Quote of the Week

The real trouble with this world of ours is not that it is an unreasonable world, nor even that it is a reasonable one. The commonest kind of trouble is that it is nearly reasonable, but not quite. Life is not an illogicality; yet it is a trap for logicians. It looks just a little more mathematical and regular than it is; its exactitude is obvious, but its inexactitude is hidden; its wildness lies in wait. —G.K. Chesterton, Orthodoxy, Chapter V.

Thoughts on Obedience and Reading Maps without Guidance

Today, while make the rounds around the blogger neighborhood, I saw a great quote on a subject that is not near and dear to the heart of modern mankind: obedience. Deacon Greg Kandra shared the thoughts of a modern saint on the subject,

Because of G.K. Chesterton (29 May, 1874 – 14 June, 1936)

Gilbert Keith Chesterton died on this day in 1936.  I had no idea for several reasons. A) I don't know everything; B) he isn't an official saint, so there is no feast day on the calender; C) he died long before I was born.

But, I can truthfully say that one of the reasons I am a Catholic today is because of G.K. Chesterton. Sometime between when I discovered Blaise Pascal and Thomas Merton, I came across Chesterton. Dale Ahlquist's site was probably where I landed first. And then I hit the library.

For G.K. Chesterton's Off The Wall Poem About Palm Sunday

Yesterday I shared a movie with you about a saint who called himself "God's jackass." Leave it to G.K. Chesterton to write a poem for Palm Sunday from the point of view of the ass. From what I've found out, it was written before he converted officially to Catholicism.

Where did I find this poem? From none other than the good folks over at Universalis. You never know what you will find when praying the LOTH over there.

Zion, To Thy Savior Singing (A Few Words for Wednesday)

-Feast of Pope St. Martin I 

I am late in coming around to an appreciation of St. Thomas Aquinas. As the old saw goes, better late than never. Jacques Maritain's book The Peasant of the Garonne has pointed me towards learning more about this Doctor of the Church.

And G.K. Chesterton wrote a book about him too. Here are a few of G.K.C.'s words to prime the pump so to speak,

Because, Believe It Or Not, It's Easy

How many high school seniors do you know who have a blog? To narrow that list down a bit, how many of them have one dedicated to blogging about the Catholic faith? Well allow me to introduce you to a young man who does just that.

He's young, smart, edgy, and reverently irreverent. In other words, he's the kind of Catholic I hope my kids meet up with and hang out with. 

Because the Church is Paradoxically Consistent

—Feast of St. Macarius the Great 

The other day I wrote about the dictionary meanings for the word "catholic." I have more thoughts on the matter, but that post was running long. Having already imposed a 3500 word(!) post on you right after the New Year, constant reading of marathon length missives might tucker you out, make you cross-eyed, and compel you never to return to this space. So consider this post as part II in a series of indeterminate length on the meanings of that word.

Though this Marine is no expert on word etymology, today I ask you to consider the meanings of the word "catholic" again, but this time applying them to an organism.

Because Dracula was Catholic? Oh My!

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Yesterday, I did something that I can only explain by pointing to the fact that I am a Catholic. I said a prayer for the soul of Dracula. No, not for Bram Stoker's fictional vampyre version of him, but for the real Dracula. That's right, Vlad "the Impaler."

For all we really now, he died a hero and a good Catholic. Bear with me for a second.

For Help Reading Maps Correctly

I have a friend who can't understand why I enjoy being a Catholic.

From discussions I have had with him, it appears that he believes I am now enslaved by an organization that is run by a tyrant who bears the title of "Pope." I reckon that his libertarian tendencies bristle at the very idea of submitting to an authority, even if that authority is ordained  and conferred by Christ Himself.

Because of Divine Frivolity

Times are tough all over. First we had the economic meltdown to contend with. Now we Catholics are watching our Church and our Pope get attacked by the same people who were attacking Goldman Sachs two years ago, and Tiger Woods a few months ago. Are the attacks justified? Where you sit is probably where you stand. But the fact of the matter is, the storm has been raging since day one on planet Earth.