Without doubt, my most favorite and funniest episode of Saturday Night Live was when comedian John Lovitz portrayed the Devil in a parody of “The People’s Court”. As the defendant in the case, Mephistopheles- one of the many names by which the Devil is known- is being sued by a hairdresser who sought to terminate…
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The Forgotten Church
Off the beaten path in Lukova, north central Czech Republic, barely stands Saint Georges Church. Built in 1352, this church had been abandoned since the roof collapsed during a 1968 funeral mass. Some townspeople considered this a bad omen, but most of the townspeople however sought to keep the church from being demolished. It played…
On the Road to Emmaus
We are on the Road to Emmaus. For those of you who are my age, this sounds like a set up for another of Bing Crosby – Bob Hope famous “Road” movies. The Gospel of Luke, shares with us the story of two disciples, Cleopas and another “disciple” who is not identified, traveling from on…
Guilty as sin
Guilty as sin. An old American colloquialism. It is an expression I heard often when I worked in law enforcement in New Jersey for thirty years, before I became a catholic priest. A phrase that was tossed about by cops, attorneys, witnesses and even on an occasion or two- by a judge from the bench…
Christmas Trees
There are many stories and folklore surrounding the history of Christmas trees. It is said that religious reformer Martin Luther (1483-1546) while walking home from his church on Christmas Eve, paused to pray in the beauty of the winter’s moonlight. Looking skyward he was in awe of how the moonlight glistened on the snow dusted…
Purgatory
Purgatory. There I’ve said it. Perhaps the most often misunderstood concept in all of Catholicism. It gets a lot of bad press. From outside the Catholic church, as well as from within. Many Catholics grew up with an image of Purgatory as a dark scary place, filled with constant screams for help and naked tortured…
Who will roll the stone away?
The Lenten and Easter season are upon us. It is a time of great reflection and self-examination. For as Christians, we are called to not only make sacrifices but to pray upon and consider the sacrifice of Christ upon the cross. It is after all, the basic foundation upon which our faith is built. That…
Confession – A roadblock to Christ?
Unless you are Catholic, you may not understand the concept of “making a good confession”. It is something within Catholic dogma, and certain aspects of Canon Law, that makes it an obligatory requirement to “make a good confession” before you can be considered eligible to participate in receiving certain Sacraments of the Church. It is…
Life in a Fishbowl
As a spiritual man of faith, I am asked many times in many different types of situations; usually unfortunate ones, “ How could God let this happen? “ A devastating car accident, an unexpected death, a diagnosed terminal illness or recurring debilitating one, an unforeseen financial hardship and even personal crisis of faith. “ God…
Truth
Truth (trooth) n. 1. the thing that is a fact or reality; 2. something factual or so clearly stated that is without need of an explanation; 3. a position, concept or statement generally believed to be accepted or obvious, or a scientific accuracy or undisputed conclusion; 4. to be faithful to a cause or person…