Aflame for Christ

Aflame 73 - Wisdom vs Knowledge

Our world is awash in knowledge - we value science, technology, education. But knowledge needs to be tempered by wisdom - the understanding of the meaning behind it all, looking at the world from the perspective of eternity. How do we grow in wisdom? What does wisdom look like? And why is knowledge so dangerous if we lack wisdom? Knowledge alone can fill us with pride, making us believe that we are "like God" - while wisdom keeps us grounded in our proper place in the cosmos.

Aflame 72 - What If It’s True?

St. Paul rejoices that his communities realized his preaching was not a clever myth but the Truth that comes from God. But even many good Catholics do not believe that Catholicism is true. How can we know that it's true, if we can't prove it? Is there evidence that points to the reality of Catholicism? Our faith is not blind - it is always seeking to understand deeper the reasons behind our belief.

Aflame 71 - The Paradox of Joy

Jesus gives us eight guides to happiness - the Beatitudes. But the Beatitudes tell us that joy is found in paradoxical ways: by being poor, persecuted, forgiving, humble - quite opposite of how the world views happiness! But the joy found by the saints is far deeper and much more unshakeable than the happiness that is dependent upon our circumstances - it is grounded on the unchanging love for God and the pursuit of Him for eternity!

Aflame 70 - By Grace Alone

Michael Magone was one of St. John Bosco's boys who had to learn the hard way! After struggling to become a better young man, it took a crisis (and a gift) to bring him to Jesus Christ - and he quickly made progress on the path to holiness. You, too, are called to make progress in sanctity - not on your own efforts, but by grace alone!

Aflame 69 -70th Anniversary of the Diocese of Bridgeport

This weekend our diocese celebrates 70 years! We've had our fair share of saints and sinners, inspiring lives and forgettable characters. How can God work through such a motley crew? Because He chose a motley crew from the beginning! This is His church, not ours - His Body, His Bride - and He will continue to work despite our weaknesses. You and I have a role to play in the Church, even despite our own struggles - tune in to find out what God has been up to!

Aflame 68 - Who Is Welcome?

Many people have written about becoming a welcoming Church. Who is welcome in the Church? Everybody! But we are invited on Christ's terms, not ours - and Christ has made it clear that repentance is the "wedding garment" needed to attend His Banquet!

Aflame 67 - Custody of the Senses

When the Lord comes to the garden of your soul, He expects to find the fruits of holiness. But like any garden, it needs a fence, lest wild animals trample the fruits within. Our fence is how we keep custody of our senses - what we watch, read, browse, or listen to has an eternal impact on our souls. How important it is, then, to guard our senses, that we may only admit that which is good, holy, and pure!

Aflame 66 - Poured Out

"Jesus Christ is Lord" was treason in the ancient Roman Empire, as only the Emperors were considered Kurios - Lord. But Jesus' Lordship is quite different, because instead of desperately grasping for power, He chose to empty Himself to the lowest place - promising that those who emptied themselves for His sake would ascend to the heights of glory!