Daily Theology
Archive for February 2012
War With Iran is Not Inevitable
Is war with Iran inevitable? According to a number of news stories and political candidates there is an increasing sense that war with Iran, or at least some form of belligerent attack is coming. Some American and Israeli politicians even appear eager for such a conflict to occur. Last week the New York Times ran … Continue reading
Returning to the Camp
A reflection on the readings for the First Sunday of Lent “The one who bears the sore of leprosy shall keep his garments rent and his head bare, and shall muffle his beard; he shall cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean!’ As long as the sore is on him he shall declare himself unclean, since he is … Continue reading
Why I Am Fasting From Facebook
Lent started yesterday with Ash Wednesday – famously described on Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update as “the day Catholics freak out their co-workers.” The topic at many a cafeteria table, CCD class, or living room was “what are you giving up for Lent?” Or, in more Jesuitically-influenced circles (sorry, guys!), “what will you be adding … Continue reading
Lent 2012
Reflections for Lent 2012 As part of our own Lenten observance, those of us here at Daily Theology are offering some reflections during this season on the main holidays, the Sundays, and our own experiences. We hope these will serve all our readers, friends, and contributors to deepen our faith and our relationships with each … Continue reading
Ash Wednesday—or—On Not Mocking Ourselves with Falsehood*
Blessed sister, holy mother, spirit of the fountain, spirit of the garden, Suffer us not to mock ourselves with falsehood Teach us to care and not to care Teach us to sit still Even among these rocks, Our peace in His will And even among these rocks Sister, mother And spirit of the river, spirit … Continue reading
Being Catholic as a Response to God
This year marks the tenth anniversary of the widespread outrage against the Roman Catholic Church’s (mis)handling of sexual abuse cases. Over the past decade the fallout from the successive revelations of sin, cover-up, pride and suffering have led many to ask the difficult question that has been the theme of this week: “why am I … Continue reading
Communion of Saints
When I got my current job and moved back to New York City in 2010, I had to go through the painful “re-initiation” into urban life and local neighborhood orientation. I enjoy the camaraderie and conversation that take place over a pint and plate, so I quickly sought haven at Crescent and Vine in my … Continue reading
The Humanity of it All
The question: “Why am I (still) Catholic?” The answer: “Because I am a human being.” I did actually leave the Roman Catholic Church for several years. Because there are a host of issues over which my well-formed conscience puts me at odds with some of the more vocal members of the Roman Church’s leadership, I … Continue reading
A Transfigured Vision
It is hard to approach a question like Why I am (still) Catholic without falling into humor or sarcasm. I can hear multiple one-line quips that range from stereotypes (“I’d feel guilty if I wasn’t.”) to philosophical (“Why not?”). Such a response, would be much too short and would fail to take seriously a legitimate … Continue reading
Broken Vessels
Perhaps it’s not by chance that brokenness is on my mind—after all, we are drawing close to the season of Lent. Yet it is the topic of Theological Shark Week that prods me to think about our human limitations. To describe “why I am (still) Catholic” implies faithful and critical evaluation of what it means … Continue reading
