Posts by Connor Szurgot
On Knowing the Truth
Man naturally seeks the truth, but fallen man finds it difficult to know the truth. In philosophy, it is said that man only perceives the accidents, not the substance. In this context, ‘accidents’ means the physical properties of the thing we observe with our senses, e.g., the object’s color, height, weight, or temperature. The ‘substance’…
Read MoreDo We Need to Fast?
Against any who would assert that fasting is not necessary in the New Covenant, we have the clear words of our Lord, “When you fast” and “The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.” It is plain to see from these verses that Jesus expects His…
Read MoreOn the Sanctity of Marriage
John the Baptist was a man that easily stood out from the crowd. He was a powerful preacher that spoke of a coming Messiah that would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. He lived in the desert and survived on locusts and wild honey. Today’s Gospel recalls that, despite his blunt attacks against the…
Read MoreOn Trust in the Grace of God
In today’s Gospel we see an important principle in the spiritual life expressed: God always gives sufficient grace to follow the commands/calls He gives. This principle, flowing from the theological virtue of hope, enables us to whole heartily give ourselves to the work that God entrusts to us, confident that grace will bolster our feeble…
Read MoreThe Priest as Alter Christus
During the holy season of Advent, the lectionary gives us many prophecies of the Messianic Era. Vibrant imagery is used of overflowing abundance, peace, healing, and an end to the sorrows of the past. Such is the prophecy spoken by the prophet Isaiah in the first reading, O people of Zion, who dwell in Jerusalem,…
Read MoreOn the Value of the Human Soul
In both the First Reading and the Gospel, we hear proclaimed the immense value of the human soul, but from different perspectives. St. Paul covers the topic from our perspective, while Jesus reveals to us God’s view of the immense value of our souls. From Our Perspective St. Paul writes: But whatever gains I had,…
Read MoreOn the Rosary: Sword and Shield
I am amazed that you are so quickly forsaking the one who called you by the grace of Christ for a different gospel (not that there is another). But there are some who are disturbing you and wish to pervert the Gospel of Christ. (Gal 1:6-7) Paul begins his letter to the Galatians with this…
Read MoreOn the Observance of the Sabbath
In today’s Gospel, Jesus refers to Himself as the “Lord of the Sabbath” and uses this authority to rebuke the Pharisees for their misplaced zeal in the observance of the Jewish Sabbath. Yet, His dominion over the Sabbath should also call us to reflect on our observance of the Sabbath and ask if we are…
Read MoreOn the First Wednesday Devotion
Since apostolic times, Christians have observed Friday as a day of penance in commemoration of thePassion of Our Lord. Also hailing from the Apostolic Age is the practice of fasting on Wednesday inreparation for the betrayal of Judas, as this was the day on which he agreed to turn Jesus over for 30pieces of silver.…
Read MoreOn Graces Lost Through Failing to Ask
“He was not able to perform any mighty deed there […] He was amazed at their lack of faith.” ~ Mark 6:5-6 Since Christ is God, He contains within His Divine Nature the attribute of omnipotence, i.e., being all-powerful. He does not need any other source of strength outside Himself to be able to do…
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