Links of the Day (05/05)

• Fr. Barron, from Rome, describing the theology behind the paintings of Caravaggio.
• More Fr. Barron goodnes: A video of Fr. Barron discussing the Fall and original sin and an interview in which Fr. Barron describes "how to build a better priest." This last article is probably the best I've read all year.
  
• Check out the "Why I Am Catholic" bookshelf, a digital collection of over 120 books that can be read in their entirety for free.
• What did the Church Fathers think about the sinlessness of the Virgin Mary (i.e. the belief in her Immaculate Conception)?
• One person's grouping of the 50 best Catholic blogs. You can check out my 75 favorite blogs here.
• Why consumer debt is not your friend.
• The President of Thomas Nelson offers some advice to graduates. My favorite part is his urging of lifelong learning, especially the John Maxwell quote, "Leaders are readers, and readers are leaders."
• Mark Shea continues his writings on the Beatitudes, focusing on, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness."
• Here are two reviews--one lengthier and one shorter--of Fr. James Martin's new book, "The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything". A priest-friend of mine gave a copy of this book to me along with a high recommendation; I hope to read it in the near future.
• Nine suggestions for Christians who have a fear of flying.
• A simple thought from G.K. Chesterton that is quite appropriate during the mass media accusations against the Catholic Church: "There is no single one of these faults alleged against the Catholic institution, which is not far more flagrant and even flamboyant in every other institution." Not an excuse, but possibly a reality.
  
• Pope Benedict XVI seems to be on a mission to convince the world that Jesus is God.