Holiness is a topic not thought much about these days, except in church or religious settings. When people think of holiness, they tend to think of Jesus, clergy or people like Mother Theresa. Holiness is often regarded as something for “those” types, not for regular people like us. This is demonstrated daily in today’s garbage pop culture, and has reduced holiness to almost nothing in much of society. What is...
It is no great revelation to claim that America is drifting further and further from God. In a country where Christian faith once influenced the society, we have become secular across the board, only allowing faith to be proclaimed on Sundays in church or privately within one’s home. Expressions of faith in the public square are frowned upon, ridiculed or persecuted. Faith no longer plays a role in shaping mainstream...
by Michael Paul · Published April 14, 2021 · Last modified August 4, 2021
Due to the thwarting effects of sin in our world, God’s love for us is often hard to see or feel. But because God DOES love us, he instituted a way for his life and love to come to us and reside within us. God created the sacraments as physical signs of his love, using rituals and beautiful liturgies that humans can experience. However, the sacraments of the Catholic Church...
by Michael Paul · Published March 26, 2021 · Last modified August 4, 2021
What is love? The simplest ways to define love could be as follows: Love is an emotion, a feeling of strong attraction and connection to someone or something. Love is a choice that we make to put another’s needs before their own, with such empathy and resolve that if their needs are not met, neither are ours. Thereby, the well-being of both are united as one. Love, at its core,...
Cancel culture is everywhere right now. If someone speaks, acts or thinks in a way that the mob decides is unworthy or hateful, then the trend dictates that such person be erased from society. Shunning and silencing are not just acceptable, they are mandatory to keep status within the mob. It is taken so far as to impact the offender’s current and future ability to make a living. There is...
Most Americans will agree that our country is more divided than ever. As people of God, our faith must be through Him, with our eyes fixed on Jesus. We cannot rely on politicians to heal the country. We have the power through the Holy Spirit to live godly lives. Doing so collectively is the way to get the country back on track and heal the divide. We must listen to...
What is truth in today’s day and age? If something is true, then all truth-seeking people should eventually arrive at it, in agreement. An unbiased, honest search for truth is always healthy. There have always been disagreements and conflicting viewpoints in politics, religion and morality in American culture. While we may have disagreed, it was usually under the assumption that there was only one truth, just that we differed on...
by Michael Paul · Published November 30, 2020 · Last modified August 5, 2021
Advent is a liturgical season celebrated by most Christian denominations during the four weeks preceding Christmas Day. It is an important time of the year for Christians, but largely ignored by secular and popular culture. It is typically overshadowed by the “holiday season” of shopping, parties and charity. Most people think of Advent as a time to wait and prepare for Christmas, but this is only partially true. Advent is...
by Michael Paul · Published November 24, 2020 · Last modified August 5, 2021
Below are some questions on sin that were originally posted on Quora, along with my short but direct answers. This collection of questions is somewhat random in nature, and does not represent an all-reaching approach to the concept of sin, but does provide some level of insight. It seems that people are curious about it, and fearful at the same time. While sin is popularly portrayed as doing something bad,...
Election Day has come and gone. To no one’s surprise, the results – or lack thereof- have done nothing to heal the divide in this country. This year has been a long one and has unfortunately highlighted several disturbing societal trends. What would have been unheard of only a few years ago seems commonplace today, and complacency and reluctant acceptance has become the norm. If we hope to move forward...