William Hemsworth's Blog, page 50

Lent is a perfect time to take an inventory of your spiritual life

Lent presents to us a unique time of the year when we are invited to look inside ourselves and at our spiritual lives, discovering the good and bad that is there. If we are to be completely honest with ourselves, we will notice many areas that need growth and improvement. This can often be difficult […]

Lent is a perfect time to take an inventory of your spiritual life

Ex-Cardinal McCarrick asks court to dismiss sex assault case

Lawyers for former Catholic Cardinal Theodore McCarrick filed a motion Monday to dismiss a case charging him with sexually assaulting a boy decades ago, saying the 92-year-old has dementia and is not competent to stand trial.

Ex-Cardinal McCarrick asks court to dismiss sex assault case

The Strict Conditions for Papal Infallibility Yield 2 Options – Recognize & Resist or Safely Adhere to Papal Errors

Just after the 1st Vatican Council (1870), a German Professor of Canon Law at the University of Prague wrote a rather lengthy pamphlet seeking to show the falsity of the conciliar definition of Papal Infallibility. His name was Johann Friedrich von Schulte (1827-1914) and title of that pamphlet is almost the length of a very long […]

The Strict Conditions for Papal Infallibility Yield 2 Options – Recognize & Resist or Safely Adhere to Papal Errors

Cardinal Dolan reflects on the success of the ‘Asbury Revival’

The unprecedented “Asbury Revival,” which drew thousands of Christians to continuously pray from the chapel of Kentucky’s Asbury University, has ended after more than two weeks. While the faithful did not stop coming, the school determined it was best for students to get back to normal campus life, since midterms are fast approaching. Cardinal Timothy […]

Cardinal Dolan reflects on the success of the ‘Asbury Revival’

Literary Context Of The Book Of Romans

The book of Romans is one that is filled with an incredible depth of theological thought.  The great Apostle wrote to the Romans though he had yet to visit them in person.  Within the literary context, Romans 3:21-26 fits within the larger context of the book’s primary themes.  Overall, the book has the following three primary themes:  Salvation in Christ, Restoration of Israel, and an exhortation of Christian living. 

Like most of Paul’s letters, Romans starts with a salutation but quickly proceeds to the proclamation of the Gospel.  In 1:16 Paul says that he is unashamed, and that the Gospel will change those who have faith.  This is extremely important because Paul then describes the wickedness of man before God.  Paul then describes the righteousness of God in Chapter three and in chapter three explains that every person has fallen short of God’s righteous standard. 

Chapters four and five coincide perfectly with the rest of the epistle.  Paul has already explained how none are righteous before a righteous God.  Now he goes into a didactic theme in teaching the faith of Abraham.  Abraham was made righteous because he believed, not because of something that he did (4:3).  Paul utilized the Old Testament patriarch to show that the law cannot save because man is unable to live up to the law.  Abraham realized God’s promise because of his faith.  He was justified by faith and this justification brings peace (5:1).

Paul then moves from the individual to Israel.  He exhorts the Romans and does so with a sense of anguish.  He describes how Israel pursued righteousness through the law and not through faith (9:30).  Israel sought their own righteousness and one can sense the anguish that Paul feels.  After all this is something that he lived firsthand and he understands firsthand that without faith, works are futile.  Paul teaches that because Christ was rejected by Israel, we gentiles can now be saved.  He also reiterates that Israel will eventually recognize their error.

From there Paul engages in a noticeable break to teach and exhort about what faith in Christ does.  Faith in Christ produces a new life.  A life that loves, hates evil, and produces good works.  A Christian will follow the laws of the land (Ch. 13), look to the good of others and not himself (13:8), the strong look out for the weak (15:1), and the Gospel is for the Jews and the Gentiles (15:7).

Paul then ends with a person greeting and exhortation.  He implores them to take the letter seriously and apply the teachings.  Of all of Paul’s letters, Romans is the longest.  In it Paul exhorts and teaches justification by faith.  It is an eternal message that we all need to be reminded of.

Sunday Mass Readings

Sunday, February 26 First Sunday of Lent Roman Ordinary calendar St. Porphyry Book of Genesis 2,7-9.3,1-7. The LORD God formed man out of the clay of the ground  and blew into his nostrils the breath of life,  and so man became a living being. Then the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and he placed there the […]

Sunday Mass Readings

Understanding The Creed

Yesterday I had the opportunity to be a guest of Gary Michuta on his Hands on Apologetics radio progam. Thes show airs Monday-Friday at 1pm ESt on Virgin Most Powerful Radio. In this episode we discussed the creed. I hope you enjoy.

Suspect admits killing LA bishop, prosecutor says

The suspect arrested in connection with Saturday’s death of Los Angeles Bishop David G. O’Connell has admitted to killing the beloved priest, according to prosecutors. Carlos Medina, 61, the husband of Bishop O’Connell’s housekeeper, was charged with one count of murder Wednesday.  Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said at a news conference Wednesday […]

Suspect admits killing LA bishop, prosecutor says

Every man naturally desires knowledge

The Imitation of Christ, Thomas a Kempis, Book 1, Chapter 2 EVERY man naturally desires knowledge; but what good is knowledge without fear of God? Indeed a humble rustic who serves God is better than a proud intellectual who neglects his soul to study the course of the stars. He who knows himself well becomes […]

Every man naturally desires knowledge

Report highlights increased levels of Christian persecution in China

A new report from ChinaAid, a non-governmental Christian non-profit that focuses on human rights abuses and religious freedom in China, is drawing attention to increased levels of persecution in the Asian nation. The data presents a variety of forms of persecution, including sinicization, educational reforms, and widespread rights abuses, while highlighting how the laws of […]

Report highlights increased levels of Christian persecution in China