<![CDATA[ECT+]]>https://www.ectplus.orghttps://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!PUd2!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd970c00d-5a45-4261-b0a5-2312bc481342_124x124.pngECT+https://www.ectplus.orgSubstackWed, 29 Apr 2026 07:53:20 GMT<![CDATA[Books, Articles, and a New Initiative Coming August 15th]]>https://www.ectplus.org/p/books-articles-and-a-new-initiativehttps://www.ectplus.org/p/books-articles-and-a-new-initiativeMon, 27 Apr 2026 22:00:10 GMTExecutive Director Gideon Barr, General Editor Father Cajetan Cuddy, O.P., and Managing Editor Dr. Matthew Minard sit down for a progress update on the Encyclopedia of Catholic Theology. The conversation covers new and forthcoming Catholic handbooks on creation, grace, science and religion, and confirmation, along with a preview of nearly twenty article…

Read more

]]><![CDATA[What Does It Mean to Be Catholic? ]]>https://www.ectplus.org/p/what-does-it-mean-to-be-catholichttps://www.ectplus.org/p/what-does-it-mean-to-be-catholicThu, 23 Apr 2026 21:01:30 GMTFr. Cajetan Cuddy, O.P. reflects on Acts 2 and St. Peter’s proclamation of the Gospel. When the people are cut to the heart, they ask what they must do—and Peter responds clearly: “Repent and be baptized.”

To be Catholic is not merely to adopt a label or join a denomination. It is to enter into a new life—one defined by the sacraments. Through baptism and the sacramental life of the Church, we are truly united to Jesus and share in His divine life.

The Gospel calls each of us not only to believe, but to live sacramentally in real union with Christ.

]]><![CDATA[Don't Miss Jesus]]>https://www.ectplus.org/p/dont-miss-jesushttps://www.ectplus.org/p/dont-miss-jesusThu, 16 Apr 2026 21:01:16 GMTFr. Cajetan Cuddy, O.P. reflects on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24 and the disciples’ failure to recognize the risen Christ. Though they discuss the events of Jesus’ Passion and search for meaning, they do not recognize Him walking beside them.

The Gospel reveals a deeper problem: not simply misunderstanding Scripture, but beginning from the wrong starting point. When we try to interpret life, suffering, or even Christ Himself apart from Him, we risk missing Him entirely.

True wisdom begins with Jesus. When we start with Him, He illumines all things and reveals their meaning in Himself.

]]><![CDATA[Your Brokenness Is Not a Barrier to God]]>https://www.ectplus.org/p/your-brokenness-is-not-a-barrierhttps://www.ectplus.org/p/your-brokenness-is-not-a-barrierThu, 09 Apr 2026 21:00:44 GMTFr. Cajetan Cuddy, O.P. reflects on the risen Christ’s appearance to the disciples in John 20. Though they are afraid and hidden behind locked doors, Jesus comes to them, bearing the wounds of His Passion and speaking peace.

The Gospel reveals that nothing can prevent Christ from reaching those He loves—not fear, not suffering, not even sin. In His mercy, Jesus passes through every barrier and gives Himself to us, especially through the sacrament of confession.

The wounds of Christ are not signs of defeat, but of a love that transforms all things. Even our brokenness can become a place of healing when brought to Him.

]]><![CDATA[The Light We Cannot See ]]>https://www.ectplus.org/p/the-light-we-cannot-seehttps://www.ectplus.org/p/the-light-we-cannot-seeThu, 02 Apr 2026 21:01:41 GMTFr. Cajetan Cuddy, O.P. reflects on Easter Sunday and Mary Magdalene’s search for the risen Christ in John 20. Though Christ has made all things new, the Gospel begins in darkness—early in the morning, before the light is fully revealed.

This tension reveals the nature of the Christian life. Though Jesus is truly present, we do not yet see Him fully. The darkness we experience is not the darkness of night, but the darkness of morning—a darkness that is passing away as the light of Christ dawns.

Even now, Christ remains with His people. The light of heaven is already upon us.

]]><![CDATA[Are You Relying on Yourself?]]>https://www.ectplus.org/p/are-you-relying-on-yourselfhttps://www.ectplus.org/p/are-you-relying-on-yourselfThu, 26 Mar 2026 21:02:08 GMTFr. Cajetan Cuddy, O.P. reflects on the Passion in Matthew 26–27 and the disciples’ response to Christ. Though Peter and the others desire to remain faithful, they rely on their own strength, their own plans, and their own resolve.

Jesus reveals that salvation does not come through human effort or natural power. Even in His suffering and apparent abandonment, He accomplishes our salvation alone. The Gospel invites us to move beyond self-reliance and to fix our attention on the one thing necessary: Jesus Himself.

]]><![CDATA[I Am the Resurrection ]]>https://www.ectplus.org/p/i-am-the-resurrectionhttps://www.ectplus.org/p/i-am-the-resurrectionFri, 20 Mar 2026 14:45:58 GMT

]]><![CDATA[Why Does God Allow Suffering? ]]>https://www.ectplus.org/p/why-does-god-allow-sufferinghttps://www.ectplus.org/p/why-does-god-allow-sufferingThu, 12 Mar 2026 21:01:49 GMT

]]><![CDATA[Why God Can Love Us Unto Death ]]>https://www.ectplus.org/p/why-god-can-love-us-unto-deathhttps://www.ectplus.org/p/why-god-can-love-us-unto-deathThu, 05 Mar 2026 22:01:18 GMT

]]><![CDATA[How do We Find Jesus? ]]>https://www.ectplus.org/p/how-do-we-find-jesushttps://www.ectplus.org/p/how-do-we-find-jesusThu, 26 Feb 2026 22:01:36 GMTFr. Cajetan Cuddy, O.P. reflects on the Transfiguration in Matthew 17 and the disciples’ encounter with the unveiled glory of Christ. Though Peter longs to remain in the splendor of the moment, it is not the visible glory that overwhelms the disciples, but the Father’s voice: This is my beloved Son. Listen to Him.

