If you want to go to church this weekend and you plan to attend a Catholic Mass:

1. Just come in and sit down. You’re welcome here.

2. Feel free to sit near the back so you can mirror others as to sitting, standing, and kneeling. 3. There’s nothing wrong with remaining in the pew at Communion. If someone asks why, it is likely out of kindness. Feel free to use it as an opportunity to tell them you just felt the need to come to church. Even if we tend to be more reserved, we’re still kind people.

Some morning thoughts on ‘Princess Mononoke.’ A thread. I am not a full-blown Girardian, but I do find René Girard interesting and insightful at times. I am not an expert, but I think an aspect of his thought gives insight into the opening scenes with Ashitaka.

In today’s 2nd reading, St. Paul writes, “Therefore, that I might not become too elated, a thorn in the flesh was given to me” (2 Corinthians 12: 7). He never tells us what this “thorn in the flesh” might be. 1/13 It could be some physical suffering or pain. Remember that St. Paul had many physical and bodily hardships on his missionary journeys: see 2 Corinthians 11: 25–27 for at least a partial list of the many sufferings he endured for the sake of the Gospel. 2/13

This post got me thinking about the differences between angels and men, and what that tells us about the question of Hell. So here’s a 🧵

https://twitter.com/pseudnymoustwt/status/1747122213000503353

First, that the Devil and his angels exist and are forever damned is a teaching of the Church.

“Then he shall say to them also that shall be on his left hand: Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41).