We've reached Day 29 of our Lenten journey, and today we dive deep into the concept of purity of heart through the Gospel story of Jesus healing the blind man. This blindness represents humanity's spiritual blindness since the Fall—a condition Christ came to heal through his incarnation, symbolized by the clay spread on the blind man's eyes.
The mystical Pool of Siloe, where the man washes, represents baptism, opening our spiritual eyes to faith. But maintaining this spiritual sight requires vigilant protection of our purity. Four powerful resolutions guide this protection: fleeing harmful influences while seeking virtuous companions, thinking more frequently of God throughout our day, closing our eyes to what offends God, and opening them to opportunities for good.
American Catholicism has historically embraced a "go along to get along" approach—understandable given the prejudice Catholics once faced but problematic in today's aggressively secular culture. The uncomfortable truth is that faithful Catholics today must be prepared to lose relationships, even with family members, to maintain their faith. Yet there are encouraging signs of revival, particularly among young Catholics who are standing firm against cultural tides with unprecedented courage.
This reflection challenges us to consider whether we're truly living as disciples willing to walk the opposite way of the world. God has ordained us to live in this particular historical moment for a purpose. Will we protect our faith at any cost, recognizing that our spiritual sight depends on purity of heart?
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Have you ever wondered what happened after the Book of Acts closes? The story of Christianity's explosive growth through the ancient world might be the most thrilling chapter in Church history you've never fully explored.
Joshua Charles, founder of Eternal Christendom, takes us on a captivating journey through the grand narrative of salvation history, revealing how Greek philosophy, Roman order, and Hebrew revelation converged at the perfect moment for Christ's arrival. This isn't just ancient history—it's the story we're still living today.
Discover how the early Church Fathers understood prophecy unfolding before their eyes as pagan temples fell and Christian altars rose across the empire. Learn why St. Thomas Aquinas identified "obedience to the Roman Church" as the mysterious restrainer mentioned in Scripture, and why this matters for our current moment.
The conversation ventures into fascinating territory as Joshua addresses the recurring biblical motif of older and younger brothers—from ...
Christ is risen! The glorious transformation we've been preparing for through forty days of Lenten sacrifice has arrived, but what happens to our spiritual journey now?
This meditation explores the profound significance of Eastertide—not merely as the end of Lenten disciplines but as the beginning of a new way of living. From the triumphant moment when "light has triumphed over darkness," we are called to understand that Easter isn't about abandoning our spiritual progress, but redirecting it toward a fuller expression of our life in Christ.
As St. Paul reminds us, being "risen with Christ" means elevating our desires toward heaven while detaching from mere earthly satisfactions. For newly baptized Catholics, this season marks their first days in the faith, while for all believers, it offers a time to balance joyful celebration with continued spiritual growth. The Easter octave specifically highlights this transition as we learn to live out the new life received in baptism.
The meditation offers ...
Have you ever wondered what happened after the Book of Acts closes? The story of Christianity's explosive growth through the ancient world might be the most thrilling chapter in Church history you've never fully explored.
Joshua Charles, founder of Eternal Christendom, takes us on a captivating journey through the grand narrative of salvation history, revealing how Greek philosophy, Roman order, and Hebrew revelation converged at the perfect moment for Christ's arrival. This isn't just ancient history—it's the story we're still living today.
Discover how the early Church Fathers understood prophecy unfolding before their eyes as pagan temples fell and Christian altars rose across the empire. Learn why St. Thomas Aquinas identified "obedience to the Roman Church" as the mysterious restrainer mentioned in Scripture, and why this matters for our current moment.
The conversation ventures into fascinating territory as Joshua addresses the recurring biblical motif of older and younger brothers—from ...
When evangelical leader Charlie Kirk declared "the antidote to feminism is our Lady," Catholics across social media took notice. His surprising admission that "we as Protestants and Evangelicals under-venerate Mary" has sparked intense conversation about whether the prominent conservative commentator might be on a path toward Rome.
The statement represents a significant theological shift for Kirk, who went on to praise Mary as "a phenomenal example and a counter to so much of the toxicity of feminism in the modern era." While careful not to overstate what's happening, we examine this moment through a Catholic lens, exploring how devotion to Mary has historically led many Protestant thinkers toward Catholic teaching. Reports that Kirk has been attending weekday Mass with his wife add an intriguing dimension to the discussion.
We also revisit Michael Knowles' earlier conversation with Kirk about Catholicism, analyzing the challenges of interfaith dialogue when trying to balance ...
