Stop Judging Me! (or What "Judge Not" Really Means)

When another person says not to “judge them” it may be that they are saying that you do not have the right to tell them that what they have done is wrong. However, Jesus tells us that as long as we do it out of love, and we don’t presume to know their destiny, we can, and sometimes must, help our brothers and sisters see their own sin. 

From Aggie Catholics' blog: What "Judge Not" Really Means

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"There was no more room for willful ignorance..."

Jen Fulwiler is one of my favorite bloggers. Her latest is really worth reading:

Those Catholic Women Who Use Contraception

Check out her blog, Conversion Diary.

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Cuomo's Conscience?

After naming Governor Andrew Cuomo to demonstrate the component of "circumstances" when evaluating the (im)morality of an action, thought you'd like to see what has been in the news recently:

Governor Andrew Cuomo's Anti-Catholic Agenda

The Question of Governor Cuomo and Excommunication

Cuomo's Extreme Abortion Bill

As a native Long Islander, I am grateful that New York is shepherded by ordained men like Cardinal Timothy Dolan, among others. Don't forget that Bishop William Murphy of the Diocese of Rockville Center (my "home" diocese!) will be giving the homily at this year's Red Mass. Click here for details...

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Les Misérables

I'm not sure who runs the "Catholic Moral Theology" website where I found the article, but this entry on "Doing Moral Theology with Les Misérables" is a great read for anyone beginning to get familiar with terms like "virtue ethics" and "consequentialism"...

If you haven't yet seen Les Mis, it is not to be missed. See it TODAY. I'd love to talk about it in our class. Hugh Jackman's breathtaking portrayal of Jean Valjean will remain forever etched in your hearts and minds. I'm in the middle of the 1500+ page text, and I can't wait to see Tom Hooper's film for the 2nd time (tonight!) with my book club.  Read this - "Capturing the Essence of Les Mis" - as well.

UPDATE (11 Jan): Seeing it a second time has only made me want to see it yet again. Here's another great read on the film: Deacon Greg Kandra's "Six Things that Struck Me about Les Misérables"

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"A Better Concept of Freedom"

George Weigel on Fr. Servais Pinckaers, OP's interpretion of Aquinas' "freedom for excellence":
"A Better Concept of Freedom"
This article appeared in First Things 121 (March 2002): 14-20.

A slightly different version appears here: (click link)

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Mary, Model of the Moral Life (re-post)

Mary is the radiant sign and inviting model of the moral life. As Saint Ambrose put it, "The life of this one person can serve as a model for everyone",and while speaking specifically to virgins but within a context open to all, he affirmed: "The first stimulus to learning is the nobility of the teacher. Who can be more noble than the Mother of God? Who can be more glorious than the one chosen by Glory Itself?". Mary lived and exercised her freedom precisely by giving herself to God and accepting God's gift within herself. Until the time of his birth, she sheltered in her womb the Son of God who became man; she raised him and enabled him to grow, and she accompanied him in that supreme act of freedom which is the complete sacrifice of his own life. By the gift of herself, Mary entered fully into the plan of God who gives himself to the world. By accepting and pondering in her heart events which she did not always understand (cf. Lk 2:19), she became the model of all those who hear the word of God and keep it (cf. Lk 11:28), and merited the title of "Seat of Wisdom". This Wisdom is Jesus Christ himself, the Eternal Word of God, who perfectly reveals and accomplishes the will of the Father (cf.Heb 10:5-10). Mary invites everyone to accept this Wisdom. To us too she addresses the command she gave to the servants at Cana in Galilee during the marriage feast: "Do whatever he tells you" (Jn 2:5).

Mary shares our human condition, but in complete openness to the grace of God. Not having known sin, she is able to have compassion on every kind of weakness. She understands sinful man and loves him with a Mother's love. Precisely for this reason she is on the side of truth and shares the Church's burden in recalling always and to everyone the demands of morality. Nor does she permit sinful man to be deceived by those who claim to love him by justifying his sin, for she knows that the sacrifice of Christ her Son would thus be emptied of its power. No absolution offered by beguiling doctrines, even in the areas of philosophy and theology, can make man truly happy: only the Cross and the glory of the Risen Christ can grant peace to his conscience and salvation to his life.
Veritatis splendor 120 ‐ Ioannes Paulus PP. II ‐ Encyclical Letter (1993.08.06)

Fr. Barron on Conscience (Formation)

Great video!
Click here.

