Robert Barron - Vibrant Paradoxes: The Both/And of Catholicism

Further evidenceas if any were neededthat Bishop Barron is the best catechist and apologist in English-speaking Catholicism. A book to savor, ponder, and celebrate, Vibrant Paradoxes is a treasure chest of insight, informed by a profound Catholic faith and a deep intelligence, and written with the kind of brio that makes the New Evangelization fun.

George Weigel
Distinguished Senior Fellow and William E. Simon Chair in Catholic Studies Ethics and Public Policy Center

We all know Bishop Robert Barrons engaging style as a preacher and teacher. In Vibrant Paradoxes: The Both/And of Catholicism, we find this gifted writer at his best. With freshness and insight Bishop Barron explores seemingly opposite realities: sin and mercy, suffering and joy, faith and reason. His profound understanding of the spiritual life guides the reader to discover how the Christian faith is permanently fresh, startling, and urgent. Vibrant Paradoxes is a must read for anyone looking for a new presentation of our ancient faith.

Cardinal Donald Wuerl
Archbishop of Washington

Bishop Robert Barron, like Fulton Sheen before him, speaks with an authority that is more than episcopal. He came by his episcopal authority long after he had won the trust and admiration of a multitude. These short essays show you how he did it. They treat eternal and ephemeral matters in fascinating ways. His methods somehow combine the techniques of Chesterton and Aquinas with a dash of Bob Dylanand the mix is always exactly right. His Excellency is especially good when he treats biblical themes. His words are wise and luminous. So why are you reading mine when you could be reading his?

Dr. Scott Hahn
Author of Rome Sweet Home and The Lambs Supper

Bishop Robert Barron is one of the most effective evangelists in the Catholic Church. His new book collects some of his best essays, on a typically wide variety of topics, and is written in his trademark inviting, accessible, and knowledgeable style. Hes a real blessing for our Church and his new book will be a real blessing for you.

James Martin, SJ
Author of Jesus: A Pilgrimage

If youve ever wanted to share one of Bishop Robert Barrons fantastic meditations on Christianity but cant quite remember where he said it (or how he said it!), then look no further. This book is for you. Vibrant Paradoxes is a cornucopia of wisdom, overflowing with insights into sin and mercy, reason and faith, matter and spirit, suffering and joy.

Dr. Brant Pitre
Author of The Case for Jesus: The Biblical and Historical Evidence for Christ

Vibrant Paradoxes is a wonderful collection of clear, accessible, and learned articulations of different aspects of Catholic faith and practice. With the publication of this book, it is evident why Bishop Robert Barron is more and more being recognized as Americas premier Catholic priest public intellectual, the likes of which we have not seen since the days of Archbishop Fulton Sheen and Fr. John Courtney Murray.

Francis J. Beckwith
Professor of Philosophy and Church-State Studies, Baylor University

In Vibrant Paradoxes, Bishop Barron puts to rest the caricature that draws Catholicism as something narrow in thought and discriminating in practice. In one entertaining and accessible essay after another, he demonstrates Catholic thinking as broad, paradoxical, respectful, and much too thorough to demand either/or when it can so clearly (and wisely) argue for the sake of both/and. This book will surprise you, enlighten you, and help you to appreciate the width and breadth of Catholicism.

Elizabeth Scalia
Author and U.S. Editor-in-Chief at Aleteia.org

The riches of Catholic moral teaching are like a hidden treasure chest, waiting to be discovered. In Vibrant Paradoxes, Bishop Barron cracks open the chest and leaves us standing in awe of the riches it contains. Written in a warm, fatherly tone with straightforward prose that anyone can understand, this is a book that is sure to change a lot of peoples lives.

Jennifer Fulwiler
Author of Something Other Than God

Vibrant Paradoxes is a stimulating exploration of contemporary issues via the deep, broad, and inclusive lens of Catholicism. Bishop Barrons essays offer invaluable insights for anyone committed to dialoguing from a place of love and truth in this skeptical, yearning world.

Amy Welborn
Author of The Words We Pray: Discovering the Richness of Traditional Catholic Prayer

What does our Catholic faith mean practically, generously, daily? Bishop Robert Barron helps us see. Vibrant Paradoxes illuminates the opportunities for seeing the light of faith everywherein every news story (both those that are well-covered and those that are not), in every cultural moment, in every human encounter. Our mission is integral and eternal, and Bishop Barron is tireless in highlighting the opportunities for mission.

Kathryn Jean Lopez
Senior fellow, National Review Institute

Word on Fire Catholic Ministries, Skokie 60077
2016 by Word on Fire Catholic Ministries
Printed in the United States of America
All rights reserved.
Published 2016.
20 19 18 17 16 1 2 3 4 5
ISBN: 978-1-943243-10-5

Cover Image: Ceiling of Basilica de la Sagrada Famlia in Barcelona, Spain

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016935323
Barron, Robert E., 1959

www.wordonfire.org

CONTENTS

Any publisher will tell you that collections of short essays usually sell as well as thread. But this book will be a best seller, because these little gems are pearls.

My most common response when asked to write a Foreword, or a recommendation to a publisher, or a blurb for a book, is a polite thanks but no thanks. I am a curmudgeon, for I have read so many books that I am bored with most of them. Occasionally I will say yes because the manuscript sent to me is worth publishing; but even then I usually merely do my duty, like a professor reading a term paper, giving it just a good enough read to know it is good enough to publish, but without much passion, love, fire, or enthusiasm, and certainly not reading the whole thing from cover to cover with delight. That is how it is with 90% of the books Im sent, and 100% of the collections of short essays.

Until now.

Everyone complains about the dullness of Catholic homilies and essays. Nearly all our priests are good priests (their job, of course) and some are good kings (administration), but none are great prophets and preachers. Since Fulton Sheen died, there have been exactly zero Catholic masters in this field.

Until now.

Technically, Bishop Barrons articles are essays, not homilies, because most are not reflections on the Scripture passages assigned in the liturgy of the Mass. They range, like free horses. Some are philosophical, some theological, some ethical, some apologetical, some psychological, some sociological, some personal, some historical, some about current issues, some about perennial issues, some about all of the above. They are homiletic, though, in that there are pastoral. Pope Francis memorably said that the Churchs shepherds ought to smell like the sheep. These do. They point to crucial foods or dangers that the sheep most need to know today.

Bishop Barron is already famous for his blockbuster CATHOLICISM film series and is a master of both visual and verbal media. Here he shows another side: he is simply the most readable and delightful Catholic essayist alive.

As a philosopher, I like to prove my claims with logical arguments, especially when they sound outrageous. Heres my proof. Its major premise has 12 parts. It answers the question: What are the most important qualities of a Catholic essay? The minor premise is the data you hold in your hand. Each of these essays do all 12 of these things. The conclusion is my First Place award.