Perspective
Making memories
I saw an ad on television recently that encouraged the observer to start “making memories” with the device on offer, probably a phone of some kind. My iPhone has, under its […]
Perspective Archive
Perspective
Should suffering shake our faith?
Premier Christian Radio in the U.K. just sponsored a survey that investigated how the COVID-19 crisis has affected religious beliefs and attitudes. There were three major findings — namely, that […]
Perspective
Letting Christ work through us in the here and now
Jason Adkins, the executive director of the Minnesota Catholic Conference, recently invited me to appear on the conference’s podcast, “Bridge Builder: Connecting Faith and Politics,” to discuss the practical implications […]
Perspective
Countering Catholic misinformation about vaccines
A priest recently mentioned to me that he was not planning to get the COVID-19 vaccine. He told me he was concerned that RNA vaccines could alter our DNA and […]
Perspective
Numbers down and ‘nones’ up, where to now?
As if the bishops needed anything more to worry about these days, Gallup released a poll just before Easter documenting a sharp decline in religious membership among Americans over the […]
A more human society
Confusions about blessings
“The Catholic Church has dealt a blow to LGBTQ worshippers hoping for a more liberal, progressive church.” So says NBC News about a recent statement by the Vatican’s Congregation for […]
Perspective
‘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 […]
Perspective
The hand-me-down: a love letter that endures
There are echoes of Romeo and Juliet, but the ending is happier. This story of forbidden love took place long ago on a Mediterranean island – 1870s Sicily, to be […]
Perspective
One year later, measuring our gains and losses
One year ago, I left my office for what I thought was a few weeks. Soon, I was wearing gloves to the grocery store and sanitizing the groceries when I […]
Perspective
The filibuster bolsters stability
The United States Senate is a unique institution. Other legislative bodies lack its peculiar rules, which require a supermajority vote to get most things done. In the Senate, a voting […]
Perspective
St. Joseph, migrant spouse and father
Pope Francis has invited Catholics to focus our attention this year on St. Joseph, patron of the universal Church. I commend him for this invitation. I have always been fascinated […]
Perspective
A good job — with Jesus
Right above my desk, hanging on the wall with a crumpled piece of Scotch tape, is a card someone gave me last March. “You are doing a freaking great job,” […]