Listen to this inspiring talk by Bishop Fulton J. Sheen about the importance of adoration.
On Friday, April 5, Michael Warren, the 27-year-old son of Rick Warren, a well-known evangelical Christian pastor and author, committed suicide. You may have heard of Rick Warren. He’s the author of the best-selling book, The Purpose Driven Life, which has been purchased by more than 30 million people worldwide.
Last week, at a general audience, Pope Francis touched on the role of women in the Catholic church. He started out by discussing the importance of the death and resurrection of Jesus, and then, in a bold expression of the importance of women in the church and in society, stated:
You may have heard of Shark Tank, the television series that premiered on ABC in August, 2009. The show features business owners who make presentations to five potential investors, who are referred to as “sharks.” Each of the sharks is an experienced entrepreneur who became wealthy by inventing products or by successfully starting and growing one or more businesses. Shark Tank is now in its fourth season, and is the most watched television program among 18 to 49-year-olds on Friday nights.
Last month, a “David vs. Goliath” case was argued before the Supreme Court of the United States. The “David” in the case is Vernon Hugh Bowman, a 75-year-old farmer from Indiana. The “Goliath” is the mighty Monsanto Company.
What was it that Jesus wrote on the ground when the gang of scribes and Pharisees brought the woman to Him and told Him that because she had been caught in the act of adultery, the law of Moses commanded that she be stoned to death? How long was He writing before the eldest man in the group walked away? Did He intentionally knock out the eldest man first because he was the leader of the group? Did He write new information after each man left? Those are some of the questions that came to mind when I listened to the Gospel reading last Sunday (the fifth Sunday of Lent). The relevant part of the Gospel is as follows:
There’s a well-known Internet marketing expert with whom I have consulted on a few occasions. His name is Rich Schefren. I first learned about Rich when I read the Internet Business Manifesto, a report that he wrote and released in 2006. Rich is one of two experts in the marketing world who have had the most influence over me. The other marketing expert is Dan Kennedy.
Last Sunday (the fourth Sunday of Lent) the Gospel reading for the Mass (Luke 15:1-3, 11-32) described how the prodigal son asked and received half of his father’s inheritance, moved to a distant region, then proceeded to squander the money he received on alcohol and women.
One of my younger brothers, John, has lived in Minnesota with his wife and children for the past 26 years. He makes one or two trips to Peoria each year to visit with the family. A couple of years ago, he came to spend a few days and attend a family get-together, and he and I spent some time talking and catching up on what had been going on in our lives since the last time we talked.
A couple of weeks ago Americans were treated to the Oscars (also known as the Academy Awards), the annual ceremony where awards are given to actors, directors, and other individuals who have important roles in the making of movies. As usual, there was an area where the actors and actresses posed for pictures before walking into the auditorium where the ceremony took place.