[J_Reitzel]

I like the connection with the Commandment to honour one’s father and mother. That’s a very good reason to show honour to Mary, our Mother.

[J_Reitzel]

May I ask what you used as your one good reason?

[J_Reitzel]

I have made friends with the receptionist at my seminary. He is not Catholic, but has been learning a lot about the Catholic faith. I thought I would extend the gesture and attend a Sunday service at his non-denominational church (seeing as it would just consist of prayer/song and preaching). So after participating at Mass one Sunday, I made way over to his church. I had a good time praying with my brothers and sisters in Christ. The young pastor was mightily surprised to find out he had a Catholic seminarian in his congregation that Sunday. Later in conversation with the receptionist, I was saying that given the dreary experience I had with the music and preaching at Mass that Sunday I would be tempted to leave for his church, but that there is one things because of which I would never leave the Catholic Church. After allowing him a guess at it, I told him that it is the Holy Eucharist. I began to explain a little about the Holy Eucharist and why it is so important to me, but our conversation got cut short by others needing him. The next day I offered him one of St. Paul Street Evangelization’s “Great Catholic Audio Talks” card with “True Worship” marked off. I said I was offering it to him if he would like to know more about what I thought about the Holy Eucharist and why it was so dear to me. He was grateful for it and said he would likely listen to the other talks on there too.

[J_Reitzel]

I watched an episode of Catholic Answers Live. It was fun getting asked questions of all sorts (kinda reminded me of doing Q&A in the schools). I was able to provide a decent answer for most of the questions (except the book suggestion ones), though that also involved in part admitting the limits of what I knew.
I really liked in the role playing in this lesson – the conversations seemed so real and really helped me see/experience how these conversations may look.

[J_Reitzel]

We are currently in a lockdown and stay-at-home orders here in Ontario. Religious services are limited to 10 people, so most places are closed to public gatherings. As such, I viewed the service from the Baptist church down the street online. There were a number of aspects that were common to the Mass (e.g. songs, intercessions, reading from Sacred Scripture, offertory, communion, & sermon). However, they occurred in a different order from the Mass (i.e. the sermon came after the offertory and communion). Also, they only had communion because it was the first Sunday of the month. The main part of the service (taking about half the time) was the sermon – which was preached by someone not listed on their website as one of the pastors. They definitely demonstrated more of the evangelical (vs. mainline) Protestant style of service (i.e. informal, preaching focused). I was surprised they only had one reading from Sacred Scripture. Now it was longer than one our readings would typically be, but I would still say we have more from Sacred Scripture at a typical Sunday Mass. I would be interested to dialogue with one of them regarding their concept of communion, for the pastors read the words of institution from 1 Corinthians 11 during that time.

I thought this course was well presented both in its content and style. However, I had a bit of a harder of time seeing how the One Good Reason method was at work here. Certainly saw conversational evangelism at work, but only sort of saw the One Good Reason method be employed.

[J_Reitzel]

What I saw in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 was an exhortation to use freedom to serve. In Christ and His law there is great freedom and diversity. This allows for me to connect and engage with people of many different backgrounds and walks in life. Taking even just the simple example of what food we can eat as Christians, there is a great freedom to socialize with others. Using the flexibility inherent in our freedom, I am called to associate and befriend those who yet do not know Christ (though never compromising on my faith/morals).
Where I see St. Paul proclaiming an “external/physical association,” St. Augustine, to me, seems to be advocating more of a “interior/psychological association.” I find the two complementary. Basically, it is a call to not be aloof or distant, but to demonstrate respect for the person wherever they may be. This then allows a relationship to form in which the Gospel can be proclaimed.
I recall being invited to participate in an iftar (the Muslim feast after sunset during Ramadan). Not sure at first what this was or its religious significance, I had to do a bit of research before I could accept the offer. But when I saw that it seemed not to be any act of worship, but more of a cultural/social event, I gladly accepted. Though it was a bit awkward at times given some of the cultural/religious customs (and my ignorance thereof), I had a pleasant evening, and it meant a lot to the one who had invited me that I came.

I appreciated the stories Carlos told. However, I felt he did not really get around to explaining the argument, just how it may be useful. So while I generally have appreciated the mock conversations to demonstrate the argument, I found it necessary here to even know what the argument was.

