[Christian Eisenring]

That is a great point; we must all be grateful to the priests or Deacons, for without them we have no sacraments!

[Christian Eisenring]

I was born in Bern, Switzerland, in 1961. According to my parents, I was baptized in the Catholic Church—a tradition they maintained with all my siblings when our family emigrated to the US in 1962. I have no reason to doubt this.

I am currently on the final chapter of St. Augustine of Hippo’s The Confessions. The book has been a long and challenging read, but the suggested passages are genuinely thought-provoking. In these initial pages, Augustine earnestly asks the Lord for the courage to trust in Him—the God who created everything from nothing. Augustine wonders what he is in God’s eyes, so that God would care for his well-being and salvation. Although we are all sinners and unworthy of such grace, God is merciful and pursues us to the end.

Not a day passes that I do not thank God for the salvation He has given me—a gift I neither sought, deserved, nor could ever hope to repay. Like St. Augustine, we all yearn to behold the face of God and praise Him for eternity. Amen.

[Christian Eisenring]

Jesus, in His profound humility, chooses to conceal Himself in the form of bread, inviting us to approach Him with confidence. Were He to reveal His full glory, as He does to the Angels and Saints in Heaven, who among us would dare draw near? If Catholics truly recognized the awe-inspiring power of the Holy Eucharist, our churches would overflow with worshippers, as crowded as a stadium on Superbowl Sunday.

[Christian Eisenring]

I love reading Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ. I’m always struck by the peace and serenity I feel during time in eucharistic adoration. Reading the parts in chapter 11 only solidified my feeling of adoration.

Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” 59 He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum (John 6:53-59). It doesn’t get more convincing than this!

On our personal journey, we can share with others how the Eucharist has transformed our lives. By describing moments of deep connection with Jesus during Mass or Eucharistic adoration, we can highlight specific times when the Eucharist brought healing, hope, or a sense of belonging. Sharing these personal stories makes our faith relatable and inspiring to others.

Another way to inspire friends or family is to invite them to join you in Eucharistic adoration. Explain how this practice offers quiet reflection and a personal encounter with Christ. You can also attend Mass together and encourage others to experience the celebration as a community, where everyone has the opportunity to encounter Jesus tangibly.

[Christian Eisenring]

God made us to be in a relationship with him, but sin broke that relationship. We kept breaking those conventions over and over. Each of these stories can be summed up by the Kerygma (Proclamation). Jesus—the Son of God—lived, died for our sins, and rose again to restore us. If you turn from your sin and trust Jesus, you receive forgiveness and new life through the Spirit.

[Christian Eisenring]

The parallels between Adam and Noah are stark. In Adam, God establishes humanity’s role in creation. For Noah, God reestablishes humanity after the flood. Through the cleansing flood, there is redemption and renewal; Noah becomes the New Adam.

Gospel application
* Creation and divine intention: Both covenants show God’s original purpose for humanity — to steward creation and live in fellowship with Him. Emphasize that the gospel restores that broken relationship and invites people back into God’s intended life.
* Grace after judgment: Noah’s covenant follows judgment (the Flood) but includes promise and mercy (the rainbow sign). Present the gospel as God’s mercy that comes even after judgment for sin — a promise, not merely a reprieve.
* Promise of continuation and a new beginning: Both covenants reset humanity’s relationship with God (the creation mandate is renewed after the Flood). Frame the gospel as a new beginning—resurrection and new creation imagery—fulfilling and renewing God’s original purposes.

The covenant God made with David, known as the Davidic Covenant, includes promises that David’s lineage would endure forever, that his kingdom would never pass away, and that God would establish an eternal throne for his descendants. This covenant is unconditional and relies solely on God’s faithfulness for its fulfillment.

Fulfillment in Jesus
*Show how the New Testament presents Jesus as the promised Son of David who inherits the throne (e.g., Matthew 1:1, Luke 1:32–33, Acts 2:29–36). Emphasize both royal lineage and divine authority.
Gospel application
* Sin and separation: explain human need for reconciliation despite the promise of a king.
* Christ’s work: present Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and lordship as the means by which God restores relationship and establishes his kingdom.
* Invitation: call for repentance, faith in Jesus as Lord and King, and commitment to follow him

I presented these covenants to my wife. She responded with an interesting comment: “Much of the bible is filled with our rejection of God.” He’s always reaching out to be in a relationship with him. Through our own licentiousness and concupiscence (my words), we reject or ignore him, thinking we can do for ourselves.