The Transfiguration is not a spectacle meant to impress. It reveals who Jesus is in relation to the Father—and who we are in relation to Him. Though His glory is not visible in the sacraments, Christ is no less present. The same Jesus who shone like the sun on the mountain comes to us in the Eucharist, draws near, touches us, and says personally: Rise. Do not be afraid.

]]><![CDATA[Moral Theology | In Dialogue]]>https://www.ectplus.org/p/moral-theology-in-dialogue-c64https://www.ectplus.org/p/moral-theology-in-dialogue-c64Tue, 17 Feb 2026 17:30:28 GMT

Read more

]]><![CDATA[Moral Theology | In Dialogue]]>https://www.ectplus.org/p/moral-theology-in-dialogue-68ahttps://www.ectplus.org/p/moral-theology-in-dialogue-68aTue, 10 Feb 2026 17:31:12 GMT

Read more

]]><![CDATA[Moral Theology | In Dialogue]]>https://www.ectplus.org/p/moral-theology-in-dialogue-8f5https://www.ectplus.org/p/moral-theology-in-dialogue-8f5Tue, 03 Feb 2026 17:30:44 GMT

Read more

]]><![CDATA[Are the Beatitudes Self-Help? ]]>https://www.ectplus.org/p/are-the-beatitudes-self-helphttps://www.ectplus.org/p/are-the-beatitudes-self-helpThu, 29 Jan 2026 22:01:15 GMTFr. Cajetan Cuddy, O.P. reflects on the Beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount. Though universally admired, the Beatitudes are often reduced to moral ideals or spiritual self-help. But Jesus is not describing abstract virtues—He is revealing Himself.

The Beatitudes are Christ’s own self-portrait. He is the meek, the merciful, the pure of heart, the peacemaker who suffers for the Kingdom. These are not behaviors we achieve on our own, but the fruits of union with Him. In receiving Jesus, we receive His life, His mercy, and His saving identity.

]]><![CDATA[Moral Theology | In Dialogue]]>https://www.ectplus.org/p/in-dialogue-moral-theologyhttps://www.ectplus.org/p/in-dialogue-moral-theologyTue, 27 Jan 2026 17:30:35 GMTThe views and opinions expressed in this discussion are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Encyclopedia of Catholic Theology, its editors, contributors, or affiliates.

Read more

]]><![CDATA[Is Jesus Obsessed with Our Sins? ]]>https://www.ectplus.org/p/is-jesus-obsessed-with-our-sinshttps://www.ectplus.org/p/is-jesus-obsessed-with-our-sinsThu, 22 Jan 2026 22:00:59 GMT

]]><![CDATA[Moral Theology | In Dialogue]]>https://www.ectplus.org/p/moral-theology-in-dialoguehttps://www.ectplus.org/p/moral-theology-in-dialogueTue, 20 Jan 2026 16:26:59 GMTThe views and opinions expressed in this discussion are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Encyclopedia of Catholic Theology, its editors, contributors, or affiliates.

Read more

]]><![CDATA[Measuring Progress in the Christian Life?]]>https://www.ectplus.org/p/measuring-progress-in-the-christianhttps://www.ectplus.org/p/measuring-progress-in-the-christianThu, 15 Jan 2026 22:00:29 GMTFr. Cajetan Cuddy, O.P. reflects on John 1 and the strange confession of St. John the Baptist, who sees Jesus repeatedly yet insists that he did not know Him. Sight alone, even religious experience, is not enough to know who Christ truly is.

Faith begins when we believe not because we see or verify, but because God has revealed the truth. The Christian life falters when Jesus becomes an instrument for our plans rather than the end Himself. Holiness is not achieved through self-improvement or strategy, but through a simple, consuming union with Jesus, in whom we finally know who He is—and who we are.

]]><![CDATA[Baptism and Our Partiality]]>https://www.ectplus.org/p/baptism-and-our-partialityhttps://www.ectplus.org/p/baptism-and-our-partialityThu, 08 Jan 2026 22:01:23 GMTFr. Cajetan Cuddy, O.P. reflects on the Baptism of the Lord and St. Peter’s proclamation that God shows no partiality. Through the sacrament of Baptism, Jesus does not merely affirm who we already are, but truly changes us—configuring us to Himself and giving us a new identity as adopted sons and daughters of God.

While God is open to all, we often cling to our own partiality, accepting only a version of God that fits our preferences and priorities. Baptism cuts through this limitation. God’s loving non-partiality transforms us, draws us out of ourselves, and unites us to Christ in a way that is not symbolic but real, sacramental, and saving.

]]><![CDATA[Troubled by Jesus?]]>https://www.ectplus.org/p/troubled-by-jesushttps://www.ectplus.org/p/troubled-by-jesusThu, 01 Jan 2026 22:00:34 GMTFr. Cajetan Cuddy, O.P. reflects on Matthew 2 and the different responses to the birth of Jesus. While the Magi rejoice at the coming of the newborn King, Herod and all Jerusalem are troubled. The same Savior who brings peace also exposes what resists being changed.

Jesus does not save partially or selectively. His kingship reaches every part of the human person—nothing lies outside His transforming love. The Gospel still provokes the same question today: will we rejoice at the Savior who gives Himself completely, or fear the love that leaves nothing unchanged?

]]>