Learning to be Quick to Listen

"Offering it up," a profoundly Catholic practice, is not a naive act of spiritualizing away our pain, but rather a radical act of faith that finds its deepest meaning in the cross of Christ. As worshipers of the crucified Son of God, Christians uniquely understand that all our sufferings receive their ultimate meaning and purpose only in His passion. God Himself enters fully and freely into our sufferings, branding them his own; through his suffering and resurrection, he suffuses our suffering with hope. All our questions of “Why?” are taken up in Christ’s cry from the cross: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Ps. 22:1). Suffering is not a puzzle to be solved but a cross to bear—one that plants us within the redemptive wounds of Jesus. It is in this act that we discover suffering can actually make us less, so that there might be more room for Jesus in us. Pope Benedict XVI spoke eloquently about this mystery, emphasizing that our pain, when united with Christ...

In his Summa Theologica , St. Thomas Aquinas teaches that God's love for us is not a passive emotion but an active, creative force . This divine love, or charity, is the very reason for our existence. God, in His infinite goodness, desired to share His life and love with us, His creation. This profound truth is echoed in Psalm 149 , which proclaims that "The Lord takes delight in his people." This delight is not a fleeting pleasure but a deep, abiding joy in the very being of His children. We are not an afterthought or a mistake; rather, we are "very good," created in His image and likeness. This inherent goodness , a reflection of our Creator, is the foundation of our relationship with Him. The Church Fathers, from St. Augustine to St. John of the Cross, consistently emphasize that God has a perfect plan for each of our lives. This plan is not a rigid script that removes our free will , but an invitation to co-create our destiny with Him. God's love for u...

When we feel called to share the good news of Jesus, it's easy to hope for a miracle—a dramatic sign or a powerful mystical experience to do the heavy lifting for us. But while we should always be open to the Holy Spirit's movement, our primary responsibility is to prepare. Just as you would for a job interview or a big presentation, we should equip ourselves to be effective messengers. This means knowing the four essential parts of the gospel message: God's love as our creator, our human tendency to fall short of His glory, Jesus's sacrifice to restore our relationship with God , and our response to accept and live out our faith. But simply knowing the message isn't enough; we have to make it our own. In 1975, on the tenth anniversary of the Second Vatican Council, Pope Paul VI released a letter called Evangelii Nuntiandi , urging Catholics to embrace the mission of evangelization with renewed energy. He made it clear that the council's purpose was ...

A game of sorts unfolds in today’s Gospel as the Pharisees challenge Jesus with a familiar rabbinical exercise: "Which commandment in the law is the greatest?" They're looking for the central pillar, the one law that undergirds all the others. Jesus, the Word of God incarnate , responds with an answer that gets right to the heart of the matter. He tells them it’s all about love, echoing the words of the prophet Hosea who said, “I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” The greatest commandment, Jesus says, is to love the Lord our God with our whole being—heart, soul, and mind. The second, he adds, is to love our neighbor as ourselves. These aren’t two separate rules but two sides of the same coin. If our actions follow the letter of the law but lack love, we’re missing the point. We can’t truly love God while hating our neighbor, and we can’t truly love our neighbor without seeing the face of God in them. But why are t...

It's a question many of us have asked: if we weren't around to eat the forbidden fruit, why do we need to be forgiven for original sin? The Catholic Church has a profound answer, one that distinguishes between the personal sin of Adam and Eve and the fallen state we all inherit. The Church teaches that we cannot be guilty of another's personal sin. That would be metaphysically and scripturally absurd. Instead, Adam and Eve alone committed the personal act of original sin. What we inherit is not their action, but a state of being—a "sin" by analogy, not a personal sin. This inherited condition represents a real and proper sin that must be addressed, even though it's in its own unique category. This distinction is crucial. When the Church calls original sin a "sin," it is not using the term in the same way we talk about personal sins like lying or stealing. Original sin is not an act we commit, but a fallen state of human nature we receive through ...

Thinking about talking to others about Jesus can feel overwhelming. You might imagine needing a bullhorn, a theology degree, or the charisma of a celebrity. The good news is, you don't need any of that. Forget the fiery speeches, the hand-painted signs, and the complex debates. You also don't need a saint's holiness or an iron-clad personality. The truth is, if you've met Jesus, received the sacraments, and are living a life of faith, you already have almost everything you need to share the good news . You are far more prepared than you think you are. The conversion of the Apostle Paul offers a powerful lesson. After a dramatic encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, Paul was told to “get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” He didn’t have all the answers right away; he had to enter the Church community to receive instruction and formation. Like Paul, we have received Jesus and have the Church to guide us. This basic formation is what ...

Saint Joseph , the earthly father of Jesus, provides a timeless example for all fathers. He was given the immense responsibility of raising the Son of God and did so with unparalleled humility, courage, and faithfulness. Joseph didn't just teach Jesus a trade; he instilled in him the values of a righteous man. He provided a safe and stable home, protected his family from danger, and guided Jesus through his formative years. Joseph's silent strength and unwavering dedication to his family show us that true fatherhood is not about power or fame, but about self-giving love and service. In a world where the role of the father is often misunderstood, Joseph stands as a beacon of what it means to be a loving, protective, and faithful head of a family. One of the most profound lessons Joseph imparted to Jesus was a deep reverence for women . This respect was rooted in his devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary , the Mother of God, whose unique dignity he honored and protected. The way...

