He Died for our Sins

by David Lins  |  05/29/2022  |  (Being) Catholic Matters

The Catholic Church recognizes, understands, and even remembers that the Bible did not simply fall from the sky intact. It was written by the Holy Spirit through the followers of the One True God and compiled by the early Church.

The Church has always relied on the Magisterium, Sacred Scripture, and Sacred Tradition. All three. Put simply: God entrusts the same Church that He trusted to record His Word—to interpret His Holy Word. It only makes sense. That is what the Magisterium is responsible for. In that light, let’s look at the purpose of the Ascension.

Many just assume it is when Jesus’ purpose on earth was complete and he was finally able to go enjoy his home in heaven.

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I Love You Lord

by David Lins  |  05/20/2022  |  (Being) Catholic Matters

Parenthood seems to be one long string of graduations. No, I’m not talking about preschool, elementary, middle school, high school, and college. Those are for the children. I am referring to the parents.

Kids just keep growing up and as the parents start to finally master that “level of parenting,” the kids evolve into something new. It’s the parenting equivalent of “Oh. You think you are running the show, high school varsity popular kid? Here comes college where nobody knows you!”

Here are some parenting graduation moments: when they become mobile, become verbal, recognize they have free will, discover the opposite sex, get a license... The list goes on and on.

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God is Love

by David Lins  |  05/15/2022  |  (Being) Catholic Matters

Humans have been trying to figure out love since creation. Look at the variety of ways it is treated in popular songs over the last 70 years. “Endless Love.” “Crazy In Love.” “All You Need Is Love.” “Love Me Tender.” “I Will Always Love You.” “You Give Love A Bad Name.”

Some think love means you can’t get someone out of your head. But love must be deeper than infatuation, because love shouldn’t be something that burns so brightly and burns out so quickly.

Some think love should be exclusive, reserved for those closest to us. But love must be wider than exclusive earned membership, or we wouldn’t have been commanded to love our enemies.

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The Lord is My Shepherd

by David Lins  |  05/08/2022  |  (Being) Catholic Matters

Since my entire ancestry is rooted in farming, it pains me to admit that not all farmers are honest 100% of the time. If they were, there would be no need for branding or spray painted markings on livestock. After all, livestock costs a small fortune and it is all too easy to go “shopping” for free animals on neighboring farms.

Before anti-theft techniques began being used, stealing from other flocks was quite common—and it is against this backdrop that Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”

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Passion

by David Lins  |  05/01/2022  |  (Being) Catholic Matters

There are topics people are so passionate about that the mere mention elicits a landslide of opinion and thought. It is as if some unsuspecting innocent wandered a bit too close and set off a bomb.

I know someone who feels that way about firearms. I know another friend who feels that way about Star Wars. I know several friends who feel that way about their football team. And yes... I know too many who feel that way about politics.

I could NEVER know enough who feel that way about Jesus Christ and the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church he founded.

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