# sacrament (blogs) — RSS Amplifier Recent posts from the 4 feeds in the RSS Amplifier directory that cover sacrament. Page: Feed: --- ## [Mercy unbounded](https://scottdodge.blogspot.com/2026/08/mercy-unbounded.html) _2026-08-16 · Deacon Scott · Καθολικός διάκονος_ Readings: Isaiah 56:1.6-7; Psalm 67:2-3.5-6.8; Romans 11:13-15.29-32; Matthew 15:21-28 An important aspect of today's Gospel that is often overlooked is that it is a Gentile, a Canaanite women no less, who recognizes Jesus for who he is: the "Lord, Son of David!" This is a messianic greeting. We can be quite certain that in the context of this passage, her greeting is not lost on the Lord. He… ## [Being vulnerable](https://scottdodge.blogspot.com/2026/08/being-vulnerable.html) _2026-08-16 · Deacon Scott · Καθολικός διάκονος_ Once again this week I teetered on not posting. Maybe it's late summer malaise. If so, it is exacerbated by coming to grips with so many things that are happening. I've been thinking a lot lately about vulnerability. Like a lot words, "vulnerability" has taken onboard a lot of added meaning. We talk about the need to protect vulnerable people, as we should. "Vulnerable" in that sense seems a… ## [Year A Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time](https://scottdodge.blogspot.com/2026/08/year-nineteenth-sunday-in-ordinary-time.html) _2026-08-09 · Deacon Scott · Καθολικός διάκονος_ Readings: 1 Kings 19:9a.11-13a; Psalm 85:9-14; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:22-33 Last week’s Gospel found Jesus trying to get away to spend time in prayer. His plan was altered when, upon his arrival on the far shore, he encountered a vast crowd. Being “moved with pity for them,” the Lord cured the sick among them. After this, he performed a miracle by feeding thousands. 1 Remember that what prompted… ## [Interior renewal, being grounded in Reality](https://scottdodge.blogspot.com/2026/08/interior-renewal-being-grounded-in.html) _2026-08-07 · Deacon Scott · Καθολικός διάκονος_ It was touch-and-go as to whether I was going to post a traditio this week. Needless to say, it's been a fairly draining time. The good thing about this show is that it need not go on. There are desolations aplenty. In his goodness, God also provides consolations. Among the consolations over these past several days have been continuing to read Jane Foulcher's Life Here Together: The Prophetic Gift… ## [Tragedy challenges God's love](https://scottdodge.blogspot.com/2026/08/tragedy-challenges-gods-love.html) _2026-08-02 · Deacon Scott · Καθολικός διάκονος_ No sooner did I finish my reflection on this week's second reading from Romans chapter 8 about the all-encompassing nature of God's love yesterday than I received some very shocking news. Some long-time friends of ours, while in Idaho for a family reunion, were shot. One was wounded and the other friend killed. I have to be honest and admit that the reality of this senseless tragedy has not really… ## [The scandal of God's love](https://scottdodge.blogspot.com/2026/08/the-scandal-of-gods-love.html) _2026-08-01 · Deacon Scott · Καθολικός διάκονος_ Romans 8:35.37-39 Once again, I am reflecting on our reading from Romans. These inspired passages are vital for Christian faith. The beauty of reading Saint Paul is that he is no mere theoretician. He writes from experience. Hence, his short exposition on the heighth, width, and depth, that is, the infinitude (meaning "unbounded," infinity has to do with space and eternity with time) of God's love… ## ["Rend the veil and we shall sail"](https://scottdodge.blogspot.com/2026/07/rend-veil-and-we-shall-sail.html) _2026-07-31 · Deacon Scott · Καθολικός διάκονος_ As I slowly and by God's grace begin to emerge from my doldrums, hoping and praying for a better second half of 2026, today's traditio is an easy one. It's one that's more in tune with the spirit of the Καθολικός διάκονος Friday traditio . The last several have not only been discernibly out of tune, but only striking a single note. These last several posts I have felt much more myself. It helps… ## [Pope Leo XIV on the diaconate](https://scottdodge.blogspot.com/2026/07/pope-leo-xiv-on-diaconate-as-permanent.html) _2026-07-30 · Deacon Scott · Καθολικός διάκονος_ I recently finished Elise Ann Allen's Pope Leo XIV: A Biography . Back in May, I pretty much read the entire book with the exception of Allen's interview with the Holy Father, which she conducted last summer. Allen's is a very good biography that gives the reader a good sense of who Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, is. I recommend it. In her interview, she asked a couple of questions about the… ## [God loves you and calls you according to his purposes](https://scottdodge.blogspot.com/2026/07/god-loves-you-and-calls-you-according.html) _2026-07-26 · Deacon Scott · Καθολικός διάκονος_ Romans 8:28-30 Once again, this week, I want to focus on the so-called "epistle reading." And, once again, I do so for two reasons. First, this Gospel reading requires more work than I want to do. Second, being likely the most important book of the New Testament, apart from the Gospels, Saint Paul's Letter to the Romans is worthy of our attention. What follows is clearly not a homily or even a… ## ["Use it any way you will"](https://scottdodge.blogspot.com/2026/07/use-it-any-way-you-will.html) _2026-07-24 · Deacon Scott · Καθολικός διάκονος_ My longtime leitmotif of the Καθολικός διάκονος Friday traditio is the fleeting nature of time. "Now" is just the intersection of the past and the future. Because now is super-fleeting, I am never at ease with the lazy exhortation to "live in the now." Even living in the moment is problematic for me as a "life hack." You really have no choice but to live in the moment. My life unfolds moment to… ## [Open directory of blogs for agents (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/0PsLZFubQIx1) _2026-07-24 · **Sponsored**_ Submit URLs or OPML; receive feed pages with summaries, plus JSON/OPML/plain text ## [How important is sex in a Catholic marriage? | Kate Ott](https://uscatholic.org/articles/202607/how-important-is-sex-in-a-catholic-marriage-kate-ott/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-important-is-sex-in-a-catholic-marriage-kate-ott) _2026-07-24 · Nathaniel Hunter · Podcasts - U.S. Catholic_ Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube For Catholics seeking accurate information about the church’s teachings on sex ethics, the internet can be a perilous place. One might get plenty of opinions from influencers, and far more personal information about people’s sex lives than one bargained for—but not so much accurate source-based content on Catholic teaching. Some influencers have \[…\]… ## [Should priests use A.I. for homily help? A Silicon Valley pastor explains how and how not to](https://www.americamagazine.org/podcasts/2026/07/17/catholic-preaching-artificial-intelligence/) _2026-07-17 · Preach · Podcasts - America Magazine_ “If you don’t spend time writing your homily today and you just get up and give it, ask ChatGPT or Claude—they’re gonna do a better job than you,” Father Brendan McGuire says. The post Should priests use A.I. for homily help? A Silicon Valley pastor explains how and how not to appeared first on America Magazine . ## [How should the church respond to the conflict in Gaza? | Julie Schumacher Cohen & Jordan Denari Duffner](https://uscatholic.org/articles/202607/how-should-the-church-respond-to-he-conflict-in-gaza-julie-schumacher-cohen-jordan-denari-duffner/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-should-the-church-respond-to-he-conflict-in-gaza-julie-schumacher-cohen-jordan-denari-duffner) _2026-07-17 · Nathaniel Hunter · Podcasts - U.S. Catholic_ Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube On October 7, 2023, militant pro-Palestinian groups carried out a series of attacks on Jewish Israelis, during the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah. In response, Israel launched a large-scale military operation in Gaza, which has escalated into a humanitarian disaster that the United Nations and other organizations are terming a genocide. Almost \[…\] The… ## [Does the anointing of the sick really heal people? | LaRyssa