No one who is rightly minded turns from true belief to false. (Saint Justin Martyr, +165)
Year: 2021
The New Lepers?
(I have an article coming out on the scientific method – how we develop ‘models’ to explain the universe, either in some small way – as, here, with Paula Adamick’s timely take on the vaccines. Or in a more universal way, our overall ‘worldview’. Eventually, the ‘models’ we develop must be tested against reality, as[…]
A Letter to a Local Paper
The local newspaper of the area in which I happen to live published an editorial a few weeks ago, claiming that those who have reservations about the draconian Covid protocols are like ‘bad fruit’ that California keeps out of its pristine borders. Hence, they – the resisters – should pack up and get out of[…]
Two Trinitarian Palestrinas
In honour of the Most Holy Trinity, Palestrina’s Veni Sancte Spiritus, for four voices, first published in 1575. Compare with his later (1589) Veni Creator Spiritus, based on the ancient Gregorian chant:
Each person considered in himself is entirely God. . . the three considered together. . . I have not even begun to think of unity when the Trinity bathes me in its splendour. I have not even begun to think of the Trinity when unity grasps me (Saint Gregor of Nazianzen)
Credo in Unum et Trium Deum
Two creeds are in common use among us: the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed, which we use on liturgical occasions, and is a propos especially on Trinity Sunday. A moment’s thought makes it clear that both are expanded versions of Our Lord’s command, “Going therefore, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the[…]
The Early Christian Writers on the Holy Trinity
As we are celebrating Trinity Sunday my mind and heart cannot not ruminate and contemplate the beauty of this outstanding mystery, the Holy Trinity, of which none plumb the depths, The Catechism of the Catholic Church is so right when it squarely tells us: The Trinity is a mystery of faith in the strict sense, one of the[…]
All life demands struggle. Those who have everything given to them become lazy, selfish, and insensitive to the real values of life. The very striving and hard work that we so constantly try to avoid is the major building block in the person we are today. (Pope Saint Paul VI)
Complicit Complaisance and Flying the Rainbow
To paraphrase a popular alliterative 1958 novelty song, we are becoming a nation of pathological people pleasers – and by ‘we’ I mean those on the side of truth, goodness and beauty. Those pushing falsity, evil and the general tearing down of civilization are not so demure and pleasant. This is not to judge anyone[…]
Dialogue with a Reader on the ‘Virtual’ Mass
(What follows is an exchange with a faithful reader, having his own qualms about ‘virtual’ Masses – I thought our dialogue, slightly adapted, might help others. The reader’s questions are in italics, and my own replies, such as they are, follow. Editor) I read your recent Catholic Insight essay on virtual Masses. Couldn’t agree more![…]