Why Does it Matter?

On Catholicism in Focus, we tackle some difficult issues of philosophy and theology. Rebelling against a culture that wants soundbites and quick answers, I choose to get the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Why, in our wonderful tradition of intellectual study, would I settle for “almost” correct when it takes just a bit more work to understand the reasoning behind something?

As Catholics have always known that there is nothing wrong with studying the natural world, engaging in philosophy, or dealing with concepts not directly related to the Bible. In fact, if God is the creator and redeemer of all, the more we learn about anything, really, is knowledge in some way about God, if we have the eyes to see. The more we learn about the created world, the more we learn about the one who created it.

At the same time, one might begin to wonder: especially when getting into the complicated depths of philosophy, are we not spending too much of our time on things that don’t really matter? Maybe in the vein of the Protestant Reformers who attacked the Catholic theologians for their useless and self-serving questions, such as “How many angels can dance on the head of a needle?” there are some today who rightly want to know how any of this benefits our faith. (As a side note, that question about angels and needles was completely made up by the Reformers as a way to illegitimatize their work, and was never actually asked by any theologian. Just so you know…)

One’s position or reasons notwithstanding, I think it is a fair objection that needs to be answered from time to time to remind us of what matters. Why do we study this stuff? Why do the details matter so much? As much as we praise those with knowledge, it means very little to faith on its own. One can be very knowledgable and use that knowledge to turn away from faith, become conceited, belittle others, or retreat to ideas at the expense of community. As Christians, knowledge is not our highest goal.

So what is? Well, being disciples and friends of Jesus Christ, of course. As we enter this time of Easter, I think it’s good to take a step back and make that clear. We study, not for our own sake or knowledge, but to grow closer to God.

 2 Comments

 Posted on April 3, 2018 by

 Video

My Biggest Fear

A few weeks ago, the friars in our community had a House Chapter, a regular meeting where we discuss fraternal or spiritual issues to grow closer and build up the fraternity. The topic was on fraternal correction: how we do lovingly approach a brother when issues arise.

Overall, it was a fantastic meeting that showed how mature every member of my house is (not always the case…) One brother brought up a story that has stuck with me for weeks. He shared how here was a friar in one house who no one could stand. He was annoying to be around, self-centered, and just problematic to live with. Finally, the brothers got together and requested the he be transferred to another house. In many ways, this part of the story is sadly not uncommon; sometimes, guys just don’t get along. No, what was striking about it was how that brother reacted. Shocked and hurt, he could only respond, “Why didn’t anyone ever tell me I was difficult to live with?”

So often, we are blind to our own weaknesses. Whether it’s because they’re difficult to spot or simply because we don’t want to see them, others are always better equipped to point out those areas within us that need the most growth. Without a community around us who is mature (and loving) enough to step in a correct us, to point out our blindspots when we can’t see them, we will go through life hurting and annoying others without a care in the world.

I’m not sure about you, but ignorance is not bliss.

For so many of us, it is not that “we don’t know what we don’t know,” it’s that “we don’t even know THAT we don’t know.” We are completely oblivious (or completely deny) that there is even anything in us that needs to change.

And so before we walk away thinking that this reflection is all about others and how we need to fix them, let me bring it back to our poor brother. He was most certainly blind to things that caused trouble for him in his community, and no one can outright fault him for not seeing what he could not see, but it is not entirely up to others to take responsibility for our behavior. Knowing, of course, that we ALL have blindspots—that we all have failings we cannot see, that we all have rough edges that do not reflect the kingdom of God—it is most certainly our responsibility to have the humility to accept this in ourselves and the courage to do something about it.

How we go about that seemingly impossible process… is the topic of this week’s video.

 5 Comments

 Posted on March 31, 2018 by

 Fraternity, General Reflection

Can God Suffer?

As we entered the holiest of weeks on Sunday, triumphantly processing into the Church as Jesus marched into Jerusalem, we were reminded where our pilgrimage would ultimately end up: the cross. Hearing the whole story of the Passion proclaimed, it was made clear to us why Jesus entered Jerusalem and what the focus of the entire week would be.

