(Brought to mind by the movie of the same name) Bright star, would I were stedfast as thou art— Not in lone splendour hung aloft the night And watching, with eternal lids apart, Like nature’s patient, sleepless Eremite, The moving waters at their priestlike task Of pure ablution round earth’s human shores, Or gazing on… Continue reading Bright Star
Category: Commonplace Book
Faith isn’t a feeling
Wish I’d understood this in my twenties. Faith is not some state of feeling we get ourselves into. It is much simpler than that. It is simply believing in God and therefore believing everything he has revealed – no matter how we feel. “God said it, so I believe it, and that settles it.” Feelings… Continue reading Faith isn’t a feeling
There is no language without love
The idea of a word, for a contingent being, implies the existence of one who is not myself (the one to whom I speak) and the existence of a truth that is not myself (that about which I speak). Language is a robe for love. — Anthony Esolen
A good quotation for the feast of St Philip Neri
As troubled as I am by the notion that Christians should be unable to judge right and wrong in our lives and in our culture, simply because we are not exempt from sin, I am more troubled by the notion that Christian love is about reminding people of the law that’s written on their hearts… Continue reading A good quotation for the feast of St Philip Neri
The body as veil
A lovely reflection at Catholic Exchange: Psalm 139:13-16 rejoices, “My frame was not hidden from You when I was being made in secret .” Earlier in the chapter, verse 13 marvels, “You formed my inward parts; You knit me in my mother’s womb.” This word “knit ” is also sometimes translated “wove” or “woven.” David… Continue reading The body as veil
Be a sheep
As long as we remain sheep, we overcome. Even though we may be surrounded by a thousand wolves, we overcome and are victorious. But as soon as we are wolves, we are beaten: for then we lose the support from the Shepherd who feeds not wolves, but only sheep. (St John Chrysostom, from Homily 34… Continue reading Be a sheep
Index ciborum prohibitorum
“My first pastoral letter’s gonna be a condemnation of light beer and instant mashed potatoes — I hate those two things.” — Archbishop Timothy Dolan, via The Church Ladies
An extraordinary destiny
“… Everyone in this mega-community is a somebody with an extraordinary destiny. Everyone is a somebody in whom God has invested an infinite love. That is why the Church reaches out to the unborn, the suffering, the poor, our elders, the physically and emotionally challenged, those caught in the web of addictions…” –Archbishop Thomas Dolan,… Continue reading An extraordinary destiny