Walking Worthily

In light of Ephesians 4:1-3, the apostle Paul, as a prisoner of the Lord, passionately urges believers to conduct their lives in a manner worthy of their divine calling. To “walk worthily” involves embracing humility, gentleness, patience, and love-infused tolerance toward one another. This transformative walk is not about claiming personal worthiness but responding to God’s invitation to partake in His divine life (Ephesians 4:1-3).

In practical terms, a “walk worthily” means actively preserving the unity of the Spirit and fostering a bond of peace among fellow believers. The prescribed unity is not subject to human desires but is grounded in God’s divine order (Ephesians 4:4-6). This underscores our responsibility to diligently pursue unity and peace according to God’s design, rather than our own preferences.

Consider the newspaper article highlighting a community’s collaborative efforts to bridge divides and promote understanding, mirroring the principles of Ephesians 4. This real-world example illustrates the impact of walking worthily in promoting harmony and unity.

As recipients of God’s calling, our gratitude is expressed not merely in words but in the daily decisions and actions that reflect a commitment to live in alignment with the values outlined in Ephesians 4:1-3. While acknowledging our unworthiness, we can respond with lives that walk worthily, thereby embodying the transformative power of God’s calling.

Unraveling the Rich Young Ruler

Title: Unraveling the Rich Young Ruler’s Dilemma: Jesus’ Commandment Conundrum
In the saga of the Rich Young Ruler (Matthew 19:16-22; Mark 10:17-22; Luke 18:18-23), a youth of wealth and position sought the path to eternal life. Politeness led him to call Jesus a “Good Teacher,” unwittingly acknowledging Jesus’ divinity. Responding, Jesus pointed to the commandments as the guide to eternal life.

Now, brace yourself for the divine comedy:

  1. Thou Shall Not Murder, Commit Adultery, Steal, Bear False Witness: Jesus listed these classics, ensuring a solid foundation for moral living. It was like God’s greatest hits playlist.
  2. Do Not Defraud (Mark): Sneaking in a lesser-known track, Jesus dropped this gem, akin to a bonus feature on the DVD of divine commandments.
  3. Honor Your Father and Mother: Standard protocol, a commandment to keep family ties strong – because even divine beings know the importance of a good family dinner.
  4. Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself (Matthew): The golden rule made an appearance, confirming that Jesus’ playlist had a theme: relationship management.

Jesus, being the ultimate DJ, customized his setlist to emphasize interpersonal relationships, hinting that the young ruler’s stumbling block was in his connections with others.

However, the ruler, eager for a more personalized commandment, sought specifics. Enter Jesus, the life coach:

“If you want VIP access to heaven, sell all your possessions, give to the poor, and join my exclusive disciples’ club.”

Jesus wasn’t advocating a fire sale for everyone, just pinpointing the young man’s Achilles’ heel: his love affair with wealth.

Now, the tragic punchline: The young ruler, torn between eternal life and earthly possessions, couldn’t part with his treasures. Even though promised heaven, he couldn’t part with his beloved belongings.

Lesson for us all: What’s our prized possession? Would we sacrifice it for a golden ticket to heaven? (Matthew 10:37-39).

In this divine sitcom, Jesus showcased that sometimes, the best comedy has a serious undertone – or, in this case, an eternal one.

Echoes of a Dream

In the echoes of a dream, where freedom rings,
A melody of justice, where each heart sings.
Martin Luther King Jr., a beacon so bright,
Guiding us towards a world, bathed in light.

“It’s about character over color,” he declared,
A vision of unity, a dream we’ve shared.
Beyond the hues that paint our skin,
Let character’s radiance truly begin.

No shackles of bias, no chains of strife,
But a celebration of the essence of life.
In the tapestry of humanity, colors blend,
Character’s the thread that binds, my friend.

Let judgments be not based on shade,
But on the kindness in actions displayed.
For in each soul, a unique story unfolds,
A tale of character, a narrative to be told.

May the canvas of perception be ever clear,
With understanding and empathy near.
No divisions by color, no lines to sever,
In unity, we cherish, in character, forever.

So, let the legacy of Martin Luther King endure,
In the spirit of love, equality, and more.
A world where character triumphs over the hue,
For in unity and justice, dreams come true.

Trinity of Love


In a quaint town nestled among rolling hills, there lived a trio of friends: Sarah, David, and Emily. They were inseparable, often seen wandering through the town’s cobbled streets, sharing laughter and adventures.

One breezy afternoon, while lounging in the park, their chatter turned to deeper matters—the meaning of life and the existence of something greater. Sarah, the thoughtful one, gazed at the sky and whispered, “The Father reigns in heaven’s height.”

David, the jovial jokester, grinned and exclaimed, “And the Son, our Savior, brings us light! That’s what my grandma always says!”

