Commentaries
Pain, Lent and redemption
In a society that seeks to medicate suffering, this season of repentance leads us to confront our weakness, writes Moises Sandoval. The desert, where life hangs by a thread, shows our dependence on God for life, health and survival.
Why defending Cardinal Pell is a problem
Many lay Catholics have challenged the conviction of the highest-ranked Catholic clergyman to be found guilty of child sexual abuse. The rush to believe the cardinal, rather than the victims, undercuts efforts to reform and heal the church, writes Gunther Simmermacher.
Gratitude as a Lenten practice
Reflecting on God's many blessings throughout each day brings us into his presence, writes Effie Caldarola. Even unjust and heartbreaking circumstances can be places where we encounter Christ and his healing love.
Go take a walk to holy place, even in your own backyard
Sister Ann Heath loves to walk. She suggests that walking with God in a pilgrimage of grace this Lent can be as simple as slowing our pace, focusing on the holy and visiting a few local shrines.
Profiting from our faults this Lent
The 40-day path to Easter shouldn't lead us to despair over our shortcomings, writes Oblate Father Thomas Dailey. Determination to continually seek God's grace, rather than trying to perfect ourselves, leads to true holiness.
Heart work for Lent
The season of prayer, fasting and almsgiving takes on new meaning in today's toxic public square, writes Carolyn Woo. By humbling ourselves before God, we can grow in compassion and service.
Making your bed is the most important job of the day
Father Eugene Hemrick sees the value in starting the day with an energizing task which creates a vitalizing order, followed by other tasks which lead to other such order. It's a good cure for restlessness.
Cutting back on digital devices leads to ‘deep work’
Beyond a day-long fast from social media, Brett Robinson recommends a minimalist "philosophy of media" rooted in our faith. He makes the Catholic case for rethinking our relationship to technology.
Funny thing about comedians is their serious role in society
A good stand-up routine is like doing a guided examination of conscience, writes Elise Italiano Ureneck. We laugh at an honest look at cultural tides because we’re uncomfortable, but also out of relief.
A dream for Catholic renewal
A vibrant future is possible for U.S. Catholicism, marked by an embrace of our brother and sister Hispanic Catholics, writes Hosffman Ospino. A church beleagurered by mistakes must embrace cultural diversity.