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Love Actually

"For the Christian whose loves are rightly ordered, obedience to the Church is not something we pledge only if & when we can agree with what that Church proposes regarding doctrine & morals. It is a habitus, something learned over time & grown into gradually & at times painfully." Notice the language: Love is "rightly ordered" and not "ordered" by "rights"... Love actually has an order to it!

Check out this March 2012 post on Catholic Phoenix from Xavier Catholic Prep's Tony DiStefano:

Why I Am Not a Conservative or Liberal Catholic, & Why You Shouldn’t Be One, Either

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"Words, words, words... My kingdom for a word!"

WEEK TWO ESSAY: 

Please choose and write your response to ONE of the questions listed below, then email your essay as an attachment in .doc(x) or .pdf format to Christina (cstrafaciuiw@gmail.com) by MONDAY night, January 16th at 11:00pm.

1. Explain St. Paul's understanding of human freedom as evidenced in the following passages of Scripture:
* Romans 6: 11-23; 7: 2-12; 8:1-5
* Galatians 4:21-31
Your response should include an explanation of how these verses relate to CCC 1744-45.

2. Determine the object, the end, and the circumstances of the widow's actions in Luke 21:1-4 and Judas' actions in John 13:1-30. Then, compare and contrast your findings. 

3. The word conscience appears 30 times in the New Testament. Please explain the meaning St. Paul intends when he speaks of conscience in three or four of the following passages:
* Rom 2:15; 13:5
* 1 Cor 8:12; 10:27-29
* 2 Cor 1:12; 5:11
* 1 Tm 1:19
* Heb 10:22
Your response should include an explanation of how these verses relate to CCC 1786-1789.

GUIDELINES for ESSAYS:

Essays should be 450-500 words in length. This means four (4) to five (5) completely developed paragraphs, cohesively organized around a solid thesis statement and supporting arguments. Each essay should be double-spaced, using Times New Roman font at 12pt with standard margins (1” top-bottom, 1-1.25” right-left). No cover page is needed, but your name and the date should appear at the top of the first page... please!

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Future Moral Theologians

In mid-December, the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family announced the results in the 2011 Father Michael J. McGivney College Essay Contest.

What God Has Joined Together Let No Man Separate: Truth and Freedom in Contemporary Moral Discourse
Michael A. Wahl
Providence College

On the Relationship of Freedom, Truth, and Faith as Found in the Theology of Pope Benedict XVI and Blessed John Paul II
Stephen C. Barany
University of Notre Dame

The essay contest, which takes place annually, asked students to respond to the following question:

Commenting in 1993 on problems in modern ethical thought, John Paul II spoke of a general tendency of "detaching human freedom from its essential and constitutive relationship to truth" (Veritatis Splendor, 4). He also made the following claim: "The attempt to set freedom in opposition to truth, and indeed to separate them radically, is the consequence, manifestation and consummation of another more serious and destructive dichotomy, that which separates faith from morality" (Ibid., 88). What does it mean to speak of an "essential and constitutive relationship" of freedom to truth? If freedom needs truth, does truth need freedom? How do both need faith? Write an essay discussing these questions.

Through the Father Michael J. McGivney College Essay Contest, which is named for the founder of the Knights of Columbus, the Pontifical John Paul II Institute seeks to encourage deeper reflection on the themes of culture, person, God, love, marriage, and family, especially as developed in the theological work of John Paul II and Benedict XVI. The contest is open to college students who are in their junior or senior years in the given academic year.

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Building a Culture of Lie

Are the actions of LiveAction's Lila Rose justified?  Read this exposition of why the ends never justify the means:

Building a Culture of Lie

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us!

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Lying for a good cause?

