Catholic Café

The world definitely needs more forgiveness in it in order to allow God to effect healing for the brokenness that abounds in our daily lives. The problem is that forgiving others can be a serious spiritual challenge and stumbling block. Many times this can be that we do not know the difference between what forgiveness is and what forgiveness is not.

Most folks, Catholic and Protestant, can get many things wrong when it comes to the journey of becoming a saint. Whether it is the assurance of salvation or the concept of total depravity for Protestants, or presuming upon the mercy of God or the temptation to spiritual pride for Catholics, we all need realize we are only human and prone to fall on our way to heaven.

The life of Blessed Fulton Sheen came into inspiring focus recently with his Beatification in St. Louis. He was a holy pioneer of evangelization over the airwaves where he called millions of listeners and viewers into a closer relationship with the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph and introduced the teachings of the Catholic Church to the masses.

Many of us have grudges, hurts, and wounds we still hold on to, and yet, we desire to receive forgiveness from God. Jesus is quite clear that to receive forgiveness, we are asked to forgive others. Our own healing in forgiveness is linked directly to our willingness to forgive.

Jesus asks if it is better to say yes to a request but then not show up or to say no and later change your mind and show up. The latter choice is the one that pleases God. This helps us see that God wants us to live a life of continuing conversion, not one of false promises.

To play the long game is to not seek only instantaneous victories, but to remain patient and vigilant, hoping that God will answer our prayer even after a long time of suffering and apparent defeat. The parable of the workers in the vineyard helps us to see the patience of God and the reward at the end of the long game.

Doubt is a natural human trait. It is not always a weakness. It can actually be a healthy and natural thing to do. Especially when it comes to contemplating the very existence of God. Our doubting naturally leads to questions, which can ultimately lead us to answers that bring us closer to God.

It seems a little strange to say that we should embrace our own human brokenness, or that we should welcome the fact that we are sinners. But, in fact, if we realize that we are broken and that we are sinners, then it should follow that we must recognize also that we need a Savior to heal us. That is exactly what is meant by the Good News.

When Jesus chose Saint Peter to be the first of many Popes of the Catholic Church, He knew that he was choosing a faithful, but fallible, human being to work in harmony with the Holy Spirit in leading the divinely instituted Universal Church. Nearly 2000 years later, the gates of Hell have still not prevailed against it.

The Pope is not only the Pope for all Catholics, but he is also the Pope for the Universal Church. That means he is Pope for all peoples. There is an inherent unity to be found in the Papacy. When Jesus proclaimed that he would build His Church on the rock of St. Peter, He was setting in motion a model for unity rather than division.

We sometimes see the the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary as something that really is just about celebrating Mary, something that she deserved because of her sinless life and her fiat, or yes, to God. While ultimately that is true, there is also a beneficial takeaway for each one of us as well. The Assumption gives us hope.

Recently, Dr. Peter Kreeft made a spoke about falling in love with his all over again after she had died and compared her broken, emaciated body to the beauty of the Crucifix. This remark went viral and caused a wonderful and renewed focus on relationships, marriage, and the Catholic view and understanding of love and beauty.

Not many folks these days can say about a meal that they were truly and fully satisfied. We often say that a meal was good or filling or tasty, but rarely do we say that we experienced total satisfaction. That is why when the Gospel of Matthew tells us about the miracle of the loaves and fishes, we should pay special attention to the fact that it is reported that the many who were present ate and...

When God asked Solomon what he wanted to ask for, Solomon replied that he desired wisdom. In our world today, it seems hardly unlikely that if we were offered the same opportunity by God that we would ask for such a gift instead of worldly acclaim and riches. That is why we, too, should pray for wisdom in order that we might seek and find the pearl of great price in our lives.

The parable of the weeds and the wheat is familiar to most. We have all heard it before. But some may wonder, since we typically do not live an agrarian life in the modern world, if the teaching of this parable is still relevant. As we look closer at the core truth Jesus conveys with this parable, we discover it is extremely relevant.

Some folks, including some Catholics, wonder why lay persons who are gifted and prepared speakers are still not allowed to give the homily in the context of Holy Mass. In fact, even the Bishops of Germany recently asked for special permission from the Vatican to do this. However, the Vatican said it was not possible. In this episode, we discuss why.

As the United States of America celebrates the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, it is a suitable and good idea to spend time reflecting on the many blessings bestowed upon our country. But, we must also ask if, in this day and age, we are BEHAVING like one nation under God.

As much as we love and respect our separated brothers and sisters in Christ, the Protestants, we must realize as Catholics that their understanding of the relationship between faith, works, judgment, and salvation is ultimately unbiblical. The Bible tells us we will be judged by our works, and Jesus reminds us that if we receive a prophet in His name, we will receive the reward of a prophet.

Our Father Who art in heaven is actually a wonderful model for all earthly fathers to follow. If we look at the attributes revealed by our Heavenly Father about Himself, we can see a great pattern that, if followed, will lead to better success in parenting and will ultimately lead to heaven for our children.

Pope Leo just recently released the first encyclical of his pontificate, having signed it on the anniversary of the release of the the encyclical Rerum Novarum, which was focused on the dignity of human labor. This new encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, focuses on maintaining human dignity in the age of Artificial Intelligence.

Whenever we receive the Eucharist, properly disposed, we receive the Real Presence of Jesus, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. This is the best way, indeed the intended way, that we can best live as an image of Christ. This is true because we become what we eat and take on Eucharistic virtues.

As we leave the very busy and spiritually powerful Easter Season and enter into Ordinary Time, it is vital that we remember that the Easter Mysteries are supposed to empower us for the days ahead, not tire us and convince us we need a rest. We must avoid the temptation to hibernate in our faith and wait until the next big season of the Church.

Catholic author and speaker John Edwards speaks about his new book, Power Made Perfect, a powerful, revealing look into his amazing conversion of faith. As only he can do, John tells us how to find true strength in Christ by describing in detail, and vulnerability, his fall from grace and how the Lord used the powerful love of his wife Angela to bring him home to right relationship with God.

When Jesus gives us the Great Commission to go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, he dramatically ascends into heaven. The disciples hardly know what to do. They are stunned. Two angels give them very practical advice. Stop looking up in the sky and get busy doing what Jesus just commanded.

It seems that the world is so stressed out. So many people suffer from anxiety and worry. Perhaps a reminder, subtle though it is, can help. God is in charge. When we try to do everything ourselves, we quickly discover that we cannot. That is why we need to just let go and let God do the heavy lifting in our lives.