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How the Resurrection Narratives Fit Together
People are sometimes confused by the differences in the Gospels’ infancy narratives and their resurrection narratives. Sometimes it is claimed that they contradict each other. I’ve already written about how the infancy narratives fit together. You can read that here. Now I’d... Read more -
Pope Francis urges us to read Chapter 9 of John’s Gospel today
Pope Francis began Sunday Mass on March 22 by expressing this prayer intention: “In these days we’re hearing the news of so many people who are dying… dying alone, without being able to say goodbye to their loved ones.” Let’s think about them and pray for them. For families as... Read more -
The Need for Moral Preaching in the New Evangelization
In this article, I would like to offer an argument for the prominent inclusion of moral preaching as part of the ministry of homiletic preaching in the new evangelization. The Archdiocese of Detroit, to which I belong, has taken as a motto for its new evangelization initiative, “Unleash... Read more -
Where Would the Faith of the Blind Man Lead Us?
The blind beggar, from the Gospel of Luke, is sitting, waiting, by the side of the road. He hears the hustle and bustle of a crowd. Though blind, he feels the presence of divinity, and asks what it means. He hears that Jesus of Nazareth, the hope of his salvation, is present here and now. So, he... Read more -
The Queenship of Mary is Deeply Rooted in Scripture
Pope Pius XII established Aug. 22 as the Memorial of the Queenship of Mary in 1954; but Mary’s role as queen over the universal Church finds its roots in the Scriptures. At the Annunciation, the archangel Gabriel announced that Mary’s Son would rule forever on the throne of David. At... Read more -
Beware the Hypocrisy of the “Spiritual but Not Religious”
We live in the age of the designer God, when many claim the right to imagine and craft their own version of god. Some of them refer to it as “the god within.” Others call it “the god of my understanding.” Still others speak of “the Jesus I know.” A consistent feature of these... Read more -
The Biblical Roots of the Assumption of Mary
While the actual event of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven is not recorded in the Scriptures, there is a biblical basis for the teaching that, considered as a whole, confirms Catholic teaching as both fitting and in keeping with biblical principles. Let’s ponder this feast in stages: The... Read more -
The Assumption Presumption and the Dormition Tradition
On Aug. 15, Catholics celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Most years in most dioceses, the date is a holy day of obligation. The Church in her wisdom wants us to understand how important Mary is in our devotional life — and practicing Catholics are required... Read more -
The Key to the Dreaded Ephesians’ Passage
You’ve been there, sitting uncomfortably in the pew, waiting for the lector to read the dreaded Ephesians passage, the one that speaks the culturally anathema, “Wives be subject to your husbands…” Sometimes you notice that the offending passages have been delicately bracketed, so that... Read more -
Bible Translation Projects Are Preserving Endangered Languages
Bible translators have made it a priority to give people around the world the chance to study Scripture in their “heart language.” Even if Christians are able to understand another language, there are significant benefits to hearing the gospel in one’s mother tongue. It makes it easier to... Read more