Tag: Faith
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Is Love a Choice or an Emotion?
To will the Good of another. For some, this is the definition of love. The English language does a terrible job capturing what love means. We use love to express sentiments such as food preference and binding commitments. I prefer to think of it as “to WILL the good of the other,” Because it places…
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From your Uncle Screwtape (2/2)
This is the second part of my attempt at a modern Screwtape letters. If you wish for the first part, then click on this link: https://theaveragecatholic.blog/2025/09/18/from-your-uncle-screwtape-1-2/ Virtual world is our greatest invention. What a day of celebration! I still remember fondly when the social media first arrived. It was actually my suggestion to Tom to…
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From your Uncle Screwtape (1/2)
Along with many people, I am a fan of C.S. Lewis “Screwtape Letters.” C.S. Lewis was a Christian author who challenged himself to write as a demon giving advice to a younger demon on how to tempt man into damnation. It offers a scathing self-reflection that can humble any Christian. The book was published many…
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Catholics vs Protestants on works for salvation
One of the perennial issues between Catholics and Protestants is works and salvation. Works and salvation is the belief that if you perform x, y, z, then you can enter heaven. It can be proclamations, acts of service, verbal prayers, or whatever else. The point is that salvation is able to be earned from an…
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Are we afraid of our “I” becoming a “we”?
I love a good paradox. One paradox in the Roman Catholic church is “diversity in unity.” The church is, for better or for worse, famous for its rigid acts of worship. The church goers strictly obey the directives on what to say at mass, when to say it, and how to say it. The sea…
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The Widow’s Coin: a Commissioned Painting
I had an idea for a painting and I finally made it come alive. Thank you to @marialouisarose.art for giving my idea life. You can find more of her work at the link: https://www.instagram.com/marialouisarose.art/ The painting I wanted to do was inspired by the Widow’s coin found in Mark 12:41-44. The passage goes, “Jesus sat…
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Should Insults be Insulting to an Average Catholic?
It is an important self-reflection; what is insulting about insults? Of course, all humans are made in the image and likeness of God. Of course, insults should not be an everyday occurrence and is not acceptable in polite society. Of course, there are better ways to convey your point or express your anger without insults.…
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The Beauty of Sociopaths
Jesus told many stories in the bible about a Samaritan. The cultural context is often loss on us Americans in the 21st century. However, painting Samaritans in a positive light was scandalous for Jesus’s Jewish disciples. The story of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) was supposed to shock the disciples into realizing our actions towards…
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Are you ready for the Thief in the night?
The bible is filled with metaphors and parables, but the one that resonates me is being prepared for the thief in the night. First, I’ve been a victim of theft and the parable’s warning is all too easy to imagine. Second, being prepared requires a healthy long term view. We need to recognize that our…
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9 tips for Evangelization
You are a sinner on a journey for heaven Be honest when the other person makes a good point It is not about victory, but growth in love and healing You are the third wheel between God and the potential convert God has a relationship with someone before you meet them Never encounter sin with…
