Catholic Journal

What Can We Do to Help Change Things?

Once upon a time there was a woman who was very proud of the fact that she greatly wanted peace in the world and an end to all warfare and violence, crime, family divisions, hunger, poverty, disease, and every other problem afflicting humanity. She...

What Would Jesus Say?

We cry out for spiritual guidance on moral issues that, though not unique to our time, are different in many ways from the past. Of course, the Bible and Church provide guidance, but it would be even more helpful if Jesus were still walking among us...

The Time is Now

The expression “pity party” gained widespread use during the latter part of the twentieth century. Perhaps you’ve been to one, as I know I have. With just one attendee, it is a party where we dwell upon our own hardships and disappointments. The...

Recent Essays

What Can We Do to Help Change Things?

Once upon a time there was a woman who was very proud of the fact that she greatly wanted peace in the world and an end to all warfare and violence, crime, family divisions, hunger, poverty, disease, and every other...

What Would Jesus Say?

We cry out for spiritual guidance on moral issues that, though not unique to our time, are different in many ways from the past. Of course, the Bible and Church provide guidance, but it would be even more helpful if...

We Are God’s Special Possession

At the sight of the crowds, Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. We should not have any trouble believing that Jesus is crying inside; that...

Goodness Flowing Out

“Back in Chicago, in 1933, city officials and reporters waited for the arrival of that year’s Nobel Peace Prize winner. When he stepped off the train, they were impressed by this 6’4” man with bushy hair and a large...

The Time is Now

The expression “pity party” gained widespread use during the latter part of the twentieth century. Perhaps you’ve been to one, as I know I have. With just one attendee, it is a party where we dwell upon our own...

Reflections- From Our Archives

All Essays

What Would Jesus Say?

We cry out for spiritual guidance on moral issues that, though not unique to our time, are different in many ways from the past. Of course, the Bible and Church provide guidance, but it would be even more helpful if...

We Are God’s Special Possession

At the sight of the crowds, Jesus’ heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. We should not have any trouble believing that Jesus is crying inside; that...

Dealing with Pride Month

Yes, as a Catholic, I find the annual observance of “Pride Month” difficult. The rainbow given to Noah after the flood (Genesis 9:13-17) is now closely associated with political, cultural, and ideological movements that...

Are We Up to the Challenge?

A U.S. Army chaplain was stationed in Europe, and one Sunday he said Mass for a group of American servicemen and women in a large cathedral; the them of his homily was: “Be proud of your Catholic faith, and don’t be...

The Work of the Holy Spirit

A simple, inescapable statement gleaned from today’s gospel passage (John 20:19-23): every single aspect of our life, at all levels, from the biological to the supernatural, is brought into existence and to action by...

South of the Border

President Trump’s relationship with the two popes who have sat on St. Peter’s throne has been tenuous at best since he first became president. Their main bone of contention has been immigration. Not since the...