Category Archives: Dogmatic Theology

Why a Pope? Here’s the Answer.

Posted on March 15, 2014 by Deacon Bob

I ‘d like to share with all of you a video produced by my diocese featuring the Director of Evangelization for the Diocese of Winona, Raymond DeSouza. As he always does with such clarity and eloquence, Mr. DeSouza speaks to … Continue reading →

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Love God means Love Brother

Posted on January 9, 2014 by Deacon Bob

The first reading at Mass today from John’s first epistle begins with the rather blunt statement, “Anyone who says they love God but hates his brother is a liar.” What a wonderful, I could say, expression of the reality of … Continue reading →

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“There is a Baptism with which I must be baptized…”

Posted on October 24, 2013 by Deacon Bob

Today’s Gospel from Luke has Jesus declaring, “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish … Continue reading →

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Pope Francis and the Devil

Posted on October 17, 2013 by Deacon Bob

One of the things many people have noticed about Pope Francis right from the start is his reference to Satan. Many commentators have said this is a reflection of his Jesuit spirituality, and the charism of discernment often seen with … Continue reading →

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Jesus and the Church are Inseparable

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Deacon Bob

In follow up to my last post regarding salvation through Jesus Christ and the Church, I read this morning excerpts from Pope Francis’ homily for today, the memorial of St. George, the pope’s name day (Jorge translates George in English). … Continue reading →

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The Trivialization of Evil and the Denial of a Good God

Posted on April 21, 2013 by Deacon Bob

Benedict XVI wrote in his book, Jesus of Nazareth,    “The idea that God allowed the forgiveness of guilt, the healing of man from within, to cost him the death of his Son has come to seem quite alien to us … Continue reading →

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“He is possessed by Beelzebul!”

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Deacon Bob

We heard in the Gospel for today’s Mass the scribes uttering, “He is possessed by Beelzebul.” Jesus, in response, asks the question whether Satan can long stand if his house is divided. In other words, Jesus points out that he, … Continue reading →

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Epiphany: A Light Has Shone to the Whole World!

Posted on January 6, 2013 by Deacon Bob

The Osservatore Romano, the newspaper of the Holy See had a short article today on the Epiphany. Worth your time to read. I am presenting the original Italian text, with my English translation below it. Happy Epiphany, everyone!! Oggi è … Continue reading →

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A “Catholic” Newspaper Gets It Wrong

Posted on December 6, 2012 by Deacon Bob

Some of you may already be on top of this story. On December 3rd, the National Catholic Reporter published an editorial endorsing the ordination of women to the priesthood. If you must, you can log on to: http://ncronline.org/node/40306 to read … Continue reading →

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Faith as Liberation Mediated by Communion with Christ

Posted on November 18, 2012 by Deacon Bob

Pope Benedict has written eloquently about the virtue of faith, and fittingly so in the Year of Faith. He has reminded us that faith is a supremely personal act, by which he means it is an act of the whole … Continue reading →

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Hats Off to Fr. Ted

Posted on June 27, 2012 by Deacon Bob

There is an 18 minute video making its way around the blogsphere of a conversation a woman had with a young priest from the diocese of Kalamazoo, Michigan about a whole host of things ranging from Vatican II, the whole … Continue reading →

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It is in the Following that You Face the Cross

Posted on February 24, 2012 by Deacon Bob

I have been left with an enduring thought these past couple of days, a thought which came from yesterday’s Gospel in which Jesus instructs his disciples that if they follow him, they will face the cross. I would suspect that … Continue reading →

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A Fourth Sunday of Advent Meditation

Posted on December 18, 2011 by Deacon Bob

The Office of Readings today offer for our reflection a section of the Letter to Diogenitus. It is a beautiful brief meditation on God’s intervention into human history. Here is one translation: No man has ever seen God or known … Continue reading →

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Pope St. Leo the Great and the Modern World

Posted on November 10, 2011 by Deacon Bob

Today is the memorial of Pope St. Leo the Great. His pontificate was from 440 to 461 AD, a time of upheaval in the Church as well as in the Roman Empire. Prior to being elected pope, Leo was a … Continue reading →

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Who is Lord in Your Life?

Posted on November 3, 2011 by Deacon Bob

Our first reading for Mass today (Romans 14: 7-12) challenges us to ask, “Who is Lord in my life?” God has poured his life and love into our lives at our baptism. His fidelity to us is unquestionable. We all … Continue reading →

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