Enlighten Hearts Ministries

Gluttony and Catholic Living: Sin, Temperance, and Marian Intercession Gluttony: No Such Thing as Sin in Moderation A few days ago, I was watching one of my wife’s and my favorite shows—a competition where the most talented make-up artists gather to showcase their skills. When the host announced the next spotlight challenge , themed around the Seven Deadly Sins , the contestants squealed and giggled with excitement. Their reaction reminded me of something a music video host once said: “A little lust, pride, sloth, and gluttony—in moderation—are fun, and that’s what keeps your heart beating.” Today, I want to focus on one of those sins: gluttony . From pop culture’s playful take to the Church’s deep wisdom, the heart of the matter is clearer when we name what gluttony actually is. What gluttony really means In today’s culture, gluttony is almost always associated with overeating. Many religiou...

       When I was speaking with and partaking in fellowship with several brothers and sisters in Christ, a point came up that no one was sure of. While there were discussions in trying to define the term, there was no clear answer. So they asked me to put in words what the essence of the term is—without commentary. Just the facts. Here is a condensed explanation, followed by a Catholic response. Historical Background      The controversy surrounding Lordship Salvation goes back to Arthur W. Pink’s sermon Present Day Evangelism (circa 1953). It was then picked up in the September 1959 issue of Eternity magazine, which asked: Must Christ “be Lord” in order to “be Savior,” or both?      Later, Charles Ryrie addressed the issue in his 1969 book Balancing the Christian Life (pp. 169–181). The debate gained significant traction in the 1980s with John F. MacArthur Jr.’s The Gospel According to Jesus . The Protestant Debate ...

Scripture Reading "For by grace you have been saved through faith , and this is not from you; it is the gift of God—not from works, so no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8–9, NABRE) 🌿 Reflection The mystery of justification is not something distant or abstract—it touches the very heart of our daily walk with Christ. The Council of Trent teaches that justification is both forgiveness and transformation :    “not only a remission of sins, but also the sanctification and renewal of the inward man” ( Council of Trent, Session VI, Chapter VII ).   God does not simply declare us “not guilty” and leave us unchanged; He pours His grace into our souls, renewing us from within. This means that salvation is not only about being pardoned—it is about becoming a new creation in Christ (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:17 ). Think of faith as the seed planted in the soil of our hearts. By itself, a seed is small and hidden. But when nourished b...

  Joyful in Hope – 3rd Sunday of Advent “When John heard in prison of the works of the Messiah , he sent his disciples to Him.” – Matthew 11:2 (NABRE) Advent is a season of joyful expectation, a time when hope is not a vague wish, but a firm conviction rooted in Christ . The readings remind us of a bright future, one that may seem utopian, yet is grounded in God’s promises. Christian hope stands in sharp contrast to despair . It resists the temptation to “cop out” through escapism —whether in addictions, destructive habits, or resignation to meaninglessness . Hope teaches us how to confront depression and suffering : not by denial, but by kneeling before the Father who reigns “over the world of the stars,” as Beethoven’s Ode to Joy so beautifully echoes. Consider the friend who faces terminal illness . Without hope, one might say, “We all die sooner or later.” But Christian hope proclaims there is more to come. Death is not the end, but the doorway to eternal life ....

Work as Vocation: The Carpenter of Nazareth Scripture • “The laborer deserves his payment.” — Luke 10:7 (NABRE) • “Whatever you do, do from the heart, as for the Lord and not for others.” — Colossians 3:23 (NABRE) Reflection When dawn breaks and we begin our daily tasks, whether in an office, a workshop, or at home, we enter into a sacred rhythm. Work is not merely a transaction of hours for wages; it is a vocation, a calling to participate in God’s creative plan. Pope Leo XIII, in Rerum Novarum , reminded us that labor is dignified because it reflects the Creator’s work. Christ Himself labored as a carpenter in Nazareth. His calloused hands and hidden years of toil sanctify our own efforts. Every spreadsheet, every meal prepared, every act of service can become a prayer when offered to God. Work is transformed from drudgery into devotion when we see it as a path to holiness. Application Begin each morning by consciously offering your work to God. Treat colleag...

Family and Work: Catholic Justice in the Home Scripture “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” — 1 Timothy 5:8 (NABRE) “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they may not become discouraged.” — Colossians 3:20–21 (NABRE) Reflection The true measure of work is found in its fruits: the sustenance and stability it provides for families. Pope Leo XIII insisted that wages must be just, sufficient to support a household. Yet beyond wages, family life is sustained by love, sacrifice, and mutual respect. Picture a mother preparing meals, a father returning weary from work, children learning and growing under their parents’ care. These hidden acts of service are sacred. They echo the Holy Family of Nazareth , where Mary and Joseph labored quietly to nurture the Child Jesus . Family is the first sch...