After the Big Bang, it was dark and cold. And then there was light. Now, for the first time, astronomers have glimpsed that dawn of the universe 13.6 billion years ago when the earliest stars were turning on the light in the cosmic darkness.
Astronomers glimpse cosmic dawn, when the stars switched on | CTV News:
28 February, 2018
The Pope and the Vatican’s top power broker
For the first time in my life, I find myself in substantial agreement with Robert Mickens, who now covers Vatican affairs for La Croix. In his most recent column there, Mickens examines the enormous and enduring influence of Cardinal Angelo Sodano. It’s an eye-opener.
The Pope and the Vatican’s top power broker | Catholic Culture:
27 February, 2018
26 February, 2018
How to play our proper role in the drama that is our life - Fr. Tim Moyle
+Bishop Robert Barron is quoted in a recent book co-authored by John Allen entitled To Light A Fire On Earth: Proclaiming the Gospel in a Secular Age as offering three principles for Catholics to keep their lives in harmony with God’s stage directions in lieu of being mired in the unwanted drama that afflicts our peace when we choose our own preferred method of acting. Essentially they are:
a) Find the center of your life as determine what’s occupying that space.
b) Know yourself for who you are: a sinner.
c) Repeat often: It’s not about me.
Finding the center of your life means to do exactly and simply that: locate those value, needs, and wants that are primordial to your path in life. Then make the firm decision to install Christ in that place of honor and power. For example, if what really drives you or floats your boat are things like friends, reputation, material comforts, power, pleasure, or prestige, you can be 100% certain that rancor, stress, and disharmony will never be far from the surface of your life. When we utilized our own ego in determining what we believe with make us happy, chaos, fear, and conflict will inevitably result in a clash with the wants of others. But if we make the choice to give Christ the first and final word in making our decisions by using his metric of love, we will find our lives enjoying our role in his direction in life’s theater. Rather than taking to social media or wherever to lament the latest ‘insult’ or ‘injustice’ we believe has been offered against honor or values, living by the teachings of Christ instead we will walk in the peace and security knowing we’re taking lessons from the one true ‘master of love’.
Knowing yourself as a sinner might seem counter-intuitive if one is searching for happiness in life since such contemplations tend to engender disquiet in the mind and soul as they wrestle with our infamous ‘Catholic guilt’ as a consequence for our transgressions. But actually accepting one’s moral and religious practices as irredeemably flawed is life-changing in a positive direction in a few ways.
First, on a purely human level, recognizing that we are all sinners both levels the playing field when it comes to any subjective appraisal of our own moral rectitude or expectation of the benefit of the doubt when it comes to the opinion of others about ourselves. It also impels us to grow in our ability and desire to offer the most charitable and loving interpretation possible of them if are suffering as a result of their failings. These are admirable qualities for all people to strive for and are indeed essential to any peaceful and harmonious life and society as would no doubt be acknowledged by both secularists and religious folk alike. Empathy is essential to living a harmonious life in peace with others.
But empathy grows best in the strong clear light of love and faith that comes from seeing each other as equal in the sight of God and each other. Christian faith is our being all sinners aids in growing more empathetic.
It’s not about me is a mantra that keeps us focused not on our own desires and cravings but focuses us on our concern for God and others. Urs von Balthasar, a theologian of note from the mid-20th century expressed it best when he stated that all people live within their own life’s drama. But he argues that we can choose whether to make it an ‘ego-drama’ piece of theatre in which we insist on playing the central role or a ‘theo-drama’ in which we establish God as our director and those he brings onto the stage of our life as the legitimate stars of the play.
Three Crises – and Three Opportunities
Robert Royal on the ongoing, radical recasting of marriage and the Church’s understanding of the Eucharist . . . and her very self.
Three Crises – and Three Opportunities - The Catholic Thing:
Three Crises – and Three Opportunities - The Catholic Thing:
Francis’ Fifth: A Pontificate of Footnotes
The heart of the current pontificate is understood more in the footnotes than the main text.
Francis’ Fifth: A Pontificate of Footnotes:
Francis’ Fifth: A Pontificate of Footnotes:
‘The New Paradigm,’ Conscience and the Death of Catholic Morality
The Vatican secretary of state’s recent comments on Amoris Laetitia elevates conscience to a degree that relativizes the objectivity of the moral law.
‘The New Paradigm,’ Conscience and the Death of Catholic Morality
‘The New Paradigm,’ Conscience and the Death of Catholic Morality
25 February, 2018
Texas bishops tell parishes to cut ties with pro-life group
Texas bishops tell parishes to cut ties with pro-life group: Bishops in Texas have told parishes in the state to not to participate in the activities of one of the state’s largest pro-life organizations.
24 February, 2018
Researchers say they have discovered Prophet Isaiah’s ‘signature’
This could be the first 'extra-biblical' reference to the prophet who foretold the birth of Jesus some 700 years in advance, and for whom the Book of Isaiah is named.
Researchers say they have discovered Prophet Isaiah’s ‘signature’ | National Post:
Researchers say they have discovered Prophet Isaiah’s ‘signature’ | National Post:
How focusing on Catholicism’s beauty can lead people to the faith
Bishop Robert Barron believes once people are hooked on beauty, they are more receptive to the truths of the faith.
