Author: Biltrix Have you ever wondered how this parable would have ended up if the older brother had been a better brother?
When the younger, rebellious son abandons his father, the father has to respect that. He can’t force the young man to love and trust him. He can’t go out and try to force his son to come back home. He can only wait, hoping that the son will have a change of heart and come back.
But the older brother doesn’t have to wait. He doesn’t have to be passive. More…
By Fr Joseph Tham
Recently, I read a book by Gilbert Meilaender, called Should We Live Forever? The Ethical Ambiguities of Aging. The question of aging and immortality does not seem, at first glance, to be a bioethical topic. This little book by the Methodist theologian offers profound insights to the oft-ignored questions underlying many bioethical debates today—from euthanasia and the right to die, to regenerative medicine which attempts to extend life using stem cells and cloning, to enhancement and transhumanism. More…
One area where we often fail to utilize our reason and creativity is our own growth in holiness.
Doctors are always reading up on the latest medical research. Athletes are constantly striving to maximize their performance. Professors never tire of refining their expertise. Can we say the same about Christians striving to be more like Christ?
Christ wants your creativity
Christ is the ultimate realist; he knows the human heart (after all, he made it), and doesn’t want to stifle it – he wants to set it free. At first glance, the lessons of today’s gospel seems simple and straightforward; at second glance, they are shocking.
On the surface, this lesson is about humility and generosity:
Writer’s block was no stranger to John Steinbeck. Allegedly, while writing The Grapes of Wrath, he got stuck for six months searching for just the right word. The word he finally settled on was “strove.”
“The plants strove against the sun.” More…
Nothing is more important than our friendship with Christ.
Why is that? More…
Today, I could not decide whether I should post anything or not, because I’m feeling a little bit guilty for neglecting the feast of the Assumption yesterday, though, if you think about it, I shouldn’t. After all, what is Mary’s Assumption about if not hope? Yes, there’s hope for all of us.
… which brings me to my second point. I also could not decide whether I wanted to reblog this illuminating post from a fellow blogger and friend, Trebor Fairwell (pronounced: //’Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd//), or just link to it, which would allow me to elaborate on it here. As you can see, I ended up choosing the latter. More…
In the middle of today’s Gospel, St Peter raises his hand to ask our Lord, “Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?” Jesus answers him with another parable to illustrate what a faithful steward is and concludes with these words to underscore his point (in response to St Peter):
“Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”
Our post-modern, consumer culture does not allow us to reflect much on stewardship. When we hear the word “steward” we might think of Stew Leonard’s or this man: More…
Blaise Pascal once wrote:
“In faith there is enough light for those who want to believe and enough shadows to blind those who don’t.”
The picture above, taken from the bottom portion of Rafael’s Transfiguration,could stand on its own as separate painting. As a composition, it appears to be complete. Yet even to the viewing eye, it certainly lacks something. By itself, its meaning is not clear. More…
Biltrix 