Corpus Christi Blog

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11-27-2022Weekly ReflectionJen Arnold, M.A. in Theology and Catechetics

During the season of Advent, we spend time contemplating Jesus’ coming to us in the flesh as a little baby after being carried in His mother’s womb for nine months. We also contemplate what it means to prepare for His second coming. We are still going to think about those things, but we’ll do it a little bit differently this season.

Earlier this year, the bishops of the United States called for a 3-year period of Eucharistic Renewal in which we intensely focus on the Eucharist and the true presence of Jesus Christ within the Sacrament. For each week’s Advent reflection, I have selected one word that links the mystery of the Incarnation to the mystery of the Eucharist, showing how the Eucharist we consume at every Mass is one and the same as the Jesus that was born in the flesh to a virgin in Bethlehem.

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King of the Universe and End of the World

11-20-2022Weekly ReflectionJen Arnold, M.A. in Theology and Catechetics

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. That is quite a mouthful, and with it comes a lot of weight. We think of Jesus as a king in many different ways, like the king of our hearts or the king of heaven. We think of Him as a humble servant king or a king of justice and mercy.

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Children at Mass

11-13-2022Weekly ReflectionJen Arnold, M.A. in Theology and Catechetics

This week’s topic can be, at times, a touchy subject for people on both sides of the equation, however, please bear with me to the conclusion so that we all might gain a little perspective. Children, particularly infants and toddlers, can often be disruptive at Mass by nature of their youth. With five children myself, I have had many experiences over the years with everything from people asking me not to bring my little ones to Mass, to people encouraging me along, and even complete strangers offering to hold my babies to give me a hand.

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Indulgences

11-06-2022Weekly ReflectionJen Arnold, M.A. in Theology and Catechetics

One of the most misunderstood teachings of the Catholic Church – both by Catholics and non-Catholics alike – is the doctrine of indulgences. Granting indulgences is an ancient practice of the Church that was given, as a right by divine authority, for the remittance of the punishment due to sin. However, over the centuries, for various reasons, much confusion grew around this practice.

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Purgatory

11-02-2022Weekly ReflectionJen Arnold, M.A. in Theology and Catechetics

The Catholic doctrine of purgatory is a beautiful one if understood correctly. It can also be controversial, particularly with non-Catholic Christians. It is argued that nowhere in Scripture is the word “purgatory” mentioned. However, this could be said of many other theological words such as Trinity, Incarnation, and even the word Bible itself, yet they are matters of faith which all Christians believe and profess. While the word “purgatory” is not in the Bible, the concept is present, both in the Old and New Testaments. The Church has drawn on these scriptural references to formulate her doctrine on purgatory. Here, the Church’s teaching on purgatory will be explained, citing the Catechism of the Catholic Church, as well as by laying out some of the Scriptural references as the basis for those teachings.

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