casual theology

So this video has been making the rounds on Facebook this weekend. Ironically, Jesus had this to say in today's gospel reading... Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.  For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?  Or what can one give in exchange for his life?  For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay all according to his conduct.” (Matthew 16:24-28) Mic drop.

When Lisa and I returned to the Catholic Church, a good friend of ours and member of our evangelical house church, decided to cross over the Tiber with us. Jacob went through RCIA and shortly thereafter moved to South Korea to teach ESL at a Christian school there. While he was in Korea he and a few of his friends felt God stirring their hearts for the families and children ensnared in the human trafficking rings of Southeast Asia. Around a year ago four of them moved to Thailand to minister to and share the Gospel with those vulnerable to the sex trade. Although they are a non-denominational ministry, he has remained committed to his Catholic faith and feels a particularly strong call to build bridges between Catholics and Protestants by uniting in ministry to those in need. The other day Jacob contacted me on Facebook seeking some insight and advice regarding some frustrating experiences he’s had with other Catholics. As part of his ministry in Thailand, Jacob has been reaching