Clik here to view.
Taylor “Marshalls” Evidence for the Catholic Paul
The wait is over for book two in Taylor Marshall‘s three-volume Origins of Catholicism series! You may recall my review of book one, The Crucified Rabbi, which focused on the organic links between...
View ArticleClik here to view.
State of the Union
On a day when U.S. President Barack Obama gave the “State of the Union” address, it’s apropos that today is the feast marking the conversion of Saint Paul. This, in turn, denotes the close of the Week...
View ArticleClik here to view.
“Seven Stanzas at Easter” by John Updike
I’m not a huge poetry guy, but I’ve always been struck by this one: “Seven Stanzas at Easter”, by John Updike. I made use of it last night as I was giving a talk about the liturgical seasons of Lent...
View ArticleClik here to view.
On The Third Day…
When Saint Paul wrote (quoting an early creedal statement of the Church), that Jesus “was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:4), what scriptures were in mind?...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Authenticating the Resurrection of Jesus: the Jerusalem factor
The Bible is refreshingly clear about what is at stake if the Resurrection of Jesus didn’t happen: “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless, and so is your faith…but Christ has indeed...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Tell what the Lord has done for you
Today’s Gospel reminds us of the incredible power of Jesus the exorcist. He casts out a “legion” of demons from the Gerasene demoniac. There have been many modern scholars who wish to rebrand the New...
View ArticleClik here to view.
How Old Was Saint Joseph? Part I
The recent Solemnity of Saint Joseph on March 19 was a welcome feast within Lent – and we’ll have another one next week: the Annunciation. When contemplating Saint Joseph, one of the many interesting...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Authenticating the Resurrection of Jesus: The Corinthian Creed
Today’s first reading from 1 Corinthians 15 contains one of the first “creeds” of the early Church. As Saint Paul writes, “For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received: that...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Q and A: Third Sunday of Lent
Q. Today’s readings have a common theme: the absolute need to repent of sin, but also God’s abundant mercy for those who do. Would you agree? A. That’s true. Psalm 103, the Responsorial Psalm from...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The three responses to the Gospel
Today’s first reading is selected from Acts 17, which chronicles St Paul’s visit to Athens. Paul’s brilliant, culturally relevant preaching of the Gospel in the Areopagus didn’t convert everyone,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Sunday Scriptures: Biblical Inspiration
“Sunday Scriptures” is a series of posts explaining the Sunday Mass readings – helpful for those preparing to worship, or preparing a homily! What does the Church mean when she says that the Bible is...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Sunday Scriptures: A Forged Letter and a Mysterious Villain
“Sunday Scriptures” is a series of posts explaining the Sunday Mass readings – helpful for those preparing to worship, or preparing a homily! In this Sunday’s Second Reading we hear: We ask you,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Sunday Scriptures: Thessalonian Idle
In this Sunday’s Second Reading (33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time), we heard Saint Paul address the Thessalonians: Brothers and sisters: You know how one must imitate us. For we did not act in a...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Sunday Scriptures: First Sunday of Advent
This Sunday is the Church’s “New Year’s Day”, as it were. It’s not only the first Sunday of Advent, but also the beginning of a new liturgical year in the Church. It’s a great time to start over,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Sunday Scriptures: 1 Corinthians Overview
Over the next few weeks, the second reading at Sunday Mass will be taken from Saint Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians). This week, we read the first few verses of chapter one:...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Sunday Scriptures: Cults of Personality
Once again, this Sunday’s second reading is from 1 Corinthians, and once again it’s from chapter 1 (vv. 10-13, 17). There were real divisions in the congregation that were very worrying to St Paul....
View ArticleClik here to view.
Sunday Scriptures: The Foolish Shaming the Wise
In this Sunday’s second reading, once again we hear from St Paul’s 1st Letter to the Corinthians (1:26-31). This section builds on Paul’s teaching about the wisdom of the cross. Here’s what he wrote...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Cardinal Collins Takes Trudeau to Task
Cardinal Thomas Collins, Archbishop of Toronto, penned a powerful letter today to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau regarding the Trudeau government’s regrettable recent decision to donate $650...
View ArticleThe Conversion of Saint Paul: Easter Evidence Series
What made the great persecutor of the Christian faith its greatest propagator? The best explanation is that the resurrected and glorified Jesus appeared to Saul the Pharisee, who became better known...
View Article