Learning to be Quick to Listen

It’s a popular notion today that all religions are essentially the same, their worth measured solely by their contribution to " social justice ." The belief is that as long as a faith provides peace, strength, and inspires attention to others' needs, its specific doctrines don't truly matter. There is a measure of truth to this emphasis, as a true religion must affirm, promote, and defend the dignity of the human person. However, reducing religion to mere social utility misses a foundational point articulated by figures like Cardinal Gerhard Müller : the question of God is inevitably linked to the question of self. As Müller argues, a proper doctrine about God has enormous consequences for our very existence. In the Catholic view, we don't need to justify our existence to ourselves or others; rather, "God justifies that I am and that I am who I am." This recognition of a transcendent Creator is the ultimate defense of human worth. When the transcendent n...

Pope Francis has lamented the decline of marriage in contemporary society in the past, noted that it is marked by skepticism, distrust, and hostility. He emphasized that a culture that undervalues the "stable and life-giving covenant between a man and woman" suffers a significant loss. He called for a renewed effort to honor marriage and the family while acknowledging the urgent need to restore respect and dignity to women, who are often exploited and objectified. The Pope's reflections align with the teachings of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which emphasizes the profound significance of marriageas a sacrament instituted by God. It highlights the unique and complementary nature of man and woman, designed for a lifelong union of love and mutual support. The Book of Genesis offers a powerful illustration of this divine plan. God, after creating the heavens and the earth, created man in His image and likeness to care for and steward His creation. Yet, even as ...

God's plan for fruitful, everlasting unions between a man and woman has been lost in a world filled with skepticism, distrust and hostility, Pope Francis said. A culture that does not value "the stable and life-giving covenant between a man and woman is certainly a loss for everyone. We must bring honor back to marriage and the family," he said April 22 during his general audience in St. Peter's Square. But much also must be done to return respect and dignity to women, who are often exploited, objectified and understandably skeptical of the possibility of harmony between men and women, he said. The pope continued his catechesis about the family with the second of two talks on the complementary nature of men and women. The Book of Genesis shows how God created the heavens and earth, and then a special creature made in his likeness to care and watch over the earth. Even though man was "the culmination" of God's creation, still "something was missing,...