By Fr. Paul Scaliaherald Columnist (from The Issue Ofâ 6/17/04)
The simplest but most important question in the world is the one our Lord puts to the Apostles: “Who do you say that I am?” (Luke 9:20) Clearly there was a great deal of confusion about Him. The crowds thought He was “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has […]
9/19/16
Reading Time
3
min
By Russell Shaw
When the Supreme Court hears oral arguments March 26 in a case challenging Texas’s anti-sodomy law, more will be at stake than may appear at first. If the question were only whether to uphold or strike down anti-sodomy statutes in Texas and a dozen other states, most people probably wouldn’t lose too much sleep. Even […]
9/19/16
Reading Time
3
min
By Fr. Lee Roos Herald Columnist (from The Issue Of 5/8/03)
The Gospel this Sunday provides a shift within the 50 days of the Easter season. The first three Sundays of Easter have focused on the appearances of Jesus to his disciples after the Resurrection. This Sunday?s Gospel changes direction as it presents Jesus, the Good Shepherd. In the three-year cycle of readings for Sundays of […]
9/19/16
Reading Time
2
min
By Fr. William P. Saunders Herald Columnist (from The Issue Of 5/18/06)
Who wrote the Gospels? – A reader in Springfield To answer this question we must first be clear on how the Gospels were formed and what constitutes authorship. Citing Vatican II’s “Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation” (“Dei Verbum”), the Catechism has a very succinct presentation on the formation of the Gospels (cf. No. 125-127). The […]
9/19/16
By Fr. John De Cellesherald Columnist (from The Issue Ofâ 11/20/03)
Today we look at the Gospel reading for the Solemnity of Christ the King, and seem to find not a triumphant king, but the tired and beaten preacher wearing not a crown of gold, but a crown of thorns. A prisoner whom Pontius Pilate ? the worldly ruler of all he surveys, subject only to […]
9/19/16
Reading Time
3
min
By Fr. William P. Saunders Herald Columnist (from The Issue Of 5/25/06)
The Da Vinci Code talks about the gnostic gospels. What are the gnostic gospels? – A reader in Potomac Falls Recall Straight Answers’ response last week to the question, “Who wrote the Gospels?” The four Gospels included in our New Testament – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John – were written prior to A.D. 100 and […]
9/19/16
Reading Time
4
min
By Fr. William P. Saunders Herald Columnist (from The Issue Of 6/1/06)
I had a discussion with a friend of mine who read The Da Vinci Code who said that St. Mary Magdalene was neither a sinner nor a prostitute. Instead the Church made up that story to discredit her. What can I say to her? – A reader in Alexandria Controversy over the identity of St. […]
9/19/16
Reading Time
5
min
By Russell Shaw
If this presidential campaign isn’t the strangest race for the White House ever, it will do until a stranger one comes along — and I’m in no hurry for that. With good reason, many Americans are asking what went wrong with the system that it should have come to this. The question needs an answer […]
9/7/16
Reading Time
3
min
By Zoey Maraist
Every part of a well-designed church is deliberately planned to bring glory to God — the shape, the artwork, the liturgical furnishings and everything in between. This series aims to explain the art and architecture of diocesan churches, so the faithful can better appreciate the beauty around them. The main altar at St. Peter’s Basilica […]
9/7/16
Reading Time
2
min
Gospel Commentary: ‘Put Out into the Deep’