Embracing the Human Condition

Fr. Gary Caster May 27, 2019

Jesus was familiar with the human condition. Nazareth did not protect him from the state of fallen humanity. Rather it afforded him concrete observations of that condition, the condition he came to redeem. Although Joseph would not witness the cross of his son, he participated in it by the sacrifice of his life, the toil of his daily work. He undertook this work in order to properly care for Mary and Jesus. In this Joseph experienced in his life a glimmer of the resurrection.

A Rose by Any Other Name

Franciscan Media May 24, 2019

If you’ve ever donated to Franciscan Media, chances are you received a beautiful, handwritten thank-you note from our own Sister Rose Lima, OSF. She’s such a blessing—and an important part of our mission to spread the Gospel in the spirit of Saint Francis. In this week’s Franciscan Spirit Video, Sister Rose shares with us how she embraced her religious name.

The Blessed Virgin in the Early Church

Mike Aquilina May 23, 2019

How important was the Blessed Virgin to the faith of the early Church? She was essential. Writing in the middle of the third century, Origen of Alexandria evoked the scene at the cross, as the Beloved Disciple stood with Mary, and Jesus said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother,” and said to his mother, “Woman, behold your son” (John 19:26–28).

No More Excuses, Please

Susan Hines-Brigger May 23, 2019

This past April, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI returned to the public eye in a spectacular fashion.

A Faith Shaken: Healing from the Sex-Abuse Crisis

Sarah Margaret Babbs May 23, 2019

I wasn’t abused, but I was betrayed. Now is the time for voices to rise into a chorus of solidarity and rebuilding.

A Priest Speaks Out about Clergy Sex Abuse

Janice Lane Palko May 23, 2019

In August 2018, a Pennsylvania grand jury released a report on clerical sexual abuse in six Catholic dioceses in the state.

I ‘ve Killed a Lot of People

Pat McCloskey, OFM May 23, 2019

In the US Navy, I served in Desert Shield/Storm/Provide Comfort and other missions. The commandment says, “Thou shall not murder. ” Well, Father, I’ve killed a lot of people.

I’m just trying to make things right with the Lord. I’ve talked to others, but none of their answers seem to work. I live with this every day and need to figure it out.

“War is hell, ” said Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman. Today’s technology makes it even worse by physically separating people even more.

Kingdom of God Term

Pat McCloskey, OFM May 23, 2019

What does kingdom represent in the Gospels that speak of the “kingdom of God ” and the “kingdom of heaven “? What about the expression “The kingdom is at hand ” (Mt 3:2 and elsewhere)?

Matthew uses “kingdom of heaven ” where other Gospels speak of the “kingdom of God. ” They mean the same thing: an acceptance as normal what God considers normal.

Undoing Life’s Knots

David Dault, PhD May 23, 2019

Every day, I carry a card among the items in my left pocket. I believe it was a gift from my wife, Kira (who has given me similar wonders through the years). It is a prayer card for Our Lady, Undoer of Knots.

In the picture, the Blessed Virgin is surrounded by numerous figures, each holding out tangled balls of twine. She stands in the middle, patiently at work, with a long strand of unknotted string trailing behind her.

Forgiving the Unforgivable

Daniel Imwalle May 23, 2019

Michael Vanderburgh is a people person. A self-described extrovert, he thrives on connection and communication with others, no matter what their backgrounds or particular station in life might be. Case in point: When Vanderburgh sat down with St. Anthony Messenger at a restaurant just outside of Dayton, Ohio, for the first of multiple interviews, he asked the waitress, “So, what’s good here? ” A warm smile formed on his face as the waitress recognized him from the previous week and, smiling herself, replied, “Oh, pretty much everything. “