The other day I described the Protestant mentality as a kind of separation of Church and State within the individual. That, of course, itself depends on the idea that there is something like Church and State in the individual, which I seems to me almost self-evident. There is in man that which seeks the ultimate … Continue reading Feast of St. Joseph: Church and State
Faith
Friday Flotsam: Mental Health and Recent Reading
1. It’s been a rough week; at work we had one support person out on vacation and another got fired. Which meant it was just me and one other person on the phones. Working the phones is not at all my skill set. The long and the short is that I ended up with a … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Mental Health and Recent Reading
St. Alphonso on Confession
From the Sermons of St. Alphonso de Liguori for this day: A disciple of Socrates, at the moment he was leaving a house of bad fame, saw his master pass: to avoid being seen by him, he went back into the house. Socrates came to the door and said: "My son, it is a shameful … Continue reading St. Alphonso on Confession
Lenten Embertide
Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday after the first Sunday of Lent are the Spring Ember Days, when we fast and give thanks for the marvelous works of God, Who orders the changing of the times and seasons. In Lenten Embertide, we anticipate the coming of Spring, the time of birth and renewal, of planting and preparation. … Continue reading Lenten Embertide
Friday Flotsam: Lent and Reading
1. So another Lent begins. This year I'm focusing on purgation, clearing out habits that have been a drag on my mind and attention span. In particular I'm giving up most video media: no perusing YouTube, no movies, no shows, etc. I'll still work on my own videos some, and still use 'ambience' videos (which … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Lent and Reading
Friday Flotsam: ‘Memento’, Prayer, and a Couple Other Things
1. Going to get my other eye's Lasik done at last, so I'll finally be able to gauge just what I think of the whole thing. Pray that goes well and that I don't lose any vile jelly. 2. Last week's movie was Memento, which I had never seen. It's definitely a unique experience and … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: ‘Memento’, Prayer, and a Couple Other Things
Two Completely Unrelated Things
Septuagesima Sunday, meaning we're now in pre-Lent and it's time to start settling our penances and easing off the things we're going to give up or cut back on. The other thing...well, I just find this funny:
Candlemas – Ritual Purity
It's a common misconception that Candlemas, the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord, is the occasion of His circumcision. Actually, that's on the 1st of January (Novus Ordo has it as the Feast of Mary the Mother of God), eight days after Christmas, suitably enough. Candlemas, 40 days after Christmas (and the final end … Continue reading Candlemas – Ritual Purity
Friday Flotsam: The Epiphany and Other Thoughts
1. Happy Feast of the Epiphany! From my reflections this morning: why those three gifts of the magi? The foremost is recognition of Christ’s three roles as King, Priest, and Sacrifice, as elaborated on in the famous song. But there’s something else as well which becomes clear when we consider that these are gifts offered … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: The Epiphany and Other Thoughts
Friday Flotsam: Mostly Battra, Some Christmas
1. It’s almost Christmas already, and with that the end of the year. This year for Advent I did a hard fast: no meat or sweets (except protein shake) and no eating between meals. It was tough at first, but lately I’ve barely noticed it. I am very much looking forward to being able to … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Mostly Battra, Some Christmas
Serpent's Den 