With Thanksgiving approaching, a popular TV host whose very name is Joy advised her audience to use the “beloved American food holiday” as an opportunity to engage those gathered around the table in contentious political debate.
As family members gather for the upcoming holidays, there might be more than sugarplums dancing in their heads.
The classic biblical passage that clearly offers a description of faith is: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence (or conviction) of things not seen” (Heb 11:1). However, the meaning of this passage is not immediately clear to all readers. Let us try to unpack things starting from the end of the sentence. What are the “things not seen?” These are all the realities or truths spoken of in divine revelation (contained in sacred Scripture or sacred tradition) that we do not witness ourselves in this life, but that we still accept or believe because of the trustworthy word of another. That “other” in the present context is not just anybody, but God himself.
A few years ago, I drove by my old intermediate school in Springfield and noticed the sign: “Happy Thanksgiving! Family, food, and football.” I thought to myself, “They forgot ‘faith.’”
As family members gather for the upcoming holidays, there might be more than sugarplums dancing in their heads. Some, perhaps many, might be inwardly anxious about the potential for hurtful arguments that can erupt among multigenerational clans.
During the month of November, the Catholic Church asks the faithful to spend 30 days praying for the dead.
Catholicism has always been an intellectual religion.
A simple, sensible, and humane solution does exist: Provide a path to legalization and citizenship for those eligible for DACA, and at the same time enact meaningful measures to strengthen border security.
The first Sunday of Advent this year is Dec. 1, so families are likely digging through boxes to pull out the wreath and the three purple and one pink candles to see if they can get one more year out of them. Here’s a primer to dust off those wreaths and some prayers to make the tradition even more meaningful.
Gospel Christ the King
Our Gospel for the feast of Christ the King takes us to the crucifixion. Here, the only throne for Christ the King is the cross; the only crown is one of thorns; the only scepter is the nail piercing his hands; the only crimson robe is the blood coating his skin. One might therefore ask, “Why this Gospel on the feast of Christ the King?”