The Mustard Seed

An opinion series by:

Papal ‘weakness’ threatens Trump’s power

April 23, 2026

Much has been written about the blasphemous and ridiculous antics of Donald Trump in his critiques of Pope Leo. Trump has been condemned from pillar to post, as well he ought to be.

Time for Catholics to cross-exam themselves

April 9, 2026

The Biblical story for our postmodern era is that of Jesus and the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. We don’t know the nature of the new age we are entering, only that it is postmodern.

Carney fumbling a test of moral leadership

March 26, 2026

Over the past year, Prime Minister Mark Carney has become a politician. It is galling to see the former member of a parish social justice group so reserved about condemning an unprovoked war.

Only non-violence offers real solutions

March 12, 2026

After Socrates was sentenced to death for teaching the young people of Athens to ask questions of their elders, his followers offered him various ways to escape drinking the hemlock. Socrates wouldn’t go along. He instead asked the question he had asked many times before, “Is it worse to suffer harm or to do harm to others?” He was unequivocal: you do more harm to yourself if you do evil than if you let someone else harm you.

Love’s foundation is hearts that listen

February 27, 2026

On Jan. 24, the feast of St. Francis de Sales, Pope Leo XIV released the 60th annual message for World Communications Day, celebrated on the Solemnity of the Ascension.

Start the revolution of compassion and solidarity

February 12, 2026

Dietrich von Hildebrand (1889-1977) was one of the great Catholic philosophers of the 20th century. Hildebrand’s central contribution to philosophy was his focus on the emotional life, human affectivity.

Peace doesn’t mean passivity against evil

January 30, 2026

The Canadian Armed Forces, according to a Jan. 20 Globe and Mail article, have developed a model for a Canadian response to a hypothetical U.S. invasion of our country.

En garde before the Empire strikes us

January 15, 2026

In earlier times, American military action in Venezuela and abduction of the country’s dictator might have been seen as just another takeover of a decrepit country that has something the U.S. wants – in many cases, oil. However, President Donald Trump has changed everything. The thin veil of bringing democracy and supposed prosperity to oppressed people is now nowhere to be found.

Rekindling Christ’s fire within ourselves

January 9, 2026

In his final catechesis, given on December 20, Pope Leo focused on the generative nature of hope. That is, hope offers life instead of death. “Without hope, we are dead; with hope, we come to the light.”

Joy and grief both open us to God

December 19, 2025

In the face of seemingly senseless tragedies, such as the death of a child or natural disasters, many have lost faith. The massive suffering caused by such disasters is not easily dismissed. We should and do strive to prevent such suffering. Why doesn’t God lend us more of a hand?