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
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