“Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron’s cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their consciences.” –C.S. Lewis Remember that cocktail party game, Who Goes Nazi?... Read more
St. Therese as Joan of Arc, her own play So much has been written about St. Therese (and justly; she is very great), that I am appreciative of Frank Weathers’ post, here, and the surprising quotes and perspective he culls from the Chinese convert, John C.H. Wu who had remarkable–and jarring–insights on this Doctor of the Church: (Thérèse’s) life was not a simple melody, but a marvelous symphony. If she is a child, she is a subtle one. If she... Read more
I awoke with this in my head, today, and it won’t go away. So, I figured you may as well hear it in your head, too! Read more
It’s 2002, In a UK Courtroom, and a man is being tried for stealing 40,000 hotel coat hangers and Joseph Heller could not have written a more entertaining transcript! Counsel: What is your name? Chrysler: Chrysler. Arnold Chrysler. Counsel: Is that your own name? Chrysler: Whose name do you think it is? Counsel: I am just asking if it is your name. Chrysler: And I have just told you it is. Why do you doubt it? Counsel: It is not... Read more
The face is the mirror of the mind, and eyes without speaking confess the secrets of the heart. –Saint Jerome Even though it sometimes means I do not get a joke, or a discreet tease, there are times I am thankful that the internet is faceless. My face, my eyes, they give away everything. But that I am forbid To tell the secrets of my prison house, I could a tale unfold whose lightest word Would harrow up thy soul,... Read more
Oh, Autumn! My very favorite season. I love the crisp air, the crunch of brown leaves underfoot, the need to keep a light shawl handy as one is running errands, the wee creatures scurrying about, collecting their acorns for the long winter (and if the number of them falling from my oak tree is any indicator, it’s going to be a cold, snowy one!) and I love the fuss and fun of Halloween! I love the howling winds, particularly in... Read more
It’s a great question to stop people of faith in their tracks and get them pondering, “well, what DO I believe.” I remember once watching an old Mother Angelica Live broadcast and hearing her say (paraphrase), “do you really believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, born of a woman…” and thinking, “that’s a good question to ask; it zeros in on the whole mystery of the Incarnation which is foundational to the rest.” Over at Patheos, they’re... Read more
Nothing thrills a writer more than to read something and tsk wistfully about it, “boy, I wish I’d written that!” Which is how I began my morning. Thrilled and wistful! The great Pat Gohn has written something truly wise, wonderful and valuable in Something of the Glory of God Shines in Your Face. I’m calling it today’s must-read: If we lined up all the major issues of Catholic social teaching and compared them to the Himalayas, the “dignity of the... Read more
H/T Sr. Lisa Read more
Watch the graphics during the report. Heh. Gov. Chris Christie; “We may have to fire lousy teachers!” Read more
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