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
Happiness
Happiness and Friendship
Happiness and Friendship Friendship In the Nichomachean Ethics, Aristotle argues that having true friendship is a necessary part of a happy life. Everyone can relate to that in some measure. We are social animals, affected positively and negatively by those around us. Since happiness lies in fulfilling what we are, our happiest happiness is never … Continue reading Happiness and Friendship
Confirmation
"What do you stand for?" That was the question that Bishop Robert Barron put to the Confirmandees who had gathered to “be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit.” It’s a good question for anyone to ask themselves. What do I stand for? ____________ Confirmation Make firm In Confirmation, the Bishop invokes the Holy … Continue reading Confirmation
To Be Clean
We Catholics are in the midst of a liturgical season called “Lent”, the “long days”. This forty day season leading up to Easter is a time of fasting and prayer, a time of renewal and conversion in preparation for the highest feast. It is modeled after the forty days Jesus fasted in the wilderness before … Continue reading To Be Clean
Gratitude
Before you set out to own what your heart aches for, before you capture your new desire, before you click the "add to cart” button on Amazon, be sure you are grateful for what you have. Gratitude is having the proper appreciation for each thing. It is a virtue that applies to everything. You ought to be … Continue reading Gratitude
The Pain of Truth
The mother’s voice carried across the field to the children far ahead. “Kids, stick together!” The older brother grabbed the younger one’s arm. “Come on, Fatso! You’re slowing us down!” Their sister frowned at him. “You’re not allowed to say that!” “But it’s true!” He stopped and folded his arms. “And the truth shouldn’t hurt!” … Continue reading The Pain of Truth
The Signs of Happiness
The girl stared at her father until he looked up. His eyes widened behind his glasses. “What?” She stuck out her pretty red lip. “I’m bored.” He smiled and nodded. “It’s good for you!” Then he went back to his papers. She pouted some more until that, too, was boring. Then she went to stare … Continue reading The Signs of Happiness
The Unexamined Life
A sizable galleon cut through the waves with hardly a rise and fall of the bow. The Great Cabin below the poop was high enough to have windows that lightened it on the cloudless day. The crows nest had just reported that land was out of sight. After a long stretch in dry-dock for repairs, … Continue reading The Unexamined Life
A Grain of Salt 