The beauty of each narrative found in the Sacred Scriptures lies in the fact that there are always, in reality, two narratives unfolding. Thus, when we take the time to read and meditate on the Christmas narrative, we are invited to discover both...
Garrett Johnson's Author Page
Garrett Johnson
Garrett Johnson
Born in Texas, I spent 12 years living and working in Peru and Italy. A philosopher and a theologian, I have a passion for the power of stories in our lives.
Garrett Johnson's Articles:
25 Photos That Confirm Being A Father Is The 2nd Most Beautiful Thing In The World
I would ask that you take the title with a sense of humor as it is meant be. After recently posting about motherhood, I knew we couldn't leave fathers out. Still, keeping in mind the 9 months of pregnancy, the hours of agonizing pain during childbirth,...
“The Skinny On Fasting” – A Funny Video On A Serious Christian Discipline
Have you been fasting this Lent? Sure, it's a struggle, but this ancient, scriptural, necessary Christian discipline is something Jesus expected and which Catholics for hundreds of years took as a given. (Check out our Illustrated Guide to Fasting) You're not supposed...
Why Is St. Pope Paul VI Called “The Pilgrim Pope”?
As we celebrate and rejoice over the canonization of Pope Paul VI, we would like to share a few videos as well as a section of an interview from Catholic News Agency with Cardinal Roger Etchegaray who knew St. Pope Paul VI very well. “The name Paul was chosen after...
A Catholic’s Response To Rapper Hopsin’s Viral Rejection Of Christianity
One of the most “thumbed-up” comments for this video reads: “18k priests disliked this video.” Given the cursing, vulgarity, and out-right rebellion before God and the Christian faith it might seem obvious. (Viewer discretion is advised!) Still I think Hopsin's...
Phenomenal New Song! “Little Things With Great Love” (Featuring Madison Cunningham)
Mason Jar Music put together a live video for the album’s opening track, by singer-songwriter Madison Cunningham, and it is astonishingly beautiful stuff. "Little Things With Great Love" was written by Audrey Assad (with Cunningham and Bifrost Arts producer Isaac...
Paul, Apostle Of Christ, The Heart Of The Story
Ever think of St. Paul and said to yourself, "I could never be like him..."? "Paul, the Apostle of Christ: the Heart of the Story" looks to prove you wrong: no one is beyond God's grace. The people that go out and watch this are going to say: Wow! They were sinners...
Why Was Mary Absent From The Original Nativity Scene?
Since the beginning, Christian artists tended to reflect the theological developments that were going on at the time. Before the Nativity theme, for example, it was the Adoration of the Magi that first appeared in the 3rd century. In the background, we find the...
Is It Ok For Catholics To Get A Tattoo? 5 Things To Consider
In today's video, Fr. Mike Schmitz gives us some things to consider before getting a tattoo. If we do choose to place permanent marks on our bodies, we need to make sure the marks portray values we’ll always identify with and live up to, because tattoos do inevitably...
Is Monogamy Outdated and Overrated? This Viral Wedding Photo Responds
There is a widespread presumption today that the Catholic Church’s vision of marriage is antiquated and in need of an update, if not a serious overhaul. Beneath the multifaceted debates around the issue lies a question about love: when we say two people love each...
How Far Is Too Far? Answers To Teens’ Toughest Questions On Dating And Sex
In this high school assembly, Jason Evert and Crystalina Padilla (not yet married at the time) offer straight answers to teens' toughest questions on dating, relationships, and how to have romance without regret. Through their humor, honesty, and powerful testimonies,...
Don’t Like What God Or Church Teaching Is Asking? This May Help
From the moment that we were called into existence, we received a call to cross the desert of life. And no one can make it without water. Thus, we can summarize our existence with two words: “I thirst.” From the wailing of birth to the silence of death, we experience...