CatholicVote.org recently welcomed Dr. Pia di Solenni to their blog:

"An ethicist and cultural analyst, Pia is an expert in issues relating to women’s health, life issues, the new feminism, Catholicism, and culture. Her work has appeared in various publications including The Wall Street Journal Europe, The Washington Post, National Catholic Reporter, Our Sunday Visitor, and National Review Online. She also has considerable experience on radio and TV, having appeared on MSNBC, “Hardball with Chris Matthews,” “The O’Reilly Factor,” CNN, ABCNews, among others.

Dr. de Solenni received her doctorate in sacred theology summa cum laude from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, Rome. Her dissertation was published in the university series Dissertationes. On November 8, 2001, she received the 2001 Award of the Pontifical Academies for her doctoral work. The award was presented by Pope John Paul II."

Her first post is a great article for contemplation.  Click here to read: Lying for a good cause?

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Parting Thoughts

In a vague way I am traveling through your eyes to a place I have already been. However, throughout that journey we are both looking beyond the horizon. I'll imagine a hill or valley when seeking the summit, yet my descriptions of such imaginings are only guesses. Navigational beacon or not, it is a journey to be discovered. Most important is the unknown. There is no fear that causes me to cease my forward stride. In safety I depend of my Savior's strength. "Nowhere to rest!" some might say without realizing the abundant blanket the covers the night skies: Whether opaque blue and absence of starlight, or brilliant aqua with countless painted stars, illuminating Earth's shadowy graves.

Yes, here we travel, each guiding the other's path...in our respective faiths hoping to stay true to course. My journey means for me a new insight into the unknown, yet accepted, even as new claims arise from the air that separates that abundant blanket from the darkened Earth, the crust of which provides clay that fashions us.

I am not afraid nor concerned excessively about things I have no control over. My hope is to give in charity and seek His blessings in all that I do in His name. (I am not without Sin, I am aware of His grace of forgiveness, any other worry or concern is not necessary beyond His mercy).

So, in your daily reflections, know that each prayer or mediation that stands within us does have wings and fuel to make the journey beyond our guided path and on our behalf to the One who hears, sees, and judges; with His hand of mercy extended, as our salvation is in His hands, saves all who profess that Jesus is Lord.

Thadd Sanders

"...so the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." (Week Five)

"And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem."
Luke 2:38

WEEK FIVE: FINAL ESSAY
Please choose and respond to one of the following questions in your final paper:

I. Having read John Paul II's 1988 World Day of Peace Message (or click here) and in light of what you have learned the past five weeks, how would you respond to this event at the US Air Force Academy (click here and here)?

II. One of the documents of Vatican II states that “a man is more precious for what he is rather than for what he has” (GS 35). Using what you have learned in the past five weeks, please explain how this sentence defines the Christian vocation and moral life in Christ.

ESSAY DEADLINE
Please email your essay to Christina as an .doc(x) or .pdf attachment by FRIDAY, 11 FEBRUARY at 11:00pm.

ESSAY GUIDELINES
The final essay is the occasion to demonstrate what you have learned in this session (e.g. law, conscience, freedom, virtue, etc.), but you are not required to discuss *every* theme at length.  Please remember that your essays do not require secondary research (beyond course texts, unless recommended by the instructor). However, typical stylistic conventions such as grammar, spelling, and usage are still and always important! Citing from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Veritatis Splendor, and/or other relevant documents is expected, but lengthy quotes (more than two lines) within the body of the text are discouraged.

Essays should be four (4) pages. This means completely developed paragraphs, cohesively organized around a solid, arguable thesis statement. Each essay should be double-spaced, using Times New Roman font at 12pt with standard margins (1” top-bottom, 1.25” right-left). No cover page is needed, but your name and the date should appear at the top of the first page.

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Archbshp Burke: "Catholic Orthodoxy: Antidote against the Culture of Death"

Click below for Archbishop Raymond Burke's address:

V. WORLD-PRAYER-CONGRESS FOR LIFE

ISTITUTO PATRISTICO «AUGUSTINIANUM»
Via Paolo VI, 25, 00193 ROMA October 9, 2010

"Catholic Orthodoxy: Antidote against the Culture of Death"

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"...freedom comes from an obedience to greater truths."

