Bear Baiting

It was a popular sport in days of old—to pit savage bulldogs against a chained ursus, for the amusement of spectators, curious to see how many canines the latter could tear apart, before itself succumbing to the effects of innumerable wounds. While no analogy is perfect, it is difficult to shake the impression that something

True and False Equity

“In the beginning, God created heaven, and earth” (Genesis 1:1). Shortly thereafter, Satan fell from heaven, and led the inhabitants of earth astray. Both of the Devil’s sins—refusing to serve the Lord, and recruiting others into his rebellious ranks—are rooted in an appeal to what contemporary culture falsely calls “equity”—a squishy concept by which puerile

Holy Justice

A major section of Saint Catherine of Sienna’s Dialogues addresses the widespread corruption afflicting the Holy Catholic Church, then (as now). The root cause of such corruption is, of course, personal, as is the case with the saintly governance practiced by those ministers who have been true to their divine calling. As for the saints:

Holy Cheek

But I say to you not to resist evil: but if one strike thee on thy right cheek, turn to him also the other. Matthew 5:39 What does it mean to turn the other cheek? The wag in me would like to insist that, when insulted, we should respond with all the cheek we can

Uncritical Critics

I’ll never forget my first encounter with “critical race theory,” or the sickening sensation it produced in my soul. I was sitting in the faculty lounge, before or after a meeting whose practical purpose was characteristically impossible to pin down. One of my colleagues, a friendly and warm hearted man, disarmingly zealous in the service

That Your Joy May Be Full

Scripture often testifies to the power of prayer. Our Lord himself assures us of this when he couples this command with a promise: “Ask, and you shall receive; that your joy may be full” (Jn. 16:24). Echoing his Master, St. James reminds us that “the continual prayer of a just man avails much” (Js. 5:16).

Obtaining Mercy

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7 As Fr. Kirby notes, “many contemporary views falsely define mercy as a clean slate without accountability or consequences.” Were this true, mercy would constitute a violation of justice, and one or the other would cease being a virtue. Since justice and mercy are in

Hungering for Holiness

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill. Matthew 5:6 In classical philosophy, and in sacred scripture, justice is more (but never less!) than giving to each his due. Or rather, justice looks beyond what is owed in a mundane reckoning. Since every being, consciously or unconsciously, seeks

Our Lifelong Friend

The bridegroom came: and they that were ready, went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut. But at last came also the other virgins, saying: Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answering said: Amen I say to you, I know you not. Matthew 25: 10-12 A fundamental fact of eternal

Thankworthy Suffering

Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear, Not only to the good and gentle, But also to the perverse. For this is thankworthy: If for conscience toward God, A man endure sorrows, suffering wrongfully. 1 Peter 2:17-19 St. Peter’s teaching that those