Vivat Agnus Dei

As we have discussed previously, the world's idea of freedom can best be captured by the unanswered, dismissive question, "Why not?"[1] Also, as previously discussed, this reduction of religion to the moral (Kantianism), or of those who believe that which pertains to any religion as blind followers, each in their turn reduces any argument against a behavior with at least probable negative outcomes to mere attempts at control, an obsessive-compulsive perfectionism that would negate subjectivity (rigid psychological tendency), or to a spirituality divergent from corporal legitimacy (Gnosticism). Because our culture clings so foundationally to the demoralization of sex, its role, and its ideal context, cohabitation, like abortion, the definition of marriage, and the nature of love, has become a controversial issue that many come to discuss only once "loaded for bear" and often without listening. Moreover, although the "pro-cohabitation choice" side of thi...

Read Readings Do you ever notice the feeling of anticipation that accompanies Advent? To me, Advent is a season symbolic of the journey of this life: we wait in eager hope for the life to come—the fullness of health, happiness, and holiness in Christ—and we conform ourselves so as to receive that fullness with eagerness and readiness, that is, to long in the proper way. In this sense, it is a livelier Lent, because it holds the anticipation of Christ in one hand and the strong conviction that all promises are about to be fulfilled in the other. As I read—and even before I read—I could not help but feel overcome by the sense that the biggest thing is about to happen: the one thing God has been laboring toward with us, namely the fulfillment of every covenant, God among us; what was destroyed in our sins and the sins of others beginning to be undone; people who once sneered now rejoicing in communion. It is much like last Sunday’s reading from Isaiah 11, which highlights how those natura...

This question is the foremost question of ethics because it is what joins or separates—depending on our answer—what is objectively good from what we subjectively feel compelled to pursue. Every person desires to be happy, and rightfully so (cf. Ps 4:7; Jn 16:24, Ps 16:11 ). However, real happiness does not lie on the other side of evil (cf. Rom 6:23) . This is where the Catholic Church becomes unpopular, for it reveals the depth of humanity’s fall. If we pursue happiness through what in fact engenders suffering, we seek our destruction and rejoice in it (cf. Prov 14:12 ).[1] This destruction disposes us to greater comfort with evil, creating conditions in which undesirable realities arise—both internal and external—and relationships at every level (with God, others, and ourselves) are degraded (cf. Jas 1:14–15 ).[2] This raises the question of what constitutes real happiness—happiness that does not produce these absurdities yet makes one truly joyful and unburdened. I would argue, and...

Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist In The Matrix Resurrections (2021), Morpheus tells Neo: “People believe the craziest things these days. They think the world’s built on choice... when it's really just another system of control.” If you have the slightest ear to Hollywood news, then you have likely heard about the Lively v. Baldoni lawsuit and the petty attempts at control which are its foundations, and even the ubiquitous relationship-ending circumstances that concern attempts to control the other whether out of malice or fear. Another instance of this is the pro-choice woman lashing out by assaulting a pro-life reporter that has recently surfaced . In both these examples of the appeal to force fallacy, one may note that it reveals there is an absence of substance to claim to the contrary of better things. So the question arises a priori, "Is moral regulation proper or antithetical to freedom?" However, given these examples and the popular bend they are expressions of, ...

Continued from  Carruthers, Carter. "Confession: The Call to Forgiveness Pt. 1" Vivat Agnus Dei, March 9, 2025. https://vivatagnusdei.blogspot.com/2025/03/confession-call-to-forgiveness-pt-1.html. Third, what does God's forgiveness consist of? This is a much tougher question because, for humans, forgiveness only means appealing the case to God ( Psalm 103:10-12 ). God is the just judge; He is not swayed by favoritism toward sin ( Deuteronomy 10:17, Acts 10:34-35 ). He comes to His judgment seat loving both parties ( Wisdom 11:24-26, Romans 5:8 ). Perhaps, then, the question is not "What will God do?" but "What is God's ultimate design?" ( Ephesians 1:9-10 ). In our pain, we can only see juridical contrariety, but God is not interested in punishment—He is interested in salvation from sin, its reality, and its effects ( Ezekiel 33:11, John 3:17 ). His hopes are not suffering, but healing, love, and communion ( Jeremiah 29:11, 1 Timothy 2:4 ). If, by ...

Apologies that this will be a long post, but it is a big topic. I have heard this question twice from people in my life, and I have also found myself on the other side of it. So, to paraphrase in a more pointed way:  "How, in God's good justice, can He forgive you for hurting me—especially when I do my best to abide by His rules and love Him—while, when something befalls me, I am told to forgive and surrender it, yet He just forgives?"  A loaded question, no doubt! In fact, it echoes the Epicurean philosophy of the day—one that everyone condemns when it is used against them, yet many justify when they themselves seek to be forgiven. So, let’s answer it. However, I must say there are misconceptions embedded in this question, which means we will need to consider multiple aspects. This requires nuance—something often undesirable when suffering is already present. Let’s break this down and examine it properly by separating the question into broader inquiries: What is the real...