The Catholic Cafe

It seems a little strange to say that we should embrace our own human brokenness, or that we should welcome the fact that we are sinners. But, in fact, if we realize that we are broken and that we are sinners, then it should follow that we must recognize also that we need a Savior to heal us. That is exactly what is meant by the Good News.

When Jesus chose Saint Peter to be the first of many Popes of the Catholic Church, He knew that he was choosing a faithful, but fallible, human being to work in harmony with the Holy Spirit in leading the divinely instituted Universal Church. Nearly 2000 years later, the gates of Hell have still not prevailed against it.

The Pope is not only the Pope for all Catholics, but he is also the Pope for the Universal Church. That means he is Pope for all peoples. There is an inherent unity to be found in the Papacy. When Jesus proclaimed that he would build His Church on the rock of St. Peter, He was setting in motion a model for unity rather than division.

We sometimes see the the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary as something that really is just about celebrating Mary, something that she deserved because of her sinless life and her fiat, or yes, to God. While ultimately that is true, there is also a beneficial takeaway for each one of us as well. The Assumption gives us hope.

Recently, Dr. Peter Kreeft made a spoke about falling in love with his all over again after she had died and compared her broken, emaciated body to the beauty of the Crucifix. This remark went viral and caused a wonderful and renewed focus on relationships, marriage, and the Catholic view and understanding of love.

Not many folks these days can say about a meal that they were truly and fully satisfied. We often say that a meal was good or filling or tasty, but rarely do we say that we experienced total satisfaction. That is why when the Gospel of Matthew tells us about the miracle of the loaves and fishes, we should pay special attention to the fact that it is reported that the many who were present ate and wewre satisfied.

When God asked Solomon what he wanted to ask for, Solomon replied that he desired wisdom. In our world today, it seems hardly unlikely that if we were offered the same opportunity by God that we would ask for such a gift instead of worldly acclaim and riches. That is why we, too, should pray for wisdom in order that we might seek and find the pearl of great price in our lives.

The parable of the weeds and the wheat is familiar to most. We have all heard it before. But some may wonder, since we typically do not live an agrarian life in the modern world, if the teaching of this parable is still relevant. As we look closer at the core truth Jesus conveys with this parable, we discover it is extremely relevant.

Some folks, including some Catholics, wonder why lay persons who are gifted and prepared speakers are still not allowed to give the homily in the context of Holy Mass. In fact, even the Bishops of Germany recently asked for special permission from the Vatican to do this. However, the Vatican said it was not possible. In this episode, we discuss why.

As the United States of America celebrates the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, it is a suitable and good idea to spend time reflecting on the many blessings bestowed upon our country. But, we must also ask if, in this day and age, we are BEHAVING like one nation under God.