A.I. has a place: to do slavish work. We have invented many things to do such work for us (e.g. washers, power tools, etc). Overall, the existence of these things is good. They give us more time for higher things. But thinking AI can or should replace human *thought* will end us.
Suze Lopez went in for surgery to remove a 22lb ovarian tumor.
Then doctors discovered she was pregnant.
A full-term baby boy was growing OUTSIDE her uterus.
It's a miracle they survived.
“God gave me this baby so that he could be an example to the world that God exists...”
Life is always a gift.
Venezuelan cardinals Baltazar Porras and Diego Padrón have issued a statement in the form of a letter about the difficult reality facing the country following the July 28 presidential elections. https://t.co/s5Hx8oYQxA
I continue to see posts urging people to get out of Christianity (or “Churchianity”) and “just follow Jesus”. I tried it. My goal was to simply live as a member of an invisible body of believers, without reporting to a physical structure. It sounded nice in theory.
So I stopped going to church. My plan was to read the Bible and pray on my own. No need for Sunday attendance or involvement, no tithing, no allegiance to a particular denomination, and no unnecessary rules to follow. This was going to be “real Christianity”, the easy way, like Jesus supposedly intended.
My desire to read Scripture quickly diminished. Without a pastor teaching context and application for the text, it didn’t provide much benefit. So for a couple of years, I nearly stopped reading it. I still prayed, but usually only during a crisis when I needed God’s help. Without going to church, I had little fellowship with other Christians and started socializing with nonbelievers. Unsurprisingly, my interests became much more secular.
My backsliding into sin eventually had a silver lining: by God’s grace, it created the circumstances which led me to the Catholic Church. The results of my conversion are clear to me: in order to have a true relationship with Jesus, I needed to belong to not just the invisible Church, but His visible church as well.
This was not about thinking that rules could save me, or going through the motions of a ritual. For me, there was something very unique and significant about the Catholic Church. The Liturgy, Sacraments and connection to Tradition provided a foundation for my faith to grow, and a way to receive graces to persevere on my Christian journey. Even the art and architecture of the church allowed for a greater connection to the heavenly realm.
Before my conversion, I had unintentionally been a rebel. I rebelled against authority, history and discipline. My pride led me to believe I would be spiritually healthy on my own. But I failed miserably.
Carrying our cross is not supposed to be easy and enjoyable. I’ve had to work hard to set up good habits and routines for my prayer life. I’ve also had to let go of things that used to be a source of entertainment or happiness, because I realized they are offensive to God.
My Christian walk has involved more sacrifice than ever before, because the focus is no longer on my own comfort and prosperity. None of my spiritual growth would be possible without obedience to the true Church, the one Jesus established and empowered to carry out the work of His ministry.
Dear Ladies,
There is no reason whatsoever for you to post pictures of yourself in low cut shirts, bikinis, bra and underwear, or anything similar—ever.
Not to show your weight loss journey.
Not to show your newborn baby.
Not to document your birth story.
-Your Brothers
Lots of debate right now about homemakers.
Being a homemaker is something to be proud of and is one of the most undervalued but important roles in our society. It’s not an insult, it’s an honor.
The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.
Being a homemaker includes work - lots of work. In and sometimes outside of the home, depending on circumstances, callings, needs, and gifts. All this work is ultimately ordered towards love - loving our children, loving our spouse, loving others.
I work outside the home, and I am a homemaker. My husband works outside the home, and he helps make our home in so many ways. Aspects of our roles may look more traditional than others, and I am always primary care for our very young children, because very young children uniquely need their mothers. Because the relationship a mother has with her child is by nature different than the relationship the father has with the child, roles within the home should reflect and support the mother’s mothering. This is where most of the “traditional” roles originate. It’s not bad, it is good and healthy, although sometimes it can be misunderstood, misrepresented or taken to unhealthy extremes.
There are so many extremes today, men wanting nothing to do with the home, women rejecting any “traditional” role, and in all of it, children are the ones who lose the most.
The very best homes for children are created by a strong marriage where both man and woman give 100%.
It can be easy to be too focused on oneself, on worldly success, on material things, and forget that our greatest calling as human beings is to love. First God, then others. And the call to love is for most of us, to be lived out in families, families we may be privileged to build.
One final thought: It may also be tempting for some people to think that life will only begin once we get married or have children. That’s not the Christian view. Our life begins with every moment, the present moment and we are called to fully love and serve with whatever time we are given. No one is promised tomorrow, and no one is promised marriage or children. So today, focus on loving, on taking the next right step, on seeking God. Also, remember: marriage is not the only vocation. Some are called to live a celibate vocation, like the priesthood and religious life. These are extremely beautiful, high callings and are essential for the life of the Church.
After all, for the Christian, even something as beautiful as marriage and family life is just preparation for eternal life and perfect communion with God and His angels and saints.
@LiveAction In 2022, the same pro-life activists discovered 115 aborted babies in a bin outside of the same abortion facility.
Five were nearly full-term babies.
This is the “reproductive health care” that these pro-life activists were obstructing.
@Sachinettiyil@andrew_swafford It’s true. Every Wednesday at 7:30am; and then he hosts a massive brunch at the end of every semester for all that attend. It’s pretty powerful and something that every president of a Catholic U. should be inspired by.
I'm way behind the times on this but the film "Nefarious" is excellent. Really well acted, gripping, powerful. Most of the movie consists of two guys sitting in a room and talking, and yet it holds your attention. I have disliked nearly every "Christian" film I've seen because they're usually poorly written and hopelessly corny. But this one does it right. Highly recommend.
I cannot for the life of me imagine how anyone's favorite season could be anything other than Spring. It's the season which most reflects the reality of things.
Pro tip: if you’re not sure what to do for Lent, start by thinking about the themes of your last confession. How can you tailor your penance or practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to help you grow in the opposing virtues?