Focus on Faith
Infant baptisms in the Church
The following is meant to help Catholics be more conversant in the Church’s practice and to motivate Catholic parents to prioritize their infants’ baptisms.
A reason for our hope
People who know and love Jesus Christ exude a great joy. Every day, Catholics who make a witness of their faith to the people around them heal others through their work. The Acts of the Apostles demonstrate the power that comes from awakened believers who give witness through their words and deeds.
Duties to family members include love, but with wisdom
Q. There is a family member who keeps intruding in my life. I want to love this person well, and I don’t want to go against God’s teaching about the duty we owe to family, but this person’s constant interruptions and negative attitude are affecting my family and me. What can I do?
When we hear Christ’s voice, we can’t be led astray
When I hear a voice of a person I can’t see at the seminary, I sometimes enjoy trying to figure out and guess who the person is. Occasionally, it is easy to figure out. And other times, I must search my memory and wait for a distinct pronunciation or phrase for it to click. Sometimes, I get it wrong, or my initial guess is wrong, but often by listening more, it comes to me.
Sharing our encounters with Jesus
Maybe you and I have had a similar experience after an encounter with Jesus. Was it after spending an hour with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament? Or was it after praying the rosary with your family? So often, Jesus gives us these close encounters with him and it leaves us refreshed. What do we do after these experiences?
The scriptural basis for baptism
Baptism is the first of the seven sacraments. It was established by Jesus and has a strong biblical basis. The Gospels report that Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. Jesus modeled the reception of baptism. Jesus saw the spiritual value of baptism for himself and, in doing so, showed that those who believe in him should also be baptized.
Wounds a reminder of Christ’s sacrifice
The Gospel for April 23 gives us another encounter with the risen Lord Jesus: “He showed them his hands and his side” (Jn 20:20). The risen Jesus doesn’t leave his wounds behind when he shows himself to the disciples. Rather, he shows evidence of his Passion.
Gluttony is not joy
Q. It seems like every time I want to do something that I think will be fun, the Church has a rule against it. Why is the Church so against pleasure?
A heart that weeps
It is only in the mystery of the cross that our suffering, and our fasting and penances, can truly bear fruit. Jesus seeks to meet us there, show us his heart and share his mercy. He shows us that his heart is one that loves and weeps.
Seek Jesus’ healing in the confessional
Our readings this week are all about being seen. We hear in the first reading that it is not until Samuel sees David that he is able to anoint him and bestow the gifts of the Lord upon him. St. Paul tells us in the second reading that even though we were once in darkness, we are now light in the Lord. Thus, we are to live as children of the light and do the things that are pleasing in the sight of God. Finally, the Gospel tells us that it is not until Jesus sees the blind man that he is able to perform the miracle of restoring his sight. All of these readings show us how important it is for us to be seen by the Lord. While this may seem like a simple point, it is one worth reflecting on in order for us to grow in our spiritual lives.
Despite our sinfulness, Jesus thirsts for us
Chances are, we’re all familiar with this weekend’s Gospel. But did you ever notice that there’s not just one, but two thirsty people at the well?
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