Why Did Jesus Need To Wash Peter’s Feet? An Urgent Question For Every Christian In Today’s World
Jesus comes to Peter to wash his feet. Peter says to him, "Lord, do you want to wash my feet?" Jesus answers, "What I am doing you do not know now but afterward you will understand." Peter said to him, "You shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered him, "If I do not...
What 4 Events Do We Remember On Holy Thursday? Let This Icon Explain
On Holy Thursday, we are invited to remember and celebrate four events: the Last Supper, the Washing of the Apostle's Feet by Jesus, Christ's agony and prayer in Gethsemane, and the arrest of Jesus. In Jesus' time, the Hebrew Pasch (Passover) was celebrated at home,...
Delightful Muppet Parodies Of The Christmas Story
Whether it be to bring a little joy to do your day or lighten up your talk about the Advent season, this delightful parody tells the Christmas story in a new and unique way. The video was produced by Puppetunes, a place for Biblical, downloadable song parodies. The...
“Silence” Director Martin Scorsese Moved by the Vatican’s Response to His Film
Set in 17th century Japan, the film "Silence" revolves around the lives and struggles of Portuguese Jesuit missionaries. It is chock full of stars such as Andrew Garfield ("Amazing Spiderman"), Adam Drive ("Star Wars: the Force Awakens") and Liam Neeson ("Shindler's...
What Charlie Chaplin’s Tear-Inducing Ending Taught Me About Prayer And Christianity
Roger Ebert once said that if only one of Charlie Chaplin’s films could be preserved, “City Lights” (1931) must be the one. With an almost Gospel-like simplicity, it transmits a lot with little, leaving out what we often consider important to reveal only the...
4 Proposals for Divorced and Remarried Catholics and Receiving Communion
The synod of the family held a few years ago was a great opportunity for the Church to listen and better understand the situation of many Catholics. Often the Church is accused of being insensitive with these issues. From one point of view, this is understandable. The...
The Importance Of Making A Spiritual Communion And How You Can Do It Anytime, Anywhere
Spiritual communion is a great way to cultivate our love for Christ in the Eucharist for those times when we can’t make it to Daily Mass for a variety of reasons (no priest, something unexpected, weather, job, sickness, etc.). It is important to note that a spiritual...
A Must See Tap Dance Duel Between Two Seminarians
The video shows Reverend David Rider, 29, of New York and Reverend John Gibson, 28, from Milwaukee, engaging in a bit of healthy competition and sharing their tapping talents during a fundraiser at the North American College (NAC), an American seminary in Rome, near...
Holy Father, I Want to Get a Divorce| The Pope Francis Minute
In the midst of trials and arguments, it is often too quickly forgotten that marriage is a covenant bond between spouses which is sealed by God. When two people grow apart in a marriage, the easy solution might appear to be to get a divorce. However, the...
Mark Wahlberg’s Sends Incredibly Inspiring Video to Support Priestly Vocations
While almost anyone knows who Mark Wahlberg is and has seen at least one of his movies, few know about his Catholic faith. While my goal here isn't to present Mr. Wahlber as model (seeing how I don't know him), I think he shares an inspiring message about the...
A Video That Made Me Understand What It Feels Like To Be Elderly And Alone
On August 2, neighbors of an elderly couple living heard sobs so loud that they decided to call the police. When they arrived, they found no crime, just two very lonely people: Jole, 89, and Michele, 94. According to to the Facebook post (reported by CNA), they...
The Bedtime Routine Every Catholic Needs For A Good Night Sleep
More than one-third of American adults do not get enough sleep on a regular basis, according to the CDC. From having difficulty in performing your daily tasks to unintentionally nodding off in class or, worse, while driving, sleep insufficiency is something worth...
The Holiness And Sufferings Of Padre Pio: A Rare Peek Into His Life!
Born May 25, 1887, in Pietrelcina, Italy, Padre Pio has been and continues to be one of the most fascinating and sought-after saints of our times. Deeply pious as a child, at age 15, he took the Habit of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin on January 22, 1903. He took...