Participating in the Divine Life
What is Gospel Rap?
Gospel music has been increasing in popularity for quite some time. Christian music has a wide range and reaches many people. There are many subgenres of Christian music, including Gospel music and Christian hip hop. There was a time when Christian hip hop was once referred to as Gospel rap or Christian rap. This type…
Read MoreSpiritual Growth in the Documents on Ecumenism from Vatican II
I am putting Orientalium Ecclesiarum, Unitatis Redintegratio and Nostra Aetate together to talk about ecumenism. Orientalium Ecclesiarum discusses the Eastern Churches who are in a state of schism with the Roman Catholic Church, but who have valid apostolic succession and valid sacraments. Unitatis Redintegratio is the main document on ecumenism, discussing our relationship with non-Catholic…
Read MoreSpiritual Growth and Evangelization in the Second Vatican Council
Spiritual growth includes becoming active in the mission of Christ and his Church. Evangelization is an important part of that mission. In fact, Jesus’ last command, “Go and preach the good news to all the earth” is called the “Great Commission.” In the documents Ad Gentes and Inter Marifica, the Second Vatican Council makes it…
Read MoreLiving Faith – the Office of Baptism (the Adventure of a Lifetime)
Part of a truly living faith is actively exercising your office within the Church. The offices of the faith are mostly given with the sacraments. Most obvious to us, Holy Orders gives a ministerial office to a deacon, priest or bishop – with the potential of also receiving the office of pastor or “ordinary” (for…
Read MoreSpiritual growth in Dei Verbum from Vatican II
What is the Word of God? Dei Verbum, which means “Word of God” in English, is the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation from the Second Ecumenical Vatican Council. It’s funny that most American Catholics are so used to hearing our Protestant brothers and sisters calling the Bible “the Word” that they immediately assume Dei Verbum…
Read MoreSpiritual Gifts – the Priestly Charisms
Through our baptism, every Christian is called to participate in Jesus’ priestly mission – to sanctify the world through prayer and sacrifice. But some of us are especially equipped and empowered through specific charismatic graces to make this part of our Lord’s mission central to their lives. The priestly charisms are spiritual gifts and empowerments…
Read MoreSpiritual Gifts – the Kingly Charisms
Some spiritual gifts come with the authority to lead or govern others. In the Kingdom of God, to rule means to serve in self-donating love. Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, had a crucifix for a throne and a crown of thorns for His royal diadem. Jesus instructed His apostles that if…
Read MoreLiving the Sacrament of Confirmation
We’re in the Chapel this month, exploring how we can live out the Seven Sacraments in our daily spiritual lives. In this spot check we’ll take a closer look at the Sacrament of Confirmation. But before we launch into that, remember that the Sacraments are always first and foremost actions of the Holy Trinity to…
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 MoreSpot Check: Discerning the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit
We’re in the Public Courtyard this month, doing some thinking about what mission God has called us to. Remember that your mission is the way that God has called and equipped you to serve the Kingdom of God and to participate in the Divine Life by participating in Jesus’ 3-fold mission as Priest, Prophet and…
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