Founders Friday, Friday, December 30, 2011 – James Madison

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"A just security to property is not afforded by that government, under which unequal taxes oppress one species of property and reward another species. "

My wife had a very minor medical procedure on Tuesday and when we arrived at the doctors office, this sight greeted us.  The balloon was trying to land, apparently, in a park just across the street from the medical complex.  I don't know if it finally made a safe landing, but there was no news of a crash.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011 – St John Bosco

Image via WikipediaNever read books you aren't sure about . . . even supposing that these bad books are very well written from a literary point of view. Let me ask you this: Would you drink something you knew was poisoned just because it was offered to you in a golden cup?

St. John Bosco

Christmas, Sunday, December 25, 2011 - Robert Southwell

Image via WikipediaFROM St. Peter's Complaint, 1595

THE BURNING BABE.
By Robert Southwell

As I in hoary winter's night stood shivering in the snow,
Surprised I was with sudden heat which made my heart to glow ;
And lifting up a fearful eye to view what fire was near,
A pretty babe all burning bright did in the air appear ;
Who, scorchëd with excessive heat, such floods of tears did shed
As though his floods should quench his flames which with his tears were fed.
Alas, quoth he, but newly born in fiery heats I fry,
Yet none approach to warm their hearts or feel my fire but I !
My faultless breast the furnace is, the fuel wounding thorns,
Love is the fire, and sighs the smoke, the ashes shame and scorns ;
The fuel justice layeth on, and mercy blows the coals,
The metal in this furnace wrought are men's defilëd souls,
For which, as now on fire I am to work them to their good,
So will I melt into a bath to wash them in my blood.
With this he vanished out of sight and swiftly shrunk away,
And straight I callëd unto mind that it was Christmas day.

Founders Friday, Friday, December 23, 2011 – John Quincy Adams

Image via Wikipedia"The hope of a Christian is inseparable from his faith. Whoever believes in the divine inspiration of the Holy Scriptures must hope that the religion of Jesus shall prevail throughout the earth. Never since the foundation of the world have the prospects of mankind been more encouraging to that hope than they appear to be at the present time. And may the associated distribution of the Bible proceed and prosper till the Lord shall have made 'bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God' (Isaiah 52:10)."

Wednesday, December 21, 2011 – St John of the Cross

Image via WikipediaWhenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent.

St. John of the Cross

The Early Church Fathers, Sunday, December 18, 2011

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"Since then these things are manifest to us, and we have looked into the depths of the divine knowledge, we ought to do in order all things which the Master commanded us to perform at appointed times. He commanded us to celebrate sacrifices and services, and that it should not be thoughtlessly or disorderly, but at fixed times and hours. He has Himself fixed by His supreme will the places and persons whom He desires for these celebrations, in order that all things may be done piously according to His good pleasure, and be acceptable to His will. So then those who offer their oblations at the appointed seasons are acceptable and blessed, but they follow the laws of the Master and do not sin. For to the high priest his proper ministrations are allotted, and to the priests the proper place has been appointed, and on Levites their proper services have been imposed. The layman is bound by the ordinances for the laity."

Founders Friday, Friday, December 16, 2011 – Thomas Jefferson

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"When all government, domestic and foreign, in little as in great things, shall be drawn to Washington as the center of all power, it will render powerless the checks provided of one government on another, and will become as venal and oppressive as the government from which we separated."

Wednesday, December 14, 2011 – St Basil the Great

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A woman who deliberately destroys a fetus is answerable for murder. And any fine distinction between its being completely formed or unformed is not admissible among us.

St. Basil the Great

The Desert Fathers, Sunday, December 11, 2011 – St Gregory of Nyssa

Image via WikipediaWhen we lay bare the hidden meaning of the history, scripture is seen to teach that the birth which distresses the tyrant is the beginning of the virtuous life. I am speaking of the kind of birth in which free will serves as the midwife, delivering the child amid great pain. For no one causes grief to his antagonist unless he exhibits in himself those marks which give proof of his victory over the other.

Tebowing, Saturday, December 10, 2011

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There’s a good article in today’s Wall Street Journal about Tim Tebow and his conspicuous display of his faith.  Of course, I’m somewhat interested in this, being a Denver Bronco’s fan, but also because it seems such a refreshing change to have an openly Christian young man doing good things.  Possibly unlike many people who are cheering Tebow on, I don’t think his success says much about God’s interest in football, and I don’t think his winning or losing proves that God is “on our side”, so to speak.  What the Tebow phenomena does show is that it’s equally possible to be successful in pro sports being a man of upright character as it is being a man of weak character; perhaps even more so. 

One point in the article I take exception to is the conclusion the writer seems to reach as to why so very many people seem to hate Tebow and wish him to fail.  Here is a short quote from the article:

Mr. Tebow may indeed turn out to be a hypocrite, like other high-profile Christians in recent memory. Some of us might even want that to happen, because moral failure is something we understand. We know how to deal with disappointed expectations, to turn our songs of praise into condemnation. 

What we are far less sure how to do is to take seriously a public figure's seemingly admirable character and professions of higher purpose. We don't know how to trust goodness.  

And who can blame us? We don't want to be fooled again.

 I don’t think the reason is that people fear being let down.  I think the reason is that people don’t like to compare themselves to someone with a higher standard; I think they fear they are letting themselves down.  Tebow sets a high moral standard, one that few of us can live up to; it’s easier to tear him down than to try to build ourselves up to the standard he sets.

Founders Friday, Friday, December 9, 2011 – Samuel Adams

Image via Wikipedia"Neither the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt."

A A Word on Wednesday, Wednesday, December 7, 2011 - St Ignatius Loyola

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"Few souls understand what God would accomplish in them if they were to abandon themselves unreservedly to Him and if they were to allow His grace to mold them accordingly."

The Desert Fathers, Sunday, December 4, 2011 – St Symeon the New Theologian

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When a man walks in the fear of God he knows no fear, even if he were to be surrounded by wicked men. He has the fear of God within him and wears the invincible armor of faith. This makes him strong and able to take on anything, even things which seem difficult or impossible to most people. Such a man is like a giant surrounded by monkeys, or a roaring lion among dogs and foxes. He goes forward trusting in the Lord and the constancy of his will to strike and paralyze his foes. He wields the blazing club of the Word in wisdom.

Founders Friday, Friday, December 2, 2011 – Patrick Henry

Image via Wikipedia"This book [The Bible] is worth all the books that ever were printed, and it has been my misfortune that I never found time to read it with the proper attention and feeling till lately. I trust in the mercy of heaven that it is not too late."