Herrington](https://uscatholic.org/articles/202607/does-the-anointing-of-the-sick-really-heal-people-laryssa-herrington/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=does-the-anointing-of-the-sick-really-heal-people-laryssa-herrington) _2026-07-10 · Nathaniel Hunter · Podcasts - U.S. Catholic_ Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube History and literature are full of dramatic stories involving deathbed conversions and the administering of what is often called last rites. So perhaps it’s understandable that many people, when they think of the sacrament of anointing the sick, assume it is something reserved for those who are gravely ill or \[…\] The post Does the anointing of the sick… ## [A Franciscan approach to preaching for missionary discipleship](https://www.americamagazine.org/podcasts/2026/07/07/a-franciscan-approach-to-preaching-for-missionary-discipleship/) _2026-07-07 · Preach · Podcasts - America Magazine_ He makes the case for homilies that center the relationship Jesus invites us into—one of freedom and joy—rather than dwelling on sin and placing undue burdens on the congregation. The post A Franciscan approach to preaching for missionary discipleship appeared first on America Magazine . ## [Is patriotism a Christian virtue? | Lewis Brogdon](https://uscatholic.org/articles/202607/is-patriotism-a-christian-virtue-lewis-brogdon/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=is-patriotism-a-christian-virtue-lewis-brogdon) _2026-07-02 · Nathaniel Hunter · Podcasts - U.S. Catholic_ Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts Recent polls indicate that feelings of patriotism are at an all-time low in the United States. This is especially the case for younger Americans, who are less likely than their older counterparts to describe themselves as patriotic, and less inclined to participate in displays of patriotism. On one hand this is nothing \[…\] The post Is patriotism a Christian… ## [Father James Martin on meeting our moral heroes](https://www.americamagazine.org/podcasts/2026/06/29/greg-boyle-james-martin-spiritual-life/) _2026-06-29 · James Martin, S.J. · Podcasts - America Magazine_ This week for the finale of our second season of “The Spiritual Life” podcast, I was able to speak with a moral hero: my Jesuit brother Greg Boyle, the founder of Homeboy Industries. The post Father James Martin on meeting our moral heroes appeared first on America Magazine . ## [Preaching the Gospel—not politics—at America’s 250th anniversary](https://www.americamagazine.org/podcasts/2026/06/29/preach-archbishop-lori-america-250/) _2026-06-29 · Preach · Podcasts - America Magazine_ As we approach the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, preachers face a sacred responsibility—to proclaim the Gospel and heed the signs of the times, without getting lost in political ideologies. The post Preaching the Gospel—not politics—at America’s 250th anniversary appeared first on America Magazine . ## [Does the Catholic Church condemn deportation? | Therese Cory](https://uscatholic.org/articles/202606/does-the-catholic-church-condemn-deportation-therese-cory/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=does-the-catholic-church-condemn-deportation-therese-cory) _2026-06-26 · Nathaniel Hunter · Podcasts - U.S. Catholic_ Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts According to the USCCB’s voting guide, Catholics are called to “stand with newcomers, authorized and unauthorized, including unaccompanied immigrant children, refugees and asylum-seekers, those unnecessarily detained, and victims of human trafficking.” This directive is in line with the church’s longstanding emphasis on immigrant rights, and the ancient mandate… ## [‘I doubt he will be diplomatic’: What Pope Leo may say to the U.S. on July 3](https://www.americamagazine.org/podcasts/2026/06/26/inside-vatican-pope-leo-summer/) _2026-06-26 · Inside the Vatican · Podcasts - America Magazine_ On the season finale of “Inside the Vatican,” Colleen and Gerry discuss the hectic weeks before Pope Leo’s summer vacation. The post ‘I doubt he will be diplomatic’: What Pope Leo may say to the U.S. on July 3 appeared first on America Magazine . ## [Real SIMs for AI Agents (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/JKonyFrgejVn) _2026-06-26 · **Sponsored**_ Pass 2FA and verifications with real carrier numbers via our API. ## [Pope Leo and Trump aren’t the first feuding leaders: a history of papal power clashes](https://www.americamagazine.org/podcasts/2026/06/25/pope-leo-trump-history/) _2026-06-25 · Jesuitical · Podcasts - America Magazine_ This week on “Jesuitical,” hosts Zac Davis and Ashley McKinless talk with historian Miles Pattenden about the long and quirky history of feuds between popes and politicians. The post Pope Leo and Trump aren’t the first feuding leaders: a history of papal power clashes appeared first on America Magazine . ## [Father James Martin and Hasan Minhaj on Islam, comedy and the spiritual life](https://www.americamagazine.org/podcasts/2026/06/23/hasan-minhaj-james-martin-spiritual-life-islam/) _2026-06-23 · James Martin, S.J. · Podcasts - America Magazine_ Hasan Minhaj is best known as a comedian. But given his intense interest in different faith traditions, he could also be considered a student (or maybe even a teacher) of comparative religion. The post Father James Martin and Hasan Minhaj on Islam, comedy and the spiritual life appeared first on America Magazine . ## [‘Like I’ve rarely seen him’: Pope Leo’s visit to Spain](https://www.americamagazine.org/podcasts/2026/06/19/like-ive-rarely-seen-him-pope-leos-visit-to-spain/) _2026-06-19 · Inside the Vatican · Podcasts - America Magazine_ This week on “Inside the Vatican,” Gerard O’Connell recaps for Colleen Dulle the highlights from the pope’s three stops: Madrid, Barcelona and the Canary Islands. The post ‘Like I’ve rarely seen him’: Pope Leo’s visit to Spain appeared first on America Magazine . ## [Are cultural Catholics real Catholics? | Maureen Day](https://uscatholic.org/articles/202606/are-cultural-catholics-real-catholics-maureen-day/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=are-cultural-catholics-real-catholics-maureen-day) _2026-06-18 · Nathaniel Hunter · Podcasts - U.S. Catholic_ Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts Today, millions of baptized Catholics exist on the church’s margins. Many of them identify as “cultural Catholics,” but what that means may depend very much on the individual. Some identify as Catholic even though they no longer engage in traditional Catholic practices. Some pick and choose which practices they want to hold \[…\] The post Are cultural Catholics… ## [What the parable of the Lost Sheep should teach us about individuality, tribalism and communion](https://www.americamagazine.org/podcasts/2026/06/18/luke-burgis-jesuitical-tribalism/) _2026-06-18 · Jesuitical · Podcasts - America Magazine_ This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley sit down with Luke Burgis, the director of the Cluny Institute at The Catholic University of America and the author of The One and the Ninety-Nine: Forging Identity in the Age of Social Contagion. They discuss why we join and leave tribes, how to form a “solid” self \[…\] The post What the parable of the Lost Sheep should teach us about individuality,… ## [David Brooks on desire and longing in the spiritual life](https://www.americamagazine.org/podcasts/2026/06/16/david-brooks-james-martin-spiritual-life/) _2026-06-16 · James Martin, S.J. · Podcasts - America Magazine_ Desire and longing are some of the main ways that God draws us closer. “Our hearts are restless until they rest in you, O Lord,” as St. Augustine wrote. How else would God draw us closer than by awakening in us the very desire for the divine? The post David Brooks on desire and longing in the spiritual life appeared first on America Magazine . ## [Do women have an equal voice in the church? | Heidi Schlumpf](https://uscatholic.org/articles/202606/do-women-have-an-equal-voice-in-the-church-heidi-schlumpf/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=do-women-have-an-equal-voice-in-the-church-heidi-schlumpf) _2026-06-12 · Nathaniel Hunter · Podcasts - U.S. Catholic_ Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts While people sometimes use the term “the church” as shorthand for the Vatican or the magisterium, the church is, strictly speaking, all its members, regardless