And this presents an interesting theological question for us: knowing of course that Jesus suffered and died on the cross, can God suffer? It is a question that has become very popular over the past 100 years, and one that I explore in this week’s Catholicism In Focus.

I hope that everyone has a good Holy Week and a blessed Easter!

 5 Comments

 Posted on March 27, 2018 by

 Theology, Video

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Called to Fail

“Why do bad things happen to good people?”

No doubt one of the great mysteries of our human existence, it has puzzled the most brilliant of philosophers and caused grief to even the simplest of men and women. Especially for people who believe in an all-powerful, seemingly all-loving God, the lack of answer for such a question, and the prevalence of evil that good people endure, is a thorn in our side.

But I have a question in return: As Christians, those who follow an innocent man who was betrayed and suffered persecution before laying down his life for others, why would we expect only good things in our life? I’m not sure how you interpret “take up your cross and follow me,” but I can’t imagine that it is going to be an easy road. No, my guess is that a life in Jesus is much more difficult than a life without him.

The fact of the matter is bad things happen to good people because we live in a world that relies on things other than Jesus, and that will inevitably produce pain. Not only do we experience the pain of others’ sins corrupting our world, we experience it in our insistence on being our own strength, in refusing to ask for help when we need it, in failing to change our hearts and learn from our mistakes, and really… in the mere fact that we are mortal. Our own weakness—and our reliance on it—brings pain even to good people.

And for me, this is the great paradox of our faith. While the rest of the world tells us that we can alleviate our pain by seeking more control, growing stronger, and seeking perfection, Christians know that it is quite the opposite: it is only when we embrace our weakness, take on pain, and accept that we cannot solve our problems that we are actually the strongest. It is in those moments of desperation, those moments of pain and suffering, of utter failure, that we find that Christ is most alive in us offering us strength.

When we are weak, God offers strength.

When we sin, God offers forgiveness.

When we are hard of heart, God offers patience.

And when our mortal bodies have reached the end of the road and there is nothing left that we can do for ourselves, God offers us eternal life.

So, why do bad things happen to good people? Why do we suffer, experience pain, and fail even ourselves? I’m not sure. All I know is that even in those moment—especially in those moments—God is present to us more than ever. This lent we are called to embrace our failures and own our brokenness, allowing God to be more than we could ever be on our own.

Thanks for joining me on this journey through Lent. I hope that you enjoyed these reflections and will consider buying my book, Called: What Happens After Saying Yes to God, where you will find many other reflections just like these. 

 2 Comments

 Posted on March 23, 2018 by

 Prayer, Video

Catholic Disney Land

Last weekend was an adventure. Picture this: 40,000 Catholics from around the country all in one place to share their faith, to hear from the best Catholic speakers around, to share in some of the most extraordinary liturgies imaginable and to buy tons of discounted Catholic merchandise. (Okay, not all of the motives were winners!)

Welcome to the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, a place that is almost too overwhelming to fully describe! I had the great fortune of making my first appearance this year, and it did not disappoint. With my camera and a bag full of free books to hand out, I walked around the exhibition hall and attended lectures with the intention of sharing my own mission of evangelization and catechesis, while also learning about everyone else’s.

What I found so amazing was the breadth of personalities and spiritualities present. As Catholics, we truly are a big tent, and I met people at LA REC ranging from traditional to progressive, with everything in between, all sharing the same mission: to love and serve Jesus Christ. In a world so divided and focused on what makes us different, it was so encouraging to see so many people come together with only the most important thing on their minds.

At times, I fear that we can get too wrapped up in declaring which type of Catholic we are—as if that matters—and don’t take the time to rejoice in the glory of our diverse Church. For me, that’s what this weekend was about. I hope you enjoy this video as much as I enjoyed attending the Congress!

 3 Comments

 Posted on March 21, 2018 by

 Trips, Video

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Breaking In The Habit

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