Loving the Bride, vol. 28

Something old....

Concerning Lowliness of Mind

These things I say, not in order that we should be careless of righteousness, but that we should avoid pride; not that we should sin, but that we should be sober-minded. For humbleness of mind is the foundation of the love of wisdom which pertains to us. Even if thou shouldest have built a superstructure of things innumerable; even if almsgiving, even if prayers, even if fastings, even if all virtue; unless this have first been laid as a foundation, all will be built upon it. That is on whatever foundation, other than that which may have been laid.
to no purpose and in vain; and it will fall down easily, like that building which had been placed on the sand.

For there is no one, no one of our good deeds, which does not need this; there is no one which separate from this will be able to stand. But even if thou shouldest mention temperance, even if virginity, even if despising of money, even if anything whatever, all are unclean and accursed and loathsome, humbleness of mind being absent. Everywhere therefore let us take her with us, take her to dwell with us, in words, in deeds, in thoughts, and with this let us build these graces.

----St. John Chrysostom

Something new....

I've had a few great professors that always remind us we must "do" theology on our knees. The humility that comes from doing this work is staggering in my life. The more you know, the less you know. It's a paradox. But here's our dear pontiff, speaking this past week, reminding us that it's part of the deal.

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Kindly send up your prayers for Catholic music minister Michael John Poirier who is dealing with a recent diagnosis of melanoma.

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More on Pius XII as Venerable.


Something borrowed....

I echo the sentiments regarding Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur 's review of Immaculee Ilibagiza's book on the Rwandan Holocaust.


Something blue....

The greatest act of the giver of life is when the Word was made flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mary.