Christmas came early for me in 2010. My biggest present arrived, date-stamped from the Vatican, in my email in mid-November. It was Pope Benedict’s new missive, the apostolic exhortation Verbum Domini (“The Word of the Lord”) — the most important magisterial document on Sacred Scripture in nearly half a century. The Word of God is […]
The Pope’s recent apostolic exhortation, Verbum Domini, (through which I am reading, albeit slowly), reminds me of how frequently the popes, the fathers, the doctors, and the saints have urged us Catholics to read and reflect on Scripture—and how sluggish our response has been! I know the stereotype is that Catholics aren’t interested in Scripture.
Catholic Saint on the Importance of Scripture Read More »
The Book of Ruth is rarely mentioned during Advent, but it makes for good Advent meditation. There are obvious connections between Ruth and the Christmas story. Both Bo’az and Ruth are mentioned in Jesus’ genealogy in Matthew 1. Outside of Matthew and Luke, only in Ruth do we have a story about a pious young
Advent is a profound moment in the Church’s year. As we pray the Mass, as we hear the readings, as we ponder the mysteries, we’re really studying the grand panorama of salvation history. In these few short weeks, we relive the longing and expectation of God’s people as they awaited the Messiah. It’s also a
A Christmas Invitation Read More »
Today is the memorial of the great St. Ambrose. Bishop of Milan, friend of Augustine and Monica, great teacher of the Milanese clergy, and greatmystagogue for the laity, Ambrose is one of my favorite figures from the era of the Fathers. From the first post on this blog, I’ve returned to him again and again (sometimes in friendly disagreement
The Great St. Ambrose Read More »
During this Advent/Christmas season we will turn again and again to introductory chapters of Matthew and Luke. Here I’d like to look at one passage in particular. “Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to
Was Joseph Really Suspicious of Mary’s Pregnancy? Read More »
Happy St. Nicholas Day! My friend Carl Sommer worked on a graphic novel for the occasion, and you can view it in its entirety online at Catholic Heroes of the Faith. Here’s my take on ol’ St. Nick — as a patron of a particular kind of ecumenical dialogue. There’s a certain kind of Catholic
“I have no taste for corruptible food nor for the pleasures of this life. I desire the bread of God, which is the flesh of Jesus Christ, who was of the seed of David; and for drink I desire his blood, which is love incorruptible” (Letter to the Romans 7:3 [A.D. 110]). “Take note of
Ignatius of Antioch on the Eucharist Read More »
Great News! According to Zenit News Service, Pope Benedict XVI’s long-anticipated Apostolic Exhortation on the Bible, Verbum Domini will be released today, November 11! The following link will take you to the Exhortation on the Vatican website: Verbum Domini: Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation on the Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church
Pope Benedict XVI’s New Apostolic Exhortation on the Bible is Here! Read More »
I’m not saying they’re necessarily connected, but I do find it rather interesting that the teams playing in the World Series just happen to represent states in which we’ve just presented the St. Paul Center’s Journey Through Scripture Parish-Based Bible Study Program. In fact, based on the crowds and their enthusiasm, you could say we’ve had our
The World Series of Bible Study Read More »
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