What is the Sin? It is in the Self, the Idol
Reflecting on Lumen Fidei over at First Things, Nathaniel Peters writes: . . .an unexpected word does appear in Lumen Fidei: idolatry. As is characteristic of his evangelical boldness, Francis notes...
View ArticleRemarks to Catholic Marketers, Shop Owners
A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to meet and talk with members of the Catholic Marketing Network at their annual conference and trade show. The show is always delightful — walking amidst a...
View ArticleAre we making an idol of the pope who warns against them? UPDATED
I can’t think of modern pope who has so explicitly, and so frequently, warned us against the creation of idols; he mentioned idolatry early-and-often in his first encyclical, Lumen Fidei, and has...
View ArticlePope Francis and Strange Gods: “A Meme on the Rise”? – UPDATED
Yes, we’ve been joking for some time about how Pope Francis and I appear to be in some kind of mind-meld on the subject of idols — he talks about them almost every single week, and brought them up in...
View Article“I. Am Not. A Hoo-er. I. Am Not. A Hoo-er…”
Pope Francis said he wanted us to make a mess. Golden Voiced Dan Sealana has built a whole radio show out of that idea and taken The Mess to the airwaves in San Antonio, Texas. He’s smart, he’s fun,...
View Article“Strange Gods” heads into 3rd Printing, with Study Guide!
I know, I know, I haven’t done my “comprehensive” list of good reads for Christmas, or my annual Christmas Gift Ideas post — they’re coming, I promise — but first let me share this because I’m having a...
View ArticleGarlic? Honey, I’m like buttah. Like BUTTAH!
You know…all fat and salty! Anyhow, back in September I did an interview with Jonathan Merritt at the Religion News Service, talking about idols and the pope and whatnot, and today the piece has...
View ArticleAnn Coulter’s Strange God Renders Her Blind
Others tell me it is “schtick” meant to “make us think” but if that’s what Ann Coulter is serving up with her “charity begins at home” number, she’s doing it badly. Leading people into productive...
View ArticleStrange Gods & Small Groups: A Match Made in…Heaven?
I’m looking forward to using this book with my students this year. We belong to a very small English speaking group in our parish in Göteborg, Sweden. Two of my students have made their Confirmation...
View ArticleStrange Gods at the Seminary!
If you are on Long Island on September 13, consider swinging by the beautiful Seminary of the Immaculate Conception — which gave us Father Michael Duffy — and saying “hi!” I will be there discussing...
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