Oblate Program at Belmont Abbey, NC

Tag: dignity

To change the world

To change the world we must be good to  those who cannot repay us. ~Pope Francis When Christians forget that Christ identifies with all we meet; especially those who are overlooked and considered unimportant, it is then when we are absorbed into the cultures that we live in.  When that happens, our ability to make change… Read More ›

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The Gospel of life is at the heart of Jesus’ message

1. The Gospel of life is at the heart of Jesus’ message. Lovingly received day after day by the Church, it is to be preached with dauntless fidelity as “good news” to the people of every age and culture. . . . 63. . . . the use of human embryos or fetuses as an… Read More ›

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No one can strip us of the dignity bestowed upon us by Christ

Oh, if placed on that lofty watch-tower, you could gaze into the secret places–if you could open the closed doors of sleeping chambers and recall their dark recesses to the perception of sight–you would behold things done by immodest persons which no chaste eye could look upon; you would see what even to see is… Read More ›

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No illusions

I had the honor of visiting a prison here in Atlanta, in order to give an informal talk. Marco, both a friend and a mentor was the go between. It was through him that I had the pleasure of meeting the Rev. John Smith, who was the one who extended the invitation. I met Marco… Read More ›

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Pope Francis rejects ‘throw-away culture’

Cagliari, Italy, Sep 22, 2013 / 08:37 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis spoke with a group of workers and the unemployed in his pastoral visit to the island of Sardinia today, encouraging them to remain hopeful in the face of a culture that values money over people. “Don’t let your hope be stolen!” he exhorted… Read More ›

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Emotional Pornography

Sex sells.  Marketing in our culture is almost exclusively based on sex.  We have known this for years, and although we think we are stronger than corporate marketing strategies, we (men) still fall easy prey to GoDaddy super bowl ads and Victoria’s Secret ceiling-high mall pinups.  When I say “easy prey,” I don’t mean we all… Read More ›

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The quality of Mercy

When speaking about mercy there can be turns in the road, or forks even, were different aspects can be pondered.  Like many other topics on the spiritual life, different facets can be dwelt upon, to the exclusion of others.  Sometimes the best way to try to understand mercy, both human and Divine (though the mystery… Read More ›

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We are completely dependent on God

In the supernatural order, we have been lifted into a new state of life. We are partakers of the divine nature and called to share in the life of the Holy Trinity. However, we are completely de­pendent on God for this new life and need the grace that comes from God. The craze for liberty… Read More ›

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Witnesses to Christ in a materialistic world

A few years ago, there was much talk of the secularized world, the post-Christian era. Fashion changes, but a profound reality remains. Christians  today must  be formed  to live in a world which largely ignores God or which, in religious matters, in place of an exacting and fraternal  dialogue, stimulating for all, too often founders… Read More ›

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Spousal Privilege

Since I’ve been on vacation, I’ve been watching an unusual amount of television. Over the past few days,  I’ve been struck by the volume of material about sex. Talk shows, tv shows, even supposedly conservative networks like Fox News seem to be obsessed with the topic.  The mentality of these talk show hosts seems to… Read More ›

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