Catholicity - Apologetics For Our Time

 Always cintriversial, there has been a lot of back and forth over the Shroud of Turin. Let's look at a few facts. In the Gospel of John, the writer is inspired to share details about the burial cloths of Jesus: “Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.’ Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there ; yet he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with th...

On Holy Saturday , in the evening, Catholics the world over prepare and light the Paschal Candle. Many non-Catholics are mystified by this very ancient practice, thinking all sorts of mistaken things about it. In fact, it is far more significant than they imagine.      To help them understand a bit more, here is some info about it. Then, if you see people gathered outside a Catholic Church on Saturday night before Easter..., and notice a fire, candles, and a crowd processing around....you'll understand. And maybe, you'll want to participate. All are welcome!           The Paschal Candle is ceremonially prepared and blessed at the start of the Easter Vigil service (night before Easter Sunday)      At the start of the liturgy, the priest will say the following in whole (or in part): "Christ yesterday and today; the Beginning and the End The Alpha and the Omega. All time belongs to him; and all the ages. To Him be glory and power;...

     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...