of gender or vocation. So, while Catholic women are barred from holy orders and from most ministerial and leadership roles in the church, that doesn’t mean they \[…\] The post Do women have an equal voice… ## [What’s the point of prayer? | Laura Fanucci](https://uscatholic.org/articles/202606/whats-the-point-of-prayer-laura-fanucci/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=whats-the-point-of-prayer-laura-fanucci) _2026-06-05 · Nathaniel Hunter · Podcasts - U.S. Catholic_ Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts In the 6th chapter of Matthew’s gospel, Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray, introducing what today we call the “Our Father,” or the “Lord’s Prayer.” But Jesus imparts this prayer in the context of various instructions on the many ways we shouldn’t pray. Don’t pray in public for everyone to see. \[…\] The post What’s the point of prayer? | Laura Fanucci… ## [What do young people want from the church? | Baird Linke, Catalina Morales, and Drew Stever](https://uscatholic.org/articles/202605/what-do-young-people-want-from-the-church-baird-linke-catalina-morales-and-drew-stever/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-do-young-people-want-from-the-church-baird-linke-catalina-morales-and-drew-stever) _2026-05-29 · Nathaniel Hunter · Podcasts - U.S. Catholic_ Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts This Easter—2026—multiple Catholic parishes across the nation saw a surge in adult baptisms and new converts entering the church. Some dioceses reported all-time records for people becoming Catholic at Easter. This trend parallels a broader trend of renewed interest in religion, especially with young people. Protestant and nondenominational churches have also… ## [What do you do if you don’t like your pastor? | Paul Jarzembowski](https://uscatholic.org/articles/202605/what-do-you-do-if-you-dont-like-your-pastor-paul-jarzembowski/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-do-you-do-if-you-dont-like-your-pastor-paul-jarzembowski) _2026-05-22 · Nathaniel Hunter · Podcasts - U.S. Catholic_ Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts People go “parish hopping” for all kinds of reasons. Sometimes it’s because of simple things like wanting more convenient mass times, or a shorter drive. Or it might be because they’re looking for a community with more people in their age group, or more options for activities or outreach. Sometimes, people leave \[…\] The post What do you do if you don’t like your… ## [Refer a Friend, Earn Rewards (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/ZWX9bUe0wQNE) _2026-05-22 · **Sponsored**_ Earn rewards when friends get the Graphite Business Card through your referral. ## [Death in Christian Theology](https://theologyandcode.com/concepts/death/) _2026-04-30 · Theology and Code · Theology and Code_ Death as the last enemy introduced by sin, subjected to Christ's victory, and destined for final abolition — understood through the logic of resurrection and the patristic tradition's sharpest insights. ## [The Sacrament of Marriage](https://theologyandcode.com/concepts/sacrament-of-marriage/) _2026-04-26 · Theology and Code · Theology and Code_ How natural covenant becomes sacramental communion: Holy Matrimony explained through covenant design, consent, blessing, and lifelong fidelity ## [The Nativity](https://theologyandcode.com/concepts/nativity/) _2025-12-25 · Theology and Code · Theology and Code_ How the eternal Son's birth at Bethlehem implements the Incarnation's interface—one Person instantiating two complete natures ## [The Immaculate Conception](https://theologyandcode.com/concepts/immaculate-conception/) _2025-12-11 · Theology and Code · Theology and Code_ Understanding Mary's preservation from original sin through preventive redemption - like antivirus protection applied at instantiation rather than after infection ## [The Filioque](https://theologyandcode.com/concepts/filioque/) _2025-12-06 · Theology and Code · Theology and Code_ Understanding the Spirit's procession 'from the Father and the Son' through shared interface implementation ## [Papal