“Whether the world wills it or no,” God explains to St. Catherine, “it offers me glory.” True, the intent of the wicked is to insult God. But the ways of the wicked are not wise, and the fruits of their wickedness are not as anticipated. From day to day, the “people of the world” mayContinue reading “How the Wicked Praise God”
Tag Archives: humility
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”
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”
How Not to Drown in Scripture
Holy Scripture is, as I said, the highest and best learning that anyone can have, if one takes the right way in the learning. It is—as a good, holy saint says—so marvelously devised that a mouse could wade in it and an elephant be drowned in it. For there is no man so lowly butContinue reading “How Not to Drown in Scripture”
Infallible Arms
What is Lucifer? He is a brilliant intelligence, the most enlightened of all; but an intelligence discontented with God and his Order. Lucifer, as far as lies within his power, wishes to leave nothing in the state in which God has ordained and placed it. Wherever he penetrates, you will always find the work ofContinue reading “Infallible Arms”
Do and Teach
Unless your justice abound more than that of the Scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:20 Christ our Lord is “meek, and humble of heart” (Mt. 11:29), but he is not a “nice guy.” Nowhere is this more evident than in his treatment of the Scribes and Pharisees,Continue reading “Do and Teach”
Make Haste to Help!
When our eldest daughter was but a toddler, one of her pastimes was helping my wife with the laundry. One day, as her mother passed her a wet sock for the dryer, she paused, gave her an approving look, and proudly proclaimed: “Mama, you’re a big helper!” Much older now, she herself is a biggerContinue reading “Make Haste to Help!”
Receiving the Spirit of Sons
Despite his Jesuit education, which often serves him so well, Tocqueville appears to miss the memo on magnanimity, that virtue by which we humbly accept the greatness to which God and nature call us. Responding to “moralists” who “complain constantly that the favorite vice of our period is pride,” Tocqueville asks us to look deeper.Continue reading “Receiving the Spirit of Sons”
O Mighty King!
Great Lord, O mighty king, dearest Savior, O how little you regard earthly splendor! He who maintains the whole world, and created its glory and adornment, must sleep in a hard crib! J. S. Bach, Christmas Oratorio My favorite recording of this magnificent music is by Collegium Vocale Ghent. What do you think? Please comment,Continue reading “O Mighty King!”
"His Tongue shall Speak Judgment" 