Pope Benedict XVI (now emeritus) published Jesus of Nazareth: From the Baptism in the Jordan to the Transfiguration in 2007. It was the first of a three-part examination of the life of Jesus. The Pope (now emeritus) states plainly that the books are not part of his official teaching as …continue reading
From Benedictus: Day By Day with Pope Benedict XVI, the entry for March 7: Moral obligation is not man’s prison, from which he must liberate himself in order finally to be able to do what he wants. It is moral obligation that constitutes his dignity, and he does not become …continue reading
Last week we were given a brief break in order to enjoy, to relish, to revel (a bit) in the idea of Emmanuel, “God is with us.” This final short week offers a handful of days to join Mary and Joseph, the shepherds and the magi, in pondering the curious …continue reading
Although Advent is at its root a penitential season, when Christians remind themselves that they need to prepare for the second arrival of Jesus — the Third Sunday of Advent is also known as Gaudete Sunday, gaudete being a Latin command along the lines of Rejoice! After all, the first …continue reading
Repentance is rarely en vogue, and certainly not popular nowadays when people rarely think about sin and more rarely believe themselves sinful. Taking clear-eyed stock of your own flaws is difficult. Easier to tick off items on a gift list, RSPV to a holiday party, or string twinkly lights. Isn’t …continue reading
In The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, the evil White Witch has cast Narnia into a never-ending Winter. Always Winter but never Christmas. Time is frozen. The inhabitants of Narnia look for the coming of the two Sons of Adam and the two Daughters of Eve, …continue reading