1 year ago in Humility

On the Precious Gift of Humility

Why do I fail when I have so much good will? This is a question that plagues every man who genuinely cares about his spiritual life. Indeed, St. Paul himself, after lamenting the war between his flesh and spirit, cries out poignantly in Romans 7, Pitiable creature that I am, who is to set me free from a nature thus...

2 years ago in Cardinal Virtues, Humility

Avarice: The Secret Sin that Owns Us

Pope Benedict XVI said that the saints are the best apologetics. Their lives are a clear and manifest proof of God’s love and action in the human heart, and we know this is so because, though our heart is too little examined, we know the human condition well enough to know its corruption. Seeing the saints is to see a...

3 years ago in Humility, Obedience

St. Joseph and a Lesson in Obedience

There is something about our fallen nature that compels us to disobedience. Sometimes it’s full-blown, blatant disobedience. Other times it’s more subtle like our mom encouraging us to read a book that we just can’t find the time to read. We are all guilty of it…except one: St. Joseph (I’m not counting Mary because she was free from original sin)....

4 years ago in Humility

Are Christians called to win?

By the freeway in Tulsa, there is a megachurch with an attention grabbing name. Their main campus is sprawling, and they have more than one. Their services are tailored to modern tastes, featuring heart-pumping music, colorful strobe lights, and positive sermons. Their motto? "Help people win." Their website proudly encourages visitors to "Win every day," a marketing slogan reminiscent of...

4 years ago in Humility, Love

Love Your (Political) Enemies

Fascist. Snowflake. Liberal weenie. Nazi. Racist, xenophobic, bigot. Idiot. Moron. Ignorant fool. These are just a few of the tamer insults hurled violently at others online and in person during the past two years of the election process. And since the election itself, things have only gotten exponentially worse. It's no exaggeration to say that the nation is as divided...

5 years ago in Humility, Sin

The Most Unpopular Commandment

Of all Jesus commandments, there is one that is more unpopular than any other. It's the one commandment where I've heard people say that Jesus didn't really mean what he said. I've even heard more excuses for this sin than for sins of the flesh. What is this commandment? It is the commandment not to judge others. Yes, rash judgement of...

6 years ago in Discouragement, Humility, Sin

Resolutions, Failures, and the New Year

"Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set out to remedying them. Every day begin the task anew." -St. Francis de Sales If you're anything like me, you have a love-hate relationship with New Year's resolutions. Oh, you like the idea of course. Who doesn't...

7 years ago in Fathers, Humility, Leadership

The Three Munera, Part 3: The Father as King

This post is part of a three part series. See parts one and two. Of all the duties of fatherhood, it is the munus regendi ---the duty to shepherd, based on Christ’s role as King---that is most likely to offend modern sensibilities. The father has authority? The father is a king? Come on! That's outdated chauvinistic patriarchy. We've moved beyond that. This...

7 years ago in Humility, Virtue

6 Ways to Cultivate the Virtue of Humility

Humility is the foundation of all the other virtues hence, in the soul in which this virtue does not exist, there cannot be any other virtue except in mere appearance. —St. Augustine If you've read this blog for any time at all, you'll know that I speak frequently about the importance of humility. The saints make it perfectly clear that...

7 years ago in Humility, Lent, Liturgical Year

Preparing for a Good Lent

It's 20 days into Lent. Your firm resolve to give up dessert and be kind to your annoying neighbor is wearing thin. You've missed your prayers three days in a row, even though you firmly committed to pray for at least 30 minutes each day. You're invited to a dinner party where steak is served--- but it's on a Friday. As you walk...

8 years ago in Humility, Sin

St. Maximilian Kolbe on Serious Sin

Have you ever struggled with a grave sin? I mean something really serious. You want with all your heart to break this sin's power in your life, but no matter how hard you struggle and pray, you just keep falling into it. You are constantly feeling guilty, and the guilt keeps you from approaching Our Lord through fear. In confession, you...

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