[Christian Eisenring]

Thank you for sharing your experience. As Catholics, we recognize that both evangelization and apologetics serve important roles in sharing the faith. While deep theological arguments have their place, our primary call is to witness Christ through relationships and charity. Challenges—whether from debates or street encounters—can inspire us to grow in understanding and love for our faith. May the Holy Spirit guide all our efforts to share the truth in love. As Catholics, we trust that the Holy Spirit equips us with the wisdom and courage needed to share our faith. By remaining open to God’s guidance, our knowledge and confidence will continue to grow, making us more effective witnesses in every conversation—even in challenging street debates.

[Christian Eisenring]

Thank you for sharing your experience. As a Catholic, I notice the absence of the Eucharist, altar, and sacred symbols in non-denominational services, which are central to our worship. For Catholics, the Mass is not just a gathering but a real participation in Christ’s sacrifice, especially through receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus in Communion.

The many denominations and differences in teaching can be confusing, but Jesus promised that His Church would endure and remain united (Matthew 16:18, John 17:21). Even though there are sinners in every church, we believe the fullness of Christ’s presence and teaching remains in the Catholic Church. We’re called to invite others to this fullness out of love, always seeking unity in Christ.

[Christian Eisenring]

Thank you for sharing your experience. As Catholics, we know that faith and reason go hand in hand—science helps us understand the world, while faith reveals deeper truths about our souls and God’s love for us. When speaking with those who haven’t encountered the teachings of Christ, it’s important to listen respectfully and share our faith with humility and joy. The belief in the soul often resonates with others and can open a door for deeper conversations. Let us trust that the Holy Spirit can use our witness to plant seeds of faith in others’ hearts.

[Christian Eisenring]

I appreciate your thoughts on the Pell-Dawkins debate. It’s important to recognize that faith addresses the deeper meanings of existence, while science explains the hows. Highlighting how faith and reason can complement each other would have enriched the discussion, especially given that many renowned scientists have been religious.

Cardinal Pell maintained a strong composure, and I share your curiosity about Dawkins’ views on “God” and his journey toward atheism (of which he is completely wrong). Exploring how faith and science might interact in the future would also be valuable.

[Christian Eisenring]

That’s amazing. I have tried to explain this to Protestant friends. The feeling you have as you leave the confessional its like a huge weight being lifted off your shoulders!

[Christian Eisenring]

I watched the debate between Trent Horn and James White on purgatory. There is no way I’m remotely capable of engaging with a person on the street with that level of knowledge. Thank goodness the chances of that happening are likely remote. While I understand the rationale for this exercise, it presents a level of inadequacy to new evangelists and may even discourage them from trying.

[Christian Eisenring]

I recently attended a Protestant church for Sunday worship and was taken aback by the welcoming atmosphere, starting with a coffee bar right at the entrance. The setting was in a high school gymnasium, which added a unique flair. Chairs were arranged near the stage, adorned with various musical instruments, creating an inviting space. People comfortably brought their coffee to their seats as the ceremony commenced. It featured several self-realization speeches, with the pastor sharing insightful biblical quotes and a brief homily. The experience culminated when the stage lit up, sparking lively hand-waving and singing. While I found the event thoroughly entertaining, it felt more like a performance than a traditional act of worship.

[Christian Eisenring]

After reading 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, Paul is telling us to meet people where they are at that given moment. Not to engage or judge a person’s predilections, but to have mercy, compassion, and understanding. To provide each individual with a place to be heard in a non-threatening, judgmental environment.
I’ve yet to encounter a non-believer in my infantile evangelization career, but this course has given me a great foundation on how to approach them.

[Christian Eisenring]

Cardinal Pell vs. Richard Dawkins (2012) was the debate I listened to. I was struck by the lack of answers Dawkins had to support his arguments. I was also saddened by the audience members who supported his arguments. I didn’t think my answers were any better than Cardinal Pell’s.

[Author]

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