Saint John and The Person of Christ
The Gospel of Saint John is different from those of Matthew, Mark and Luke, which all begin with the man Jesus, who by his mighty deeds and compelling words led his disciples to discern his divinity. But John begins his narrative with Jesus as the eternal Word, who “was with God, and was God.” And then John proceeds to the natural order, for “through him all things were made, and without him was made nothing that was made.”
The difference between them can be seen in how they use metaphors and parables. Matthew, for instance, reports the words of Jesus: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast that a woman put in three measures of flour,” and so on. The point is that if you can imagine the yeast working silently and gradually in the dough, you have some idea of God’s action in the world. John is different. His emphasis is on the person of Jesus: “I am the vine . . .”; I am the good shepherd . . .”; I am the gate into the sheepfold” Saint John is saying that we cannot know what a vine is or a shepherd or a gate unless we know Jesus who, as creator, is their ultimate origin. It is not that the Kingdom of God is like a gate, but that a gate is like Jesus. He provides us with the ultimate instance of entering, and whenever we enter a gate or door we should remember that it is a mere shadow of our longed for entry into heaven—through the pearly gates mentioned in the Apocalypse. One might think of a beautiful jewel with many facets, tossed into the air. As it spins, each fact reflects a beam of light, ultimately revealing its full splendour. Jesus is that jewel, and in the reflections from that true light that has come into the world, all reality is wonderfully made visible for what it provides: a glimpse into the reality of the triune God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
A Closed, Unsustainable, Descending Loop
As a follow-up to my thoughts on Payette’s payout, here be a stark image of where are here in Canada. As the graph shows in, well, graphic terms, since 2025, the public sector has contributed to 95.5% of economic growth. The private sector – which funds the public sector, or is supposed to – has[…]Continue reading→
Presidential Pardon of Weronika Krawczyk
As a good news, follow-up to our story from Poland, of the persecution of Weronika Krawczyk for her pro-life views, we heard that she has been granted a presidential pardon. One might still wonder why one needs a presidential pardon for simply holding the long-held belief that the child within the womb is a child,[…]Continue reading→
Pope Leo and a Rosary for Peace
Pope Leo XIV has asked Catholics across the world to join him in a Rosary for peace today, at 18:00 Rome time (6 pm), which would be noon from where I write (EST). If you are able, whether at that time or another, and in whatever way you pray, to join in intercession with the[…]Continue reading→
Payette’s Payout
I was glancing through some headlines, and noticed a mention of Julie Payette – engineer and astronaut and sometime the Queen’s representative in Canada – which brought back vague memories. She was appointed Governor-General by Justin Trudeau in 2017. Ms. Payette resigned in 2021, amidst claims that she created a ‘toxic work environment’, with allegations[…]Continue reading→
Weronika Krawczyk and Injustice in Poland
Catholic Action in Poland has issued a formal statement appealing to the President of the Republic of Poland to pardon Weronika Krawczyk—convicted for warning other women against an abortion-performing gynaecologist. Catholic Action (AK) emphasizes that no apology is owed to a doctor who has performed numerous abortions and proposed others; furthermore, the organization considers the[…]Continue reading→
Saint Isidore of Seville, the Internet and Industriousness
Today, April 4th, muted this year by Holy Saturday, is the commemoration of Saint Isidore of Seville (560-636) a bishop and doctor of the Church during a tumultuous age, when civilization was crumbling, coming apart at its very seams, which may sound sort of au courant. Then again, the form of this world has always[…]Continue reading→
Bishop Fulton Sheen’s 58th Good Friday Reflection
Incredible, at the beginning of this reflection, that the Venerable Bishop Sheen declares that he has given nearly 58 Good Friday reflections – this, as far as I can gather, was his final one, and he seems in full vigour in mind and body. The good bishop and evangelist died in his 84th year on[…]Continue reading→
A Meditation for Good Friday: How To Undo the Effects of Sin?
Cardinal Newman, now Saint John Henry Newman, was a towering figure of nineteenth-century Catholicism who is almost universally admired. I say “almost” because not everyone likes him. I knew a priest once, Arthur Caulkins, who has become disenchanted with Newman. As an undergraduate Arthur had been enamoured of Newman, and this interest continued when he[…]Continue reading→
A Minimal Friar and the Death of a Great Pope
This April the second- overshadowed by Holy Thursday this year – marks the memorial of Saint Francis of Paola (1417-1507), founder of the ‘Minim’ friars, so called for their humility and poverty, who interpreted the rule of Saint Francis of Assisi in quite a literal sense: extreme poverty, trust in God, foregoing all animal and[…]Continue reading→
Woven versus Seamless Garments
The reflection on the worthy project by Magie Dominic was intriguing, and I thought I would offer a brief follow-up commentary. The garment woven out of many pieces is a poignant symbol, even a ‘sacramental’, inspired by prayer and grace. We are all united in some way, and should strive for such unity, wherever we[…]Continue reading→