Look More Deeply
Therefore when we speak to a wicked man, we should speak to the good man inside him that is suppressed, the man who is being held prisoner. He is there. He needs someone to acknowledge…
Category: Wisdom Traditions
Paying Close Attention
Francis showed great tenderness for all of God’s creatures, however humble. Remembering the Psalmist’s words: As for me, I am a worm and no man, he would pick up any earth-worms he found in his…
The Pleasure of Aphorisms
As most of the little book’s exegetes remark, the story [of Rasselas]–to term it so–is a thread upon which an extraordinary number of powerful adagio are precariously arranged in series. Johnson once remarked that he…
Why We Need the Saints
We don’t escape mimesis, we can only observe it—and in observing it, loosen the grip that envy has on us. And while we may be doomed to mimesis, we have, at least, a choice between…
Inviting the Fury of the Devils
Brother Angelo was much afraid of evil spirits and asked Francis to let a brother sleep in his cell and keep him company at night. Francis said to him: Why fear weak and feeble foes…
Today’s One-Liner (#264)
We need to be vigilantly alert for any signs of being more focused on the ground we have covered than the path ahead and must regularly renew our fervor for the learning and growth that…
The “D” Word
When you get right down to it, every death is disaster. Death is a total, utter negation of everything that leads up to it. Many nonbelievers, in their more honest moments, admit the unmentionable: death…
Today’s One-Liner (#263)
People are often unreasonable, illogical, self-centered, and some even murderous; forgive them anyway. –Prayer of St. Teresa of Calcutta, Adapted
The Basics
A strong pro-life apologist, [Charlie] Kirk spoke with numerous college students who had been thoroughly versed in the notion of being “pro-choice.” He stripped the argument down to its basics. “Why should you have the…
Selective Appreciation
We usually like prophets when they say what we want to hear. They are especially welcome if they heap indictments on our enemies. When they get close to home, it is a different matter. –John…