Tag: Aleteia
You may be suffering from acedia — and it’s deadly
It’s been described as the sin of our day, and we need to set about rooting it out In connection with the Memorial of Saint Bernard (August 20), First Things reposted this article about the deadly sin of acedia, which Bernard and other writers in the monastic tradition regarded as “the noonday devil” of Psalm… Read More ›
St. Benedict Knew How to Beat the Blues
A while back, for whatever reason, I was most uncharacteristically doing battle with the devilish little megrim that is acedia. Actually, “doing battle” sounds romantic and pro-active. It would be more accurate to say I have been whining, and sitting before my oratory with nothing but a keening emptiness in my heart and mind and… Read More ›
The devil lurks in the middle of our day
Beware the Noonday Bandit There are many places in our lives the devil lurks. Perhaps he’s not under every rock, but at least every other. One of the most dangerous places he awaits us is smack dab in the middle of our day. At noontime, our morning prayer is wearing off and physical and spiritual… Read More ›
Put Down that Phone
Put down the phone and really listen to someone else. With eye contact. — 56 Ways of Mercy, Aleteia I spent Friday evening with five of my children, while my husband took the other four on a trip to visit relatives for a special occasion. Those who stayed behind did so because of obligations during… Read More ›
Pope Francis Surprises Thousands of Teens in St. Peter’s Square by Hearing Confession
We imagine the intro: “Hi, I’m Francis. My friends used to call me Jorge; did you know this is his feastday? Let’s slay some dragons — tell me your confession …” [Aleteia]VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis surprised thousands of teenagers in St. Peter’s Square by personally hearing confessions for more than an hour Saturday morning…. Read More ›
Why Are 2 Different Popes Telling Us to Read “Lord of the World”?
Aletetia: It’s a somewhat obscure apocalyptic novel, much overlooked since its publication in 1907, and yet it comes with a recommendation that just about any best-selling author would covet: the spiritual leader of the whole world says it’s a good read. And not just the current pope, the previous one too. Pope Francis raised eyebrows… Read More ›
The oldest image of Mary, newly discovered?
Aleteia: It’s ironic that this painting, now thought by some to be the oldest image of the Virgin Mary, could have been hidden for so long. For if Michael Peppard, a theology professor at Fordham University, is correct, the ancient painting is of Mary at the Annunciation, when Mary first heard the angel’s voice behind… Read More ›
Pope Francis: “God Is Greater Than Our Sin!”
Immerse yourself in the ocean of God’s mercy and find the one thing we all truly need in life Aleteia: — God’s love is an ocean of infinite mercy and forgiveness, in which even our worst sins can be completely washed away, Pope Francis said today. Concluding his catecheses on mercy in the Old Testament… Read More ›
Christianity Is for Losers
Americans can’t seem to shake their notion that Christianity is a religion for the successful Aletetia:“I wouldn’t go to church with my plumber.” The speaker, dressed in a dark two-piece suit, with the aggressive pinstripes favored by some businessmen, went to a traditionalist Episcopal parish out on Long Island where the average income sails far… Read More ›
The Disturbing Fact of the Resurrection
“If Jesus didn’t rise from the dead, all bishops, priests and Christian ministers should go home and get honest jobs …” The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the be-all and end-all of the Christian faith. If Jesus didn’t rise from the dead, all bishops, priests and Christian ministers should go home and get… Read More ›