We need to bear in mind that this was really a struggle not simply of peoples or of nations, but between Christendom and Islam. In other words, between radically different visions of God.
Be Sober and Vigilant: You-Know-Who is Prowling
Jesus is not at all hesitant about reminding his followers that discipleship is not a warm and fuzzy business. On the contrary, he says: “Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.” (Matthew 5:11) It’s going to happen.
Giaochino Rossini: Agnus Dei
Disappearing Act Giaochino Rossini Giaochino Rossini, in his time, enjoyed a reputation as the most successful composer of operas in history. He created such enduring favorites as The Barber of Seville, La Cenerentola, and William Tell. Then, having composed an astounding 39 operas before his 37th birthday in 1829, he simply stopped. For the rest … Continue reading Giaochino Rossini: Agnus Dei
‘Dark Night of the Soul’ by Ola Gjeilo
Dark Night of the Soul My Monday Music selections are usually compositions from the treasury of Catholic sacred music, some of them centuries old. There are still some composers even today, however, who are composing music worthy of that tradition. A couple months ago I posted a setting to the "Te Deum" by Pedro Camacho. … Continue reading ‘Dark Night of the Soul’ by Ola Gjeilo
A Dynamic Trio: St. Augustine, St. Monica & St. Ambrose
St. Monica softened Augustine’s heart, and prepared the ground to receive the seeds of his conversion, but she herself was not able to plant those seeds: she could not convince her son to change his life.
A Brief Visit to Hell
First of all, there is simply no way for a believing Christian to get around the reality of Hell. Jesus Christ himself is quite explicit about it, as we saw above. The Church has taught it as a foundational doctrine from the very beginning.
Not far from the Tree: Scarlatti’s “Te Deum” and Raphael’s “Disputation of the Holy Sacrament”
Last month we heard Alessandro Scarlatti's magnificent Exsultante Deo. Today we have anequally inspiring Te Deum from his son, Domenico Scarlatti (1685 - 1757). This apple didn't far fall at all.
Kyrie from Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis
When we think of Beethoven, Sacred Music might not be the first thing that comes to mind . . . but what he did compose was, as we might expect, moving, powerful, and simply beautiful.
What Would You Do? St. Maximilian Kolbe and the Gospel of Love
In the end, he gave the ultimate gift: his own life. When his jailers chose ten men at random to be starved to death in retaliation for an escape, St. Maximilian, who had not been chosen, volunteered to take the place of one of the ten.
Spiritual Warfare, the Chain of Command, and St. Equitius
Spiritual Warfare The concept of spiritual warfare reminds me of a quote widely attributed to Leon Trotsky. To wit: "You may not be interested in war, but war is interested in you." Now, there's no evidence that the old Bolshevik actually said it, but it's true. There's a battle raging, and we're all part of … Continue reading Spiritual Warfare, the Chain of Command, and St. Equitius