Image from The Three Sillies by Margot Zemach There is a folk tale about a farmer who scoffs at his wife and the work she does. He decides to switch with her for a day and show her how easy her tasks are in comparison to his own. In the course of the day, he spills … Continue reading The Farmer and his Wife
At that moment an old woman came out of the church. She saw the man stretched out in the shadow. “What are you doing there, my friend?” said she. He answered harshly and angrily: “As you see, my good woman, I am sleeping.” The good woman, who was well worthy the name, in fact, was … Continue reading Hope of the Gospel
St. Anselm is often pigeon-holed for his rather extraordinary proof of God. But perhaps more important than this endeavor (which is itself quite stunning when looked at generously and carefully), is his conviction that faith precedes understanding. I thank thee that thou hast created me in this thine image, in order that I may be … Continue reading Wrench, Hammer, or Reason?
Why do the faces of animals evoke wonder in us? Perhaps three reasons. First, they are beautiful. Second, we recognize in them a common consciousness, a beholding and being beheld, and it is a delight to see this. Finally, we see this consciousness in animals more readily than in ourselves (with the exception of babies … Continue reading In the Faces of Animals
If you ever think it weird that there is a genre of theater and film with people singing and dancing, you’re not alone. But the real mystery is not that this art form exists. The real wonder is that people sing or dance at all. The real wonder is that long before there were ever … Continue reading They Make Musicals?
Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…” (Matthew 6:9). What else did Christ do when he taught us to pray but bequeath his sonship unto us, the privilege of calling God Father? It was as if he said, I call him Father, now you too call him Father. Implicit in “Our Father” is … Continue reading He gave us his Father
The Purist:
Some people call me a space-cowboy…
Continue reading “Mr. Spun’s Truly Terrible Awful Jokes: #31”
Which musical note is permanent?
Continue reading “Mr. Spun’s Truly Terrible Awful Jokes: #30”
[He] was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). The priesthood of Christ not only presents us with a sympathetic mediator, with a minister of mercy, but makes possible a new sort of holiness, a different kind of sanctification then we might imagine. In approaching this Great High Priest, I come nearer to … Continue reading On the Priesthood of the Wounded
Why is there motion? The stars move, birds move, people move, air moves, even rocks move (when dropped). Why? In the Physics, Aristotle inquires into natural or movable bodies. The source of their motion is explored. But this mode of inquiry leaves him on the threshold of metaphysics and theology. To look into the causes of motion leads … Continue reading Order in the General: On Aristotle’s Vision of the Unmoved Mover and Cosmic Order
Same & Other 