This is the first session in a five-part formation series titled: “Middle-earth and the Seven Sacraments.” In this first session, I’d like to address the elephant in the room: Why would I choose the Lord of the Rings as a tool for teaching about the Sacraments of the Catholic faith? Why not just use the Catechism? Is that not good…
This talk was originally delivered at a Theology on Tap. Tonight’s talk will dig into some philosophical language, but I’m going to try my best to keep it practical. The talk is, after all titled “Unbiased Reality,” so hopefully I’ll stick to that — reality. I’m not here to spout off about pie in the sky ideas or theories. Just…
Readings for Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter
Readings for Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter Last week, I had the chance to visit one of the most incredible pieces of architecture ever built — Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece, “Fallingwater.” Now Fallingwater is a house that dangles out over a gorgeous waterfall, clinging onto the side of a steep hill, surrounded by thick trees and massive boulders.…
Today is Good Friday — a day to meditate solemnly on the fact that Christ offered Himself totally for us on the Cross. He didn’t have to do it. He willingly laid down His life — not for perfect people, but for the screw-ups, the broken, the twisted, the addicted, the disordered and the oppressed. In my own meditation on…
Readings for Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent Gandalf the Wizard said that the coming of Merry and Pippin into this massive, overwhelming quest was “like the falling of small stones that starts an avalanche in the mountains.” These two tiny little hobbits came and started an avalanche of adventure. They were the catalysts for major turning points in the…
Readings for Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent
Readings for Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent “Come now, let us set things right, says the LORD: Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow; Though they be crimson red, they may become white as wool.” These words are so beautiful because they teach us that our God does not forgive half-way. He doesn’t…
Readings for Friday of the First Week of Lent What can Master Yoda and Jesus teach us about dealing with our anger and responding with forgiveness? A lot! This reflection was delivered to the weekly school mass with kids ranging from Pre-K to 8th grade.
Readings for the Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle