Deuteronomy 6:2-6 Psalm 18 Hebrews 7:23-28 Mark 12:28b-34 Every field of academic inquiry has its favorite set of buzzords or common sayings that capture something essential about that particular field. In Catholic moral theology, one often hears the phrase “See, Judge, Act” to describe the process of prudence or practical reasoning. First, one gathers information about the context, then one forms a judgment in Read more
Political campaigns oversimplify issues, and this year seems no different. As a reminder that solutions to complex social problems are not typically simple or straightforward, I want to explore some of what it would take to pay a just wage (a kind of complement to my earlier post on what it would take to feed the hungry). While the unemployment rate slowly Read more
Two and a half weeks ago several Catholic scholars published the document “On All of Our Shoulders,” which criticized the influence of the individualism and anti-government mentality of Ayn Rand, and libertarianism generally, on the ideas and policies of Republican Vice Presidential candidate Paul Ryan, who is Catholic. The statement followed several earlier criticisms of Ryan along similar lines (for example here, Read more
So, a comment on the thread of Vince Miller’s response to criticisms of “On All of Our Shoulders” over at America magazine confirmed a suspicion that questions of libertarianism are connected to deeper theological views. Here’s the comment: How about a big Catholic, “So What?” to the question of Paul Ryan’s individualism. Each of our souls is individual, we sin as individuals, Read more
Jeremiah 31:7—9 Psalm 126 Hebrews 5:1—6 Mark 10:46—52 This Sunday’s lectionary readings are all about God hearing the cries of his creatures. In the first reading, the prophet Jeremiah conveys God’s reply to his people in exile. The Lord urges them urges them to shout, exult and praise because of the deliverance promised to them. The remnant of Israel will return from Read more
Judging by the political mail I’m getting these days (today’s most hokey bad-pun specimen: “Romney Hood” who steals from the middle class and gives to the rich), the whole balance of good and evil, earth and heaven, and the move toward either the new, brighter, better America or the squalid, inept, worsening America – depends entirely on my vote. The political mail on my Read more
The recent quarreling over Paul Ryan and “On All of Our Shoulders” can sometimes veer close to name-calling, and worse, a kind of scandalous dismissal of fellow members of the Body of Christ (in public!). As someone who is frustrated by Left/Right categories, and who doesn’t fit them, I lament that we cannot do a better job as Catholics elevating the level Read more
I have been quite critical recently of the efforts by some segments within the church to pass MN’s marriage amendment, and of the entire “culture wars” approach to engaging and forming culture in general. Since my concern over these efforts revolves around the use of political tactics that tend to foster alienation and resentment rather than unity and charity, I thought I Read more
I grew up in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Nothing so dominated my life like television and movies. I experienced Vatican II not primarily in its texts or its teachings, nor in what it did or did not change, but mostly through a small parish, in rural Kentucky, one that emphasized God’s love. During elementary school, my experience of church was a lot Read more
Isaiah 53:10-11 Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22 Hebrews 4:14-16 Mark 10:35-45 When I was in college, the Jesuit who was in charge of the Sunday liturgies decided that lectors would no longer say “The Word of the Lord” at the conclusion of readings. Instead, we would say, “The Word of God.” We were told that “Lord” was too hierarchical – a Read more
Saturday Morning: 8:00 am
Saturday Vigil: 4:30 pm
Sunday: 7:30 am, 9:00 am, 10:45 am,
12:30 pm, 5:30 pm
Saturday Vigil: 6:15pm
Sunday: 9:00am, 7:15pm
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: 8:30 am
