I've always considered the story of Martha and Mary as being about the two paths of spiritual life: the via activa and the via comtemplativa. Depending on my mood and spiritual fancy, the story either comforted or bothered me. Oftentimes both. Today was different: Father's homily was about anxiety. Martha's problem was not her activity; it was anxiety that Jesus was correcting. "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things." This interpretation rings true to me. Anxiety. … [Read more...]
The Politics of Language on Columbus Day
October 8, 2012 By 1 Comment
The two Spanish words that summarize the predominant reading and counter-reading of Columbus Day are descubrimiento and conquista. Descubrimiento refers to that the word 'discovery' points to in English. It emphasizes the subjective experience of Columbus, Spain, and, by extension, Western Europe. Colonialism. When this subjective experience is glorified and placed into a colonial mythology, it becomes Columbus Day as we know it. Conquista refers to what the English word 'conquest' gets … [Read more...]
Hola! Waves, Oceans, Tragedy
October 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The huffing "h" sound in the Spanish word 'hola' is silent, as a general rule. Except when it follows and combines with the letter c, creating the fourth letter of the Spanish alphabet: ch. Ch makes the sound of chocolate, nachos, and chocolate nachos. RoCHa. Cha. Not ca. The h isn't silent in my last name. Back to 'hola': the silent h makes it sound exactly like the word 'ola' --- wave. In English, a "wave" can be a sign, a gesture. A greeting or goodbye. An hola. The physical gesture … [Read more...]
Header
October 1, 2012 By 2 Comments
I am very happy and honored to announce the “change” I’ve been hinting about: I will soon be joining the Catholic Portal at Patheos. This photo will be the page header, custom designed by Mike Blaha, my longtime friend and an exceptional, multitalented artist. Check out his work at Blahagraphy. … [Read more...]
Pumpkin Patch
October 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Pumpkin patch. (Taken with Instagram) … [Read more...]
White Sedan
September 29, 2012 By Leave a Comment
White sedan. (Taken with Instagram) … [Read more...]
En el Principio Moraba
September 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment
San Juan de la Cruz, “En el principio moraba” (Taken with Instagram) … [Read more...]
Artwork for my Primer
September 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment
A draft of some of the artwork — drawn by my prodigy of a little sister — for my forthcoming book, A Primer for Philosophy and Education. … [Read more...]
Sep 19, 2012 2:02am
September 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Rocinante (Taken with Instagram) … [Read more...]
Sep 17, 2012 6:37pm
September 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment
A screed against doctors and medicine from Rousseau’s Emile, the text for class today. (Taken with Instagram) … [Read more...]
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