Catholic Latte

Fr. Eric introduces a new series of short reflections coinciding with the forty days of Lent.  This was uploaded originally on Feb. 17, 2021.

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Fr. Eric addresses the question as to whether or not we can change our Lenten promises with regards to prayer, fasting and almsgiving after Ash Wednesday in reflecting on the importance of looking to participate in God’s work, as opposed to merely doing randomly good things. 

Furthermore, Fr. Eric speaks about how an intentional approach to prayer, fasting and almsgiving can completely change how we enter into these spiritual disciplines.  To illustrate the point, Fr. Eric uses the example of how St. Francis de Sales taught St. Jane de Chantal to approach these various disciplines with a spirit of patience, gentleness, meekness and humility. 

Fr. Eric concludes with a discussion as to how the examen prayer can assist us in becoming more closely conformed to the will of God, as well as help us move in the direction of greater freedom in our relationship with Christ.

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On Feb. 3, 2021, Fr. Eric gave an online talk for Spiritus Via and the Office of Catholic Youth in the Archdiocese of Toronto about what the Gospel of Matthew says about preparing for the end times.  Fr. Eric focused his presentation mainly on the seven parables from Matthew regarding the Kingdom of God, including the Parable of the Sower (13:19), the Parable of the Weeds and the Wheat (13:24-30), the Parable of the Mustard Seed (13:31-32), the Parable of the Leavened Bread (13:33), the Parable of the Buried Treasure (13:44), the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price (13:45-46), and the Parable of the Net Cast Into the Sea (13:47-52).

Topics discussed include the significance of guarding our hearts in the sense of being mindful of how different activities affect our interior sense of peace and recollection, the danger of having a superficial faith built on religious experience and emotional highs, and the importance of not allowing ourselves to get so caught up in the things of this world that we have nothing left for the things of God.

Fr. Eric also speaks about the need to acknowledge that our time here on this earth is necessarily a time of pilgrimage and spiritual warfare, the Lord’s confidence in the good in this world to triumph ultimately over that which is evil, and the need to prioritize a healthy respect for the natural process of development and growth over a desire to be perfect right away.

Other topics include the invitation to be small and hidden; the importance of the interior life when it comes to cooperating with God’s transformative grace; and the significance of seeing the end times as a time of harvest and completion, as opposed to an arbitrary end of all things.

Finally, Fr. Eric talks about the importance of being a person of infinite desires and self-gift as a prerequisite to obtain the fullness of the divine life, the willingness to rest in Christ as a sign of recognizing His importance and centrality, the nature of the Final Judgment, and the need to pass on the deposit of faith with integrity and responsibility.

Other talks referenced in this presentation include the following episodes of Catholic Latte:

*S01 Ep. 33 (The Practice of Active Trust in God): https://youtu.be/JK7znu4SBEk

*S01 Ep. 36 (Preparing for the End Times): https://youtu.be/GHygnq7FXFI

*S01 Ep. 37 (Passing on the Fullness of the Gospel): https://youtu.be/xptPtyD3mZI

*S02 Ep. 05 (Unpacking the Mystery of Human Suffering): https://youtu.be/WwZCCwaRad4

Fr. Eric also references a past presentation for Theology on Tap Durham (Understanding Our Fears): https://youtu.be/tL66e4gHM-s

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Fr. Eric speaks about the Christian response to the problem of evil in the world, from a philosophical and pastoral perspective.  Issues discussed include the theological distinction between mysteries and problems; the salvific meaning behind our suffering, the need to trust in Divine Providence; and the importance of journeying with others in their suffering, as opposed to giving merely intellectual and philosophical responses to persons in need. 

Fr. Eric also cites Pope John Paul II’s Apostolic Exhortation, Salvifici Doloris (On the Christian Meaning of Human Suffering) (Feb. 11, 1984): http://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_letters/1984/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_11021984_salvifici-doloris.html.

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On Jan. 9, 2021, Fr. Eric was interviewed on Instagram Live by David Patterson of Yes Catholic with regards to his vocation story.  Fr. Eric’s testimony was followed by a question-and-answer period based on questions submitted in advance, as well as those raised during the actual interview.   

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Fr. Eric does an extended reflection on the TV mini-series “The Queen’s Gambit” (2020) starring Anna Taylor-Joy as a chess prodigy who rises through the ranks of the chess world in the ‘50’s and ‘60’s.  Topics covered include the controversial passage about wives and husbands in Ephesians 5, the model of marital love embodied by the Holy Family, and how a proper relationship of love and intimacy between men and women can lead to authentic human flourishing. 

In his discussion on Eph. 5, Fr. Eric draws upon a commentary by Fr. John Riccardo: https://stanastasia.libsyn.com/august-25-2012-4-pm-mass-at-olgc.  Fr. Eric also cites a reflection by Sister Miriam James Heidland of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity on a sculpture of the Holy Family called “A Quiet Moment” by Timothy P. Schmalz.  Here is link to the entirety of her reflection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoBGOhk6iSE.

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Fr. Eric does an extended reflection on Walt Disney’s “Frozen” to show how the film can be used to explain the Christian story of salvation history in a fun and accessible way. Topics discussed include the creation narrative in the Book of Genesis, Original Sin and its effects, the imagery of ice being a metaphor for the reality of sin, and our inability to save ourselves and our corresponding need for a Savior.

Other issues discussed include the Incarnation, the Crucifixion, the Resurrection, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the sacraments of the Catholic Church.

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