A major section of Saint Catherine of Sienna’s Dialogues addresses the widespread corruption afflicting the Holy Catholic Church, then (as now). The root cause of such corruption is, of course, personal, as is the case with the saintly governance practiced by those ministers who have been true to their divine calling. As for the saints:Continue reading “Holy Justice”
Tag Archives: charity
Praying for Real
St. Catherine of Sienna warns us not to let our prayers consist “more in words than in affection.” The goal of prayer is for the soul to be “inebriated and set on fire and sated with holy longing, finding herself filled completely with love of [God] and of her neighbors.” Recognizing that “the soul isContinue reading “Praying for Real”
Saints Among Us
How many of those walking among us here and now will one day be revered as saints? I suspect we would all do well to reflect more deeply on this question, and its implications for our lives, personally and culturally. I mut confess to giving the matter much less thought than it deserves. Still, thereContinue reading “Saints Among Us”
On Keeping One’s Head (Part II)
And if thy hand, or thy foot scandalize thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee. . . . And if thy eye scandalize thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee. Matthew 18:8-9 These words, metaphorical though they be, and no matter how one interprets them, are among the many hard sayingsContinue reading “On Keeping One’s Head (Part II)”
Unquenchable Cravings
Many waters cannot quench charity, neither can the floods drown it: If a man should give all the substance of his house for love, He shall despise it as nothing. Canticle of Canticles 8:7 Friday being the day of Our Lord’s Passion, it is good to commemorate it not only by abstaining from meat, orContinue reading “Unquenchable Cravings”
Look Upon Us
Give to everyone that asks thee. Luke 6:30 Silver and gold I have none; but what I have, I give thee. Acts 3:6 As St. Peter’s example shows, Christ’s command to give to everyone who asks something of us does not mean we must give everyone what they ask of us. Whether we measure ourContinue reading “Look Upon Us”
The Plain and Visible Truth
La Santissima Trinita (The Most Holy Trinity) is among the last of Alessandro Scarlatti’s numerous oratorios. Originally performed in May of 1715, it dramatizes a theological debate in which Faith, Theology, Unbelief, Time, and Charity contend for the final word on the nature of the Almighty. Contemporary critics cannot deny the masterful beauty of theContinue reading “The Plain and Visible Truth”
Doing the Truth
A sure sign that a given regime is despotic is its hostility or indifference to what is good, true, and beautiful. The science of despotism consists in discouraging virtues such as (genuine, active) charity, and instilling vices, such as deception, or compliance with the web of lies in which despotism seeks to entangle us. HowContinue reading “Doing the Truth”
A Charitable Defilement
Almighty Jesus, my sweet Savior Christ, which wouldst vouchsafe thine own almighty hands to wash the feet of thy twelve apostles, not only of the good, but of the very traitor too, vouchsafe, Good Lord, of thine excellent goodness, in such wise to wash the foul feet of my affections, that I never have suchContinue reading “A Charitable Defilement”
Gaining Mastery of the World
St. Catherine of Sienna’s Dialogue with Christ begins with a question precisely opposed to the one most of us would think of asking: “What can I do to suffer for you?” In response, Jesus affirms the generosity of her desire, but proceeds to instruct the saint on the true nature and value of Christian suffering.Continue reading “Gaining Mastery of the World”
"His Tongue shall Speak Judgment" 