The Church’s teaching on the necessity of confessing sins aloud in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, rather than privately, is rooted in several key theological and biblical principles. While Jesus indeed teaches us to pray privately (Matthew 6:6), confession of sins in the context of sacramental Reconciliation serves a different purpose. Here are the reasons why […]
Reconciliation: Face to Face Encounter With God Read More »
In Chapter 3 of Volume 2 of Jesus of Nazareth, Pope Benedict XVI reflects on the profound symbolism behind the washing of the feet. He explains that “those who have bathed” refers to those who have been baptised. They do not need to be washed all over again, but only their feet, which signifies that
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Nestorianism, named after its chief proponent Nestorius, emerged as a significant theological controversy in the early Christian church, particularly concerning the nature of Christ and the proper title for the Virgin Mary. This heresy, which was later condemned by the church, revolved around complex doctrinal disagreements about Christ’s divine and human natures, and it left
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3. Pelagianism: Taught that original sin did not taint human nature and that humans could achieve salvation without divine grace. 4. Gnosticism: Claimed that salvation came through secret knowledge, and that the material world was evil and created by a lesser god. 5. Docetism: Believed that Christ’s physical body was an illusion, and He did
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Arianism, named after the Alexandrian presbyter Arius (c. 250–336 AD), represents one of the most significant theological challenges in early Christian history.1 It sparked one of the most contentious and long-lasting conflicts within the early Church, leaving an indelible mark on Christian doctrine and ecclesiastical politics. The Arian controversy revolved around the nature of Christ’s
The Arian Crisis: How One Controversy Clarified Christian Belief Read More »
The life of Ignatius of Antioch, one of the most influential figures in early Christianity, offers a stirring testament to faith, leadership, and sacrifice. Born around 35 AD, Ignatius became the bishop of Antioch, one of the most important cities in the Roman Empire and a key centre of early Christian thought and missionary activity.
St. Ignatius of Antioch: A Martyr’s Vision of the Church and the Eucharist Read More »
The Meaning of “I Am” Throughout the Gospels, especially in the Gospel of John, Jesus often refers to Himself using the phrase “I Am”, a term that is deeply rooted in the Old Testament. This title carries immense theological weight and reveals Jesus’ divine nature and oneness with God. In this final post of the
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The Significance of “The Son” One of the most profound titles Jesus used to describe Himself is the Son. This title, along with Son of God, appears frequently in the Gospels and carries deep theological implications. Unlike the term Son of Man, which has roots in Old Testament prophecy, the Son highlights Jesus’ unique relationship
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Jesus Declares His Identity The identity of Jesus has been a subject of contemplation and interpretation since His lifetime. People in His day tried to define His mysterious figure using familiar categories like Elijah, John the Baptist, or Jeremiah. However, Jesus didn’t directly claim titles such as Messiah for Himself, though His followers did. After
There are moments in life when the veil between the temporal and the eternal seems thin—when reality, as we know it, is momentarily suspended, and we glimpse something of the divine. In the life of Jesus, the Transfiguration is precisely such a moment. This extraordinary event, witnessed by Peter, James, and John, is not only
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