Christmas is the promise made good - a promise that God our Father made to Adam and Eve. In Genesis 3:15, the Lord God said to the serpent, the devil,’ I will make you enemies of each other; you and the woman, your offspring her offspring. It will crush your head and you will strike its heel.’ The offspring of [...]
Matthew 1: 18 – 24: “… Do not be afraid…” “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel” which means “God is with us” Luke: 1 – 38: “I am the handmade of the Lord, may it be done to me according to Your Word” Mary’s full obedience [...]
Christmas Celebrations The term Christmas can be traced etymologically to an Old English term, Cristes mæsse, meaning The Mass of Christ (Online Etymology Dictionary, n.d.). There is not a more endearing Festivity that is celebrated around the world than Christmas, and the centuries have seen a plethora of traditions surrounding this season - from the wild and wacky – In [...]
The Importance of the Eucharist According to the unanimous testimony of the Saints from different ages, the Eucharistic Celebration is anything but ordinary (Haumonte, 2021). St. John Chrysostom says, “At such a time angels stand by the Priest; and the whole sanctuary, and the space round about the altar, is filled with the powers of heaven, in honour of Him [...]
There are two classical definitions of sin by St Augustine: Sin is anything said, done or desired contrary to God’s eternal law (contra faustum); Sin is a turning away from God and a turning towards creatures (de libero arbitrio). For the 1st definition, it states that when sin occurs, laws are broken. God’s eternal law does not necessary mean just [...]
Thou shall not lie…hmm….what constitutes a lie? A lie happens when one is denied or deceived of certain information which he or she has the right to know. Thus a lie is always wrong, and cannot be justified. However, when one has no right to the information, withholding such information from him or her is merely telling an untruth. Thus [...]
The Sacrament of the Eucharist administered during the Mass is a sacrament of love and unity, and is a Paschal banquet whereby the Faithful partake of Jesus Himself. It recalls that we have been raised to the dignity of royal priesthood by virtue of our Baptism, and renews the configuration and incorporation in Christ that we have received in the [...]
If you are asked to describe what you see, what would you write? Would you describe the black splatter of ink, or would you write about the white part of the paper? Psychologist and author of Hardwiring Happiness, Rick Hanson shared that the human brain is hardwired to focus on and recall the negatives more than the positives. Hence [...]
Saint Augustine of Hippo Born: November 13, 354, Algeria Died: August 28, 430 Canonised: Pre-Congregation Patronage: Brewers, theologians Details Well educated, lived an earthly and sinful life; Through prayers of his mother, Saint Monica, he converted; Became a bishop; Wrote doctrinal and theological works; Doctor of the Church; Quotes: Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart [...]