Supremacy](https://theologyandcode.com/concepts/papal-supremacy/) _2025-12-06 · Theology and Code · Theology and Code_ Understanding the Pope's supreme authority through root certificate and singleton patterns ## [The Great Schism](https://theologyandcode.com/concepts/east-west-schism/) _2025-12-04 · Theology and Code · Theology and Code_ The 1054 division between Rome and Constantinople explained through distributed systems architecture and consensus protocols ## [Apostolic Succession](https://theologyandcode.com/concepts/apostolic-succession/) _2025-11-28 · Theology and Code · Theology and Code_ How the Church's authority flows through an unbroken inheritance chain from Christ through the apostles to today's bishops ## [The Deposit of Faith](https://theologyandcode.com/concepts/deposit-of-faith/) _2025-11-28 · Theology and Code · Theology and Code_ How the revealed truths of Christianity function as an immutable, sealed package—transmitted through Scripture and Tradition, guarded but never modified by the Magisterium ## [The Sacrament of Reconciliation](https://theologyandcode.com/concepts/sacrament-of-reconciliation/) _2025-11-23 · Theology and Code · Theology and Code_ How the Sacrament of Reconciliation operates like a transaction system with ACID properties, restoring the soul to a state of grace through divinely authorized error handling ## [Novus Ordo and Traditional Latin Mass: Two Forms of One Rite](https://theologyandcode.com/concepts/novus-ordo-liturgical-reform/) _2025-11-20 · Theology and Code · Theology and Code_ The liturgical reform intended inheritance and organic development, yet implementation sparked debates about refactoring versus breaking changes in the Church's central act of worship ## [The Heresy of the Five Solas](https://theologyandcode.com/concepts/heresy-of-the-solas/) _2025-11-17 · Theology and Code · Theology and Code_ Why the Protestant Reformation's core principles contradict Catholic doctrine on revelation, justification, and salvation ## [Mary's Mediation and the Co-Redemptrix Controversy](https://theologyandcode.com/concepts/marys-mediation-coredemptrix/) _2025-11-17 · Theology and Code · Theology and Code_ Understanding Mary's subordinate cooperation in salvation through the Delegation Pattern - why the Vatican rejected 'Co-Redemptrix' while affirming her maternal mediation ## [Ipsum Esse Subsistens: God as Subsistent Being Itself](https://theologyandcode.com/concepts/ipsum-esse-subsistens/) _2025-10-30 · Theology and Code · Theology and Code_ From the case for God's existence to understanding divine nature through philosophical argument, biblical revelation, and TypeScript analogies ## [Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi](https://theologyandcode.com/concepts/lex-orandi-lex-credendi/) _2025-10-30 · Theology and Code · Theology and Code_ How the law of prayer shapes the law of belief: understanding why liturgical form is a doctrinal issue ## [Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus](https://theologyandcode.com/concepts/extra-ecclesiam-nulla-salus/) _2025-10-29 · Theology and Code · Theology and Code_ Outside the Church there is no salvation—understanding the Catholic Church's necessary role through interfaces and dependency injection ## [Transubstantiation & Real Presence](https://theologyandcode.com/concepts/transubstantiation/) _2025-10-24 · Theology and Code · Theology and Code_ Understanding the Eucharistic Mystery through type casting, interface implementation, and dependency injection ## [Nature vs Person](https://theologyandcode.com/concepts/nature-vs-person/) _2025-10-21 · Theology and Code · Theology and Code_ The foundational distinction that unlocks understanding of Trinity and Incarnation ## [The Trinity](https://theologyandcode.com/concepts/trinity/) _2025-10-21 · Theology and Code · Theology and Code_ Understanding the Three Divine Persons in One God through object-oriented programming concepts ## [Angels and Demons: Spiritual Beings](https://theologyandcode.com/concepts/angels-demons/) _2025-10-18 · Theology and Code · Theology and Code_ Understanding pure spirits and their role in salvation history through system daemons, background processes, and security concepts