There is a peculiar story in Mark’s Gospel that often raises more questions than it answers. Jesus comes across a fig tree when he’s hungry, and because the tree has no fruit, he curses it. This despite the fact that we read, it was “not the season for figs.” So, upon first reading, the question is raised: why does Jesus get mad at a fig tree that doesn’t produce fruit out of season; this seems demanding, even illogical. (But remember: “God chose the foolish things of the wor

Is it possible that Seneca, the great Stoic philosopher, played a pivotal role in Paul’s appeal to Caesar? Two important Saints who helped shape church history thought so, and the evidence is both more complicated and controversial than one might assume. During the time of Jesus’ Passion, it was Pontius Pilate who was the governor of Judea. He served in that position from 26-36 AD. A couple decades later that position was held by Porcius Festus. He was the procurator from 5

Is America a Christian nation? This is a loaded question of course, but all one needs to do is look at what Patrick Henry – the founding father who coined the phrase “give me liberty or give me death” – said on the matter. Henry said, “It cannot be emphasized too strongly that this great nation was founded – not by religionists – but by Christians.” This is where, for Catholics, this term “Christian” must be properly defined. All Catholics are Christian, but not all Christian

Today we’re going to be discussing a major controversy in the church – a controversy that I’ve only recently been made aware of. Nonetheless, I was captivated right away. The debate goes back over 70 years. It is the lingering questions about The Divine Mercy Devotion – the chaplet Catholics pray, and the image Catholics venerate. Is this really an image from God, seen in a vision by a saint and mystic? Or is it really sacrilege? - Just the machinations of a mad woman? For mo

INTRO You may notice the shirt I’m wearing. “If it’s a symbol, to hell with it.” ~ Flannery O’ Connor. I got the idea for it from Johnathan Roumie, who plays Jesus on the Chosen. When I saw him wearing it, I first thought “whoa, what’s he so mad about?” (To hell with it?) But then I heard the explanation for it, and I thought, “That’s perfect!” The double meaning of “to hell with it” is brilliant and says it all. This essay is all about the meaning that stands behind thes

Bruce Lee once said, Calm is a superpower. And we see the Biblical proof of this when God tells David, “Be still and know that I am God.”...

What are the odds that Jesus is who said he is? Did you know that we can actually calculate that number? Atheists and skeptics always...

Today we will be discussing the most important question in the world. Yes, you heard me correctly: The most important question in the...

I have a lot to say, and I don’t want to waste your time or mine. Our attention spans can only take so much, so as always it is my goal to jam as much understandable information into as small a time frame as humanly possible. Today we’re gonna be looking at one of the most controversial topics in all of Christianity. It is the question of whether or not Christians should be praying to Mary. We’re going to be focusing on three areas of discussion. We’re going to see if the

There are two points about which the majority of people, including scholars, seem to agree. That when it comes to who was the first...

One thing we must never forget is that wherever there is light, there is always going to be shadow. What I mean by this is simple, wherever there is good in this world, evil will always rear its ugly head. If Jesus is mentioned by name, forget about it. The demons come right out. It is crazy to see, but it happens a lot. As a matter of fact, we will be taking a closer look at some these unclean spirits that arise when the Lord is near, which is to say, whenever the light of t

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. (Exodus 20:7) People often think the word vain here means “empty” or “futile” Although there is some truth to this perspective, it is not the true source of meaning in the word. For the word vain can also refer to vanity. I hear Carly Simon’s “You’re so vain, you probably think this song is about you” playing in my head as I say this. For you see,