This thought-provoking collection presents four different examinations of the concepts of active participation and the liturgy by four leading contemporary figures in liturgical and sacramental theology today. A thoughtful introduction by Cardinal George Pell leads into the essays by Cardinal Francis Arinze, Cardinal Francis George, and Cardinal Jorge Medina. This book also contains the document
The 1960 publication of We Hold These Truths marked a significant event in the history of modern American thought. Since that time, Sheed & Ward has kept the book in print and has published several studies of John Courtney Murray's life and work. We are proud to present a new edition of this classic text, which features a comprehensive introduction by Peter Lawler that places Murray in the context of Catholic and American history and thought while revealing his relevance today. From the new Introduction by Peter Lawler: The Jesuit John Courtney Murray (1904-67) was, in his time, probably the best known and most widely respected American Catholic writer on the relationship between Catholic philosophy and theology and his country's political life. The highpoint of his influence was the publication of We Hold These Truths in the same year as an election of our country's first Catholic president. Those two events were celebrated by a Time cover story (December 12, 1960) on Murray's work and influence. The story's author, Protestant Douglas Auchincloss, reported that it was "The most relentlessly intellectual cover story I've done." His amazingly wide ranging and dense-if not altogether accurate-account of Murray's thought was crowned with a smart and pointed conclusion: "If anyone can help U.S. Catholics and their non-Catholic countrymen toward the disagreement that precedes understanding-John Courtney Murray can." . . . Murray's work, of course, is treated with great respect and has had considerable influence, but now it's time to begin to think of him as one of America's very few genuine political philosophers. His disarmingly lucid and accessible prose has caused his book to be widely cited and celebrated, but it still is not well understood. It is both praised and blamed for reconciling Catholic faith with the fundamental premises of American political life. It is praised by liberals for paving the way for Vatican II's embrace of the American idea of religious liberty, and it is
Cardinal Albert Vanhoye's remarkable exegesis on the daily readings for Years I and II is now available in English. World-famous scripture scholar Cardinal Albert Vanhoye, SJ provides insightful and well-grounded exegesis of selected daily Mass readings.
English Cardinal Basil Hume was beloved all over the world for his pastoral gifts. Before dying of cancer in 1999, he left these meditations on the Seven Last Words of Christ on the cross. In each one of these reflections, Cardinal Hume unwraps a gift for usone that gives us hope even when we are in the midst of pain and difficulty. These last words . . . reveal their secrets slowly, if we meditate on them and pray, Cardinal Hume writes in the introduction. Let those words speak to you, and I will tell you what they have said to me. Short meditations that speak powerfully to the heart. An inspiring gift, especially for those who are in difficult circumstances; Can be used through Lent or at any time of the year.
The Catholic Daily Reflections Series was written to help you enter more deeply into the Holy Scriptures and the Catholic Liturgy on a daily basis. Through these reflections and prayers, you are invited to embrace the Word of God in a personal, engaging, challenging and transforming way. Catholic Daily Reflections: Ordinary Time September 1–November 27, 2021 is available in a variety of forms. See our website for electronic or audio/video versions or to sign up for our free daily email at: www.mycatholic.life. The paperback and eBook versions here offer an easy way for you to daily ponder the holy Gospel during Ordinary Time. Below is a sample reflection to give you a preview of our approach. May God bless you on your journey of personal conversion! Sunday, September 5, 2021 Be Opened! Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B “Ephphatha!”— that is, “Be opened!” Mark 7:34b These are powerful words. Why are they powerful? They are powerful because they are more than words. They are words that actually accomplish what they say. These words are spoken by Jesus after the deaf man is brought to Him with the request for healing. By saying the command “Be opened!”, the deaf man’s ears are opened and his speech impediment is removed. When Jesus speaks, His word changes things. This is true in this story, but it is also true in our lives. We all are deaf and struggle with a speech impediment in the sense that we do not always hear the voice of God and we do not always speak His word and words of charity. For that reason, these words of Jesus must be spoken to us. We must let Him take us off to a quiet place alone and speak to us. We must let Him say those words to us: “Ephphatha!–Be opened!” What is it that you are not hearing properly? What is it God has been saying to you for a long time that you refuse to hear? What is it you have allowed yourself to become deaf to? Let our Lord open the “ears” of your heart so that you can hear all that He wishes to say to you. Once that happens, Jesus will also help you speak His words of truth and love. Reflect, today, upon how open you are to hearing the voice of God. We all struggle at times with listening, and we especially may struggle listening to God. Spend some time alone with our Lord and let Him heal you, so that you can hear and understand all that He is saying to you. Lord, I do not always listen to You. Please speak Your words of healing to me so that I can hear You more clearly. In hearing You, may I listen to all that You have to say. Jesus, I trust in You.
The consoling words which Jesus speaks to his disciples just before his Pasison ("You have stood by me in my trials") are a reminder to us that Christian life, like the life of human beings generally, is marked by trials. For this reason, the author has chosen the Book of Job as a primary text for reflection, although other passages of the Old and New Testaments are also offered for meditation.
"This book has done me so much good." —Pope Francis From one the leading intellects in the church today—one whom Pope Francis has described as a "superb theologian"—comes perhaps his most important book yet. Available for the first time in English, Cardinal Kasper looks to capture the essence of the gospel message. Compassionate, bold, and brilliant, Cardinal Kasper has written a book which will be studied for generations.
