Msgr. Charles Pope

Columnist

An Advent meditation on the paradox of God’s power Default Thumbnail
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An Advent meditation on the paradox of God’s power

One of the great cries of Advent is for God to rend the heavens and come down. (Is 64:1) for Him to stir up His mighty power and come to […]

A meditation on the dramatic battle in which we live Default Thumbnail
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A meditation on the dramatic battle in which we live

A grave deficiency of modern times is the loss of the sense that our lives are caught up in a tremendous, epic battle. Yet here we are living in the midst […]

What conscience dreads and prayer dares not ask Default Thumbnail
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What conscience dreads and prayer dares not ask

The Collect, or Opening Prayer, for last week’s Masses on the 27th Week of the Year, though directed to God, teaches us that our prayer is not always about things […]

A meditation on time from an old hymn Default Thumbnail
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A meditation on time from an old hymn

My blog is usually posted in the evening at about 21:00 (9 p.m.) U.S. Eastern Time. But in Sydney, Australia, it is 1 in the afternoon of the following day. […]

The exorcistic effect of the word of God Default Thumbnail
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The exorcistic effect of the word of God

Many often think of exorcism only in relation to driving out demons from possessed people using ancient prayers. But truth be told, we all have afflictions, oppressions, temptations and other […]

Four qualities manifested by the Apostles just after Pentecost Default Thumbnail
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Four qualities manifested by the Apostles just after Pentecost

The Apostles were dramatically changed at Pentecost and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit for mission that took place there. Prior to this, even after seeing the risen Lord, they […]

Is love the cause of hatred? The answer may surprise you Default Thumbnail
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Is love the cause of hatred? The answer may surprise you

There is an old saying that the opposite of love is not hate; it is indifference. Indeed, it’s pretty hard to hate or even to have a strong aversion to […]

‘I have not yet ascended’ Default Thumbnail
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‘I have not yet ascended’

What does Jesus mean when he tells Mary Magdalene not to cling to Him because he has not yet ascended? As the Easter Octave unfolds, we have in the Gospel […]

Why does God make us wait? Default Thumbnail
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Why does God make us wait?

In last Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus healed many people at Capernaum. But the next day, though many were looking for Him and wanted healings, He said to His apostles that it […]

On the lost art of ‘pairing ’em up’ and its effects on marriage Default Thumbnail
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On the lost art of ‘pairing ’em up’ and its effects on marriage

One of the more common concerns that young adults express to me is the difficulty in meeting and dating. Once adulthood is reached, of course, the purpose of dating is […]

Who is the thief? A provocative image Default Thumbnail
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Who is the thief? A provocative image

One of the more interesting and surprising images the Lord used for Himself was “thief.” There was a reference to this in the first reading for the Wednesday of the […]

How does idealism affect marriage? Default Thumbnail
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How does idealism affect marriage?

Those who seek to strengthen holy matrimony and stem the tide of failed marriages propose many remedies, among them better catechesis, improved marriage preparation and greater emphasis on the sacrament […]