The Arrow's Path

  Have you ever thought about what justice is exactly? Catholic social justice is a vital aspect of the Church's mission, rooted in the teachings of Scripture and the tradition of the faith. Justice, in the Catholic tradition, can be understood as giving each person their due, recognizing the inherent dignity of every human being, and promoting the common good. Justice involves not only individual morality but also social structures that ensure equitable treatment and opportunities for all, especially the marginalized and vulnerable.    In Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8, Moses speaks to the Israelites, urging them to observe the laws and decrees given by God. He emphasizes that these commandments are not arbitrary; they are essential for living justly and forming a community that reflects God's holiness. Moses highlights that adherence to these laws will make the Israelites "a wise and understanding people." This wisdom is crucial for justice, as it leads to actions that res...

 A question was posed, to which I would like to respond. I quote and edit for brevity: "I recently lost a close friend and business associate to cancer. To my knowledge he believed in “something”, but wasn’t sure what “it” was. During our friendship we had many discussions about God, Jesus and our differences in beliefs. I was not Catholic when our friendship began...Some things transpired at the end of his life. I do pray that he did at least make a spiritual conversion. I found out this weekend that one of his companions used his ashes to plant a flower in the cemetery where his parents are buried. I am just at a loss for words over this. I know that it is none of my business. I have had such difficulty discussing his death with anyone because I know details of his life that no one else knows. Is it wrong to keep praying for him? My heart is just broken for his adult children and how they have been treated. I believe they are all atheists also. Does you have any advice?"   ...

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 I am an admin on a Facebook group, and a question was posed (edited for brevity): Here's a question that's been rolling around in my mind lately and I wonder if former Protestants feel the sane way? I really do feel like I was saved at 12 years old when I "accepted the Jesus as my Savior". It wasn't just a one time prayer for me. I was changed, my conscience was sensitive. I was aware of my sin and had a sincere desire to live for God and please him. I have definitely had my share of sin in life, but I also can look back and see where God planted seeds into my heart and fruit was produced, works followed out of love for Him. Do other long time practicing Protestant Christians believe you were saved prior to entering the Catholic church?   To that, I would answer both yes and no. I do believe there is some power in the sinner's prayer that God can use to His purposes. I do believe some people do have an honest experience of Christ in such a conversion. Som...

      Much theological debate has been made over the centuries on how the bread and wine can or cannot change into the Body and Blood of Christ. What is often lost in this debate is how the Eucharist can change us. The Eucharist stands at the heart of our Catholic faith, embodying the profound mystery of Christ’s sacrifice and His unending presence among us.      In Proverbs 9:1-6, Wisdom is portrayed as preparing a sumptuous feast, inviting the simple to partake of her bread and wine. This imagery is rich with meaning, symbolizing not only physical sustenance but also spiritual nourishment. Wisdom’s feast is an invitation to a deeper relationship with God, to move from mere knowledge to true understanding and spiritual maturity. It is a call to embrace the fullness of life that God offers.      In the Epistle to the Ephesians , St. Paul urges us to "live wisely," making the most of every opportunity and being "filled with the Spir...

So, here is a weird story for you. I am a ham radio operator, and I have befriends some guys in Staffordshire, UK. I can usually pick them up on Sunday afternoons (it’s evening there). So, we have talked on the radio regularly for at least a couple of years now. I also get the newsletter of the Benedictines of Mary Queen of Apostles. They border on being extremely traditionalist, but it’s a religious order north of Kansas City I have gotten to visit a few times when I travel down to KC. They also have several really well recorded music CDs. Anyway, their religious order, which has a lot of international vocations on a waiting list, is growing like wildfire. Somehow, they have been approached by a Catholic bishop in England to start a satellite order at a closed monastery in Colwich. which is in Staffordshire. https://benedictinesofmary.org/about-us/colwich/ I happened to mention that on the radio the other day, as those guys like historical stuff. We usually don’t talk about relig...

One of the criticisms I often have of many screen and theatre productions of Charles Dickens' classic Christmas ghost story, A Christmas Carol , is that one very crucial and poignant scene from Scrooge's discourse with the Ghost of Christmas Present is often omitted entirely. In fact, the penchant for many directors is to portray the Ghost of Christmas Present as either Jolly Old Saint Nick who has not a mean bone in his body or as a jolly old, almost buffoon-like, character. If you read the original text of A Christmas Carol , the Ghost of Christmas Present is neither of these personas.  Most people think the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is the scariest of the spirits. While perhaps the most dark or shadowy of the three Spirits, this Spirit does not in itself make the reader uncomfortable by anything it really says. It just appears in a mist and points Scrooge to what Scrooge needs to see. It is what the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come reveals to Scrooge about his own life...

In 1990, Ireland was by far the most actively Catholic country still left in Europe. 30+ years later, Ireland has become one of the most secular countries in Europe, even more so that the UK or places on Continental Europe. That is a remarkable feat. What took most of Europe over a century to descend into, Ireland did in less than a generation. So, what happened?  This is a marvelous analysis of how the Church has collapsed in Ireland in an incredibly rapid amount of time. I have said these things for years. I don't agree with everything he says at the end, but I think the points in the beginning are spot on. I have said for years it was a collapse the Church brought completely on itself. It was a clerical state where clergy ruled like dictators who were above the law. It was the ultimate "Yes, Father..." society where as the presenter calls a Church society that had no need of the laity: I have long said that was precisely what happened. People want to say that it was th...

    The smell of freshly baked bread is universally recognized as one of life's simple, yet profound, pleasures. The smell of freshly baked bread invokes a sense of warmth, nourishment, and home. Today's readings give us just such a sensory experience that can deepen our understanding of God's providence and the transformative power of Christ as the bread of life.    In the reading from Exodus ( 16:2-4, 12-15, the Israelites find themselves in a desert. They are hungry and uncertain about their future. Their grumbling reaches God, who responds by raining down manna from heaven. This bread from heaven, which sustains them physically, also symbolizes God's unending care and provision. The sweet smell of freshly baked manna each morning must have filled the camp with hope and gratitude, a reminder that God’s love is tangible and ever-present.      Similarly, in the Letter to the Ephesians (4:17, 20-24), Saint Paul calls us to shed our old selves and ...