I have noticed that there is a rather contradictory stand held by many people. On the one hand, they speak out against “big government.” They think the best government is the one which interferes in the life of others the least. To them, government interference limits liberty. On the other hand, when addressing the question of universal human rights and whether or not the United States should treat non-citizens with such rights (such as illegal immigrants or terrorists caught by... Read more
During the final weekend of March, I attended the 67th annual meeting of The Philosophy of Education Society. I mostly enjoy this conference; it’s small and selective, which I appreciate. Nonetheless, by the penultimate day of the conference I had lost interest and even grown a bit coy and cranky about things. I began to doodle. My first inspiration came from a funny, irreverent situation. Random noises—sounding like someone was hammering in the room next door—began to come and go... Read more
Right now many of my friends are going through tough times. They are either losing homes, losing wealth (having to downsize), losing their health (fighting cancer). And as I was reading through my Mother Theresa Meditations from A Simple Life, I found this quote to be deeply encouraging: By becoming poor ourselves, by loving until it hurts, we become capable of loving more deeply, more beautifully, more wholly. The process can hurt, but it is good to be reminded that... Read more
Introduction and Part II The next two chapters reflect upon our relationship with those who do not follow the path of holiness. First, we are told that our response to them should not be hate, but mercy. We must not hate those who ignore the way of life which is good and conforms to God’s will, and who pay no heed to the teachings that are true and divine. Rather, we must show mercy to them as being crippled in... Read more
May is Mary’s month, and I Muse at that and wonder why: Her feasts follow reason, Dated due to season— Candlemas, Lady Day; But the Lady Month, May, Why fasten that upon her, With a feasting in her honour? Is it only its being brighter Than the most are must delight her? Is it opportunest And flowers finds soonest? Ask of her, the mighty mother: Her reply puts this other Question: What is Spring?— Growth in every thing— Flesh and... Read more
Introduction and Part II To escape death is impossible. Knowing this, those who are truly intelligent and practiced in virtue and in spiritual thought accept death uncomplainingly, without fear or grief, recognizing that it is inevitable and delivers them from the evils of this life.[1] There are two errors involved with life and death. The first is to ignore the value of life. Life is a precious gift, a good which should not be unnaturally taken away. Every life is... Read more
Brett Salkeld is a doctoral student in theology at Regis College in Toronto. He is a father of two (so far) and husband of one. Read more
In a recent column George Weigel launches into a rant against Spain and the in particular, the socialist Spanish government of Zapatero. His thesis is that “Spain is now Ground Zero in the European contest between Catholicism and the dictatorship of relativism.” Much of his evidence for this is his biased reading of Spain’s recent efforts to come to grips with its own history: the legacy of the Civil War and the 40 year dictatorship of Franco. He writes:... Read more
“Anybody who would suggest we call a truce on moral issues doesn’t understand what America’s all about,” Rick Santorum said at the first GOP Presidential Debate. Of course, what he means by this is not clear. It doesn’t seem to be a universal interest in morality. When it comes to the question of torture, Santorum is interested in telling people that it works; the moral question seems to be entirely outside of his mind. Indeed, the things he praised President... Read more
Where I live, PEPCO is the power company. It is the only power company, and it is synonymous with poor and indifferent service. But there is no real choice. And so it was with my desire to watch the John Paul beatification this weekend – it was EWTN or nothing. And what an appalling experience it was. For a start, there was the “amateur hour” feel it to, with poor quality of broadcasts and annoying hosts that simply do not understand when they should simply shut... Read more
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