How focusing on Catholicism’s beauty can lead people to the faith | CatholicHerald.co.uk:
How focusing on Catholicism’s beauty can lead people to the faith | CatholicHerald.co.uk:
Faith and Culture: An essay by Joseph Pearce
Faith and culture are inextricably connected because a culture is always an expression of the faith which informs it. If a culture is animated by a belief in the triune splendour of the good, the true, and the beautiful, it will shine forth goodness, truth, and beauty.
Faith and Culture - The Imaginative Conservative:
Faith and Culture - The Imaginative Conservative:
Hippocrates on Social Justice
Hippocrates was more than the first scientist of medicine but also the founder of medical ethics and Social Justice.
Hippocrates on Social Justice | Augustines Alley:
Hippocrates on Social Justice | Augustines Alley:
23 February, 2018
Chaput: Increased government due to collapse of civil society in America
In a speech at Villanova on Thursday, Archbishop Chaput said the increased role of government is in response to the collapse of civil society.
Chaput: Increased government due to collapse of civil society in America:
Chaput: Increased government due to collapse of civil society in America:
Member of Pope's anti-abuse panel insists, 'The Church is not failing'
Teresa Kettelkamp, a former staffer for the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors and now a full member, says of the anti-abuse fight, “The Church is not failing on this issue, the Church is aggressively addressing it … People who want things to change faster are not realistic about how things change.”
Member of Pope's anti-abuse panel insists, 'The Church is not failing':
Member of Pope's anti-abuse panel insists, 'The Church is not failing':
Planned Parenthood kept aborted babies alive to harvest heart, brain: ex-technician - Washington Times
In an undercover video released Wednesday, a former technician for a tissue-harvesting company details how an aborted baby was kept alive so that its heart could be harvested at a California Planned Parenthood facility, raising more legal questions about the group's practices.
Planned Parenthood kept aborted babies alive to harvest heart, brain: ex-technician - Washington Times:
Planned Parenthood kept aborted babies alive to harvest heart, brain: ex-technician - Washington Times:
The Virtue of Radical Honesty - The latest column from David Brooks of The New York Times
The Virtue of Radical Honesty - The New York Times: Steven Pinker is what we need now.
22 February, 2018
Why we must protect the conscience rights of medical professionals | CatholicHerald.co.uk
Is it really such a radical idea to think healthcare professionals should not be forced to help in procedures to which they morally object?
Why we must protect the conscience rights of medical professionals | CatholicHerald.co.uk:
Why we must protect the conscience rights of medical professionals | CatholicHerald.co.uk:
21 February, 2018
Evangelist Billy Graham dies at age 99
The Rev. Billy Graham, who transformed American religious life through his preaching and activism, becoming a counselor to presidents and the most widely heard Christian evangelist in history, died Wednesday. He was 99.
Evangelist Billy Graham dies at age 99 | CTV News:
Evangelist Billy Graham dies at age 99 | CTV News:
20 February, 2018
Did the pope blink in Nigeria, or is it a typically Catholic mess?
While one could see Monday's resignation of an embattled Nigerian bishop as the pope blinking, it may also be an act of mercy by the pope and humility by the bishop.
Did the pope blink in Nigeria, or is it a typically Catholic mess?:
Did the pope blink in Nigeria, or is it a typically Catholic mess?:
19 February, 2018
18 February, 2018
17 February, 2018
16 February, 2018
Non - voluntary euthanasia/organ harvesting - Coming soon to a hospital near you
It is legal in the Netherlands for doctors and psychiatrists to lethally inject the sick, disabled, elderly, and mentally ill who ask to die.
It is not legal for them to kill patients who have not repeatedly asked to die.
But that happens anyway, and not rarely. Various studies come up with different numbers, but it seems safe to say that hundreds of patients–431 in 2015–are killed each year non-voluntarily, which in Dutch euthanasia-speak is called ”termination without request or consent.”
Euthanasia Prevention Coalition Euthanasia Prevention Coalition: Non - voluntary euthanasia/organ harvesting - Coming soon to the Netherlands.
15 February, 2018
14 February, 2018
13 February, 2018
12 February, 2018
11 February, 2018
10 February, 2018
09 February, 2018
08 February, 2018
07 February, 2018
Catholic Church & China: Bishop Praises Communist State
"Despite the media and blogosphere attention he attracts, Bishop Marcelo Sánchez Sorondo, a 75-year-old Argentine who is chancellor of various pontifical academies, is a small-bore bit player in the current drama of what friends and critics alike regard as an increasingly dysfunctional Vatican. Yet when someone of even his relative insignificance announces that “right now, those who are best implementing the social doctrine of the Church are the Chinese,” that dysfunction comes into sharp relief — and a correction of the record is imperative…"
Catholic Church & China: Bishop Praises Communist State | National Review
Catholic Church & China: Bishop Praises Communist State | National Review
In rare letter, Benedict XVI says he's 'on pilgrimage home'
In a rare new letter penned by Benedict XVI, the retired pontiff said he is in the last phase of his life, and while his physical strength might be waning, he is surrounded by a “love and goodness” that he never imagined.
In rare letter, Benedict XVI says he's 'on pilgrimage home':
In rare letter, Benedict XVI says he's 'on pilgrimage home':
06 February, 2018
05 February, 2018
04 February, 2018
03 February, 2018
Pope to religious: Your hearts must be open 24-7
Lift up your eyes from your smartphones and see your brothers and sisters, those who share your journey of faith and those who are longing for the Word of life, Pope Francis told consecrated men and women.
Pope to religious: Your hearts must be open 24-7
02 February, 2018
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