Hey everyone! Today is a big day! In just 30 minutes (1:00pm) I’m releasing a video with a very big announcement, maybe my biggest yet. I’ve been working on this idea with Fr. Tito for almost two years now and can’t wait to share it with you! More details to come over the next few months, but be sure to watch the initial announcement on Breaking in the Habit, and then immediately go over to Minor Characters for a few more details.
One thing I’ve learned about the Internet is that you never really know anything about the Internet. Predicting what will do well and what will kick up an absolute storm is a bit of a mystery. I was reminded of that this week when one video got a lot more attention than I expected.
Holding Firm Against Surrogacy
Surrogacy is immoral. While it may be undertaken with good intentions, there is never a situation in which it could be conceived as natural or good. This may not be a popular opinion, but it’s an important one to hold firm on.
The ONLY Unforgivable Sin
God’s mercy is unbounded. This is difficult for our world to understand. Like Jonah, it wants vengeance and does not accept conversion. According to scripture, there is only one unforgivable sin, and it is not murder, child abuse, or genocide. All of these things, with a contrite heart, can be forgiven.
Our Best Conversation Yet?
Blowing up in a different sense was last week’s discussion on Minor Characters. I posted it to last week’s newsletter, but I wanted to post it again because I thin it’s just really great. If you haven’t watched our show yet, this would be a great one to start with.
From the Vault
Some videos just deserve to be watched every once in a while. This one, “Can Church Doctrine Ever Change” is a great one to revisit on a regular basis.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Peace and good,
Fr. Casey
Calling oneself a Christian is easy. Actually living as a disciple of Jesus Christ, following his teachings, is the work of a lifetime. I hope that we never ignore any of his teachings because they’re difficult, but make them the utmost goal of our live.
Love Your Enemy
Jesus wasn’t joking when he said this. Hate will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. If you’re holding onto it, it’s time to let go.
Jesus Wants it ALL
How easy it is to pick and choose what we want to follow! How easy it is to fall into ignorance! We must do all that we can to accept everything Jesus says, not just what is easy and convenient.
Understanding a Moral Life
Knowing the difference between right and wrong can be most of the battle. In order to do good, we have to know where we’re going. This means answering some questions of moral theology.
Journey With A Novice
We’re all at different stages of life and sometimes it’s great to see things through the eyes of someone new to the faith. Jimmy Beh, OFM, is a novice with the friars, meaning he’s in his second year of training.
Ground Yourself in the Eucharist
Want to be a disciple of Jesus? Then be as close to him as you can. This means going to the Eucharist and becoming what you receive.
Play to Win
Athletes devote their entire lives to be the best at what they do. Shouldn’t we have the same commitment to the Gospel way of living? Here’s just a little humor in that regard.
Happy Lent (a Throwback)
If you’re looking for something to make this Lent more fruitful, take this advice from 4 years ago.
This past weekend, we heard the Beatitudes proclaimed at mass, telling us that the poor are blessed and the rich are cursed. This doesn’t make sense to worldly people, but as Jesus once admonished the disciples with the words, “You are thinking not as God does but as human beings do.” How often we are guilty of this! Over the past few weeks, I have challenged some of the “ways of the world” with videos, and, unsurprisingly, they haven’t all been received well…
Hookup Culture Has Got to Go
There is something very liberating about having sex with whomever you want. Or so the culture says. This is not only against the way of God, it’s harmful to all involved.
Welcome the Resident Alien Among You
Is there a more controversial topic in America today than immigration? I’m sad to say that, based on the comments of this video, there are many people who care more about their personal comfort, nation, and selves than they do about the teaching of the Church. Like many issues, the Catholic Church (and scripture) has something to criticize about both the right and the left of the political spectrum.
There is Good Capitalism, and There is BAD Capitalism
Love of money is the root of all evil. If this is true, then there is a lot of evil in our economic system. While socialism and communism present major problems, and the Church has rightly criticized them, this does not mean that capitalism is necessarily good. There are many, many evils present in our economic world today and the Church does not hold back its criticisms of it.
Even Our Language is Worldly Sometimes
We betray ourselves, sometimes, in the way we speak. How much of what we think and say is influenced by the Gospel, and how much is influenced by the world?
Can You Tell the Difference?
There are many people who love Pope St. John Paul II but loath Pope Francis. I want to know if you can actually tell the difference in their words.
Finally, the Friar Mess
Franciscans are not above worldliness and petty fighting, which is why there are so many types of us. That said, each one brings something wonderful to the life in the Gospel.
Greeting From Jamaica!
This week, I’m on a mission trip with high school students to Jamaica. It’s been a great time serving the people of this country and learning from their beautiful culture. Look for a challenging reflection related to foreign aid this week!
From November 1 to December 26, I did not use social media. That means no posting of pictures or videos, but it also means no consumption of videos either. It was an important detox. Now, I’m ready to be back. And boy do I have a lot to share.
Men are in Crisis
In my time away, I did a bit of reading, including Richard Reeves’ book Of Boys and Men. This was an eye-opening experience. What it helped me see, with data and sociological studies, is that many men are struggling to adapt to a changing world, slipping into isolation and depression. As a Church, I think we can do something about this.
Have You Read the Gospels Lately?
Of course, I also read Scripture. In fact, I read all four Gospels in four days. I don’t think it’s enough to get little snippets of the Gospels at Mass, you need to read the books in their entirety to really understand them. I decided to make a five part series, released all at once, as a guide for anyone interested in growing closing to Jesus.
Is Our Economy Just?
As Catholics, it is not enough to be pious, saying prayers and being devoted to God. Our prayer must issue forth into the world, seeking peace and justice. There is nothing beyond God’s control. This includes our money and economic systems. While capitalism is widely regarded as the most just system when it works, it rarely works for everyone. This video looks at the issues Catholicism has with our modern economy and provides recommendations to fix it.
I’ll Let You Guess the Subtext
Speaking of justice, we have some issues facing our country right now. Unfortunately, some of the worst offenses against the dignity of the human person and family are being done by people who claim to be followers of Jesus. We need to do better.
A Little Fun with the Brothers
There is a gross trend on social media where strangers are asked to rate each other based on attractiveness. I thought it might be fun to subvert this trend by asking the friars to rate each others’ beards, all in good fun. (Note, the first guy was commented on the friar holding the camera. He said afterwards, “I didn’t know what I was going to say, but I knew it was going to be low!”)
New “Short” Series
It doesn’t have a name, per se, but each week I’m going to answer a common Catholic question in under a minute. So far I’ve talked about the sign of the cross, whether swearing is a sin, why we suffer, and the “infallibility” of the pope.
Just for Laughs
Do you like Harry Potter? Do you know the difference between Jesuits, Dominicans, Franciscans, and diocesan priests? Then this video is meant for you.
So Much More…
This is just a taste of what I’ve posted over the past three weeks. I’ll get back to sending out the newsletter every week now, hopefully with a few important announcements to come!
Peace and good,
Fr. Casey
Breaking In The Habit 