My, how times have changed. We used to have the Seven Deadly Sins and the Sins That Cry Out to Heaven For Vengeance. Most of these don't seem of much concern to most people any more, even in many institutions that claim to be Catholic; some are even treated almost as virtues. In their place is … Continue reading Don’t Be So Judgmental!
“The Way” To Where, Exactly?
Beware of anyone whose key concept is power. It's not a problem just for "other people". Each one of us has our own little "Synodal Way" inside of us. We all have a desire to make our judgments the final word in questions of theology, church governance, and most especially, morals. We want to eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil: we think we can be like God.
The Christian Cannot Live Without the Eucharist
We need the Eucharist. The Second Person of the Trinity did not simply become man: He suffered as man, died, and was resurrected as man, so that He could share his Divine Life with us. The primary, tangible means with which he does that in this world is through the Holy Eucharist . . . that's why the early martyrs told their Roman persecutors, "The Christian cannot live without the Eucharist", that's why St. Tarcisius gave his life protecting the consecrated Body and Blood of Christ.
“Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” by J.S. Bach
I absolutely love J.S. Bach's Joy-filled celebration of Jesus Christ's love for humanity, "Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring". Ash Wednesday is just two days away, so this is my last opportunity to get it in as a Music Monday selection before Lent. Bach composed this piece in 1723 as a part of his cantata Herz und … Continue reading “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” by J.S. Bach
A Smaller, Purer Church?
In reality, all Fr. Ratzinger was doing was looking at social trends, the "signs of the times" (see Matthew 16:3). He saw a society in which Christian belief was becoming less important with, as a consequence, progressively less social advantage to membership. As the advantage diminished and eventually disappeared, the less committed members would move out, and on to something else . . .
Ave Verum Corpus (William Byrd Composer)
The Verum Corpus, "True Body", refers to the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Byrd published the composition in 1605. The hymn is beatifully sung . . .
“Art” For A Degraded Age
Sure, this one piece of ugliness, which will probably soon come down anyway (the show of which it is a part is scheduled to close in a couple of weeks) is not the end of civilization as we have known it. But it's not just one piece. It is one more piece, one more bit of degradation, pushing the boundaries of the acceptable just a little beyond the last thing that was "no big deal", one more step toward cultural oblivion.
Crisis Magazine Has Homer’s Back
I'm just dropping a quick note to let you know about a great article by Paul Krause on the Crisis Magazine website called "Reclaiming Homer". Krause shows that the underlying theme of Homer's Iliad is forgiveness, and demonstrates that, once again, the Cancel Warriors don't have a clue. Don't miss it.
Laudamus Te, by Antonio Vivaldi
One of my purposes with this blog is to share some of the treasures from the enormous deposit of beautiful art and music, especially sacred art and music, that has been handed down to us. Take the delightful duet below, for instance, which was actually composed as a part of the Mass: it is the … Continue reading Laudamus Te, by Antonio Vivaldi
Don’t Let Them Muffle The Message of Life
This year's March for Life in Washington has been cancelled - or perhaps I should say "Cancelled" - who would have guessed? The first March for Life was a protest against the notorious U.S. Supreme Court decisions Roe vs. Wade and Doe vs. Bolton, which together effectively wiped out all state laws restricting abortion. It … Continue reading Don’t Let Them Muffle The Message of Life