In these last weeks of the liturgical year, as we look forward to the great Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, which falls this year on November 24, the readings point us to the last things, to the end of this world and the...

When is a coincidence more than a coincidence? When is it reasonable to look at a remarkable turn of circumstances and see a meaningful pattern? To discern the hand of Providence at work? We human beings are pattern-finders. We look for...

What is purgatory? Is it the case, as some spiritual writers suggest, that the least pains in purgatory surpass the greatest earthly suffering? Or, as others propose, that the joys of purgatory surpass the greatest earthly happiness? Is...

Some of you may remember that not too long ago we heard the parable about a persistent man pestering his neighbor in the middle of the night to borrow three loaves of bread. Now we have a persistent widow pestering a dishonest judge who ignores...

My Road to Rome: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 In August a much-discussed Pew Research poll found that a majority of Catholics — 7 out of 10 — consider the Eucharistic elements to be symbolic representations of Jesus’ body and blood, as opposed to...

Anyone who commutes into New York, or has any reason to take mass transit into New York, may be all too aware of the stalled projects to build new rail tunnels and bridges across the Hudson, between New York Penn Station, Newark, and Secaucus...

I’ve enjoyed sculpting in sand since I was a kid, and for the past 14 years my favorite subject, by far, has been the crucifixion of Jesus. (I blogged about this once before, in 2014.) I love sculpting the crucifixion for many reasons. Just...

A reader of my review of Mary Magdalene offers an impassioned defense for the medieval Western view of St. Mary Magdalene as a penitent with a notoriously wanton sexual past, a profligate adulteress or harlot: Mary Magdalene is the sole woman...

“Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” (Read the complete readings) “Go and do likewise.” Not “Go and think...

See also: It’s Complicated: Islam and violence | The problem of evil | The rock God can’t lift |