Author Archives: Michael

Pope Leo XIII on Marriage and Family

Posted on December 15, 2013 by Michael

Pope Leo XIII provided some important teachings in his Encyclical Rerum Novarum (“of new things” or “condition of labor”) on the natural origin of marriage and family life, an area in which he warns civil government intrusion would be “a … Continue reading →

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Benefits of Faith

Posted on December 14, 2013 by Michael

St. Thomas Aquinas teaches that faith confers four benefits, faith: unites the soul with God; introduces the soul to eternal life; guides the present life; and helps overcome temptation. The soul is wedded to God through faith, for “I will … Continue reading →

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How Do the Righteous Live

Posted on December 13, 2013 by Michael

The Old and New Testaments teach that the righteous person lives by faith, freely committing their entire self to God, seeking only to know and do God’s will. God’s reply to the plea of the Old Testament Prophet Habakkuk is, … Continue reading →

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Catholic Spirituality Blogs – 2013 Frankie Award

Posted on November 29, 2013 by Michael

Catholic Spirituality Blogs Network has postings from twenty bloggers, follow this link to Catholic Spirituality Blogs — 2013 Frankie Award and vote for your favorite.   I have read all twenty.  Hope you find them as enjoyable as I did.

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Live the Faith

Posted on November 26, 2013 by Michael

Faith is more than a personal relationship with God; faith is a personal relationship with God and His people. Jesus preached a faith where “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, … Continue reading →

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Out of Evil God Brings Forth Good

Posted on November 24, 2013 by Michael

A portion of life, to a greater or lesser extent, consists of stress and discomfort, misery and disappointment.  Some argue and posit that the present of these, which they construe as evils, within our life proves there is no God. … Continue reading →

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In Silence

Posted on November 23, 2013 by Michael

To pray in silence is one of my favorite forms of prayer.   Silently, I place myself in the presence of Lord.  I may sit or knell.  Typically, my eyes are closed, so as not to be distracted. In stillness, I … Continue reading →

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Cultural Pork

Posted on November 20, 2013 by Michael

Sometimes an event will linger with me throughout the day, into the next.  Yesterday, I had such an event.  It was the Old Testament reading at mass, 2 Maccabees. The passage was about a prominent scribe, Eleazar, who Syrians agents … Continue reading →

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To Prophetic Redux

Posted on November 18, 2013 by Michael

The pattern of the prophetic messages of the Old Testament was: covenant has been broken, better repent; no repentance, prepare for judgment; and, after judgment, restoration and hope.   Culturally, are we in this cycle?  If we are, where are we … Continue reading →

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To Family Life

Posted on November 16, 2013 by Michael

The activities of family life can be overwhelming.   Man was created not to be overwhelmed by family life, but to be overwhelmed by God’s love and to embrace family life in union with God. God instituted the family as a … Continue reading →

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