Paul Ryan’s latest method for evading Church teaching is catching on. Home Depot founder Ken Langone warns that a “potential seven-figure donor” for the Church’s restoration of St. Patrick’s Cathedral is concerned that the Pope’s criticisms of capitalism are “exclusionary,” and Langone, who is Catholic, fears it may be rooted in “the vast difference between… Read More Rich Americans Lecture Argentinian Pope on their Own Virtue
Theologians have many explanations for why God sent His Son as a child. For our family, with young children, the practical reasons are clear. When our oldest child was a toddler, I quickly realized how essential the Baby Jesus was to him, as a child himself. Children know about babies. They love to see themselves… Read More The Baby Jesus: Meeting Us Where We Are
A few years ago I was writing a letter to a dear friend of mine. At the end of the letter, I wrote a simple cliche: “May God always be with you.” As I wrote it, I immediately realized what a silly phrase it was. The truth is that no request is needed: God is always with us. Christmas… Read More Christmas Message: 2013
I hope all of our readers have a wonderful Christmas Eve (and Christmas Day). Here are some highlights from the pope’s homily for tonight’s Mass: In our personal history too, there are both bright and dark moments, lights and shadows. If we love God and our brothers and sisters, we walk in the light; but… Read More Pope Francis: Jesus is the light who brightens the darkness
One of the most encouraging things about Pope Francis’ papacy has been his widespread support across partisan and ideological lines. The public has embraced the Holy Father in an extraordinary way. Yet this is not matched at the level of political and media elites. While some right-wing Catholics distort Pope Francis’ words, telling us “what… Read More Pope Francis vs. Right-wing Catholic Individualists
We don’t know much about St. Joseph and his role as a father to Jesus. Most of his story can be left to the imagination—and I imagine that as he held his infant son, born under inauspicious circumstances in a stable surrounded by smelly, noisy animals, the whole world melted away for him. I imagine… Read More An Advent Reflection Inspired by Pope Francis
At the beginning of the wonderful “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Charlie Brown is depressed, and he doesn’t know why. Christmas is right around the corner, but all the festivities just don’t feel right. The preoccupation with presents and decorating for Christmas display contests seem too commercial, and a mailbox empty of Christmas cards doesn’t help… Read More Isn’t There Anyone Who Knows What Christmas Is All about?
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