of the human person from conception until natural death
In an apparent contradiction to what Jesus had said earlier that He had made known to the disciples all that He had heard from the Father (Jn 15:15), at the outset of this weekend’s Gospel Jesus tells them, “I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.”
The liturgical revisions of the Second Vatican Council sought to reaffirm the close connection between the gift of the Spirit and the Lord’s resurrection and ascension. The Spirit and the accompanying seven-fold gifts are essential to understanding and living out the Paschal Mystery, which is the central mystery of salvation…
In the first three chapters of his Letter to the Ephesians, Saint Paul explained that God had given the Church great spiritual riches so that she could lead the world into peace. Then, in that letter’s subsequent chapter, Paul declares that the first way that believers can show the world…
The Ascension of Jesus has theological affinity with Yom Kippur, the annual Jewish Day of Atonement. Both observances revolve around the notions of the cleansing of sin, God’s forgiveness, and reconciliation with God. This Jewish ritual involved sacrifices, the scapegoat ceremony, and the cleansing of the Holy of Holies, all…
In this week’s Gospel, there is one of the several references to the Paraclete (Jn 14:26) rendered, in English, as Advocate. All references to the Paraclete (or the Spirit of Truth) occur multiple times in the Farewell Discourse of John’s Gospel (Jn 13:31–17:26) that are the extensive teachings and promises…
Taking place on February 2, the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple occurs on the fortieth day after Christmas. According to the Book of Leviticus (Lev 12:1-8), a woman…
Nature and dignity 