First, we need to know who we are. We need to know where we are. We need to know the situation we are in. This is the knowledge of self which the Fathers taught us was so important. This is the message of the Old Testament. It is the call to "repent!" (Acts 2:38). It [...]
Category: The Problem: Sin
“I Belong to Benedict,” “I Belong to Francis.”
In his first Letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul addresses prominent divisions that plagued the Church during his time. He calls out the problem by saying, "there is jealousy and strife among you" (1 Cor 3:3). Many people belonging to the Church at Corinth were splitting into separate groups based on which preacher inspired their [...]
I Give Through eGive
There are a bunch of paper cards at the back of my local church. They are pretty simple, and when you first see them, it isn't clear that they have any purpose whatsoever. All they have written on them is the sentence: "I give through eGive!" The "eGive" being referred to is actually a pretty [...]
Is the Halftime Show a Big Deal?
"Oh, c'moooooon," says the skeptic. "It's not a big deal." How sure of that are you? How can you possibly watch that without feeling unsettled and disturbed? The first problem is with those women and what we've done to them. We pumped them so full of fame and praise and money and license that they [...]
Mass Distractions
I was very distracted during mass today. There were a number of things happening around me that made it hard to focus on what was happening at the altar. They were the typical things. The kids behind me were restless and vocal. The sign of peace was awkward. The music selections were questionable. I was [...]
Taking Yourself Too Seriously
"No, don't post that! I look terrible in that picture!" "I shouldn't have lost. You got lucky." "I didn't get a good grade, but it was just because..." "Please don't think my house always looks like this!" "No, I really am a good driver." "I swear I'm not always like this." "I knew that!" "What [...]
Are You in Control?
Perhaps we're humble enough to admit that we sin. After all, the Bible is pretty clear when it says that "all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). The smallest ounce of honest introspection will force us to admit that we are no exception to the rule. We aren't perfect. [...]
Are You a Glutton?
St. Augustine says something in Book X of Confessions that has always made me somewhat uncomfortable. At the time he's writing, Augustine has long since converted. He is a bishop, renowned theologian, preacher, and saint. In this section of his book, he discusses the temptations that he struggles with daily, and one is particularly interesting: "But [...]
An Unseen Connection
What are the defining sins of American culture? What lies at the heart of our moral degradation? To me anyway, it seems quite obvious. The most horrific, twisted, and shockingly common sin in America is the sin of abortion. We rarely think about it. Like a parasite, it numbs the entryway so we don't even [...]
Ambrose Bean 