Demons are real, but so is the power of Christ to defeat them. As fallen angels, demons retain their power to influence and deceive. However, through the grace of God and the authority given to Christians through Baptism and Confirmation, we have the power to resist their influence. By preaching the Gospel and living a life of faith, we help diminish the kingdom of Satan.
The Church does indeed want you, but the question is: In what way? Whether as a priest, husband, or faithful single person, the call of God leads us to different vocations. If you’re discerning the priesthood, remember that saints like St. Peter and St. Augustine didn’t start out perfect. The Church invites you to listen to Christ’s call with an open heart. Are you ready to embrace this path and become a spiritual father for many?
In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, Jesus calls His disciples to take up the cross and follow Him. True discipleship means self-denial, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to Christ’s mission, as exemplified by Fr. Gaetano Nicosia, who lived among lepers for 48 years. His life, like Christ’s, was a profound expression of love and service, offering a powerful example of following Jesus to the ultimate consequences.
Today’s Gospel challenges us to recognize the difference between knowing Jesus and believing in His mission. While Peter acknowledges Jesus as the Messiah, he resists the suffering that the mission entails. Like Peter, we may sometimes go against the values of the Gospel, even while claiming to follow Christ. Discipleship demands embracing God’s plans, not our own.
During his Apostolic Journey to Oceania, Pope Francis was warmly welcomed by the Catholic community of Vanimo, Papua New Guinea. His message of unity, support for missionaries, and care for creation resonated deeply with the local people, including the Indonesian Papuans who crossed the border to attend. This journey highlights the continued efforts of the Church in promoting faith, education, and well-being in this beautiful, yet remote region.
Saint Benedict of Nursia, the father of Western monasticism, transformed the spiritual landscape of Europe with his wisdom and dedication. From his time as a hermit in Subiaco to founding Monte Cassino, his life was marked by profound spiritual growth and leadership. His Rule, a timeless guide for monastic life, still shapes Christian communities worldwide, fostering a balance of prayer, work, and contemplation.
The Friendship Tunnel between Jakarta’s great mosque and the Catholic cathedral stands as a powerful symbol of unity and interfaith harmony in Indonesia. Built to strengthen bonds between Muslims and Christians, this short passage represents a shared commitment to peace and mutual respect in the world’s largest Muslim-majority country.
In the first of a four-part series on the vocation of Fr. Fausto Gomez, OP, the Dominican priest reflects on his journey from a small town in Avila in Spain to his 86th birthday, celebrated on December 4, 2023. With gratitude, Fr. Fausto thanks God not only for the gift of life but also for his Dominican vocation, which has sustained him for 61 years since his ordination.
This Sunday’s Gospel (Mk 7:31-37) tells of Jesus healing a deaf and mute man, symbolizing the call to open our hearts and minds to God’s word. The Aramaic word “Ephatha,” meaning “be opened,” invites us to seek personal encounters with Christ that go beyond the crowd, freeing us from spiritual deafness. True faith grows through these intimate moments with the Lord, where He opens us to His message of love and salvation.
This Sunday’s Gospel (Mk 7:31-37) shows that Jesus’ miracles go beyond physical healing; they restore dignity and save the whole person, body and soul. By healing the deaf-mute, Jesus first restores his worth and dignity as a beloved child of God. This reminds us that God’s grace often works to strengthen our faith before meeting our physical needs.