St. Joseph stands in sacred Scripture not as a man of grandeur or earthly accolades, but as a quiet, steady presence—humble and deeply human. His imperfections, though never sinful, point to his full humanity. Unlike Mary, Joseph was not conceived without original sin. He experienced doubt, confusion, and fear—especially when he learned that Mary was with child (Matthew 1:19). Yet it is precisely in these moments that Joseph becomes most relatable to fathers today: imperfect, yet open to grace. According to Consecration to St. Joseph by Fr. Donald Calloway, Joseph’s greatness lies not in being perfect, but in his immediate obedience to God despite his limitations. His strength was in his surrender. Joseph’s transformation from uncertainty to unwavering trust is a pattern of holiness forged through responsiveness to divine direction. The Bible tells us that after the angel appeared to him in a dream, Joseph "did as the angel of the Lord commanded him" (Matthew 1:24), taking ...

As we journey through our everyday life, any day can be a powerful time to pause and reflect on the path that has led us to this very moment. When we look back at the trajectory of our lives, we can begin to see God's hand at work, guiding us through various situations and bringing specific people into our lives for a reason. What experiences have shaped you, and what choices have you made that have brought you here? This is not just a backward glance, but a look forward, too. Where is God calling you to be? Are you surrounded by people who lift you up in faith, or are there relationships that are dragging you down? This introspection can feel challenging, especially when we face our past mistakes and sins. But in this process, we can find a deeper understanding of God's mercy and a path forward that is more aligned with His will. This examination of our lives is a form of prayer, a conversation with God about our past, present, and future. Take some time to sit with the sa...

Many of us have heard the common Protestant critique against the Catholic use of images and statues. It’s a critique that often draws on early Christian sources to argue that venerating images is a practice not rooted in ancient Christianity. But when we examine these sources more closely, we see that the arguments against images are often rooted in a very different context. For example, some early Christian arguments against images are based on a Platonic worldview that saw physical art as a deceptive imitation of reality. This is a philosophical position, not a biblical one. In fact, this type of reasoning would even condemn the magnificent art of the Solomonic Temple , which was explicitly commanded by God. Therefore, when we encounter these arguments, we must remember their philosophical origins and not assume they reflect a timeless, divinely inspired condemnation of all religious art. Furthermore, some critics will point to sources where early Christian apologists argue that ...

As the summer break winds down and the new school year begins, Catholic students around the world are preparing to return to the classroom. This time of transition can be both exciting and overwhelming. New schedules, new teachers, new classmates, and a new academic workload can easily pull our focus in a million different directions. Amidst all the hustle and bustle, it's crucial to remember the most important thing of all: our relationship with God . The start of a new school year is the perfect opportunity to rededicate ourselves to Him, to invite Him into our studies, our friendships, and our extracurricular activities. Let's make a conscious effort to keep our eyes fixed on Him, seeking His guidance and strength in everything we do. Keeping God at the center of our lives isn't always easy, especially with the many distractions that come with school. But by making small, intentional choices each day, we can cultivate a deeper connection with Him. Start each morning wi...

In the hushed presence of the exposed Eucharist, we find a sanctuary for our souls , a space where the gentle invitation of Christ, veiled yet truly present, draws us into profound communion. The practice of Eucharistic Adoration, where we sit in prayerful contemplation before the Blessed Sacrament, is a wellspring of spiritual graces and cultivates virtues that transform our hearts. Saints throughout history have testified to the immense power of this encounter. St. Alphonsus Liguori, a Doctor of the Church renowned for his devotion to the Eucharist , encouraged frequent visits to the Blessed Sacrament, teaching that "of all devotions, that of adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the greatest after the sacraments, the one dearest to God and the most helpful to us." In these moments of silent adoration, we open ourselves to receive the love of Christ, allowing it to penetrate our being, heal our wounds, and strengthen our resolve to live more virtuous lives. We learn pat...

The Immaculate Heart of Mary is a devotion rooted deeply in Catholic tradition, recognizing the singular purity and profound love of the Blessed Virgin Mary for God and for humanity. As the Mother of God, Mary's heart was uniquely receptive to the grace of the Holy Spirit, preserved from all stain of original sin from the moment of her conception. This " immaculateness " is not merely a state of sinlessness, but an active orientation of her entire being towards God's will, a perfect mirroring of Christ's own Sacred Heart. The Catechism of the Catholic Church highlights Mary's preeminent role in the mystery of Christ and the Church, emphasizing her "immaculate conception and glorious ever-virginity " as signs of God's gracious initiative towards humanity (CCC 490-493). Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary has been further encouraged by numerous Popes throughout history, recognizing it as a pathway to deeper communion with Christ. Pope Pius X...