Religious Sentiments

"When you look at the crucifix, you understand how much Jesus loved you then. When you look at the Sacred Host, you understand how much Jesus loves you now." - Mother Teresa As Catholics, we believe that the Eucharist truly is Jesus. In Scripture , we see Jesus instituting the Sacrament of the Eucharist: "Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. saying, 'This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me'" (Luke 22:19). There are many other passages which point to the reality of the Sacrament. Next to laying down His life for us, could Jesus have given us a better gift than Himself in the Eucharist? We would find ourselves in a sad state of affairs if we did not have Jesus present to us through the Eucharist. It can be easy for us to forget the reality and sheer gravity of this great gift. Sadly, the Eucharist, one of the greatest gifts ever given to mankind, can be reduced to a mere symbol in most peo...

If you grew up during the early 2000s, chances are you've watched Disney's film Mulan at some point. One of the most iconic songs from the film is "I'll Make a Man Out of You." As I've grown into adulthood, I've struggled with not feeling "manly" enough. However, as a young man, I've come to discover that authentic masculinity is so much more than arbitrary societal norms.  In my opinion, there's more to being a man than following what society considers to be a masculine aesthetic, and masculinity is not defined by arbitrary whims.     Think of society's stereotype of masculinity. Men to be stoic, muscular, athletic, alpha males whose lives revolve around the accumulation money and women. Guys who don't fit the mold are the "losers", and the "real men" are the guys with the macho-attitude. Creative or intellectual pursuits, such as music or art, are sometimes seen as more "feminine."  In...

We may not like to talk about it openly, but I believe there are many of us who either have struggled or are struggling with some kind of existential crisis. It's uncomfortable to admit or think about, but I believe it's more common than we think. Some people feel their lives are devoid of purpose or meaning. Others feel they are not wanted. A lot of them feel they are not loved. Because of these reasons, some choose to end their lives. I've struggled with my own existential doubts. However, something's slowly dawned on me, and this knowledge gave me certitude that I have purpose, I am wanted, and I am loved. Don't believe me? Take a moment to consider the following.  At the moment you were conceived, your soul was brought into existence by God. While your physical body may be the result of your parents' act of procreation, no human on Earth has the power to create a living and conscious soul. Your soul exists is because it was deliberately created by G...