The temptation of survival begins with fear in our hearts deceiving us that there are not enough jobs, resources, and food even though statistically we throw away half of our food every year. The spirits of fear and greed trick us into believing we are no longer safe, and we must protect and preserve all… [Read More]
Meditation and Decisive Times
We live in decisive times. And while perhaps that’s always true in some way, I think we can say that in a particle way about our times today. I don’t have to describe it for you too much, because you live it as well. Tensions are high. The pace of available information is frenetic. And… [Read More]
Taboos and Resolutions (A Response to Archbishop Chaput’s Tocqueville Lecture)
They say you shouldn’t talk about sex, politics, or religion in public. As an evangelization-minded Catholic, I live a little differently, but I do tend to stay away from politics. I just don’t like it. These days, however, there’s no getting away from politics, even when we’d rather talk about some of those other uncomfortable… [Read More]
Can We Be Catholic and American? (A Response to Archbishop Chaput’s Bishop’s Symposium Talk)
Author’s note: As commenter DanC kindly pointed out, I had my Chaput speeches mixed up. The post below has been corrected from its originally published version to refer to the correct context and original text. I apologize for any confusion I caused. I spent a while learning how to teach adolescents in addition to my… [Read More]
An Age of Mercy & Misericordia et Misera
Last Sunday as we were celebrating the closing of the Year of Mercy around the Diocese, my friend and I were talking about how we were kinda sad to see the Year of Mercy end. She turned to me and said – you know how we had the age of Enlightenment? And the age of the… [Read More]
Okay Jesus, are you a Democrat or a Republican?
I have spent a lot of time in my life following politics. I was a rare 12-year old when I started reading newspapers, watching TV newscasts and listening to radio news. After getting a degree in broadcast journalism, I became a news reporter. And working at a radio station in Austin, Texas the late 1990s… [Read More]
Christians Cannot Rely on the Law to Evangelize
There is a strange sentiment among American Christians that makes us think that we are somehow God’s favored ones in the world. This vision imagines the American Constitution as a perfect document almost equal to the Gospels. Our nation’s capitol is a physical embodiment of this idea, like a great temple in honor of the… [Read More]
Getting Yelled At For Being Pro-Life: How to Deal
You’d think working in the world of therapists – full of feelings, acceptance, warm regard and the fluffiest Kleenex money can buy – that we would be loving and accepting of all people, no matter their beliefs or religious affiliations. But you’d be wrong. In my limited experience in this profession (6 years and counting)… [Read More]
J. Budziszewski’s New Website
My blog post ideas, particularly recently, come primarily from the books, articles, and other blog posts I read. What I describe to my wife as “taking notes” involves an hour with a random book held open to a random chapter or passage while I type into my laptop the words I would otherwise underline or highlight. There are… [Read More]
Taxing the Churches: Going for the Jugular
“Now, Matt, aren’t you’re getting a little carried away in your political paranoia? After all, no politicians are seriously discussing removing the tax-exempt status of the churches.” True, but lest you think I’ve gone off the deep end, first consider that on the long list of “political enemies” targeted by the IRS is Catholic contributor… [Read More]
What Do We Do Now That The Smoke Has Cleared?
There has been a lot of back and forth over the past few days as it relates to subjects such as the defeat of SB5 in the Texas Senate and the SCOTUS’ ruling on Prop 8 and DOMA. In a very simplistic fashion I’ve seen people shake out into a few different categories. People of… [Read More]
2013 Catholic Advocacy Day
Catholic Faith in Action On Tuesday, April 9, Catholic faithful from across the great state of Texas gather together at the Texas State Capitol to celebrate Catholic Faith in Action Advocacy Day. Legislative Advocacy Days are an opportunity for Catholics to participate in the political process by voicing the concerns of the Texas Bishops, which… [Read More]
In All Circumstances Give Thanks
That’s all for today, friends. Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Moral Voting in Four Prayerful Steps
I am arrogant, opinionated, and rude. It has come to my attention, in this election season, that many Catholics have committed the unforgivable sin of expressing opinions that are not my own. I am infuriated that I have to write this. What is wrong with you heathens? The choice this election is as clear as… [Read More]
When Civility Is Lost
My mom, who lives in my hometown outside of the Diocese, called me last night with a church dilemma. Her dilemma is with the upcoming election, politics have become a common topic of conversation in the pews before Mass, in the parking lot after Mass, and before, during, or after almost all events. The topic… [Read More]
YOU have a choice this November…
I’m just going to throw this out there – most people who are talking and writing about Election 2012 seem to have decided already who they will vote for – and I have not. Not that I haven’t been thinking about it. In fact, I’ve been thinking about it quite a lot –I have been… [Read More]
Two Guys a Girl and a Catholic Podcast Episode 48 – You Got What Out Of a Vending Machine?
Episode 48 Current Events: Rick Santorum has consistently run in 2nd place to Mitt Romney in the Republican Primaries, even winning 10 states of his own. He’s been endorsed by Catholic Vote.org With recent loses in OH and IL, is it time to Rick Santorum to quit? It appears that Romney will be the… [Read More]
HHS Mandate Revisited
When the Department of Health and Human Services announced the rules concerning the scope of the religious exemption for mandatory coverage of contraceptives, sterilizations and abortifacent drugs, there was an uproar. In response, on Friday afternoon, the President announced a compromise meant to allow Catholic organizations to stay true to their values and maintain the Administration’s… [Read More]
