Posts by Tom Nash
What—or Who—Sets Us Free?
Sin promises liberation. For example, sexual liberation, with slogans like “Express yourself”; “If it feels good, do it”; and “Make love, not war.” Sin always extracts much more than it promises and fleetingly delivers, however. This reality is expressed in truisms, including “Moral absolutes substantiate themselves absolutely”; “God sometimes punishes us by letting us have…
Read MoreJesus Christ’s Rainbow Coalition
Given the rainbow’s distinctive combination of colors, many movements have embraced the symbol to convey their desire to combat racism and promote inclusivity. However, I would argue that the Catholic Church is the original—and baptized—Rainbow Coalition, precisely because her founder, Jesus Christ, is the creator and Savior of all humanity (John 1:1–3; Luke 2:10–11). Consequently,…
Read MoreChildlike Father
Today is Father’s Day. To excel as a father, whether a natural or spiritual one, you need to first excel as a child of God. So, that you can, in turn, model and lead others to our heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus Christ (see Matt. 18:1–4; 19:13–15). When we experience unjust trials, we might…
Read MoreLove for Jesus and His Church Must Guide Any Fraternal Correction
We continue to celebrate the Easter season, but today’s First Reading reminds us that we must carry our cross until we attain heaven (see Matt. 25:46 CCC 1038). Today, I reflect on love for Jesus and His Church as necessary approach to fraternal correction. There can be no Easter Sunday without first a Good Friday,…
Read MoreReproach and Mercy: Both Part of Lent
Tax collectors were reviled among the Jewish people in Jesus’ time, not only because they aided the financial efforts of the occupying Roman force, but also because they associated with ritually unclean Gentiles in doing so, and because some collected more than the law required. Despite that reputation, Levi—also known as Matthew—is more willing to…
Read MoreHow Did We Get Here?
We are on the cusp of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ! But how and why do we arrive at and celebrate Christmas? Today’s readings on the Fourth Sunday of Advent provide us clues. In the First Reading, King David laments that he has a palace while God has only a tent in which…
Read MoreSweet and Sour
The great blessing and price of following Jesus are both hinted at in today’s readings. The readings serve as important reminders as we draw closer to the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe this Sunday, which culminates the Church’s annual liturgical year and anticipates the triumphant joy we will have in heaven, provided…
Read More