What an outrageous idea: that we, as Christians, should dare to have joy in this world By Bob Hunt “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope.”—1 Peter 3:15 “We are an Easter people, and ‘Alleluia’ is our song!”—St. Augustine …
A teleological question: Why do we exist?
Lent is a good time to reflect on the mystery of the meaning of our lives, our telos By Bob Hunt The Greek telos, from which is derived “teleology,” is a word packed with meaning. It is used to signify the end goal or purpose of something, an action or …
God as the eternal watchmaker or violinist
St. Thomas Aquinas and philosopher William Paley offer different proofs for the existence of God By Bob Hunt Recently, I had the honor of leading a Communion service at my parish on the feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, where I offered a reflection on St. Thomas. It seemed to go …
Transforming society according to the Gospel
As Christians, it is our duty to do so—as Americans, it is our right to try By Bob Hunt I’ve never ventured into politics in this column. I save that for my blog. I mostly try to offer words of encouragement here on living the faith in what can sometimes …
Jesus looks a lot like you and me
Wherever we go, we bring Jesus with us . . . so that, when others see us, they see Him By Bob Hunt Years ago, I attended an evangelization conference in New Orleans where the great Paulist priest and evangelizer Father Alvin Illig, CSP, spoke. Father Illig told us that …
No compromise with the Holy One of God
Some abandoned Jesus because of His hard teaching on eating His body and drinking His blood By Bob Hunt The Book of Joshua tells the story of Israel’s conquest of the Promised Land. Toward the end of the book, Joshua gathers the elders of Israel. He has led them through …
1
A lesson from the Book of Tobit
Giving up traditions, despite the circumstances, could lead to our forgetting who we are By Bob Hunt I recently read the Book of Tobit in the Old Testament. Tobit is a marvelous book. It’s a novella about a man who goes blind, then sends his son on a journey to …
The catholicity of the Catholic Church
Through every century, the Mass is the same: tell the story, pray the prayers, break the bread By Bob Hunt Every so often, I am struck by the catholicity of the Catholic Church. This usually happens when I am attending Mass on an occasion that brings together Catholics from all …
Four central dogmas related to the Blessed Mother
As the solemnity of the Assumption approaches, it is good to reflect on her role in our salvation By Bob Hunt Every August, the Church celebrates the solemnity of the Assumption of Mary. It is a good time to reflect on the four central dogmas of the Church related to …
Changes in life that are symbolized by a new name
From those received at baptism or upon becoming a dad and grandfather, names are intimate things By Bob Hunt There are only a few choices in life so significant that it changes who we are, and that change is symbolized by a new name. There is our baptism, a choice …
1
Each Eucharist is a promise of eternal life
The Church, in her prayers, professes her faith in the Eucharist as the whole saving action of Christ by Bob Hunt The Catechism of the Catholic Church says that the Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life. . . . For in the blessed Eucharist is contained …
1
Where is our unity in Christ today?
Catholics often take their cues from political leaders rather than the teaching of the Church By Bob Hunt In his letter to the Ephesians, St. Paul wrote: “Now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near through the blood of Christ. It is he who …
