As a Christian, I believe there's at least one thing we *are* allowed to hate -- and that is hypersensitive automated flushers in gym restrooms. But if we suffer them well, Jesus is pleased. I'm not there yet.

I really like your app. It is so good.

From journalist Niwa Limbu: ===== SSPX UPDATE 42.0: Breaking News Cardinal Fernandez releases a Statement Declaration by His Eminence Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith Regarding the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X (Society of Saint Pius X – SSPX), what has already been communicated is hereby reaffirmed. The episcopal ordinations announced by the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X do not have the corresponding pontifical mandate. This act constitutes “a schismatic act” (John Paul II, Ecclesia Dei, n. 3) and “formal adherence to the schism constitutes a grave offense against God and carries the penalty of excommunication established by Church law” (ibid., 5c; cf. Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts, Explanatory Note, 24 August 1996). The Holy Father continues in his prayers to ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten those responsible for the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X so that they may reconsider their steps regarding the most serious decision they have taken. From the Vatican, 13 May 2026

Many times when we come across old friends or extended family, we say, "Hey, we need to get together sometime!" Often both parties know that won't really happen, though it's a good thought. Intentions are right, but you'll probably only see each other at the next funeral. But if we see ourselves at the foot of the Cross, and Jesus says to us, "Behold your mother," and to Mary he says, "Behold your son," we should follow through on our part. Mary certainly does on hers, and for good reason. Jesus intends for her to play a big part in our lives. She was his last gift to us before he died. Take Mother Mary into your home, now.

I'll have to watch that again with my wife. I'm sure she would watch it with me, even though we have both seen it many years ago. I could probably appreciate it more now.

If you're afraid of catching a virus, but you live with your boyfriend or girlfriend, or are hooked on porn, or believe in or act on LGBTQIANEJIFUCYENEKXKSJEBT+ ideology, you're afraid of the wrong thing. Don't worry about a virus. Save your soul. #Jesus #Catholic

Maybe it would be helpful if I knew for sure what *you* mean by "works." I'd say in the overwhelming amount of the cases in the epistles of Paul, it's specifically talking about the works of the law of Moses (as opposed to faith in Christ). We're not saved by works of the Mosaic Law (Sabbaths, circumcsion, etc.), but by following Christ, which includes doing good, positive actions, such as repentance, baptism, reception of Eucharist, etc. That is to say, the things Jesus was talking about when he commissioned his disciples to baptize all nations and teach "them to observe ALL that I have commanded you." It wasn't "just believe" or "just have faith." We can't be hearers only and not doers, and then expect God to push paradise on us. Our past doesn't matter ultimately so much as how we finish the race. One can't win the race if one starts it but then walks off the track. Jesus says he that endures to the end shall be saved. We have to carry our crosses, not throw them down.

Of course not. We should repent out of love for God. At the same time, if we don't repent and thereby show contempt for God, we will be damned. God is not contractually obligated to save us when we turn our backs on him simply because we once were in a saved condition. That's a legalistic view of God, which is not the biblical, Catholic view. One-and-done repentance is no good, makes no sense. It's common sense as well as an age-old principle. We have to believe the Bible: "But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity and does the same abominable things that the wicked man does, shall he live? None of the righteous deeds which he has done shall be remembered; for the treachery of which he is guilty and the sin he has committed, he shall die. Is my way not just? Is it not your ways that are not just? When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity, he shall die for it; for the iniquity which he has committed he shall die"(Ezekiel 18:24–26).

I will stop in if ever in the area. Very nice. My wife and I seek out and visit such beautiful Cathedrals wherever we can.

Where was that?

"You should repent." What if I don't repent? Will I lose my salvation? 😄 Do I have to repent of thinking repentance is a lifelong necessity? As a Bible-believing Catholic, I have to say you're butchering those scriptures badly. You're not holding to the Faith once delivered, but to the tradition of Baptist men. Romans 8 does not say we can't abandon Christ or separate ourselves from him, and Galatians 2 is referencing the works of the Mosaic Law.

When I mentioned that my initial justification came about through repentance and baptism, you said it sounds like I "begin by grace and end with works." Are you saying that continued repentance, after initial repentance, is now "works"? How does it change from being grace to being "works"? Is that a concept you get from the Bible? If you define "works" as anything you do that's good, then would you consider accepting and confessing Jesus Christ as Lord in one's heart as a "work"? Don't you try to convince people to come to Jesus, to respond to God's call by making a decision for Christ? Wouldn't those be "works" too then? Surely not. Surely we can agree it's absurd to think you can turn to willful, serious sin -- a state of rejecting God without repentance -- and then think God is fine with that. Have you turned to a constant situation of murder, adultery, pornography, drunkenness, hatred, etc.? If so, no judging here. People have problems, and God knows this and is ready to reach out and embrace us. We can repent of anything whatsoever -- if only we will. If we choose not to repent, then we choose to reject the salvation God freely gives. Salvation is never something God forces on us. We have to submit to God, to love him more all the time, so that we don't commit great evil sins (and to make intentional grave sin unthinkable). He is quick and just to forgive us if we do, but not without repentance. Does your theology say we don't need to repent every day? Or does it say it's okay to sleep with your neighbor and kill her husband and steal their car, and then die without repenting of that, and then go straight to heaven? Jesus said if your right hand offends you, cut it off. If your eye offends you, pluck it out. It is hyperbole, but the point is He takes sin seriously and expects us to also. That doesn't mean we will necessarily attain perfection in this life, but neither can we reject Him through serious willful, unrepentant sin -- and then die expecting Him to welcome us. The prodigal son did have to turn back and make some gesture of repentance, even if imperfect, before his father ran to meet him. Repentance is never too late until we die. Repentance isn't a "work" that earns us salvation, but is a condition to unlock the door to God's grace that He wants to give us. All glory to God.

I'm a traditional Catholic (I love Trent), and I know plenty of other good Catholics. It doesn't match our experience to describe our lives as "back-breaking labor" with regard to our walk with God toward heaven as our destination. Our salvation is assured as long as we don't die in a state of rebellion against God. That doesn't mean life is always easy. We have to carry our crosses like everyone else. We are expected to strive to love God more every day. And when we sin, we must repent. But that's what faith in Jesus tells us to do. Worshiping God the Father, with Jesus Christ His Son and the Holy Spirit, in union with our fellow Christians here below and with Mary and the angels and the saints -- this is not back-breaking labor. It is a privilege and a joy, a joy-filled life.

My "work" for justification was to repent and be baptized. Do you seriously call that working for (earning) justification? I call it receiving a gift.