The Great Conversation

Western civilization has been the result of a long, difficult conversation.  When we read the classics and greats of the western world, we join into a Great Conversation which began when God spoke the universe into existence, but we also remind ourselves and the rising generation that the conversation has yet to end, and will not end until all things have been redeemed through the One.

- Brad Birzer (full article here)

The Duty of the Moment

The hard truth is that I don’t have to go to South America to be a saint. I can do that here, among the pots and pans and glowing rectangles of my life, by striving to remain fully awake, fully alive, living each moment in the presence of God. I can strive to love everyone I meet, not with my own love but the love of Christ — a love that isn’t always romantic or thrilling, that sometimes feels like drudgery, but only because its glory is hidden, like the glory of Christ was hidden on earth. Love in action means love where and when you are, not in the dream of some beautiful Elsewhere.

- Steve Gershom

Thomas Aquinas

Grant me the talent

Of being exact in my explanations

And the ability to express myself

With thoroughness and charm. 

There are many kinds of alms the giving of which helps us to obtain pardon for our sins; but none is greater than that by which we forgive from our heart a sin that someone has committed against us.

—St. Augustine

The Holy Father's September Prayer Intentions
Teachers. That all teachers may know how to communicate the love of truth and instill authentic moral and spiritual values.
Church in Asia. That the Christian communities in Asia may proclaim the Gospel with fervor, witnessing to its beauty with the joy of faith.

If you feel that Catholicism or Christianity or religion is not
represented, by detractors or defenders, in ways that honor its
profundity and beauty, live out its profundity and beauty. To do this
is more telling than any argument.

-- Marilynne Robinson

Say only the good things

πᾶς λόγος σαπρὸς ἐκ τοῦ στόματος ὑμῶν μὴ ἐκπορευέσθω, ἀλλὰ εἴ τις ἀγαθὸς πρὸς οἰκοδομὴν τῆς χρείας, ἵνα δῷ χάριν τοῖς ἀκούουσιν.

Let every rotten word not go forth from your mouth, but whatever is good for necessary edification, so that it may give grace to those who hear.

-- Ephesians 4:29