Catholicity - Apologetics For Our Time

     Outside the Catholic Church, a great many people complain that they see Catholics "worshipping" statues and images of Christ, holy saints, and spiritual heroes. They don't understand that these reminders of holiness are not being worshipped, themselves, in place of God. Rather they help Catholics get closer to God by inspiring and motivating us. They give our minds and hearts a focal point that creates a closer connection to Our Lord.     P sychologists refer to this as , " guided imagery  or  visualization ." This is a cognitive process that leverages mental pictures to produce positive outcomes. This  psychological phenomenon actually ENHANCES  performance, directs emotions, and fosters a deeper connection to God. It doesn't usurp the rightful worship of God...rather, it develops it. This ability adds layers of nuance that strengthens worship in ways that mere words cannot.       But for my fellow Christians who ch...

    Every  March 25 th , The Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord .  Liturgical highlights of this celebration include the readings from Isaiah  about the sign of Emmanuel, the Messiah of the Jews, coming to be born of a virgin. ( Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10 )      We also read from  Hebrews  regarding Christ being the fulfillment of God's will for salvation. ( Hebrews 10:4-10 )      But what will stick in the mind of most is the  Gospel account of Luke  detailing the Angel Gabriel's visit to Mary ( Luke 1:26-38 )..... "The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do no...

Some  post-modern Protestants like to say, "Once saved, always saved.” This is most common among the, "bible-only" Evangelical and fundamentalist groups. Their idea is that as long as you say, once, you believe...you're covered thereafter.     And that  sounds comforting, right? Unfortunately, it appears nowhere the Bible, and it was never taught before the Bible existed. It came about from the mind of one man, John Calvin, 1500 years after Christ taught His Apostles. The odd part is, you actually have to concoct it from cherry-picked bits of scripture to suit the argument. Yet, it is a cornerstone of these, "bible-only" sects.      So let’s ask a couple of serious questions.... 👉 If salvation can never be lost, why does the Bible repeatedly warn believers about falling away? 🤔 👉 What sort of mental gymnastics fo you have to go through to get to it? 🤔      Because the warnings about losing ones salvation by falling into sin  - n...

     Every March 19,  The Church celebrates the Solemnity St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the foster-father of Jesus.     Based on what is known,  St. Joseph was probably born in Bethlehem, and he probably died in Nazareth, although that exact information is not certain. We only know who his father was, and something of his hereditary background - he was from within the line of King David. But more "personal details," the kind of stuff we make into movies, is nowhere revealed. However, intelligence and scholarly knowledge fills in may blanks.            Joseph was of a royal line, in the House of David - Scripture tells us that. But, he wasn't a prince; he was reduced to the humble, ignominious life of a common man. He was, in fact, a tradesman as far as we know. He probably worked in wood and metal, and St. Justin Martyr ( 90–100 AD – 165) su ggested he probably made yokes and plows. Th...

Today we ask this question: " Who do You listen to?"  Isaiah 4:9:8-15 Thus says the LORD: In a time of favor I answer you, on the day of salvation I help you; and I have kept you and given you as a covenant to the people, To restore the land and allot the desolate heritages, Saying to the prisoners: Come out! To those in darkness: Show yourselves! Along the ways they shall find pasture, on every bare height shall their pastures be. They shall not hunger or thirst, nor shall the scorching wind or the sun strike them; For he who pities them leads them and guides them beside springs of water. I will cut a road through all my mountains, and make my highways level. See, some shall come from afar, others from the north and the west, and some from the land of Syene. Sing out, O heavens, and rejoice, O earth, break forth into song, you mountains. For the LORD comforts his people and shows mercy to his afflicted. But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten...