Mark P. Shea's Blog, page 44

Romano Guardini: A Brief Introduction to the Theology of Pope Francis

The next installment in the little series that Where Peter Is is running: While well-educated and academically trained, it can be said that Pope Francis does not belong to any one “school.” He is not strictly an “Augustinian” or a “Thomist,” though he cites Aquinas quite liberally. However, one person to whom we can likely grant […]

Where Peter Is does a nice job…

…of introducing us to the theology of Pope Francis: In God’s gift of faith, a supernatural infused virtue, we realize that a great love has been offered us, a good word has been spoken to us, and that when we welcome that word, Jesus Christ the Word made flesh, the Holy Spirit transforms us, lights […]

Trailer for a new biopic about Tolkien

I remain… unconvinced. With the exception of childhood tragedy, World War I, and his romance with Edith, Tolkien just did not live a cinematic life. He spent most of it in a room, grading stuff, or in another room, typing stuff. His actual views of things, most postmoderns would be ignorantly horrified about. He believed […]

Because it’s Saturday…

…here are some lovely shots of bubbles freezing: People who demand miracles a lot should remember that the first miracle God performed is the creation of the universe and that, in Catholic understanding, creation is still going on in every square inch and in every nanosecond of time. Here and there (and for more often […]

Where Peter Is has a nice take on the recent joint statement of the Holy Father and the Grand Imam

…here: In section 254 of Evangelii Gaudium, Francis takes up and even advances Vatican II’s teachings on other religions. Here is the full paragraph: Non-Christians, by God’s gracious initiative, when they are faithful to their own consciences, can live “justified by the grace of God,” and thus be “associated to the paschal mystery of Jesus Christ.” But […]

St. Valentine and the Parkland Kids

This is an authentic expression of Catholic spirituality: Authentic Christian spirituality seeks the good of the other, even if it costs one’s own life. It is therefore fitting that St. Valentine’s Day associate the death of a martyr with the joy of lovers: Ever since Jesus died praying for mercy to his murderers, the authentic […]

Audrey Assad Breaks Your Heart

She writes: I wrote this song weeping in prayer for all the mamas who have had their children separated from them at the borders of our country. A mother’s love is fierce, enduring, and never gives up. I’ve loved you for so long now You’re flesh of my flesh and bone of my bone You’re […]

Simcha Fisher Has a Great Idea

No matter how many times you make clear you are prolife, the the phony “prolife” Cult of Trump has no interest in that fact. Every time you question, not the prolife ethic, but the methods of the prolife movement or the Cult of Trump, they again subject you to the stupid scrutiny and the suspicious […]

Our Sister Shalimar Masters and her Family Need our Help

From the GoFundMe that has been set up to help them: For those of you how know Shalimar, the first thing that you notice about her is her big beautiful smile.  However, behind that smile is a family that is struggling, has struggled for a long time, and continues to struggle.  She and her 11 […]

ISIS is the ultimate “Proto-evangelist”in the Muslim world

Some interesting observations on the golden opportunity for evangelization that lies at our feet if we will but think of evangelization as the Holy Father call us to do and not of drawing up the drawbridge on Fortress Katolicus as his enemies all urge: A few weeks ago I received an email from one of […]