Posts by Arrowood
Addressing Materialism with Students: Levels of Happiness
The Attraction of Materialism Perhaps one reason that materialism is so attractive to young people is that they tend not to discriminate between levels of goods. In fact, especially in a culture that encourages the sense appetite and discourages the nurture of the intellect and the will, they tend to judge what is good based…
Read MoreDaily Bible: Well Done Good Servant!
Read Today’s Readings In our first reading from Revelation 4:1-11 Saint John has a vision of entering the throne room of God. The 24 elders represent the 12 tribe of Israel and the 12 Apostles – the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. When they worship God they throw down their crowns, indicating that they…
Read MoreWhat Are You Going to Give Up . . . for Advent?
We’re used to the question. We’ve probably been asked it by our parents, catechists and priests since we were children. What are you giving up for Lent this year? We’re used to thinking about Lent as a time of sacrifice and penance in preparation for Easter. And it makes sense to us (I hope). We…
Read MoreHow to Pray – Praying with the Saints
Looking for methods that show you how to pray? One of the greatest methods of prayer we have at our disposal is to pray with the saints. We are not alone in our quest to grow in Catholic spirituality. Not only do we benefit from the family of the Church on earth (the Church Militant),…
Read MoreGrowing in the Theological Virtues – Fully Understanding Human Love (Charity)
English speakers are at a bit of a disadvantage when it comes to fully understanding human love. Our language only admits to one kind of love. When I teach young people about sexuality, love and chastity I illustrate this point by telling them: I love chocolate. I love my truck. I love my wife. Then…
Read MoreToo Busy: 3 Tips for Focusing on What is Truly Important
Most people who think that their lives are too busy actually suffer from a much different problem from “having too much to do.” They actually suffer from a problem establishing their priorities. Rather than more time management strategies, what they really need is the virtue of prudence. Prudence is the virtue of identifying what is…
Read MoreHuman Community
Most of the time we talk about what makes us human, or when we talk about the qualities that constitute our individual personalities, we talk about individual attributes. However, no discussion about the human person is complete without talking about relationships. Human beings are not meant to be independent and solitary. Nor are we happy…
Read MoreCatholic Mission: Leading Others to What is Good
Not Everyone Is Ready to Approach God The decision to follow God is a big one. A relationship with God demands a lot from us. Like any relationship, faith is a lot of work. It requires us to build trust. It requires us to deepen intimacy. And we need to be committed to loving and…
Read MoreFourth Sunday of Advent: The Week of Charity
This past weekend, my family was watching the movie “The Year Without a Santa Clause.” Early in the movie, one of the characters says, “No Santa Clause? Christmas would have no meaning!” My nine-year-old daughter immediately said, “That’s not true! Jesus’ birth is the meaning of Christmas!” I guess we’re doing something right. Later in…
Read MoreThe World Pines for a Savior
Oh, Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining! It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth. My favorite Christmas hymn is “Oh Holy Night.” The lyrics speak of the emptiness in the heart of the world after Original Sin. The world is pining for a savior. Long lay the world In sin and error…
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