Enjoy this op-ed piece from Charles Lewis published in Canada's National Post:

Secularism and its many excuses for bad behavior

Today is also the 25th anniversary of the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger, recalling former President Ronald Reagan's words: "The future doesn't belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave."

Happy feast to all those bravehearts of the Church militant, suffering, and triumphant who remind us of "the face of God"...

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The Dumb Ox

Today is the feast of St. Thomas Aquinas!
Why is this saint - the Doctor Angelicus - also known as "the Dumb Ox"?
Here are a few not-to-be-missed texts... Chesterton's style of writing is as engaging as Kreeft's, so dive in!

• Chesterton's St. Thomas Aquinas: The Dumb Ox
• Kreeft's Summa of the Summa
• Kreeft's A Shorter Summa

"The Truth Will Set You Free!" (Week Four)

WEEK FOUR READING: Please complete the assigned reading as indicated on the syllabus ("Course Overview"), including the added Kreeft pages.

WEEK FOUR ESSAY: Please choose and write your response to ONE of the questions listed below, then email your essay as an attachment in .doc(x) or .pdf format to Christina by WEDNESDAY morning, February 2nd at 10:00am.

1. What does John Paul II mean when he says the truth (veritas) is a matter of splendor, and why is this significant for the nature of morality? How does the notion of splendor relate to other important concepts in the Pope’s doctrine (e.g. “desire” or “longing,” the “good,” the “sequela Christi”)? Please be sure to use examples from VS.

2. Contrast contemporary culture's understanding of "freedom" (as unlimited choice, for example) with the authentic freedom defined and explained (as "gift and task") by John Paul II. Please be sure to use examples from VS.

Please remember these GUIDELINES for ESSAYS:

Each week, you will be expected to write an essay that responds to a question and demonstrates your knowledge of the material covered in class. These essays are less formal than typical academic essays in that they do not require secondary research. However, typical stylistic conventions such as grammar, spelling, and usage are still and always important! Essays should be two (2) pages in length. This means four (4) to five (5) completely developed paragraphs, cohesively organized around a solid thesis statement and supporting arguments. FORMAT: Each essay should be double-spaced, using Times New Roman font at 12pt with standard margins (1” top-bottom, 1.25” right-left). No cover page is needed, but your name and the date should appear at the top of the first page. Both form and content will be evaluated.

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Bshp Vasa Named New Bishop for Santa Rosa, CA

"The bishop is well known not only for his strong pro-life stance, but also for demanding that Catholics uphold moral standards in all areas of public life."  Read the LifeSiteNews report here.

LifeSiteNews links to several stories related to Bishop Vasa (bottom of article). Here's another from his diocesan newspaper, The Catholic Sentinel, on the topic of politicians and abortion.

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Lies and Confession: The Case of the Stolen Pacifier

Please enjoy reading this post from one of my favorite bloggers, Jennifer Fulwiler and her Conversion Diary...

Lies and Confession: The Case of the Stolen Pacifier

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"Jesus, I trust in you!" (Week Three)

QUESTIONS about class? about the readings? about any of the essays? PLEASE POST A COMMENT TO THIS ENTRY since my response to your question (via post) might benefit the entire class. Of course, you may send it by email as well: cstrafaciuiw@gmail.com.

WEEK THREE READING: Please...

1. Catch up on the assigned reading as indicated on the syllabus ("Course Overview"), including the added Kreeft pages.

2. Read as much of Veritatis Splendor as possible, and in particular, the Vatican summary handed out in class.

WEEK THREE ESSAY: No essay this week! In preparation for our discussion of Veritatis Splendor during Week Four, please take the extra time to read the summary and encyclical.

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Bishop Cordileone: "Utilitarianism or Personalism? Sex, Money and the New Evangelization”

Oakland Bishop Salvatore Cordileone is tonight's guest homilist at the annual Red Mass at St. Mary's Basilica. Click below to read his remarks to the Santa Clara Faith Formation Conference (November 20, 2010).

