Learning to be Quick to Listen

One of the most significant hurdles people face when engaging with Scripture lies in the interpretation of prophecy. It's a common misconception that prophetic passages inherently refer to future events, leading many to overlook their immediate context. A crucial starting point for understanding prophecy is to first look for its fulfillment in the time period closest to the prophet. Only after considering this contemporary application should we then explore the possibility of more distant or future fulfillments. This foundational principle helps to ground our understanding and prevent misinterpretations that can arise from solely focusing on what's to come. Beyond the tendency to project all prophecy into the future, another pervasive error is adopting an "egocentric" interpretation, where individuals believe biblical prophecy is primarily about them. While extreme examples involve figures like Charles Manson or David Koresh claiming to be prophesied individuals, a ...

Devotionals such as the Sacred Heart of Jesus offer profound avenues for cultivating a more intimate relationship with Christ and deepening our understanding of our need for salvation. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church emphasizes, prayer is the living relationship of the children of God with their Father who is good beyond measure, with his Son Jesus Christ and with the  Holy Spirit (CCC 2565). Devotion to the Sacred Heart focuses our hearts on the immense love of Jesus for humanity, a love so profound that He willingly suffered and died for our redemption. Meditating on the pierced heart of Christ, a symbol of His sacrifice, allows us to grasp the enormity of our sinfulness and the boundless mercy offered through His saving act. These devotional practices move us beyond mere intellectual assent to the truths of our faith and engage our emotions and wills, fostering a deeper, more personal encounter with the living God. By consistently turning our hearts towards Jesus throug...

Tradition is the lifeblood of identity, both for individuals and groups. It encompasses our education, culture, and the invaluable inheritance passed down through generations. The very word "tradition" stems from the Latin tradere , meaning "to hand on." While not all traditions are equally significant—some are merely human inventions, even frivolous or harmful, as cautioned in Mark 7:8 and Colossians 2:8—others hold profound importance. For Catholics, this handing on of faith from Christ and the apostles is of unparalleled significance, known as "Sacred Tradition" or "Apostolic Tradition," capitalized to distinguish it from lesser customs. The apostles initially transmitted the faith orally through their preaching. Over time, some of them and their companions penned the documents that would eventually form the New Testament. Together with the Old Testament, these writings constitute Sacred Scripture. It is crucial to understand that Sacred Scr...