The blog reflects on differing perspectives as Eucharistic ministers, emphasizing the importance of recognizing both the divine and human aspects of Christ in Catholicism. It highlights the evolution of worship post-Vatican II towards a “both-and” approach, wherein both the sacrificial and communal meanings of the Mass coexist, enriching the faith experience.
Tag Archives: Ethics
Prophetic Voices from the Periphery
Joseph Stoutzenberger shares his experience of feeling like an outsider during a New Year’s Eve party, highlighting loneliness that many face. He connects this to Pope Francis’s sensitivity towards marginalized individuals, including women and LGBTQ+ communities. Francis’s inclusive actions reflect his understanding of Jesus’s embrace of the outcast and the importance of reaching those on the periphery.
A More Inclusive Church: Married and Unmarried Catholics
The Catholic Church views family as fundamental, yet a 2015 Pew study revealed only 51% of U.S. Catholics are married. With changing relationship dynamics, including cohabitation and same-sex couples, the Church faces challenges in inclusion. It must adapt to serve all Catholics, ensuring diverse expressions of holiness are recognized within the community.
Confession—a Sacrament of Consolation?
The Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Philadelphia hosts a weekly novena service and Mass, attracting many seeking intercession from Mary. Confession plays a key role, offering consolation and a personal connection to God. The sacrament’s modern emphasis on reconciliation aims to heal and renew relationships rather than impose guilt.
How Can We Find the Holy in a Secular Age?
The city of Ephesus hosts a chapel believed to mark the home of Mary, where pilgrimage offers a chance to connect with the holy. The author reflects on modern secularism’s impact on reverence, contrasting tourists with pilgrims. Reclaiming a sense of the sacred requires wonder and contemplation in daily life.
The Gospels: Myth or Parable?
Joseph Stoutzenberger reflects on the evolving understanding of myths in teaching since the 1970s. He contrasts myths with parables, highlighting how religious stories, particularly in Christianity, challenge societal norms. Stoutzenberger argues that Jesus’s life embodies parabolic themes, subverting common beliefs about power, righteousness, and the nature of God’s love.
How Do Catholics Read the Bible?
The author reflects on his Catholic education, noting that he rarely engaged with the Bible directly. He discusses the historical context of Bible reading, the importance of interpretation within Catholicism, and the challenge of understanding scripture amid differing religious views. Ultimately, he emphasizes the need for careful analysis when interpreting sacred texts.
Is Liberation Still Central to the Christian Message?
During the 1970s there was much talk of “liberation” among religions, especially in Catholicism. Gustavo Gutierrez and other Latin American theologians laid out a biblical and theological foundation for liberation as an essential element of the Christian message.
Will U.S. Catholicism Survive?
That sounds exactly like what Pope John XXIII and Pope Francis feared. They warned that the church was not meant to be a museum. If it was to survive it had to be a living, growing, thriving garden. To be that blossoming garden, both of these popes saw a need for change—what Pope John XXIII called aggiornamento, “updating.”
Catholicism: Does It Liberate?
In the 1990s, U.S. Catholic bishops noted the widespread use of artificial birth control among Catholic couples, citing poor teaching on the issue, and it was declared immoral in a 1968 papal encyclical. Joseph Stoutzenberger, drawing from his research, argues for critical thinking in Catholic education, suggesting that liberation involves questioning and analyzing beliefs, encouraging a deeper understanding of Catholicism aligned with Jesus’s teachings.
Joseph Stoutzenberger 