Jeanie Hannaman

By Douglas Bushman, Catholic World Report - That Jesus taught His disciples to pray for the coming of the kingdom (Mt 6:9–13; Lk 11:2–4) long before they could fully understand its true nature has long intrigued me. Clearly, Jesus intends to lead His disciples into a full understanding of what it means for God’s kingdom to come, and for Him to be its king... And yet, even after all the formation they received from Him, the final question that the apostles put to their Master, on the day of the Ascension, concerns the coming of the kingdom: “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). Jesus responds that they will finally fully understand when they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit ....

By Walter Sánchez Silva, CNA - Usury can be defined as charging too much interest on a loan, a practice that has existed since ancient times. Traditionally, the Catholic Church taught that the sin of usury was the act of demanding any benefit or profit for the sole purpose of lending. This understanding has evolved over time, and the Church no longer condemns the general practice of lending with interest, as long as it is moderate... On Oct. 18, the Holy Father received the National Anti-Usury Council of Italy in the Vatican Apostolic Palace. For 30 years, the council has been dedicated to “combating a problem that has a devastating impact on the lives of so many people and families,” according to the Vatican Press Office. ...

By John Mac Ghlionn, Crisis Magazine - If anything, Catholics should be allergic to this phrase because it’s a linguistic Trojan horse. It sneaks politics into the pulpit and replaces theology with talking points. Once you start measuring faith by military alliances, you’ve already traded the cross for a flagpole... The first Christians didn’t equate holiness with strategic partnerships. They followed a man who told Peter to put away his sword, not sharpen it for the next preemptive strike... The sad truth is that “Judeo-Christian” has become a nervous tick for Western politicians who don’t believe in either. It’s what they say when they want the shine of faith without the burden of it—like a dieter ordering dessert “for the table.” ... Catholics don’t need to borrow anyone’s values. We already have a catechism, a creed, and a calling. That’s enough. ...