Apologetics and Faith: Guide To The Truth

Introduction Liturgy, in its broadest sense, is the official public worship of the Church. It is through the liturgy that the faithful participate in the mystery of Christ, especially in the sacraments. However, there's an aspect of liturgy that often goes unnoticed but is crucial for a vibrant Christian life: practical liturgy. This concept goes beyond the formal structure of worship and connects the liturgical celebrations with our daily lives. Practical liturgy emphasizes how we live out the grace we receive in the sacraments and apply the teachings of the Church in our everyday actions. What is Practical Liturgy? Practical liturgy refers to the lived experience of the liturgy outside the church walls. It is how the celebration of the Eucharist, the sacraments, and the liturgical seasons influence our daily decisions, relationships, and actions. It's about making the liturgy a lived reality, where the sacredness of worship flows into every aspect of our lives. This concept i

"And so you must be vigilant, because you do not know the day or the hour." - Matthew 25:13 In the Gospel of Matthew 25:1-13, Jesus tells the parable of the ten virgins waiting for the bridegroom. Five of them were wise, and five were unprepared. The wise ones brought enough oil for their lamps, while the others ran out. When the bridegroom arrived at an unexpected hour, those without oil were left scrambling, and it was too late for them to enter the wedding feast. The lesson of this parable is clear: we do not know the exact time of the Lord's coming, so we must always be ready. But instead of worrying or being anxious, this readiness should bring us peace and joy. Being ready does not mean we are always anxious or fearful, but that we are happy and content in our relationship with God, knowing that whatever happens, He is with us. The "watchfulness" that Jesus speaks of is a reminder to keep our lamps burning—not to wear us out, but to show the light of our f

Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist Gospel: Mark 6:17-29 In the Gospel of Mark, we witness the story of the death of St. John the Baptist at the hands of King Herod. This narrative presents a profound conflict—a struggle between truth and falsehood, between good and evil. John the Baptist is a portrait of courage and steadfastness in the face of lies and wickedness. He was unafraid to speak out against the wrongdoings of Herod and Herodias, even at the cost of his life. The first lesson we can draw from this story is the importance of standing firm in the truth. It is easy to turn a blind eye and remain silent when the truth is being suppressed, but a true follower of Christ is called to stand up against evil. John the Baptist stood firm even though he knew it might cost him his life. Our commitment to the truth should be the same in our own time. In the face of challenges—corruption, lies, false teachings, and immoral living—we are called to be the light and salt of the world. Secondly,

  Many Protestant sects strongly oppose the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. One of the primary reasons for their objection is the supposed lack of direct biblical evidence stating that Mary was conceived without the stain of original sin. Their main arguments often rely on the following scripture passages: 1. Romans 3:23 - "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." According to them, this verse declares that no one is exempt—everyone, including Mary, has sinned and is in need of salvation. 2. Luke 1:47 - "And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior." Protestants use this statement by Mary to argue that she herself acknowledged her need for salvation, implying that she could not have been conceived without sin. Catholic Defense of the Doctrine of the Immaculate Conception These arguments, while seemingly reasonable at first glance, are based on a misunderstanding and a limited reading of the whole of Scripture and Traditio