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
What I Learned: Evangelizing the Lukewarm
What I Learned What I learned . . . well, we can never tell when, or from where, we will find a valuable new discovery. I wrote an earlier version of the post below over a decade ago. It started when I was picking absent-mindedly through some neglected-looking books on the shelves of a retreat house. … Continue reading What I Learned: Evangelizing the Lukewarm
Ave Verum Corpus: Hail, True Body (Mozart)
Ave verum corpus, natum de Maria Virgine, vere passum, immolatum in cruce pro homine cuius latus perforatum fluxit aqua et sanguine: esto nobis praegustatum in mortis examine.
The Mission Begins: The Baptism of the Lord
We welcomed our Lord at Christmas and now, as he takes up his mission, our mission is to follow him, that all righteousness may be fulfilled.
Human Trafficking, Love & St. Vitalis
Human Trafficking When a man dies, his life is revealed.Call no man happy before his death,for by how he ends a man is known. (Sirach 11:27-28) Prostitution sometimes hides under the phrase "the world's oldest profession." There's some truth in that expression, in that the practice has been with us since the beginning of recorded … Continue reading Human Trafficking, Love & St. Vitalis
Religion, Culture, & Politics: Which is the Foundation?
"Religion, Culture, and Politics" was one of the first things I published on this site in January 2021. I had just returned to bloggery in the aftermath of the Year of Covid and the doings surrounding the 2020 election. Many of us were surprised to discover, in the unofficial but potent alliance of various media, … Continue reading Religion, Culture, & Politics: Which is the Foundation?
Faith vs. Power: Epiphany
We can learn a lot from the faith of the Magi. How often do we, who have the full revelation of Jesus Christ and his Gospel, instead seek our own worldly agenda, following the example of miserable King Herod?
We Three Kings: Music for Epiphany
"We Three Kings of Orient Are . . ." Is there anyone out there who doesn't know this song? It's easily the most familiar hymn associated with Epiphany, at least as we celebrate the feast in the Western Church.