Witness, NM

Category: Theology

  • Under the Paschal Light pt. ii

    Under the Paschal Light pt. ii

    The Anti-Liturgy of Pessimism Last week we looked at philosophical pessimism in the West and how its assumptions infiltrate and shape the social imaginary, a term used by philosopher Charles Taylor to describe deep-seated intuitions of a people embedded within their culture. While philosophical pessimism remains a niche worldview, its presuppositions have broadly permeated the…

  • Under the Paschal Light

    Under the Paschal Light

    Revolt: In Light of the Resurrection “So many today ask themselves: how can a physical man become a spiritual man? How can a sinner become a righteous one? How can the grace of God teach a man to supersede human reason and human will? How can the Holy Spirit illuminate the heart of man? How…

  • The Heart of Our Hope

    The Heart of Our Hope

    Lazarus Saturday; Palm Sunday Epistles: Heb. 12:28-29; 13:1-8 — Phil. 4:4-9 Gospels: Jn. 11:1-45 — Jn. 12:1-18 The raising of Lazarus is the Gospel in miniature. It reveals Christ coming us, rolling away the stone covering our hearts—our nous—calling us to life, to become children of God (cf. Jn. 1:12). This event prefigures His Resurrection,…

  • Against Algorithms

    Against Algorithms

    The Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt Epistle: Hebrews 9:11-14 Gospel Mark 10:32-45 St. Anthony once told his disciples, Live as though you were not of this world, and you will have peace. His poignant words echo today, confronting a culture that roots identity in the shifting sands of the digital world and societal performance.…

  • Meaning in Virtue

    Meaning in Virtue

    The Sunday of St. John of the Ladder “Above nature are chastity, freedom from anger, humility, prayer, vigil, fasting, constant compunction. Some of them men teach us, others angels, and of others the Teacher and Giver is God the Word Himself” – St. John Climacus, the Ladder My Theories of Religion course had us analyze…

  • Crossing the “I”

    Crossing the “I”

    The Sunday of the Veneration of the Holy Cross Epistle—Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-6 Gospel—Mark 8: 34-38; 9:1 In addition to the Gospel readings for the Lenten Fast, I have been reflecting on the Gospel of St. John. This week’s Gospel passages naturally intersect with those reflections. After a weeklong break from screens, as a form of…

  • With Arms Outstretched

    With Arms Outstretched

    Reflections for Forgiveness Sunday “My friends, pray to God for gladness. Be glad as children, as the birds of heaven. And let not the sin of men confound you in your doings. Fear not that it will wear away your work and hinder its being accomplished. Do not say, ‘Sin is mighty, wickedness is mighty,…

  • Repentance: A Beginning

    Repentance: A Beginning

    Reflections on Luke 7:44-48 “Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to…

  • Prelest or Life

    Prelest or Life

    Reflections on Luke 6:6-10 When Christ healed the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath, He asked, “Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath, or to do harm? To save a life, or to kill?” (Luke 6:9). The hearts of the Pharisees, hardened by self-love and legalism, are unable to perceive the…