Garrett Johnson
As someone that tries to share the faith with others, I often find myself struggling to explain prayer. What difference does it really make? Isn't it enough that I simply help others, that I be a "good person"? Albeit convincing for many – sometimes I myself fall into...
Many times when I get bored at Mass, it is because I didn't prepare myself well beforehand. Or I might have had too many worries floating around in my head that I was unwilling to entrust to God. I think it would be safe to say that the readings of the...
Photographer Niki Boon currently resides on a 10-acre property in New Zealand. She explains, “My children are unschooled and live without TV or modern electronic devices, a lifestyle that may seem unconventional to some, but I am here to celebrate the magical place I...
Oftentimes today the idea of a "creed" is associated with closed-thinking and mediocrity. Yet the early Christians were willing to die to protect a single iota of the creed! In their days, the authorities of ancient times considered it to be a threat to the...
As Catholics, we must reconquer the battleground known as "beauty." I currently live in Italy, and I am continually impressed by the fascination for beauty that seeps forth from the walls of almost of every Church and in many Museums. Each time has its imperfections...
A highly creative piece, Andrei Rublev's Troitsa (Russian for Triune or Trinity) hails from the summit of a more-than-thousand-year-old iconographic tradition. As you might have surmised, it is a Trinitarian interpretation of Gen 18:1-16, the episode in which "three...
Every time we hear someone's words, we interpret them in some fashion. The challenge is to listen and understand the person's words in the spirit in which they were said (the context, the intentionality, the audience, etc). The same applies when we hear our...
Sometimes we tend to walk outside our doors and begin to mentally prepare ourselves for a battle. Our radars are on and we are prepped to protect and defend ourselves against those that might hurt us or attack our faith. Now, spiritual combat and a combative attitude...
One of the most subtle and dangerous ideas is the belief that the internet and its most powerful outlets are "neutral." While you may wave your hand and say, "It's obvious!" I have little doubt that countless people, Catholics included, continue to absorb a huge...
esesourBig Think released a video a few years ago which struck a chord in many, receiving over 9 million views in 3 days. John Cleese, a well-known comedian, basically says that political correctness has gone too far, especially on America's college campuses,...
The image we are reflecting on today is titled Mary and Eve. It is a crayon & pencil drawing created by Sr. Grace Remington, OCSO, of the Cistercian Sisters of the Mississippi Abbey. The image is featured on a greeting card and is available to...
While we often hear a lot about the popular culture that surrounds St. Patrick's Day, many of us are quite ignorant when it comes to the man himself. To put it simply, we do not call him "Saint" for nothing; the man's faith was truly impressive: “For by decent I was a...
Terry Crews was born in Flint, Michigan, in 1968 and was drafted by the NFL's Los Angeles Rams in 1991. After several years playing pro football, Crews retired and pursued an acting career, which took flight on the big screen in 2000's The 6th Day. Many film...
In recent years, some have noted a widespread crisis in the Church regarding the practice of the examination of conscience. On the one hand, for many it has become a legalistic examination (basically putting oneself in the courtroom), done exclusively within the...
Before we even start talking about fasting or abstinence, let's say something obvious: none of this makes sense outside the logic of faith. There are certainly psychological benefits and ways of explaining the cultural or social reasons for fasting and such, but...
At a first glance, the idea of parenthood and having children is pretty insane. Parenthood is demanding. From the moment of conception till their death, and particularly till they are out of your house, your life is theirs. Grab your bucket, because you better be...
As the Year of Mercy is now underway, I would suggest taking a moment to reflect on the official logo. While our own artistic sensibilities may vary, it’s always important to ask: God, how might You be speaking to me through this? Is there something here that I...
Have you ever simply sat and observed how others look? I am not referring to their outer appearance, rather to how to they look at what's around them. Where and how a person looks can tell you a lot about who they are and where their heart is. Every glance is filled...
A few weeks back we presented a post for those who don't feel to comfortable with the whole relationship with Mary. Today, we would like to continue to explain and dive into what our relationship with Mary is all about. As Mother of Christ, Mary is our mother as...
Today we begin the Jubilee of Mercy which is an Extraordinary Holy Year that officially commences today, December 8 – the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception – with the opening of the Holy Door in St. Peter's Basilica. It will close Nov. 20, 2016 with the Solemnity...
In times when many world leaders seem to be indifferent or opposed to the Christian way of life, it is vital that we remember who truly is king, who truly reigns over our societies and our lives. This is an excellent moment to reflect on this, as we will be...
Saint John Paul II once said: "It is along the paths of daily life that you can meet the Lord! [...] In this concrete and surprising encounter, described in a few, essential words, we find the origin of every journey in faith. It is Jesus who takes the initiative....
Father Rob Ketcham from Saint John the Baptist Diocesan High School in New York has just released this video about his take on the Starbucks red cup controversy and it is a beautiful reminder of our call to love. If you're not familiar with what has been going on,...
Michael Stark is the Executive Producer of the Truth & Life Bible. The Truth and Life Catholic Bible App is a free download that has taken the award winning Truth & Life Dramatized New Testament audio and synchronized it at verse level to the RSV-CE Bible...
Oftentimes our Wikipedia-mindset has taught us to read like robots. It's one thing to read a text looking to obtain information, it's another looking to undergo transformation. "Reading" the Bible isn't meant to merely offer certain ideas or reflections, it is meant...