Where is Purgatory in the Bible? The Complete Guide

I once heard a priest being asked about Purgatory. This priest had just retired from the University of Notre Dame theology department where he had served as a tenured professor. He was asked whether Catholics still believed in Purgatory. Do you know what he said?  He completely affirmed the Church's teaching on Purgatory in the most breath-taking way imaginable. His answer left us all emboldened to spread the Gospel. The priest's answer was rich in references to the Bible. Most of all, he left with us an abiding hope for the future and a foretaste of Heaven.  Actually, the priest's answer wasn't any of those things . But it should have been. It could have been. Want to know what the priest really said? "Closed for Repairs." He said that, theologically speaking, the doctrine of Purgatory was a darkened building with a sign hanging on its front door. The sign read "Closed for Repairs."  This answer couldn't be farther from the truth. Here i Read More July 16, 2018

The "Good Wine" of the Wedding at Cana: What's "Wine on the Lees"? Is the Bible Anti-Alcohol?

Why does the steward at the Wedding at Cana praise the "good wine"? Did you know this fulfilled a Messianic prophesy from Isaiah? And from Moses?  Is the Bible against drinking alcohol? Is the wine at the Wedding at Cana non-alcoholic, as some Protestants argue? Ever heard of "wine on the lees" or aging wine "sur lie"? This is where your Catholic knowledge can inform your wine knowledge and vice-versa.   Jesus turns the water to wine at the Wedding at Cana, right? This is his first public miracle and will be connected to his "last miracle" before his death on the Cross.  We remember Jesus turning the water into wine, but what comes after?  The Wedding at Cana: The Testing of the Wine There was a very significant scene after Jesus turned the water into wine.  Do you remember the testing of the wine at the Wedding at Cana?  The  steward of the feast says something to the bride-groom, i.e. the groom. What does he say?  The Steward sa Read More July 04, 2018

Justice Clarence Thomas, The Rosary, and His First Homily as Priest

I love hearing a good story about the Rosary. Here's a great one, as told by Justice Clarence Thomas. It's part of an amazing and "unabashedly Catholic" commencement address that Justice Thomas recently gave at Christendom College.  I also wanted to share with you a story about the time that I met Justice Thomas. I asked him, " If you had continued in seminary and become a priest, what would have been the subject of your first homily?" The answer is below, following the video.  [The story about the Rosary begins about the 19:22 mark] Wasn't that a great story? Want to hear another one? FYI,  I'm collecting stories like this for an upcoming book I'm compiling on the Rosary. The working title is "Amazing Things About the Rosary You Never Knew" or something like that. You may have already heard portions of Justice Thomas' commencement address on Teresa Tameo's radio show or from Steve Ray. I'm glad to see it's Read More June 06, 2018

Gay Wedding Cake Supreme Court Case: A "Masterpiece" for Religious Freedom?

The Supreme Court ruled 7-2 in favor of the Christian baker in the so-called Gay Wedding Cake Case. Will  Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission be a landmark ruling for freedom of religion and freedom of conscience cases?  What will Masterpiece Cakeshop  mean for religious freedom rights going forward? Is this the turn of the tide for Christian and conservative values? But was Masterpiece a masterpiece? Unfortunately, the ruling may be narrow and limited for a few reasons.  We will go over all of the following in this article: ○ Background: Jack Phillips, the baker, vs. the gay couple and Colorado ○ The Supreme Court's ruling and holding in Masterpiece ○ Key quotes, passages, and where to find the text of the Masterpiece decision ○ What is the Free Exercise Clause? The Establishment Clause? ○ Is Separation of Church & State in the Constitution? ○ Reasons the Masterpiece Cakeshop ruling may be limited ○ Majority, Concurring, and Dissentin Read More June 04, 2018