Emily, the quiet observer, nodded knowingly. “The Spirit moves, unseen, yet near, guiding souls with love sincere.”

Their conversation led them on a quest for understanding, seeking wisdom in the words of the Scriptures. As they journeyed, each encounter seemed to mirror the verses they discussed.

At the town square, Sarah paused to help a struggling elderly woman. Quoting Matthew 25:40, she said, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” The woman’s face lit up with gratitude.

Meanwhile, David found himself in a local eatery, sharing a meal with a lonely man. With a smile, he recited John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” The man’s gloomy countenance transformed into hope.

Emily stumbled upon a group of children playing by the riverbank. She knelt and shared, “Psalm 139:7 says, ‘Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?’ God is always near.” The children’s innocent giggles filled the air.

Their encounters deepened their understanding of the divine presence in everyday life. As they continued their journey, they stumbled upon a charity event where they witnessed generosity and compassion. Quoting 1 John 4:9, they realized, “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.”

Their experiences bonded them even more, reaffirming their faith and friendship. With hearts brimming with gratitude, they returned to the park, where they first delved into their spiritual quest. Looking at each other, they recited Jeremiah 29:13 in unison, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Their journey had taught them that the message on their t-shirts wasn’t just words—it was a revelation. With smiles and a newfound sense of purpose, they vowed to continue spreading the love and light they had discovered, one verse and one act of kindness at a time.

And as they laughed and teased each other under the setting sun, they knew that the divine presence they sought was always with them—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—guiding their souls with love sincerely.

God’s Intentional Design: Embracing Heterosexual Marriage and God’s Creation

In a world where societal norms often diverge from biblical principles, the phrase “God Made Me No Affirming Care Required” serves as a poignant acknowledgment of God’s intentional craftsmanship on humanity. It underscores the inherent completeness of God’s creation and the profound significance of His design.

**Biblical Foundation: Male and Female**

The Bible unequivocally emphasizes God’s creation of male and female as the bedrock for societal structure, procreation, and the union of families. Genesis 1:27 sets this foundational truth: “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” This distinction forms the basis for the divine institution of marriage.

**Heterosexual Marriage: A Divine Union**

God’s design for marriage is explicitly articulated in numerous passages throughout the Bible. Ephesians 5:31 echoes Genesis, affirming, “For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This union reflects the profound relationship between Christ and the Church, emphasizing the spiritual depth of heterosexual marriage.

**Raising Children for Christian Service**

Within the sanctity of heterosexual marriage, God intends for the upbringing of children in accordance with Christian principles. Proverbs 22:6 underscores this responsibility: “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old, they will not turn from it.” The family unit, guided by biblical teachings, plays a pivotal role in nurturing children for a life of Christian service.

**Consequences of Departing from God’s Model**

Despite societal shifts, deviating from God’s intended model for marriage and family may entail consequences. Romans 1:24-27 cautions against forsaking natural relations and pursuing unnatural ones, highlighting the potential repercussions of straying from God’s design.

In today’s rapidly evolving society, where perspectives on marriage vary widely, adhering to God’s blueprint might not always align with prevailing cultural norms. Nevertheless, embracing God’s intentional design fosters a deeper understanding of His purpose for humanity and ensures a stable foundation for individuals, families, and society as a whole.

In conclusion, the phrase “God Made Me No Affirming Care Required” encapsulates the profound acknowledgment of God’s intentional creation and the significance of upholding His design for marriage and family.

This post aims to shed light on the biblical perspective regarding marriage and family, emphasizing the value of adhering to God’s blueprint amidst societal changes. Embracing God’s design remains a personal choice that carries significant implications for individuals and society.

NEW RELEASE: THE CHRISTIAN MORAL LIFE!

CRITICAL REVIEWS

“Eminently readable and enlightening.” (Leon Suprenant, Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas) 

“Dr. Rziha’s book exemplifies true Christian and Catholic humanism at its finest.”
(Michael G. Sirilla, Franciscan University of Steubenville)

“A sound introductory textbook on the complexities of moral theology.” (Catholic Library World)

  • The Christian Moral Life: Directions for the Journey to Happiness

SUMMARY

To take a journey, travelers must know where they are, where they are going, and how to get there. Moral theology examines the same three truths. The Christian Moral Life is a guide for moral theology that uses the theme of a journey to explain its key ethical concepts. First, humans begin with their creation in the image of God. Secondly, the goal of the journey is explained as a loving union with God, to achieve a share in his eternal happiness. Third and finally, the majority of the audiobook examines how to attain this goal. Within the journey motif, the audiobook covers the moral principles essential for attaining true happiness. Based on an examination of the moral methodology in The Bible, the audiobook discusses the importance of participating in divine nature through grace in order to attain eternal happiness.