[J_Reitzel]

I watched a debate between Trent Horn and Alex O’Connor hosted on Pints with Aquinas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PF1JgXOKDQ&list=PLVSZX1XnJiVupoHJZZdXEYQsx7-6coeFt&index=5).
I found Alex raised some rather interesting challenges to the belief in the existence of God, however, as Trent pointed out they were not demonstrative so much probabilistic arguments. I was certainly glad to be able to pause the debate and try and develop a response.
In regard to the argument Alex raised about animal suffering, I would have answered something in terms of its only evil by analogy and just part of the natural order. I think Trent did well to add to this that the ability animals have to sense pain is tied with their ability to survive.
The argument Alex made trying to undermine the Principle of Sufficient Reason I really struggled to answer. And I was not really satisfied with Trent’s response either. On further reflection, I think the problem was that Alex was trying to get the principle to do something it was not intended to do (to define why a particular things exists in all its particularities), whereas, I think Trent did come around to this by the end of the debate, the principle I think would be more about simply answering why a particular things exists.
I think Alex raised a fair counter-argument to Trent’s argument that it is morally superior to move from imperfection to perfection, that being that this would then imply that either God is morally inferior of that God changes. As Alex pointed, out based on the understanding of God it would seem morally superior simply to be good. Trent never came around to this, but as I thought about this I realized that God did make us good. Trent was arguing from the way things are now (post-Fall), but in the beginning God did make Adam & Eve perfectly good.

[J_Reitzel]

Yep, I’m on a pastoral year. The seminary I was attending is operational this year. From what I hear from the guys there this year, sounds like most things are up and running – just with masks and physical distancing.

[J_Reitzel]

During this Novena I made a mini-retreat/day of recollection. Following this, I have truly been graced to embrace my cross and enter wholeheartedly into my situation. As I have done so, I have found a joy in it that I did not experience before.

What I loved about this lesson (and the others too) is that the presenters are not just teaching a theory. It shines through that they know and are convicted about that which they speak. I find this makes the lessons inspiring, enjoyable, and more convincing of the truth about which they speak.

[J_Reitzel]

Being a seminarian in a parish this year is tough. The usual forms of ministry I would be involved in are not able to happen due to covid regulations. However, when praying about this and where the Lord wanted me to go with this, the Lord spoke to me that my ministry was to be that of prayer and presence. So, with His grace, I have been seeking to grow in praying through the day – inviting Him into each moment and offering everything up as an act of loving service. By this I seek and pray for the salvation of the people of my parish.

Another great lesson. Keep up the good work.

[J_Reitzel]

Yah, this was the first time I had ever done something like this. However, it was just a highly graced moment. While I normally would have been inclined to simply wish him well, I was just so convicted that this was my brother asking for help.

[J_Reitzel]

Praise be God! I am glad to hear you are experiencing positive change in the form your prayer it taking. I too have had to journey from more a checklist mentality to a personal encounter.

[J_Reitzel]

Um, sounds like a challenging encounter for sure. I could easily see myself responding as you did.
But being able to reflect on this situation, may I suggest 2 things:
1) Seek common ground. Maybe Jesus is deeper than this man was willing to go at this time. Does he even believe in God?
2) Seek ways to affirm instead of deny. With the clarity that only comes with hindsight, I notice that you end up shutting down most of which this man brings up. Yes, they may not be true, but is there a way to respond that opens up the conversation (gets him speaking more) rather than saying “No, you are wrong” (not what you said, but could be what was perceived).
Thanks for sharing this experience, it has helped me.

[J_Reitzel]

As I was heading into church for Mass the other night, a man in his 30s was sitting on the benches outside the church and called me over. He was looking for assistance in checking into a hotel for the night, he promised to repay me the next morning. We tried the hotel across the street, but as he did not have ID they would not check him in. Since I was serving at Mass I needed to get back to the church. However, I invited him to join us for Mass and Eucharistic Adoration, and then I would take him to another hotel once my duties at church were complete. He took me up on the offer. I asked if he was Catholic (wondering if he needed any orientation before Mass and Adoration). He was. Though he was from another city and would be catching a ride the next day to move out West (all he had with him were the clothes on his back and a backpack).
After Mass and Adoration, I drove “Matthew” to the hotel in the plaza where he was to be picked up the next day. I checked into the hotel as they too required ID, and gave him the room for the night. I offered to pray with him, and he accepted. I prayed simply for God to bless him and keep him safe on his trip, bringing him ultimately safely home to God. I than offered him a Miraculous Medal, saying that it was a reminder of our Heavenly Mother, and that if he kept Her close to his heart, She would not fail him. We parted in a spirit of joy and gratitude.
Next time I will have to remember to work the Kerygma into the encounter.

[J_Reitzel]

I shared my testimony as part of a faith study I was leading. I found it a good exercise, because, as strange as it may be, to speak about my own personal faith journey was not super easy. Though I had been journeying with these people for a few months, it took some courage to open up and be vulnerable in sharing my own faith story.
I appreciated how in the lessons testimonies were presented as stories. I found that to be a helpful context to keep in mind.
Through this lesson I also came to see how my sharing of my vocation story is a testimony. It also gave some things to consider to improve my testimony when I share my vocation story.

[Author]

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