Author: Paul Murano
Why Sacraments?
The gift of eternal life through divine grace is a spiritual gift. Yet, it was originally presented to mankind in physical form as the fruit of the tree of life (Gn 2:9). Why would God feed his earthly image (humans) divine spiritual life through a material object? Because our nature is both material and spiritual. […]... Read More
When Reality Challenges Your World View
The most uncomfortable place a person can be is in the midst of cognitive dissonance. A person’s view of reality is challenged by reality itself, which attacks one’s fundamental beliefs and sense of identity. There are three ways to respond to this internal crisis: 1) dig deeper with your will despite contrary evidence your mind […]... Read More
Revisiting the Death Penalty
With the election of Leo XIV, we may soon hear where St. Peter’s new successor stands on the question of the death penalty. Two of the last three of his immediate predecessors have caused a bit of stir on the matter, raising concerns that the Church may have changed her moral doctrine. But has she? […]... Read More
What Does It Mean that the Church is One?
I was a baby, now I’m an adult. I was an adolescent, and will be (God willing) a senior citizen. There are certain things in me that change, and others that stay the same. Scholastic philosophy calls this the difference between what is accidental and essential. What is essential remains the same from my conception […]... Read More
The Most Consequential Papacy in Modern Times
Today (May 29) is the optional memorial for Pope St. Paul VI. Although he wasn’t charismatic like John Paul II, brilliant like Benedict XVI, or vociferous and a bit contentious like Francis, his papacy may be the most consequential in centuries—for two reasons: the Novus Ordo and Humanae Vitae. These were explosions in worship and morality that led to polemical […]... Read More
Why the Luminous Mysteries?
Some Catholics may be a bit leery of the Luminous mysteries, since they were promulgated late in history (by Pope St. JPII), and that their addition causes a symbolic disparity with the ‘150’ psalms. Nonetheless, there are many riches that can be mined by meditating on the Luminous mysteries. Here are just a few examples […]... Read More
Why Can’t We See God?
If God exists, why won’t He allow us to see Him? This is a common thought of those who struggle with faith. It stems from both a sincere yearning and a theological ignorance. Two basic reasons we cannot see God: a) He is pure Spirit. He can’t be seen through physical eyes. His essence transcends […]... Read More
Atheism and the Uncaused Cause
If I were an atheist, I would probably reject big-bang cosmology, which assumes the universe had a beginning, and opt for the universe being eternal. However, I’d also know in my conscience how intellectually untenable that is. Since it’s demonstrated through observation and assessment that every object in the matter-space-time continuum has a cause, it’s […]... Read More
Does Love of God Exclude Fear of God?
I recently read about a journalist’s interview with a former Christian evangelist who recently served time in prison for immoral criminal behavior. He has since genuinely repented. A very important point of exchange came here: Interviewer: “At what point did you stop loving God?” Former evangelist: “I never stopped loving God. I stopped fearing God.” […]... Read More
The Underutilized Gift That Would End Abortion
There are three levels of horror with regard to abortion, the first two are the most common: Sensual. You see a baby in latter stages of gestation and recoil at the idea of abortion. Religious. Your faith holds that abortion is wrong, and you horror at so many violations of the fifth Commandment killing little […]... Read More
Worship and Sex are Fundamentally Linked
Today’s first reading in Acts 15 was on the council of Jerusalem, where Church authority declared Gentile converts must follow four fundamental ordinances. Three were about idolatry and one about marriage. Their exhortation concludes: “If you keep free of these you will do what is right” (Acts 15:29). I find it interesting that they mention […]... Read More
The Successor of St. Peter—for the World
Why all the profound interest and respect for the pope from non-believers around the world? Is there something beneath the surface worth considering?... Read More
Hope for the Papal Conclave
Pre-conclave thoughts... Read More
Resurrected Body or Disembodied Soul?
A most popular heresy about life after death continues to persist , even among the faithful. ... Read More
Eternity Enters Time to Restore Justice
The Foundational Christian Claim, Made Simple... Read More
Avoiding Divorce through Faith and the Word
Divorce is often the result of a constant battle of the wills. What might be the remedy to this ailment? Scripture speaks of two important acts of faith, which can greatly impact one’s worldview and stave off marital rupture: 1. God’s will must always be top priority over one’s desires in all decision-making (Mt 6:33). […]... Read More
E.T. Life and Christian Faith
There’s been a lot of chatter lately about whether there’s extra-terrestrial life in the universe. . Here are a few data points to consider: . • This question has never been divinely revealed, since God revealed only what is necessary for salvation. Nor can reason conclude definitively. • While the vastness of the universe is […]... Read More
Is the Tide Finally Turning?
If you were the devil and sought the destruction of humanity, wouldn’t your goal be to create a culture of death world wide? As the demonic community of fallen angels has figured out, this can be accomplished in modern times through a simple three-step process. First, let’s look at it backwards. You cannot create an […]... Read More