By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
A new study has found that despite the big promises of the Internet to allow unfettered free speech for all, Christian groups are among the few that are being censored online.
Read the rest
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
The ink has barely dried on a new civil unions law in Illinois and a same-sex couple is already suing two bed and breakfast establishments for refusing to rent space for their civil ceremony.
Read the rest
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
Video games have come a long way from those early days of "Pong" and "Pacman" and while some of today's sophisticated games can be good skill-builders for kids, others are dangerously violent.
Read the rest
"As soon as you are tempted to impurity, endeavor to think of the Passion of the Savior of the world and make the following act: 'My God is nailed to a cross, and shall I consent to these unlawful pleasures?'"
St. Bernard
For Reflection:
To what extent do I meditate on the passion of Christ? How did His passion obtain for me the grace to resist temptation? Why, then, is meditation on His passion a good safeguard to all temptation including the temptation to impurity?
(See tomorrow's Grace Line to see what specific aspect of Christ's passion St. Augustine found effective in his fight against temptations of the flesh.)
Read the rest
"Vigilance and prayer are the safeguards of chastity. 'Watch and pray that you enter not into temptation (Mark 14:38).' You should pray often and fervently to be preserved from temptations against purity, and for the grace to overcome them."
St. John Baptist de la Salle
For Reflection:
To prayer and fasting, St. John Baptist de la Salle adds one more safeguard for chastity. What is it? How can I apply it?
(Tomorrow's Grace Line adds yet another way to protect our chastity.)
Read the rest
"Take to hear the warning of our Lord: 'But this kind of sin (impurity) is not overcome but by prayer and fasting.'"
St. John Bosco
For Reflection:
To prayer, what other suggestion does St. John Bosco recommend? How can I comply with this suggestion?
Read the rest
Commentary by Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
Public schools in the District of Columbia are about to become the first in the nation to test students on their knowledge of human sexuality, contraception and drug use.
Read the rest
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
As the nation grows increasingly horrified by the blatant improprieties being shown on prime time television these days, the Supreme Court is about to hear arguments in what many are calling the most important case concerning broadcast indecency in 40 years.
Read the rest
Commentary by Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
People have long been uncomfortable with the premise of TLC's Toddlers and Tiaras which features toddlers in womanly clothing who strut around the stage like adult pageant contestants, but a recent show featuring a three year-old dressed like a prostitute has sparked a national outcry.
Read the rest
"Chastity is a virtue which we do not have strength to practice unless God gives it to us, and God does not give this strength except to someone who asks for it. But whoever prays for it will certainly obtain it."
St. Alphonsus Liguori
For Reflection:
Do I really want to acquire the virtue of chastity? Why or why not? If not, what sin is hidden in this? If so, am I willing to pray for it?
Read the rest
