Recently, we have seen more public attacks on the Catholic Church. The demonization of the Church continues to embolden people, spurring even more attacks. While this isn’t new to Catholics, we are seeing these attacks more prominently in the news and more widespread than previously. Let’s take a look. Recent History Just in the past week, there have been three issues that made the news of attacks against our beliefs and our standing as a Church: An episode of an... Read more
This Sunday, June 8, is Pentecost Sunday. The gospel reading is from the book of John 20:19-23. The solemnity of Pentecost represents the gift of the Holy Spirit and marks the birth of the early Christian Church. Pentecost is celebrated fifty days after Easter and marks the end of the liturgical Easter season. Gospel Text The gospel reading is from John 20:19-23 and is from the Pentecost Mass during the day. On the evening of that first day of... Read more
Suicide: Understanding the Alarming Statistics We are seeing an unprecedented rise in suicide rates over the past twenty years. In 2024, the national age-adjusted suicide rate climbed to 14.7 per 100,000 people. This is a 37% increase over the past twenty years. These numbers are an indicator that we have a serious mental health problem in our society today. Let’s take a look. Suicide Rates on the Rise It is essential to note that this article primarily focuses on the... Read more
This Sunday is the Seventh Sunday of Easter. The gospel reflection is on John 17:20-26. Next weekend is Pentecost Sunday, marking the end of the Easter Season. We are Easter people, so we are called to live our lives with the same love for Jesus and others throughout the year. Let’s take a look at the gospel for this Sunday. Gospel Text “Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying: “Holy Father, I pray not only for them,... Read more
The Ascension of the Lord is this Thursday, May 29, 2025. This marks 40 days since Easter and the end of Jesus’ time on earth. The ascension is a very significant event in salvation history. Let’s take a look. What is the Ascension? The Ascension of the Lord is Jesus’s return to the Father in Heaven in divine glory. He is seated at the right hand of God. His work on earth is complete. He has commissioned the disciples to... Read more
This Sunday is the Sixth Sunday of Easter. The gospel reflection will be on John 14:23-29. Jesus defines those who love him as those who keep his words. He also teaches that the Holy Spirit (the Advocate) will come down and remind us of everything he taught. Gospel Text “Jesus said to his disciples: “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.... Read more
Washington State has passed Senate Bill 5375, which removed the exemption for Catholic priests from reporting suspected child abuse obtained during confession. The new law takes effect in July 2025. Should priests disclose information about child abuse or neglect when they receive it during confession? Let’s take a look. The Seal of Confession The Seal of Confession is also known as the Sacramental Seal. Reconciliation (Confession) is one of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church. Catholic doctrine forbids... Read more
This Sunday is the Fifth Sunday of Easter. The gospel reflection for this Sunday is on the book of John 13:31-33a, 34-35. This story occurs after the Last Supper, and Judas has left Jesus and the other disciples to betray Jesus to the Jews. Gospel Text The text for this Sunday’s gospel: “When Judas had left them, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God... Read more
What does the term “Christian Nationalism” mean to you? Can you be a Christian and still be a Nationalist, or are the concepts opposed? The term “Christian Nationalism” has often been thrown around, but what does it mean? Let’s take a look. Definitions of Christian and Nationalism The term “Christian Nationalism” is used loosely in politics today to describe what people should be afraid of. I wrote about this in an article entitled “What is Christian Nationalism?” in September 2024.... Read more
This Sunday is the Fourth Sunday of Easter. The gospel comes from the book of John 10:27-30. This week, we have a short reading packed with God’s love and wisdom. Fourth Sunday of Easter Jesus said: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hands. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and... Read more
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