“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil."… For since Jesus did and underwent everything with a view to our instruction he likewise consented to be led there and wrestle against the devil in order that every baptized person who,...
If you are anything like me, it bothers you, it makes you uncomfortable, to see so many people sharing photos, prayer chains, and hashtags like #PrayForJuanito. You ask yourself, “Do these people really pray or do they just share an image?” Then again, “Have they...
A single twenty-something intimately and honestly shares with Catholic-Link her personal thoughts on dating, chastity, and the single life. We invite you to enter into the heart and mind of a young woman who is patiently waiting for God's plan to unfold in her life:...
In the field of business, economic systems are characterized as either capitalist or socialist; they appear mutually exclusive, either supporting the freedom of the individual or the needs of society. Since the eighteenth century, capitalism and socialism have...
“The modern mind will accept nothing on authority, but will accept anything on no authority. Say that the Bible or the Pope says so and it will be dismissed without further examination. But preface your remark with ‘I think I heard somewhere,’ or, try but fail to...
“Remember then how our fathers worked out their salvation; remember the sufferings through which the Church has grown, and the storms the ship of Peter has weathered because it has Christ on board. Remember how the crown was attained by those whose sufferings gave new...
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...
“The cheerful person always sees in any present evil some prospective good; in pain he sees a Cross from which will issue a Resurrection; in trial, he finds correction and discipline and an opportunity to grow in wisdom; in sorrow, he gathers patience and resignation...
Let’s start with some frank admissions: My name is Samuel. I’m a white, British male in my early forties, a teacher in a provincial town, somewhere near London that you’ve never heard of. I’ve been married for twelve years and I live in an average, middle class...
A good book is often the best tonic for when you are feeling down! We asked our Catholic-Link authors what their favorite book is when they need cheering up. Here are eight suggestions that you might like to try out next time you’re having a rainy day! Curl up with a...
One of the most difficult aspects of the Christian life is to master the virtue of chastity. It seems that everywhere we turn the world is pulling us away from the ideals God calls us to. Some people naively think that the struggle to remain chaste will go...
“It is good for us to have trials and troubles at times, for they often remind us that we are on probation and ought not to hope in any worldly thing. It is good for us sometimes to suffer contradiction, to be misjudged by men even though we do well and mean well....
I love this quote below from Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. It actually alludes to humor and faith together, which is a little unusual. But more than that, it places humor correctly where it belongs in our faith. We often think of humor at odds with such a thing as...
Poor Oedipus. If you don’t know the classic story of the king who accidentally married his mother and blinds himself, I’d be surprised. Many deep ponderings can be taken out of this story about fate, truth, control, and free will, but what about that self-blinding?...
“The appetite of the sluggard craves but has nothing, but the appetite of the diligent is amply satisfied.” (Proverbs 13:4) It’s so easy to just sit on our sofa at home! We feel comfortable, nothing or no one can bother us, we can prevent unwanted situations… anyhow,...
Fr. Mike Schmitz from Ascension Presents gives this awesome talk about getting to bed and getting enough rest. Most of the people I know have issues sleeping... night owls, early risers, and plenty with insomnia. What are we doing to our bodies and how is it affecting...
As believers and followers of the Prince of Peace, we are all called to bring peace to the world around us. Start by respecting each person you encounter, especially when others are not showing that respect. The Catechism paragraph 2507 teaches us, “Respect for the...
”The poor are thirsty for water but also for peace, truth and justice. The poor are naked and need clothing, but also need human dignity and compassion for those who sin. The poor have no shelter and need shelters made of bricks, but also of a joyful heart,...
"The Intern" begins when a successful startup company dedicated to fashion and online retail sales decides to start a program for senior citizen interns. Ben Whittaker (played by Robert De Niro) is a 70-year-old retiree and recent widower who signs up for the program...
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...
Dictionaries try to define beauty, but they can only provide vague glances at the truth. Instead of dictionary definitions, beauty is more accurately described with examples: Mother Mary is beautiful, love is beautiful, a perfect sky is beautiful, a symphony is...
Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, and when he was twelve years old, they went up according to festival custom. After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents...
“Since our first conscious decision really to follow the teaching of Christ, we have no doubt made good progress along the way of faithfulness to his word. And yet isn’t it true that there is still much to be done? Isn’t it true, particularly, that there is still so...
It's the start of a new year and a great time for a reflection on the old one and how to begin a fresh start in the new one. Are you someone who makes a lot of resolutions, or do you prefer to avoid them altogether? It is so important to stop and think about how we...
Christmas songs often start playing the week before Thanksgiving and since for Catholics the Christmas season won't end until The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord in January, we need to get creative when it comes to listening to good Christmas music. Though so many of...