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Removing Our Sinful NaturesThe Catholic Doctrine of Purgatory Purgatory is one of those subjects, like economics, about which nearly everyone has an opinion but few have in-depth knowledge. Protestants point to it as an example of a pernicious “tradition of men” which Christ wisely condemned. Orthodox Christians, who accept the possibility of an interim state between this life and heaven, are uncomfortable with many traditional depictions of purgatory as well as associated doctrines such as indulgences. And many Catholics today treat purgatory like a persistent rash they cannot get rid of... More... From Ignorance to BlissMy Journey to the Catholic Church Manicured lawns, kids playing in the streets, and dads barbequing in the summer: I grew up in the quintessential suburban American neighborhood. Each family was similar to the next, having the same values and outlook and each relatively the same size. One family on my street, however, broke the mold. Instead of the standard two or three children, this family had seven. I remember asking my mother why that family was so large, and her simple answer was, “Oh, they’re Catholic.” Knowing little of Catholicism and even less of how children were conceived, I figured that these “Catholics” must have a better relationship with the stork than the rest of us.... More... Catholic Scripture InterpretationResting on Fundamentals, Resisting Fundamentalism The purpose of mans existence in life, according to Catholic teaching, is to
know, love and serve God. More than simply a duty that man must fulfill to obtain
salvation, this divine design exists so that God can have an eternal relationship with
each one of His children. From the creation of the first man, God has revealed Himself to
the human race so that man may know Him more fully. The summit of this revelation occurred
with the "new man" - Jesus Christ. In... More... Interpreting the Holy BibleHow the "Senses" of Scripture Provide the Foundation for a Proper Interpretive Stance In His goodness and wisdom God chose to reveal Himself and to
make known to us the hidden purpose of His will by which through Christ, the Word made
flesh, man might in the Holy Spirit have access to the Father and come to share in the
divine nature." This is revelation: the self-revealing of God.... More... Abolished or Fulfilled?The Mosaic Law in Relation to the New Covenant of Christ According to the Fathers of the Church The entire scope of salvation history consists of Gods covenants with man. From
the covenant of creation to the covenants of Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and Christ, the
development of the plan of salvation can be traced since the Fall of Man. The relationship
between these covenants is at once both clear and obscure. Each covenant serves the same
basic purpose: to bring man into a deeper relationship with God. However, on a human
level, these covenants sometimes seem to be in conflict and even contradictory.... More... Obtaining The Divine LifeFrom Death to Life: the Process of Salvation What is something we all want, but never finish receiving?
More. or a more expensive house. But even if we get these things, we still feel like we need more of something: we are never fulfilled. There is still a basic emptiness that exists in us. Why is it that we never feel satisfied with what we have? The answer lies in our very nature... More...
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About Me
Later this year Our Sunday Visitor will be publishing my book Who Is Jesus Christ? Unlocking the Mystery in the Gospel of Matthew, a series of reflections on the titles given to Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew.
I began my study of the Catholic faith in 1991 as an Evangelical Protestant, converting to the Catholic Church in 1993. Currently I am completing a Master’s of Theology degree at Franciscan University of Steubenville.
I serve as head of evangelization at St. John Neumann parish in Gaithersburg, MD, and am cofounder of Little Flowers Foundation, a non-profit whose mission is to assist Catholic families seeking to adopt special-needs children.
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| All content © Eric Sammons |