The entire project builds upon the insights of great Christian thinkers, such as Thomas Aquinas, Thérèse of Lisieux, and John Paul II, to uncover the moral wisdom in scripture and to show people how to be truly happy both in this life and the next. This audiobook will be of great interest to undergraduate students of moral theology, priests and seminarians, parents, and teachers seeking to raise and to form happy children, and anyone interested in discovering the meaning of true happiness.

The book is published by University of Notre Dame Press. The audiobook is published by University Press Audiobooks.©2017 University of Notre Dame (P)2020 Redwood Audiobooks

LISTEN

REVIEW: The Christian Moral Life

Rasmussen, Hans C.The Catholic Library World; Pittsfield Vol. 88, Iss. 2,  (Dec 2017): 113.

An academic textbook promising “directions for the journey to happiness” must be an odd outrider in a genre that typically explains bland technical subjects with dispassionate, often tedious prose. Such is the peculiar case with this introduction to Catholic moral theology from John Rziha, professor of theology at Benedictine College (Atchison, Kansas).

While it exhibits all the formal organization, diligent comprehensiveness, and (at times) even plodding language of a common school textbook, the attainment of both natural and eternal happiness really is the unerring focus of this book. Rziha defines moral theology as “the study of how humans attain eternal happiness through loving union with God by performing their proper actions with the aid of God’s grace” (2). So, throughout his nineteen carefully argued chapters, Rziha never loses sight of this ultimate goal of happiness or the essential human need for loving relationships with God and other people.

AUDIOBOOK COMING IN
JUNE 2020

The text is organized into two parts with the second building upon the first.”Moral Theology in General” covers the subjects essential to the discipline: human nature, sanctifying grace, the four types of laws, the practice of virtue, the nature of sin, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and other salient points.

“The Individual Virtues and Laws” takes a deeper look into the three theological and four cardinal virtues, including specific sub-virtues, related gifts of the Holy Spirit, relevant commandments, and sins that oppose each virtue.

Rziha always writes in accessible language to convey deep philosophical and theological ideas to the uninitiated, as well as explain a handful of unavoidable specialized terms. He also fills the text with friendly illustrative examples of fictitious men and women facing moral dilemmas over commonplace issues with school, work, family, faith, and vocation.

The Christian Moral Life is a sound introductory textbook on the complexities of moral theology. Despite its relatively simple language and unwavering focus on human happiness as the central subject of moral theology, the text can understandably be difficult to follow at times.

“…humans attain eternal happiness through loving union with God..”

JOHN RZIHA

The complex interrelations among various steps of human actions, virtues, laws, gifts, and beatitudes can be challenging to piece together properly. This is, after all, a text on moral theology and not a self-help book, so readers must be ready to slow to a crawl at times to comprehend the richness of Catholic moral thought.

COMING IN JUNE 2020

The Christian Moral Life will be a valuable textbook for libraries and teachers educating undergraduate and graduate students in theology, but its many grammatical errors will need to be corrected if it ever goes into a second edition.

Hans C. Rasmussen

COMING SOON: The Christian Moral Life

The Christian Moral Life written by John Rziha, Narrated by Andrew L. Barnes will be released in June 2020! This book takes listeners on a journey that requires the sojourner to know where they are, where they are going, and sets a our minds on the ultimate destination, happiness in the presence of God.

Moral theology examines the same three truths. The Christian Moral Life is a handbook for moral theology that uses the theme of a journey to explain its key ethical concepts.

“…the study of how humans attain eternal happiness through loving union with God by performing their proper actions with the aid of God’s grace.”

~ JOHN RZIHA

First, humans begin with their creation in the image of God. Secondly, the goal of the journey is explained as a loving union with God, to achieve a share in his eternal happiness. Third and finally, the majority of the book examines how to attain this goal. Within the journey motif, the book covers the moral principles essential for attaining true happiness.

Based on an examination of the moral methodology in the bible, the book discusses the importance of participating in divine nature through grace in order to attain eternal happiness.

It further notes the role of law, virtue, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit in guiding and transforming humans into friends of God, who participate in his happiness. Following this section on moral theology in general, the book analyzes the individual virtues to give more concrete guidance.

COMING IN JUNE 2020

The entire project builds upon the insights of great Christian thinkers, such as Thomas Aquinas, Thérèse of Lisieux, and John Paul II, to uncover the moral wisdom in scripture and to show people how to be truly happy both in this life and the next.

This book will be of great interest to undergraduate students of moral theology, priests and seminarians, parents and teachers seeking to raise and to form happy children, and anyone interested in discovering the meaning of true happiness.

AUDIOBOOK COMING IN JUNE 2020