What Faith Looks Like
Features | Posted by Pat Gohn in Faith on Thursday, March 04, 2010
If I were describing my daughter’s characteristics, I’d say she’s a blue-eyed blond in Birkenstocks. We tend to see the characteristics of each person as unique to them. Yet, as members of the human race, we share universal features. The same holds true of faith.
While each believer experiences faith in a personal way, the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) describes characteristics of faith... READ MORE
What Does It Mean to Believe?
Features | Posted by Pat Gohn in Faith on Friday, February 19, 2010
Fans of the classic question-and-answer style of the Baltimore Catechism will appreciate The Compendium. In 2006, Pope Benedict XVI released The Compendium as a shorter, question-and-answer introduction of the universal Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC).
As we continue to study Part One of the Catechism, here’s a brief detour into one of the questions offered by The Compendium.
“Question 27”... READ MORE
God is Our Cause
Features | Posted by Pat Gohn in Faith on Thursday, February 04, 2010
“Cause and effect.” It’s a two-fold dynamic. It’s an expression we use rather liberally.
Parents use it to outline disciplinary measures with their children. As a mother of a newly licensed teen, I have often said, “Bring the car home late after curfew and you will feel the effects of suspended driving privileges.” Indeed, there must be an active choice on my son’s part to comply. It involves surrender... READ MORE
The Power of a Canon
Features | Posted by Pat Gohn in Faith on Thursday, January 21, 2010
A canon is not a cannon. But while the canon of Scripture is not a tubular gun fitted to launch heavy projectiles, it just might have explosive powers of a different nature. Recall St. Paul called the Word of God, “the sword of the Spirit, (Eph 6:17)” as he described spiritual armor and weaponry.
By definition, the canon of Scripture is the definitive list of the inspired books of the Bible… the list... READ MORE
Heaven and Earth and George Bailey
Features | Posted by Pat Gohn in Faith on Thursday, January 07, 2010
The best stories and the best movies speak to us on more than one level. Take, for example, the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life.” The basic story line of this classic film tells the retrospective story of the life of George Bailey. But it is so much more.
The movie’s literal story line provides the framework through which multiple meanings shine. You might even call some of the meanings “spiritual.”... READ MORE
From the Mouth of God
Features | Posted by Pat Gohn in Faith on Tuesday, December 29, 2009
“Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.” Saint Jerome, an eminent Scripture translator, penned those words in the 4th century. They still apply.
Pastors, priests, and spiritual directors recommend regular bible reading and study for spiritual growth.
The bottom line becomes how can we interpret what we read in Sacred Scripture correctly?
The Church’s guidelines are found in The Catechism... READ MORE
The Power of the Word
Features | Posted by Pat Gohn in Faith on Thursday, December 10, 2009
Human words can be powerful. Depending on the context, and who speaks them and with what authority they are uttered, you know the truth when you hear it. It is trustworthy, reasonable, and unchanging, regardless how you feel about it.
A few words from my personal history that fall into that powerful truth category:
“I, Robert, take you, Patricia, to be my wife… all the days of my life.”
“It’s a boy!”... READ MORE
Story Hour With God
Features | Posted by Pat Gohn in Faith on Friday, November 27, 2009
(Hello Faith & Family Live Readers! In 11 brief articles, we’ve covered the first 100 paragraphs chronologically of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. On to the next 100!)
When my children were little, one of our favorite stops was weekly “story hour” at the public library. Our charming librarian was always full of fun, and our little circle of parents and tots thrilled to witness what surprising... READ MORE
Jesus is the Divine Wellspring
Features | Posted by Pat Gohn in Faith on Thursday, November 12, 2009
Nature always teaches me. Recently I walked the Massachusetts’ coastline where the Merrimack River flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Gazing over that dynamic intersection of surging currents, my eye could not separate fresh water from salt water.
Indeed, mapmakers may separate distinct bodies of water, but in reality, river and ocean are part of the global water cycle that brings life and growth to... READ MORE
Talk to Me
Features | Posted by Pat Gohn in Faith on Thursday, October 29, 2009
This mother desires that all family members be fed and come to the knowledge of the truth: that dinner will be ready at 6pm. The dinner hour must be proclaimed to all the family members and individuals joining the family for dinner, so that this revelation may reach to the entire guest list.
Step into my world for a moment, and let me describe the communication, or say, the transmission, of this dinner... READ MORE
