Two Ways We Sin Against Hope
In the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom (known to many as “the Byzantine Liturgy,” and is one of the most ancient rites in the world) there are litanies that ask for God’s help in a variety of our affairs as men. The response the people sing together after each petition is “Lord have mercy.” Here’s some of those prayers: For f...
Conviction: Where God’s Love and Mercy Intersect
Marty has a strong belief in God; however, he struggled to understand God’s unconditional love for him. Marty’s struggle with pornography addiction left him feeling worthless and unlovable, especially in God’s eyes. For Marty, a large part of recovery is understanding how God can be both just and merciful. This is a struggle I find in ma...
What I Don’t Like About Catholicism: All the Advice
A major criticism that I have with Catholicism is the insurmountable amount of good advice. While talking to my spiritual director he tells me to pray the Rosary, yet when I speak with acquaintances, they tell me to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Which is right? Here I am a couple of weeks into Exodus90 and I’ve been struggling greatly with the...
I Yelled, Then Repented: Here’s How My Kids Responded
In our home we repent. Every night. We ask God to enlighten our conscience, we pause, and then there’s a moment where someone can say, “I did such and such today to you, will you forgive me?” The answer is not, “its ok,” but, “I forgive you.” This daily act of humility doesn’t always go well, but by and large it does. My ...
Four Truths We Need to Tell About Forgiveness
Forgiveness is absolutely central to our faith. Most of us know this and simply take it as a given. But we must remember that forgiveness is not commonplace. Many who have been wronged bear a heavy burden of bitterness, and those who have wronged them bear a crippling sense of shame. At root, this is a spiritual problem, and it’s a proble...
How to Be a Merciful Father
The theme for the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy is “Merciful like the Father.” What does this mean in particular for the father of a family? Lent is a good time to reflect on this as it is a time for mercy. “Do you not realize that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” (Rom 2:4). We reflect on God’s merciful kindn...
Shedding Light on Dark Legends: The Inquisition as a Spiritual Work of Mercy
Critics of the Inquisition normally claim the Inquisition was an intolerant, unmerciful organization. In light of the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy called by Pope Francis, it might help to address how the Inquisition expressed mercy rather than suppressing it. We must first recall two essential truths of mercy. First, mercy is essentia...
Stations of the Cross of Mercy for Men
Begin each station by genuflecting and saying, “We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You. For by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.” Then pray the following meditations at each station: I: Jesus is Condemned to Death You stand in my place, Lord. Condemned for my sins. Most merciful Jesus, Mercy Himself, You are sentenced to dea...