I am nearing completion of the last course (aside from my directed research) for the MA in theology program at Holy Apostles. I have a paper to submit this evening (after my wife has a chance to give it a once over), and a final next Friday. Then on to the thesis!

I'm posting some of the papers I've written this semester (but not this week's assignment). I suspect I will be posting a lot more when my reading will call for more personal reflection. I'm looking forward to finishing this program and moving on to the next big thing (diaconal ordination) and then the next big thing after that (Ph.D.).

And someday, I might just be able to teach again.

By human reason, we can come to know God’s existence, can recognize His external acts, and can deduce His attributes.

In 879, a council in Constantinople under the Patriarch Photius rejected the Filioque (the statement concerning the procession of the Holy Spirit from the Father and the Son) as heretical.

NOTE: I'm still tweaking the layout to mimic the hardcopy. Blogger isn't exactly uniform in its use of CSS. Please forgive the odd spacing and alignment.

INTRODUCTION

How often have you heard the term “Household of God” in sermons or scripture readings? Do you think of a big church with a massive altar and ethereal lighting?

Is this what you think of when you hear the words “Household of God”? It could be much simpler and much greater than that.

This essay was for an assignment for New Testament Letters. I'm finished with the course work and now just have to take the final. Then two more classes, and all course work will be finished!

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About 13 years after his conversion experience on the road to Damascus, Paul left Syrian Antioch and began what would be the first of three missionary journeys. To say that Paul’s journey was difficult is an understatement.

It wasn’t the content of the pledge that was the catalyst, though it is tempting to assume that. The catalyst was that I referred to God at all, that I took a part of my life and said without reserve: “This is yours—you can have it back. Sorry I broke it. I won’t screw with it again, I promise.”

Dan shares the story of how God ruined his life as a punk rocker.

When you're done with that, check out his story on how he made friends with the devil.

I'm currently working with a team of people at my parish to reform our parish's baptism preparation class. This work started off as an individual effort to develop a more rigorous curriculum but has evolved to included team building and possibly some interparish collaboration. The course is shaping up well, and we have some great people engaging with the program.

One of the points mentioned in the course is the minimal requirements for a valid sacrament.

Ironic Catholic has a new ebook out, and I'm her unpaid shill!

The Ironic Catholic: Want to win the new "Felon Blames 1970s Church Arc...: "...All you need to do is become my unpaid advertising agency! Or, to sound slightly less crass and ratchet up the whimsy (thanks for that ..."
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Here's video from St. Joseph Communications posted at Aggie Catholics. I have listened to Fr. Corapi since my reversion to the faith. One thing that strikes me is how out of character all of this seems. That's not to say that we always saw the real face of Fr. Corapi, but he certainly seemed to be the real thing. I also can't help but wonder of the many physical ailments and resulting legal issues he's endured over the last few years have also played a part here.

Here's an excellent discussion of the dependency of ecumenical councils on the authority of the papacy.
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