Do Catholics Pray to Mary?
Do Catholics pray to Mary? It sure looks that way! But there is more to it than that. An increasing number of Protestants are ready to be more open minded about this controversial topic. “I’m ready to...
View ArticleBe Not Afraid
As a Bible Christian I memorized a verse from the New Testament: “God has not given us the Spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” The older I get and the longer I work with...
View ArticleRadical Religion
My brother lives at the beach, and he was out walking the dog late one afternoon when he spotted an unusual fellow walking along the beach. He was wearing a kind of Franciscan habit, sandals and was...
View ArticleHealing through the Divine Mercy
I know what your problem is. In fact, I know what everyone’s problem is. Furthermore, I not only know the problem, I have the solution. Maybe your problem is that your are greedy or selfish or lustful....
View ArticleTrust and Obey
When I was a child I was taught the Sunday School song, “Trust and Obey for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus but to Trust and Obey.” So this morning at Mass this song comes back to me in the...
View ArticleJigsaw Puzzle Spirituality
I remember as a young priest I was visiting an older woman we’ll call Veronica whose life was in chaos. She was grieving over a broken marriage. Her children were a disappointment. She had health...
View ArticleThe Importance and Power of Prayer
What do you mean by ‘Prayer’ to start with? If you thought it was asking God for stuff you’re not completely wrong. We’re supposed to ask God for our needs, and I think it’s just fine to ask God for...
View ArticleFear God – Why Not?
“The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Says the Proverb. The critics of Christianity like to say, “Oh, I would rather choose to do good than be forced to do good out of the fear of hell.”...
View ArticleVirginity and the Little Flower of the Mohawks
In learning more about St Kateri Tekakwitha I was struck by the connecting points between her and St Therese of Lisieux. Both were orphaned. Both suffered from a terrible disease. Both died at the age...
View ArticleHow Can You Heal Your Family Tree?
Healing the Family Tree is a groundbreaking book by the British psychiatrist Kenneth McCall. I met Dr McCall when I lived in England, and used his book in my own developing healing ministry as an...
View ArticleDemonic Infection and Victory Over Sin
Is there a demonic element to seemingly ordinary human problems? Sometimes. While full blown demonic possession is rare, it is much more common for souls to be troubled by what might be called “demonic...
View ArticleFasting on Fridays and Spiritual Warfare
As a young priest I used to fast on Fridays. This was a complete fast. Nothing but water from after supper on Thursday until breakfast on Saturday. It took a couple of weeks to get used to it, but...
View ArticleJesus Says Love Your Enemy….But What If He’s a Muslim Terrorist?
Over bacon and eggs I quizzed the fifteen year old, “So let me ask you. Our Lord says we must love our enemies. What if that enemy is a fanatical Muslim who is ready to cut off your head?” Slurping...
View ArticleWhy Doesn’t God Answer My Prayers?
Most of us know that simply praying for something you want is not the best way of praying. God is not a cosmic vending machine in which you put your prayer in the slot and the goodie you want drops...
View ArticleWhy the Rosary is Not “Vain Repetition”
Protestants sometimes charge Catholics with “vain repetition” in praying the rosary. This is a reference to Matthew 6:7 where Jesus instructs, “When you pray to not babble with vain receptions as the...
View ArticleLet’s Have Clarity, Charity…and Hilarity
Someone said recently that I have firmly declared myself to be a conservative. Indeed someone from New Jersey once said I am an “arch conservative.” I am happy to take that label. I’m happy to take all...
View ArticleTroubled by Evil Spirits or Demons?
Are all evil spirits demonic? I don’t think so, and here’s why: From time to time I will have someone come to see me who thinks they are demon possessed. They may be hearing voices telling them to do...
View ArticleJigsaw Puzzle Spirituality
I remember as a young priest I was visiting an older woman we’ll call Veronica whose life was in chaos. She was grieving over a broken marriage. Her children were a disappointment. She had health...
View ArticleThe Importance and Power of Prayer
What do you mean by ‘Prayer’ to start with? If you thought it was asking God for stuff you’re not completely wrong. We’re supposed to ask God for our needs, and I think it’s just fine to ask God for...
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