We often hear people say that they will get to heaven because they haven’t committed any really, really heinous crimes.
“I’m a good guy,” they say, “I haven’t murdered anyone or sold weapons to terrorists.” This attitude is not a Christian attitude.
Category Archives: New Evangelization
Creative Ways to Give Christ Our Undivided Attention 15
“No servant can serve two masters.”
Jesus wants our undivided hearts.
He doesn’t give a third alternative. There are only two paths in life, the one that leads closer to Christ, or the one that leads away from him. More…
Alternate Ending to the Parable of the Prodigal Son 6
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…
Following Christ with a Program of Life 14
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
Three Faces of Humility 8
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:
Strive to Enter the Narrow Gate 6
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…
The Consequences of Following Christ 10
Nothing is more important than our friendship with Christ.
Why is that? More…
Is Stewardship Meant for Everyone? 7
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…
Christ’s Transfiguration: Depending on God in Turbulent Times 9
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…
Saints Build Bigger Barns Too 3
St John Vianney
St John Vianney was well known as the humble, austere, potato-eating priest from Ars, who spent hours hearing confessions, by day, and dueling with the devil, by night. Little was it known how much he valued money. More…
Biltrix 