In a recent Reflection (Feb 19, 2017), I characterized four common attitudes about death as those of “the secular, the scientist,…
The ninth chapter of the Gospel of John relates a healing encounter between Jesus and a man born blind. Let…
Proponents of physician-assisted suicide have used the term “death with dignity” to present their cause in a positive way. The…
We have already considered how the ethics of the Christian gospel embrace both rigorous moral standards and extravagant forgiveness of…
Throughout the forty days of Lent, the Church invites us to practice penance by praying, fasting, and giving alms. As…
G. K. Chesterton, the early 20th century Christian apologist, wrote that, while “paganism declared that virtue was in a balance;…
In the eyes of God, death is the negation of the life He created. God permits death as a consequence…
“I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.” These are the first words of the Apostles…
“We hold these treasures in earthen vessels,” Saint Paul says (2 Cor 4:7). These “earthen vessels” are human bodies, which…
“Hope” is a word that can mean different things. It can mean looking forward to something good that might happen…
Having considered the topic of advanced directives in health care in general, and the kinds of directives that can be…
We have considered in a general way the topic of advanced directives in health care. Let us now consider some…
Making advanced directives about one’s health care is frequently encouraged in our society and, in many ways, that is a…
One of the saddest experiences I have as a hospital chaplain is ministering to patients who die alone. Thankfully, that…
Christmas is a time of giving. It is the celebration of the greatest gift of all: Our Lord Jesus Christ,…
To “cooperate with evil” sounds like a horrible thing to do—and it can be. But some cooperation with evil is…
People faced with dire circumstances often pray to God for miracles. The patients in the hospitals I serve, along with…
“I am angry with God” I often hear this from patients in the hospitals. They are expressing disappointment, the feeling…
For he assumed at his first coming the lowliness of human flesh, and so fulfilled the design you formed long…
I was ill and you cared for me. (Matt 25:36) So the king will say, seated on his glorious throne…
The virtues that characterize excellent ministers of Holy Communion was the subject of our last reflection. We considered the virtue…
One of the most important parts of Catholic health care ministry is the administration of Holy Communion. This much needed…
Saint Thomas Aquinas, in his great Summa Theologica, begins his treatment of ethics with the Christian understanding that human beings…
For human beings, doing good means choosing a good moral object for the sake of a good end. If a…
Good is to be done and pursued, and evil is to be avoided. This is the first principle of ethical…