“Utilitarianism or Personalism? Sex, Money and the New Evangelization”

...and from The Catholic Sun about tonight's Red Mass:

"Oakland Bishop Salvatore J. Cordileone, well-known for his efforts in defense of marriage and the sanctity of life, will be the homilist for this year’s Red Mass Jan. 18 at St. Mary’s Basilica.
Attorneys, lawmakers, judges and other public officials gather at the yearly Red Mass to pray for guidance from the Holy Spirit and hear Church leaders discuss significant current issues.
The St. Thomas More Society, a lay organization of legal professionals, hosts the liturgy that traditionally marks the opening of the Arizona legislative session."

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Archbshp Niederauer: "Free Will, Conscience and Moral Choice"

Click below for the article at "Catholic San Francisco"

Archbishop’s Journal – Free Will, Conscience and Moral Choice: What Catholics believe

Bishop Tobin: "Has Our State Lost Its Soul?"

Click below for the article at "Rhode Island Catholic"

Bishop Tobin's column "Without A Doubt" - Has Our State Lost Its Soul?

Conscience Rights

Click below for the articles at LifeSiteNews

Pope decries attacks on conscience rights of health care workers

University requiring nursing students to help in abortions
(Notice Vanderbilt's substitution of the word "termination" instead of "abortion"...)

"The Soul of the Soul is Conscience..." (Week Two)

WEEK TWO READING: Please complete the assigned reading as indicated on the syllabus ("Course Overview"), including the added Kreeft pages.

WEEK TWO ESSAY: Please choose and write your response to ONE of the questions listed below, then email your essay as an attachment in .doc(x) or .pdf format to Christina by WEDNESDAY morning, January 19th at 10:00am.

1. The word conscience appears 30 times in the New Testament. Please explain the meaning St. Paul intends when he speaks of conscience in three or four of the following passages:
  * Rom 2:15; 13:5
  * 1 Cor 8:12; 10:27-29
  * 2 Cor 1:12; 5:11
  * 1 Tm 1:19
  * Heb 10:22
Your response should include an explanation of how these verses relate to CCC 1786-1789.

2. After reviewing CCC 1803-1829, please choose TWO virtues - one theological, one cardinal - and read the corresponding articles written by Bishop Olmsted:

The Virtue of Faith (http://www.catholicsun.org/bishop/092007bishop.html)
The Virtue of Hope (http://www.catholicsun.org/bishop/110107bishop.html)
The Virtue of Love, Part II: Friendship (http://www.catholicsun.org/bishop/120607bishop.html)

The Virtue of Temperance (http://www.catholicsun.org/bishop/090607bishop.html)
The Virtue of Prudence (http://www.catholicsun.org/bishop/060707bishop.html)

In light of the article and relying on the Catechism, (explain) where and how do we see these virtues manifested in the life of the Blessed Mother? Then, apply these virtues to one or two common circumstances in life. How and why are these virtues important in these situations? Otherwise stated, describe two situations in life and explain how and why these virtues are necessary. Your essay should conclude with a commentary about the most compelling and/or challenging element(s) of the Bishop's article.

Please remember these GUIDELINES for ESSAYS:Each week, you will be expected to write an essay that responds to a question and demonstrates your knowledge of the material covered in class. These essays are less formal than typical academic essays in that they do not require secondary research. However, typical stylistic conventions such as grammar, spelling, and usage are still and always important! Essays should be two (2) pages in length. This means four (4) to five (5) completely developed paragraphs, cohesively organized around a solid thesis statement and supporting arguments. FORMAT: Each essay should be double-spaced, using Times New Roman font at 12pt with standard margins (1” top-bottom, 1.25” right-left). No cover page is needed, but your name and the date should appear at the top of the first page. Both form and content will be evaluated.

"Pray without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5:17)

“You’ve been called a lot of names, and received a lot of praise, from both sides of the blogosphere – how do you deal with that?”

