When you break the law, you do not in fact find chaos. You find older, stronger laws. This is true whether the law be of man, God, or nature. All created things that we know of are composite beings, formed of smaller natures set in a particular relation to each other. A car, for instance, … Continue reading Thought of the Day: On Breaking Laws
Faith
Poetry – “Veni Creator Spiritus
Creator Spirit, by whose aidThe world's foundations first were laid,Come visit every pious mind,Come pour Thy joys on human kind;From sin and sorrow set us free,And make Thy temples worthy Thee.O source of uncreated light,The Father's promised Paraclete!Thrice holy fount, thrice holy fire,Our hearts with heavenly love inspire;Come, and Thy sacred unction bring,To sanctify us … Continue reading Poetry – “Veni Creator Spiritus
Words of the Saints: A Prayer of St. Bede
(A little late on this: taken from this excellent article on the Saint by my sister, which I recommend you read) Lord God almighty,open wide the door of my heartand illumine it with the grace of the Holy Spirit,that I may seek what is pleasing to your will.Guide my thoughts and my heart,and lead my … Continue reading Words of the Saints: A Prayer of St. Bede
Words of the Saints: St. John Henry Newman on Some Difficulties
Yet not a little may be said in explanation of a step, which so many of his admirers and well-wishers deplore. I own to a deep feeling, that Catholics may in good measure thank themselves, and no one else, for having alienated from them so religious a mind. There are those among us, as it … Continue reading Words of the Saints: St. John Henry Newman on Some Difficulties
Sunday Thoughts: On Humility
I think one of the biggest challenges in religion that we face today is getting into the subordinate mindset. At least I find it so. Between science and liberalism, we're used to standing in an ostensibly superior position, where our judgment and our opinions are what really matter. We expect to be able to 'see … Continue reading Sunday Thoughts: On Humility
Friday Flotsam: Crashes, Consolations, and Memorial Day
1. Had a car accident last weekend. No one hurt, thank God, and really not more than a fender-bender. Only, my fenders ended up much less bent than the other guy’s (he hit me, but no one really at fault; just a bad situation involving merging and unexpectedly stopped traffic), so I felt bad about … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Crashes, Consolations, and Memorial Day
Reflections: First Principles
Note: I've been toying with the idea of putting together a series of essays of my worldview and thoughts on different subjects. Partly as a way of working them out myself, and partly just for the interest. Below is a draft of the first installment. No one starts from first principles when developing a worldview; … Continue reading Reflections: First Principles
Words of the Saints: St. Ignatius’s Principle
"Man is created to praise, reverence, and serve God our Lord, and by this means to save his soul. All other things on the face of the earth are created for man to help him fulfill the end for which he is created. From this it follows that man is to use these things to … Continue reading Words of the Saints: St. Ignatius’s Principle
Sunday Thoughts; A Paradox of Faith
There is a paradox inherent in the act of faith. On the one hand, belief in God involves us in innumerable logical difficulties, especially involving the nature of time and free will and their relation to eternity. Just as a simple example based on today's readings, it seems revolting to our feelings that we should … Continue reading Sunday Thoughts; A Paradox of Faith
Friday Flotsam: Of Glory, The Chastisement of Wickedness, and Monopolies
1. Today, of course, is the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, which comes this year amidst a tumult of, shall we say, significant events. If you haven’t done so already, be sure to pray the Rosary and make some kind of special obeisance. 2. Boethius reaches the conclusion that to be good is to … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Of Glory, The Chastisement of Wickedness, and Monopolies
Serpent's Den 