See, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves, so be as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves.Matthew 10:16 I decided a long time ago to believe the best of people. It is a matter of innocence, So it is difficult to defend. Even in Our Lord's advice quoted above, the innocence … Continue reading Believe the Best
Good
Innocence
O God, the restorer and lover of innocence,direct the hearts of Thy servants unto Thyself:that being enkindled with the fire of Thy Spirit,they may be found both steadfast in faith and fruitful in deed.Catholic Collect Innocence is a confusing topic to me. On the one hand, many want to protect innocence, such as that of … Continue reading Innocence
What People Think
When contemplating an action, should we care what people think? It is a question we all ask ourselves. Because we are relational beings, we need each other. We have a natural desire for unity. We want everyone to agree all the time, so we often find ways to compromise. Compromise is good and healthy, but … Continue reading What People Think
Grace Overflowed
The law entered in so that transgression might increase but, where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through justification for eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:20-21 Grace Overflowed The speed of evil Evil rushes towards us so quickly. For a while, everything … Continue reading Grace Overflowed
Fairy Tales
I have a soft-spot for fairy tales. They are an authentic way to tap into the stories of my Anglo-Germanic heritage. When people compare life to a fairy tale, they are asking whether or not it measures up to some beautiful ideal. But really, fairy tales are more often stories of fear, death, and magic … Continue reading Fairy Tales
Sacrifice
But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. How much more then, since we are now justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath. Indeed, if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his … Continue reading Sacrifice
Funeral
I always cry for myself at funerals. As Mark Twain said, “Pity is for the living, envy is for the dead.” ____________ Funeral Renaissance Above is a sculpture I found particularly moving, Donatello’s Crucifix. One thing about my trip to Italy was how inspired I was. Instead of being intimidated by the majesty I saw, I … Continue reading Funeral
Analysis
This weekend, I went to see a performance of the ancient Greek tragedy, Euripedes’ Iphigenia in Aulis. During the drive back, I talked the performance over with my friends. We came to conclusions about what was distracting, what worked well, and what was inspiring. These decisions were reached through a process called “analysis”. I believe … Continue reading Analysis
Personhood: Part Two
This is my second week of writing on Personhood. Last week, I wrote Part One: Personhood—Relational Being. Today, I will focus on Part Two: Personhood—Fallen Individuals. Next week, I’ll write Part Three: Personhood Redeemed. In part one, I talked about what it might mean to think of the human person as a relational being. This … Continue reading Personhood: Part Two
Experience the Good
You must know that there is nothing higher and stronger and more wholesome and good for life in the future than some good memory, especially a memory of childhood, of home. People talk to you a great deal about your education, but some good, sacred memory, preserved from childhood, is perhaps the best education. From … Continue reading Experience the Good
A Grain of Salt 