By Fr Jose LaBoy
The New Testament, in many passages, reveals to us the divine plurality of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Synoptic gospels clearly present a Trinity in the Baptism and Transfiguration of Christ. More…
Category Archives: The Theologian (Fr Jose LaBoy)
Pentecost: Receiving the Spirit of the Son Reply
By Fr José LaBoy, LC
The Easter season ends with the celebration of the Solemnity of Pentecost. Even though it is an ending of a liturgical period, the mystery itself marks a beginning: the life and mission of the Church.
Pentecost is the apex of the Paschal mystery, since Christ makes it very clear that the goal of his “going away” (his death, Resurrection and Ascension) is to send the Holy Spirit. This is what we find Jesus saying in the last Supper discourse: “But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” (Jn 16:7) More…
Setting Our Hearts on Heaven: St Leo the Great on the Saving Mystery of the Ascension (II) Reply
By Fr José LaBoy, LC
Vocation to heaven
St. Leo’s second homily on the Ascension is centered on the bodily absence of Christ from this world, which is a necessary consequence of his “going up” to heaven, and its importance for Christian living. What stands out in this homily is the positive interpretation he gives of this reality and how it is exactly because Christ cannot be seen that we can know him as he truly is and set our minds and hearts on him in heaven. More…
“Christ’s Ascension Is Our Uplifting”: St Leo the Great on the Saving Mystery of the Ascension (I) 7
By Fr José LaBoy
There are two main perspectives in the homilies of St. Leo the Great on the Ascension: 1) the Ascension as the glorification of Jesus and our uplifting; 2) the importance of this mystery for Christian living. In this first article we will consider the first perspective and see how what happens to Jesus Christ in the Ascension affects us. More…
The Essence of Love According to Saint John Paul II 4
Where Is the Love, Part II
Many acknowledge John Paul II’s communication skills, but how many take into account his profound philosophy regarding the person? He has certainly delved profoundly into what it means to be a person. His reflections are not mere mental constructs, but strongly based on experience, especially in his pastoral ministry with married couples.
His book Love and Responsibility is, More…
Where Is the Love? Toward a Better Understanding of the True Meaning of Love 4
Fr José LaBoy
Upon coming into contact with so many cases of broken and dysfunctional families, the high percentage of divorce, child abuse, the fear of commitment you can’t help but ask: Where is the love?
John Paul II in his first Encyclical, Redemptor Hominis, insists on the fact that: More…
Veritatis Splendor: A Lesson in Freedom, Truth and Human Dignity 2
Fr José LaBoy
Freedom of Choice: We are free to choose between x and y. We are not determined to necessarily choose x or y.
When speaking of John Paul II many titles have been used, but one not so frequently used is “the Pope of Freedom.” Ronald D. Lawler remarked that:
One cannot begin to speak of Wojtyla’s ethics without noting his passion for freedom… Wojtyla has lived under totalitarian rule long enough to care deeply for freedom.
More Than Human: Towards a Better Understanding of the Catholic Church 3
Fr José LaBoy
I was recalling a before and after experience I had of the Last Judgment fresco painted by Michelangelo. I first saw it in the late 80’s. It was truly a magnificent fresco, but I left with a sad “I wish I could have seen it in its original splendor.” Five centuries of More…
Asking the Right Questions: On the Need for Interior Reflection Reply
Fr José LaBoy
John Paul II, back in 1985, began a series of Wednesday audiences later entitled “A Catechesis on the Creed”, divided into 3 parts, each dedicated to one of the persons of the Trinity: The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. In the Wednesday audience on Jan. 9, 1985 he stated the following: More…
Birth Control and Spirituality 7
Fr José LaBoy
Why is artificial birth control an option for Catholics who are willing to use contraceptives? On the occasions I have presented the possibility of using natural family planning (NFP) to Catholic couples who use contraception to avoid pregnancy, the usual response has been: “It’s too hard.”
What is sought, therefore, is a quick and easy solution to a problem. But can problems really be solved with quick and easy remedies? More…
Biltrix 