Category: Articles

The Lord’s Warmth Within Articles

The Lord’s Warmth Within

As we approach these cold winter months, it's so easy to complain about the temperature outside. As native of Southern Arizona I am not a big fan of the cold. I wake up in the morning and I put on a sweater, a scarve, and a heavy jacket, and let's not forget some wool knit socks. Okay, well maybe I overdo it, but that's just me.
Our Saints at the Stake Articles

Our Saints at the Stake

As you've read in part one of my series, a non-denominational, spanish-speaking, evangelical church in my area was burning images of saints and the virgin mary this past Sunday. Why? I'd call it ignorance, not to offend any of those who agree with this practice. In their minds, the practice of praying to saints is idolatrous and takes away glory from God. They believe that we Catholics hold the saints on the same level as God. That couldn't be further from the truth. Those saints are venerated and honored for the lives they've led, the faith they had in God, and the example they've set forth for us as Christians, but never will they take the place of God.
Know Jesus, Preach Jesus Articles

Know Jesus, Preach Jesus

My wife and I were blessed this past Saturday to join members of parishes throughout the San Fernando Valley Pastoral Region for the first installment of a seminar entitled "Making Disciples" presented by the Catherine of Siena Institute. This seminar focuses on evangelization and there were some interesting facts shared as well as some ways to help us to share the Good News like Jesus called us as "disciples" to do. I won't go into detail about the seminar, but I do want to share one important fact that really stood out to my wife and I.
Some Good ‘Ol Idolatry Articles

Some Good ‘Ol Idolatry

This weekend I learned of a non-denominational evangelical church in my area that held a ceremony at their Sunday worship service in which they burned "images." As non-Catholics they believe that "images" of any kind are scrictly prohibited by God in the Ten Commandments. The misinterpretation of this passage on their part—which causes them to assume that Catholics pray to statues and worship idols—is unfortunate and since it's a topic that's hit close to home for me, I'm going to briefly explain why this interpretation is flawed.
The Greatest Guide of All Articles

The Greatest Guide of All

Trusting in God can sometimes be difficult. And as bad as it may sound, I've been reading through Proverbs this week, for the first time. In my reading I came across a passage that changed my outlook on my spirituality. Up until that moment I had believed that my life was modeled pretty closely after God's will. But Proverbs 16:9 taught me otherwise. In the New American Bible it reads:
The Testing of Our Faith Articles

The Testing of Our Faith

It is a common misconception that living a Christian life in effect gives us an automatic pass to the problems of the world. The thought even passed through my mind in the early days of my conversion. But it's important that as Christians we accept the fact that God does not free us from our problems. We are not immune to them. In fact, some might even say that as Christians we are faced with even more afflictions than of those who do not lead a faith-driven life.
The Mission Articles

The Mission

In this Oscar-winning 1986 film, Jeremy Irons stars as a Jesuit Catholic priest who establishes a mission in the jungle of a Spanish occupied part of South America in the late 1700's. The Jesuits, including a young Liam Neeson (who probably speaks only twice in the entire movie), are welcomed into the community by the Guaraní. A strong bond is formed between them as they teach the Guaraní how to play musical instruments, how to sing, how to speak spanish, and of course Christianity, and the mission flourishes.
Women in the Church Articles

Women in the Church

Women form an integral part of the Catholic Church today. Their position is due in part to the teachings of Jesus, even though we know that women have fought hard to earn the respect that they deserve. Jesus lived in a patriarchal society, where women were treated as property, but the New Testament takes them out of their unjust situation and gives them value and importance. In the letters of Paul (Philemon), which were the first writings of the New Testament, prove that there were female eclesiastic leaders in the first Christian communities. One of these women was Priscilla, wife of Aquila, who was well-trained in the scriptures and taught the communities in Ephesus (Acts 18:24-26). Priscilla was a leader in the primitive Church and she is proof that Jesus did not die in vain. Her position is the fruit of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Lamb’s Supper Articles

The Lamb’s Supper

Dr. Scott Hahn is a former Presbyterian pastor turned ardent Catholic New Testament scholar, author, and founder of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology. In less than 200 pages he relates the book of Revelation to the Mass as what he rightly calls Heaven on Earth. As always he has toned it down so that the book is very is easy to read and written on a level that anyone could understand.
The Female Disciples Articles

The Female Disciples

The twelve men chosen by Jesus for the ministry of evangelization weren't the his only followers. There were also female disciples of Jesus and we find many exemplary women such as Mary and Martha of Bethany, Mary of Magdelene, and Mary the mother of God. These women didn't abandon Jesus in the last hours of his passion. They were at the foot of the cross until his last breath, while the twelve ran and hid. These women are all examples to Christians, living and dying for their faith. There are many examples in the Gospel where we see the female followers of Jesus always at his side. In those times women couldn't even leave their homes without a male escort or speak in public, so the simple fact that Jesus permitted their presence among his disciples would've caused controversy.
Selfish Little Christian Articles

Selfish Little Christian

This week I had the unfortunate experience of having the electricity turned-off at my home. Although it only lasted one day, it felt like an eternity. I have become accustomed to being "connected" and as a web designer I am almost always in front of the computer. At first I found it really difficult, but I made an important realization during the outage. I had been so preoccupied with my work that I hadn't taken the time out to spend time with my family. I realized that I was selfishly living in my own world.
Come O Holy Spirit Articles

Come O Holy Spirit

This Sunday as my wife and I attended Mass, we celebrated the feast of Pentecost. As Catholics it is a very important day. The day on which we commemorate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to the disciples. Walking into the church there was a special feeling of happiness in the air. Although the pews seemed empty when we arrived, they were soon filled with people who seemed almost as a family. The priest who officiated the Mass did a great job of explaining the ministry which we all share as Christians. I won't quote him word for word, but I'll do my best to paraphrase: