I wasn’t planning to post today. Those who follow my blog know that I normally post on Thursday.
I planned to be in another country this week attending a special retreat.
I was preparing for the trip for weeks but was forced to cancel last minute because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
This experience and the current global situation prompted me to write this post.
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel is one of my favorite hymns.
Since we’re in the season of Advent, and approaching its end, I’d like to share the origin and meaning of this hymn.
In my previous post I explained the Sacrament of Confession by using information from the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
The purpose of Part I was to describe the theology of the sacrament.
The purpose of Part II is to provide tools and guidance for participating in it.
After reading this post, I hope you feel excited to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation!
In this post I’ll focus on:
In my previous post I listed the five newest saints of the Catholic Church.
These holy men and women, and all the saints, are meant to serve as models for us. They point to our Creator and our ultimate home: heaven.
In honor of the recent canonizations, I’d like to share 10 quotes on heaven.
(And at the end of the post, I have a request for you!)
Like it or not, you are at war.
No matter who you are — whether or not you know it — you have a mortal enemy [the devil] that wants to destroy you, not just in this life, but in the next.
No matter where you live on this planet — whether or not you can see it — you live on a hotly contested battlefield, and you can’t escape the conflict.
It’s a spiritual war with crucial consequences in your everyday life. And the outcome of that war will determine your eternal destiny (Manual for Spiritual Warfare).
For those who think this sounds dramatic or extreme, know these words are true.
They’re supported by Sacred Scripture, the teachings of the Church, writings of the saints, legitimate prophecies, and history itself.
Just look around. We see violence, corruption, crime, impurity, vice, and division at almost every turn.
Why do they exist in the world? Because of the presence of evil.
Some may be surprised to hear this truth. Others are already aware and consciously fighting the spiritual battle.
For those who are learning this for the first time, I pray you take the message to heart. Whether you believe it or not, it’s the truth; and there’s a reason you’re reading this post today.
Are you ready for Christmas?
When people ask this question, they’re usually referring to external preparation: gifts, decorations, parties, food, etc.
Society is fixated on the external factors and begins advertising for Christmas too early. (I enjoy Hallmark movies as much as the next person, but I don’t want to watch Christmas movies in October or November. Sorry Hallmark.)
By the time Christmas arrives, people are exhausted and want it to be over before it even begins!
Christmas is about 10 days away. How do you feel?
Be honest with yourself. Maybe you feel stressed, overwhelmed and/or tired. Maybe you’re so busy you think you’re wasting time reading this post (you’re not wasting time). Maybe you feel excited and/or ready and don’t think this post is relevant to you (it is, keep reading).
Do you know that Jesus is coming soon?
I can imagine your reaction: “Yes, of course I know. Christmas is less than three weeks away!”
I’m not referring to Christ’s birth (well, not yet). I’m referring to His Second Coming. We hear a great deal about this event in Scripture. In the Gospel reading for this past Sunday, the Lord describes what it will be like when He comes again.
“And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and upon the earth distress of nations in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves, men fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:25-28).
Jesus provides these details because He’s trying to prepare us, not to scare us. He tells us what will take place, but He doesn’t tell us when.
“But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch; for you do not know when the time will come” (Mark 13:32-33).
