I said to myself in my good fortune: "I shall never be shaken." O Lord, your favor had set me like a mountain stronghold. Then you hid your face, and I was put to confusion. -Psalm 30:7-8, Revised Grail Psalter In a matter of two sentences, the Psalmist sums up a tremendously complex part of one’s … Continue reading The Desert of Faith
Lent to Easter: Just Add “E”
Featured on Those Catholic Men The transition between Lent and Easter can be difficult. During Lent, we focus on fasting, prayer, and almsgiving in an attempt to show contrition for our sins and to grow closer to God as we prepare for the Holy Triduum: the climax of each liturgical year. We look forward to … Continue reading Lent to Easter: Just Add “E”
Mourning Came, and Fasting Followed
☧ First, I apologize for the bad pun in the title (inspired by Genesis 1)... For some reason, Those Catholic Men still published this article under that title. Anywho... The pillars of our Lenten season are prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. The point of doing these not-so-pleasant things is to have our routine shaken up a … Continue reading Mourning Came, and Fasting Followed
On Manhood and Knowing God
☧ Written for Those Catholic Men. How can anyone know God? How can we plumb the depths or reach the heights of the Infinite? How do we respond to statements like, “See, God is great beyond our knowledge, the number of his years past searching out,” (Job 36:26)? To me, these types of questions and … Continue reading On Manhood and Knowing God
And the Word Was Made Star Stuff
☧ An adaptation of Faith and Reason - Creation and the Cosmos for Those Catholic Men. Against the backdrop of blue skies, crashing waves, and steep, rocky cliffs, and clad in his iconic rust-colored jacket, Carl Sagan uttered perhaps his most famous quote. In the first episode of his acclaimed television series, Cosmos, he said, … Continue reading And the Word Was Made Star Stuff
Beard Balm and Daily Devotion
☧ Written for Those Catholic Men Last Christmas, my wife gave me a little gift for my newly grown beard: a two-ounce tin of beard balm from Catholic Balm Co. Not only was I excited to have something to tame what was then an unruly, course, and somewhat itchy face covering, I was also delighted … Continue reading Beard Balm and Daily Devotion
Husbands, Love Your Wives
☧ Written for Those Catholic Men. The beginning of fall marks the end of the summer wedding season, and as I see the photos of friends, acquaintances, and distant family members getting married, I can’t help but reflect on the classic Catholic wedding photo. The young couple is standing together looking overjoyed at the foot … Continue reading Husbands, Love Your Wives
Be the Custodian of Your Baptism
☧ Published on Those Catholic Men Baptism is a big deal in the Christian life, and for good reason. The Catechism states that baptism "is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit, and the door which gives access to the other sacraments,'' (CCC 1213). This is pretty profound … Continue reading Be the Custodian of Your Baptism
Lukewarmness
☧ Published on Those Catholic Men Lukewarmness is an inescapable temptation of the Christian faithful, and every person in every vocation at every stage of life must deal with it at one time or another. It can come as a consequence of making God a central part of our daily lives, a consequence of making … Continue reading Lukewarmness
Friendship
☧ Friendship is a major part of human life. It is in our nature to have friends and to build a community with people that we enjoy spending time with. Friendship can bring great joy, a fulfilling sense of trust, and unwavering support in times of crisis; but since it is a form of love, … Continue reading Friendship
