Where it might be tempting as a Catholic to spiritualize or minimize sexual crimes because of our faith we now have a duty to take them more seriously than ever.
Eleven out of the twelve apostles suffered martyrdom. It is estimated that over twenty thousand Christians were killed in the Roman emperor Diocletian’s “Great Persecution” alone, and millions are denied basic rights every year in our own modern day. It seems that if we wanted a comfortable way of life, […]
As a youth minister, what is the one thing you hope your teens think of when they look at the crucifix? What is it about the cross of Christ that you hope they see, feel, or realize? During Holy Week, Catholics everywhere reflect upon the image of Christ crucified and […]
After a five year battle, I finally opened my heart to a loved one concerning pornography. It was the scariest and most freeing conversation I have ever had.
When we look to the Lord to satisfy our desire for happiness, we can become addicted to the gifts God gives, spiritual highs, the Catholic title, etc. We fall into this false mentality that God’s plan for us is what will bring us the most happiness. But the truth is that we are not meant to desire God’s plan because it makes us happy.
What should’ve been an inconsequential comment ended up being the beginning to a long journey of body-consciousness. Over time, my “buff” body didn’t change and I became increasingly uncomfortable in my own body. I sucked at every sport I tried, never fit right in my clothing, and had a terrible sweet tooth.
This vision of true, Catholic manhood isn’t new, “progressive,” or “liberal.” It’s actually affirmed by the way Jesus lived and ministered in the ancient world -- it precedes many of our “traditional” notions of masculinity by thousands of years.
A lot can happen in those 40 days, but usually, it goes a little something like this...
So can men and women really be just friends??
