Understanding Our Church
A Treasury of Arkansas Writers Discussing the Catholic Faith
Official Website of the
Catholic Diocese of Little Rock
Understanding Our Church
Explore this treasury of Arkansas writers discussing the Catholic faith on a wide variety of topics. Find what you're looking for by browsing the whole list or search by keyword or author. All articles have been reviewed for theological accuracy. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
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Humans cannot bring about their own salvation; only God saves Charles T. Sullivan Soteriology (Greek, soter “salvation” and logos “word about”) is the critical reflection on the salvific (saving) activity of Christ. This particular branch of Catholic theology asks: What does it mean to say that Christ saved us? And why do we even need to be saved? |
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From bishop to parishioner, we are connected in God’s salvation plan Father Erik Pohlmeier This time of sede vacante (literally “vacant seat”) in the Diocese of Little Rock is a good time to understand better the role of bishop in the Church. |
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Paul’s message to the Ephesians reveals eternal truths about anger Dr. Linda Webster When looking over the reading from Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians for this week (4:25-5:2), you might want to pause a moment for a rueful chuckle before the sermon begins. |
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Priests are recommended for episcopacy by their bishops Charlotte Miller As the Diocese of Little Rock awaits the appointment of a new bishop, we might wonder how the new bishop will be selected. We might also wonder just what the role of the bishop is in the first place. |
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Do we really think about what we say we believe in the creed? Sandy Compas Every Sunday at Mass, between the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, we stand together to profess our faith. “We believe in one God … We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ … We believe in the Holy Spirit … We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church …” |
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The Book of Psalms can feed our hungry, hurting hearts even today Betsy Wiederkehr Huss “All you nations, praise the Lord. All you people, praise him because the Lord loves us very much, and his truth is everlasting. Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 117) |
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‘Love your enemies’ was not an optional commandment from Jesus Sister Rosalie Ruesewald, OSB Love of enemy. Whatever happened to it? Imagine what this world would look like today if all Christians took seriously Jesus’ command and example of unconditional love for enemy as well as for friend. |
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Catholics do not worship Mary Father Erik Pohlmeier The month of May is traditionally dedicated to the honor of Mary, the Mother of God. There is probably no part of Catholic life so often misunderstood. Many claim devotion to Mary amounts to nothing more than worship that should be given to God alone. |
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Mary’s wants us to learn from, become more like Christ Father Raphael Kitz, OCD It is often pointed out that Mary, Mother of Jesus and Mother of the Church, is mentioned rarely in the New Testament writings. Where she is presented, however, the Blessed Virgin is found at the heart of the mystery of Jesus Christ and the Triune God’s mystery of salvation for all humanity. |
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Mass is act of worship designed by God, not to be judged by people Father James P. West Sadly, it seems that there has been a serious decline in this modern age in the understanding and appreciation of the Mass. |
