Mention the word sin these day and people can become quite prickly. Typical comments range from “There’s too much emphasis about sin”, “my sins put Jesus on the Cross”, “I’m unworthy”, “I’m a sinner” to “it’s all negative”. This guilt-based old religion mentality, ties us into a God who is tough as old boots and Read more
“The secret to living well and longer is: Eat half, walk double, laugh triple, and love without measure.” – Tibetan Proverb. (As recalled from a social media post.) The Tibetan proverb, which may be neither Tibetan nor a proverb, stabs my heart a little; at least, the part about walking double does. Due to osteoarthritis Read more
Some people today define “grace” as “God’s riches at Christ’s expense.” Others gloss it as “unconditional gift” or “undeserved favour.” Still others prefer to see it as God’s favourable disposition toward his people. However, the word grace in the New Testament (Greek charis) simply means “gift.” The content of the gift is determined by its Read more
Religious education has taught generations of Catholics that grace is a free gift of God’s favour. It is received through the sacraments and makes our salvation possible. Unfortunately, this popular conception of grace is sometimes misconstrued, presenting grace as a commodity rather than a reality experienced in our lives. From this view, “receiving grace” through Read more
Pope Francis founded the World day of Poor a year ago on the “notion of reciprocity, of sharing with each other of what each other has,” Msgr. Geno Sylva says. Sylva is an English-language official of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation. He went on to explain the World day of Read more
A new year tends to be a time of reflection. We’ve just celebrated another birthing of Christ Jesus in our lives and our faith is touched by a freshness, a feeling that we are at home with the Holy Family. The months ahead promise growth. The year will also deliver hard work. Living in this Read more
There will be tension at October’s synod on the family between an emphasis on mercy and a notion of cheap grace, a new US bishop says. Bishop Robert McElroy of San Diego told the National Catholic Reporter that the “theology of mercy is saying is that the essential attribute of God in relation to us Read more
English Cardinal Vincent Nichols has told married couples that even a broken marriage remains a source of grace for those involved in it. Cardinal Nichols was speaking at a special Mass at Westminster Cathedral in thanksgiving for the sacrament of Matrimony. More than 500 married couple celebrating milestone anniversaries attended. In his homily, Cardinal Nichols Read more
After I flew back to Phoenix and claimed the keys to my new apartment, one of my first acts of settling in was to pay a visit to the Motor Vehicle Department. My passport was my only remaining valid form of identification. Rather than afflict it with new creases and sweat stains, I thought I’d Read more
“The privileged place for an encounter with Christ are our sins,” Pope Francis said at yesterday’s morning mass in St. Martha’s House. “It is the power of God’s Word that brings about a true change of heart.” The “encounter between [our] sins and the blood of Christ is the only salvific encounter there is.” The Read more