Perspective
Exercising my right to choose
I was cleaning the kitchen, the TV on in the background, the faces of glitz and glam celebrities flashing across the screen, the sounds of applause filling the room as […]
Columns Archive
The Sunday Gospel
Sin is no match for God
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Matthew 4:12-23 The Book of Isaiah supplies this weekend’s first reading. It offers us a powerful lesson. When this part of Isaiah was written, God’s […]
Perspective
A study of sloth in the life of Lot
In Bible study in my parish, we have been reading through Genesis. On Jan. 12 we read of Lot and the horrifying results of his decision to pitch his tent […]
Perspective
Understanding the debate about celibacy
In one of those embarrassing public dust-ups that occasionally afflict our Church, a soon-to-be published book on priestly celibacy was publicized as being co-authored by retired Pope Benedict XVI until […]
Perspective
‘The Two Popes’: baloney, brilliantly acted
I first met Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in June 1988; over the next three decades, I’ve enjoyed many lengthy conversations and interviews with him, including a bracing discussion covering many […]
The Sunday Gospel
We have been called to know the Lord
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time John 1:29-34 The Book of Isaiah furnishes this weekend’s first reading from the Scriptures. There is an overtone of relief and joy. There is the […]
Perspective
Peace is the first greeting
On Jan. 18, 1968, St. Paul VI inaugurated the World Day of Peace and designated the first day of every year for this focus. This day is also devoted to […]
Perspective
The story of our lives
I’m beginning the new year with a clean office. It seems a good place to start, a practical way to set me up for any other resolutions I make. My […]
Perspective
Why are we surprised the teaching of the Real Presence has become an abstraction?
On the Friday of the 33rd week of Ordinary Time, my wife and I attended Mass at SS. Peter and Paul here in Huntington, Indiana, because our second grader was […]
Bishop's Column: In Truth and Charity
‘Do You Accept Being Drawn Into God’s Trinitarian Life?’
The following is the text of a homily given to the Cor Jesu Young Adult Group at St. John the Baptist Church, Fort Wayne, on Jan. 8. Every year during […]
The Sunday Gospel
We need Jesus, Son of the Father, to reconcile us with God
Feast of the Baptism of the Lord Matthew 3:13-17 As winter begins each year, the Church presents three great feasts to celebrate our salvation in Jesus and also to teach […]
Perspective
Theotokos
“Theotokos:” A word that to the average American ear might sound like an appetizer on a Greek menu, is actually older than spanakopita itself. This word is an ancient Greek […]