands that Jesus was offered … Continue reading
Praying Amid Scandal
How do we pray amid Church scandals? One helpful way is to return to the basics: The Our Father. For this meditation, I’ll look to the various parts of the prayer in reverse order. Deliver us from evil — Father, … Continue reading
Clinging to the Cross
These past few weeks have been filled with suffering. The revelation of scandal has caused an immense amount of pain among the members of the Body of Christ, both the victims and all who love the Church. It raises a … Continue reading