In these November days when we celebrate all the saints and pray for our beloved dead, the Church invites us to ponder the final things: Heaven, Hell, Purgatory, and the Last Judgment.
Category: Bishop Hying’s Columns
Living together with all God has made
This autumn has been exceptionally beautiful. The colors on the trees, the warm, sunny days, the cold nights and the scuffle of leaves on the ground point to the wonder and grace of creation.
Learn about and proclaim the Gospel
I speak and write often these days about the kerygma, the fundamental proclamation of the Gospel.
Dealing with current struggles
Michael O’Brien, a noted Catholic author, has written a series of novels over the last 30 years, exploring the struggle of good and evil, the power and truth of the Catholic faith, and — in remarkably prescient ways — predicting the current cultural struggle regarding religious freedom and the definition of the human person. I highly recommend reading his works.
The dignity of work
We are several weeks past Labor Day, but work as a topic of reflection is always timely since it constitutes a significant component of our time, energy, and lives.
The good works of the Church
Two weeks ago, I attended the national conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Baltimore as their national spiritual advisor.
The importance of friends
In the Book of Sirach, we read, “A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter. He who finds one finds a treasure. Faithful friends are beyond price; no amount can balance their worth.” (6:14-15)
Be a saint and challenge evil
All of us bear wounds inflicted by others: Painful conflicts, harsh judgments, hurtful comments, rejections of proffered love and friendship, lack of gratitude and support, embarrassing humiliations, experiences of being ignored or overlooked.
Re-learning the Good News
At the very heart of the Christian faith is the conviction that Jesus Christ died to redeem us from sin and death, to restore us to right relationship with the Father, and to open the gates of eternal life to His faithful people.
The Blessed Mother and God’s gift of humanity
This past Monday, we celebrated the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Church’s conviction from the beginning, that Mary was assumed body and soul into Heaven at the end of her remarkable mission here on Earth.