Category Archives: Being Catholic

Trying to live as if loving God, and my neighbors, matters

God, Angels, and Belshazzar

I don’t know why encounters with angels,1 and God, aren’t all alike. Sometimes, like Abraham’s meeting with the Almighty and two angels, described in Genesis 18:2, or Habakkuk’s getting airlifted in Daniel 14:33–37, it’s apparently much like meeting another human. … Continue reading

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Jesus and Expectations

Pip’s Christmas doesn’t have much to do with Christmas, or Advent, but I figured this post should have something that looks ‘seasonal.’ “…Blessed is the One Who Takes No Offense at Me” We’ll be hearing Matthew 11:2–11 this morning. The … Continue reading

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Sin, Awareness, Repentance

Today’s reading from the Gospels, Matthew 3:1–12, doesn’t seem particularly Christmassy. Not in the ‘presents wrapped under the tree’ sense. “1 2 In those days John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea. “(and) saying, ‘Repent, 3 for … Continue reading

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Hate, Justice, Forgiveness

Islamic centers in California got hate mail recently. At least one of the letters was addressed “To the Children of Satan,” and started with “You muslims [!] are a vile and filthy people….”1 Details are new, but the attitude is … Continue reading

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Advent and Being Prepared

Today’s the start of this year’s Advent cycle, leading up to another Christmas. With my culture’s annual focus on flying reindeer, decorated trees, and overflow crowds in Bethlehem, this verse from today’s Gospel reading might sound odd: “25 Therefore, stay … Continue reading

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