Perhaps I’m just really selfish and disordered, but I’ve always been encouraged by passages in Scripture that seem to convey that the disciples thought like me (at least at times). James and John jockey for positions of power, wanting seats at the right and left of Jesus.

1 Corinthians 9

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Support Thoughts from the Trailer with Fr. John Riccardo

I can just imagine the eyerolls among some people this coming Sunday as this passage is proclaimed at Mass. There goes the Catholic Church again. Why is she always so down on marriage and sexuality and the things of this world?!

1 Corinthians 7:32-35

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Support Thoughts from the Trailer with Fr. John Riccardo

The line that I am personally dwelling on this week is the last one: “The world in its present form is passing away.”

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Support Thoughts from the Trailer with Fr. John Riccardo

I was fortunate after ordination to the priesthood to spend several years studying the theology of the body in depth. I can still recall as if it was yesterday an experience I had sitting outside reading the Holy Father and suddenly realizing I was starting to sit up straighter.

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Support Thoughts from the Trailer with Fr. John Riccardo

I had a conversation with a young woman recently that I can’t shake. Hers is a rather common tale: she grew up in a strong Catholic family, went to Catholic schools, got to college and drifted away. There’s much more to it, of course, but how many young people are in her shoes, and how many parents know the anguish that hers know?

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Support Thoughts from the Trailer with Fr. John Riccardo

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Support Thoughts from the Trailer with Fr. John Riccardo

This was originally an entirely different article. And then Monday happened. For those unaware, The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith published the Declaration Fiducia Supplicans on Monday. This Declaration has caused, well, wholesale confusion. Seemingly everywhere.

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Support Thoughts from the Trailer with Fr. John Riccardo

We in ACTS XXIX think of this mission of ours as priests as being “hopeful lamenters.” Hopeful because Jesus is Lord, and He has defeated Sin, Death and Satan, and He will make all things new. But lamenting because the world is right now groaning in pain

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Support Thoughts from the Trailer with Fr. John Riccardo

Without clarity on the mission, all sorts of negative results can and usually do occur.

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Support Thoughts from the Trailer with Fr. John Riccardo

I would argue that at the root of every temptation is the accusation that God is not a good Father and He cannot be trusted.

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Support Thoughts from the Trailer with Fr. John Riccardo