Tolkien’s world, still popular on the big screen, began with faith and words December 18, 2024By Cecilia Hadley OSV News Filed Under: Arts & Culture, Books, Commentary J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth — the world of “The Lord of the Rings” and now the new animated film “The War of the Rohirrim” — was born, first and foremost, from Tolkien’s intense and lifelong love for language.
Question Corner: What is the point of the Mass reading about the genealogy of Jesus? December 18, 2024By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Question Corner God uses the lowly, the humble and the unexpected to achieve his purposes. It perfectly sets the stage for the greatest “surprise” of all, that the King of Kings should come to us in humble circumstances, born of a virgin and laid in a manger.
Every dawn an Advent, every day a New Year December 16, 2024By Laura Kelly Fanucci OSV News Filed Under: Advent, Commentary Each day we stand before the doors of chronos and kairos. We can enter into the frantic, fast-paced, nonstop rush of consumerist culture, with its endless urgent cries of “buy, buy, buy” and “more, more, more.” Or we can turn and open another door, the quieter way of faith.
A beginner’s guide to prayer for Catholics December 15, 2024By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Worship & Sacraments God loves us more than we can imagine. He wants us to get to know and love him as a Father. Like any loving parent, he wants to spend time talking with his children. The following are answers to commonly asked questions about prayer.
Spending Advent with St. Joseph December 14, 2024By Rita Buettner Catholic Review Filed Under: Advent, Blog, Commentary, Open Window As a woman and mother, I sometimes feel like I should feel close to Mary during Advent. And I do. But I often find myself looking more to St. Joseph. In so many ways, his story is similar to our stories. He’s thrust into a situation he couldn’t have anticipated. He considers backing out and […]
Surrendering emptiness in Advent December 12, 2024By Lauretta Brown OSV News Filed Under: Books, Commentary Childish musings and wonder can give way to mystery as we get older and the idea of a young woman conceived without sin, bearing the son of God seems so far away from everyday life.
Question Corner: Could Jesus sin? If not, was he truly human and free? December 11, 2024By Jenna Marie Cooper Filed Under: Commentary, Question Corner If we consider sin as a turning away from God or breaking God’s commandments, then it would seem to be a logical impossibility for Jesus to sin. Jesus, as God, cannot turn away from or betray himself. And we know that Jesus never did sin in actual fact.
Books for Christmas – 2024 December 11, 2024By George Weigel Syndicated Columnist Filed Under: Books, Commentary, The Catholic Difference In the spirit of happy browsing, here are some suggestions for Christmas book-giving (not “gifting”!) at a historical moment that needs equal doses of realism and hope.
Post-election migration perspective and implications for policy December 9, 2024By Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio OSV News Filed Under: 2024 Election, Commentary, Immigration and Migration If we hope to walk with migrants, we need to understand the present situation. If we wish to assist them, we need to better influence public opinion, especially the opinion of our elected leaders, to enact sensible reforms that reflect our national needs and conscience.
Advent: We see what we’re looking for December 9, 2024By Jaymie Stuart Wolfe OSV News Filed Under: Advent, Commentary During Advent, the church encourages us to renew our search for God and teaches us how and where to look for him.
Expecting a miracle: Advent by the Nativity scene December 7, 2024By Susan M. Erschen OSV News Filed Under: Advent, Commentary A Christmas tradition started by St. Francis may help us keep our focus more on the coming miracle than the latest sales. The beloved saint from Assisi taught us to live simply and care for the poor, including through the Nativity scene.
Following Christ as content creators December 6, 2024By Sister Hosea Rupprecht OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, social media As content creators, it’s easy to get so focused on creating that we can forget that there are people on the other end of our communication who deserve our consideration and respect.
