Power of Memory Never doubt the power of memory. A few years ago I ran across an amazing story ("Ancient Sea Rise Tale Told Accurately For 10,000 Years") in Scientific American. It details how aboriginal Australians have preserved, via oral tradition, accurate information about geographical features that have been underwater since the end of the … Continue reading The Power of Memory: Aborigines, Atheists, and the Authenticity of the Gospels
The Better Part: Eucharistic Adoration
Most of us can probably identify with Martha: always “worried about many things”, and too distracted to notice the Lord. Adoration is a great opportunity to give our “inner Martha” a rest and, like Mary, choose “the better part”. After all, what is Eucharistic Adoration, if not watching and listening at the feet of Jesus?
The Convergence: Presentation, Nativity, and Passion
The Convergence Today is the convergence, the end of the beginning and the beginning of the end. Which is to say, today is the Feast of the Presentation, a perfect microcosm of both/and. The official Christmas Season ended a couple weeks ago on the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord. The Presentation of the Baby Jesus … Continue reading The Convergence: Presentation, Nativity, and Passion
Music for the Presentation of Our Lord: Holst’s “Nunc Dimittis”
Nunc Dimittis Nunc Dimittis is one of my favorite compositions by the early 20th century composer Gustav Holst. Since tomorrow is the Feast of the Presentation, this seems a fine time to share a video I put together a few years ago. It combines a mesmerizing performance of Holst's piece with Caravaggio's painting of the … Continue reading Music for the Presentation of Our Lord: Holst’s “Nunc Dimittis”
Sin is Sin: St. Thomas Aquinas and Conscience
Sin is Sin Sin is sin, and truth is truth. “What is truth?” - I seem to remember someone raising the question somewhere. For the ideologue, “truth” is whatever promotes the ideology, and if it happens to correspond with reality that’s fine. If it doesn’t, no problem, we’ll make something up. Followers of Him who is “The … Continue reading Sin is Sin: St. Thomas Aquinas and Conscience
Bread of Angels: St. Thomas Aquinas’ “Panis Angelicus”
Bread of Angels May the Bread of AngelsBecome bread for mankind . . . St. Thomas Aquinas was a Dominican, one of the greatest of all philosophers, and arguably the greatest of Catholic theologians. His feast day comes this week, on January 28th. We tend to think of him as a pretty cerebral fellow. And so … Continue reading Bread of Angels: St. Thomas Aquinas’ “Panis Angelicus”
Welcome to Mission Territory
So, yes, by all means, let's keep fighting the political fight, but given the societal trends (and the Gallup data above is just the latest evidence), we can expect the political arena to become increasingly difficult. Long term we need to work on bringing our country back to Christ.
Mozart Makes The Gloria Soar
You've heard it hundreds of times, maybe thousands. But how much do you know about it? Or have you ever wondered where it comes from, or how it got into the Mass?
What Is Man That Thou Art Mindful of Him?
What is Man? What is Man in the eyes of God, that is. The Psalmist expresses a thought that has surely occurred to all of us, at one time or other: When I look at thy heavens, the work of thy fingers,the moon and the stars which thou hast established;what is man that thou art … Continue reading What Is Man That Thou Art Mindful of Him?
In The World, But Not Of It
In the World: Politics is a Means, Not an End And in the world is where we are . . . for now. But where was I? Oh, Yes. Last week I promised (or threatened) to discuss the issue of the relationship between faith and politics more fully (see last week's post "Religion, Culture, & Politics"). Something … Continue reading In The World, But Not Of It