"The Glory of God is man fully alive!" (Week One)

QUESTIONS about class? about the readings? about the essay?  PLEASE POST A COMMENT TO THIS ENTRY since my response to your question (via post) might benefit the entire class. Of course, you may send it by email as well: cstrafaciuiw@gmail.com.

WEEK ONE READING: Please complete the assigned reading as indicated on the syllabus ("Course Overview"), including the added Kreeft pages.

WEEK ONE ESSAY: Please choose and write your response to ONE of the questions listed below, then email your essay as an attachment in .doc(x) or .pdf format to Christina by TUESDAY, January 11th at 11pm.

1. Compare and contrast the moral precepts of the Old and New Testaments. Begin with the Ten Commandments in Exodus 19 and the Beatitudes in Matthew 5: 1-22. What is the relationship between the Law of God as expressed by Moses on Mount Sinai and Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount? Are they compatible? Are there any differences between the two? If so, can you reconcile these differences? What are the similarities?

2. Explain St. Paul's understanding of human freedom as evidenced in the following passages of Scripture:
     * Romans 6: 11-23; 7: 2-12; 8:1-5
     * Galatians 4:21-31 

Your response should include an explanation of how these verses relate to CCC 1744-45.

3. Determine the object, the end, and the circumstances of the widow's actions in Luke 21:1-4 and Judas' actions in John 13:1-30. Then, compare and contrast your findings. 

Please remember these GUIDELINES for ESSAYS:

Each week, you will be expected to write an essay that responds to a question and demonstrates your knowledge of the material covered in class. These essays are less formal than typical academic essays in that they do not require secondary research.  However, typical stylistic conventions such as grammar, spelling, and usage are still and always important!  Essays should be two (2) pages in length. This means four (4) to five (5) completely developed paragraphs, cohesively organized around a solid thesis statement and supporting arguments.  FORMAT: Each essay should be double-spaced, using Times New Roman font at 12pt with standard margins (1” top-bottom, 1.25” right-left). No cover page is needed, but your name and the date should appear at the top of the first page.  Both form and content will be evaluated.

Mary, Model of the Moral Life

Mary is the radiant sign and inviting model of the moral life. As Saint Ambrose put it, "The life of this one person can serve as a model for everyone",and while speaking specifically to virgins but within a context open to all, he affirmed: "The first stimulus to learning is the nobility of the teacher. Who can be more noble than the Mother of God? Who can be more glorious than the one chosen by Glory Itself?". Mary lived and exercised her freedom precisely by giving herself to God and accepting God's gift within herself. Until the time of his birth, she sheltered in her womb the Son of God who became man; she raised him and enabled him to grow, and she accompanied him in that supreme act of freedom which is the complete sacrifice of his own life. By the gift of herself, Mary entered fully into the plan of God who gives himself to the world. By accepting and pondering in her heart events which she did not always understand (cf. Lk 2:19), she became the model of all those who hear the word of God and keep it (cf. Lk 11:28), and merited the title of "Seat of Wisdom". This Wisdom is Jesus Christ himself, the Eternal Word of God, who perfectly reveals and accomplishes the will of the Father (cf.Heb 10:5-10). Mary invites everyone to accept this Wisdom. To us too she addresses the command she gave to the servants at Cana in Galilee during the marriage feast: "Do whatever he tells you" (Jn 2:5).

Mary shares our human condition, but in complete openness to the grace of God. Not having known sin, she is able to have compassion on every kind of weakness. She understands sinful man and loves him with a Mother's love. Precisely for this reason she is on the side of truth and shares the Church's burden in recalling always and to everyone the demands of morality. Nor does she permit sinful man to be deceived by those who claim to love him by justifying his sin, for she knows that the sacrifice of Christ her Son would thus be emptied of its power. No absolution offered by beguiling doctrines, even in the areas of philosophy and theology, can make man truly happy: only the Cross and the glory of the Risen Christ can grant peace to his conscience and salvation to his life.

Veritatis splendor 120 ‐ Ioannes Paulus PP. II ‐ Encyclical Letter (1993.08.06)