When asked “what is objective beauty? How do we measure it? How can I tell if something is beautiful or not?” It can be hard to give a concrete answerWhen asked “what is objective beauty? How do we measure it? How can I tell if something is beautiful or not?” It can be hard to give a concrete answer. It’s a thing that is just perceived by a well-formed soul. I have my deficiencies in that. I find most poetry and classical music, things that are no doubt objectively beautiful, to be dull.
Pieper answers this question in great detail. We must cultivate the ability to see—truly see. Cutting things out like TV and social media can go a long way in getting us there. Then we must look for things that are the fruit of contemplation. Was this song written to contemplate life and its mysteries? Not beautiful if it wasn’t. Fun does not equal beautiful either. I know this first hand. I like many songs that are “fun”, but are about ugly things, like fornication or recreational drug use.
If you struggle to identify what makes a beautiful thing beautiful, or how you can better enjoy beauty, pick up this book....more
This book was excellent. Completely changed how I view language and its popular usage. I highly recommend this book.
The key takeaway is that language This book was excellent. Completely changed how I view language and its popular usage. I highly recommend this book.
The key takeaway is that language must reflect reality. Lies are a perversion of language and thus not truly language. Flattery is an abuse of power and its many forms are sneaky in society and include advertisements and the entertainment industry. Above all, if we want to live the "good life" we must seek after the truth ceaselessly....more
Exceptional work of political philosophy. Puts forth, in my opinion, a well reasoned, Thomistic solution to liberalism without falling trap to the danExceptional work of political philosophy. Puts forth, in my opinion, a well reasoned, Thomistic solution to liberalism without falling trap to the dangerous ideas of integralism. Exactly what I was looking for in an evaluation of political philosophy that jives with Catholicism....more
This book so clearly influences on of my favorites (written ~20 years after this was published), “Silence” by Shusaku Endo. Greene’s influence over EnThis book so clearly influences on of my favorites (written ~20 years after this was published), “Silence” by Shusaku Endo. Greene’s influence over Endo’s novel is clear.
The story follows an unnamed priest in Mexico during the Cristero War and he is the last priest in the province. Greene paints vivid cinematic pictures of the setting to where you can see the movie playing in your head. His whisky priest is at once depraved and sinful yet he doesn’t give himself credit for the work he does and the sacrifice he makes. This made me reflect on how blessed we are to have access to the Sacraments, especially to confession, and how God draws straight with crooked lines. This is one of the best novels I’ve read in a while....more
This book, compiled by the folks over at Word on Fire, is an excellent guide into Catholic Social Teaching. The first part and majority of the book isThis book, compiled by the folks over at Word on Fire, is an excellent guide into Catholic Social Teaching. The first part and majority of the book is composed of a collection of full and excerpts from various Papal Encyclicals on the duty of the Catholic to society or to what ends a society must be ordered.
Starting with the Pope's condemnation of slavery and abuse of the indigenous peoples in the 1500s, stopping at "Rerum Novarum," and ending with Pope Francis's "Laudato Si," it provides a great collection of in-depth thought on why Catholics must at once fight for a culture of life against the evils of abortion, contraception, poverty, ecological abuses, etc.
For the Catholic political seeker, this book will prove to you that no party in the United States can truly appeal to the Catholic worldview in its current state. It also shows that the Church as the Body of Christ has much work to do to bring about a truly Christian society built upon the love of God and neighbor....more
Really an excellent book and great rebuttal to the self-help and "practical tips" culture we find ourselves in. We always want the quick fix and the sReally an excellent book and great rebuttal to the self-help and "practical tips" culture we find ourselves in. We always want the quick fix and the step-by-step guide to how to live the Christian life, but really we should just focus on seeing the ways in which God makes Himself present in our lives and act in response to how Christ calls us to act.
While this sounds abstract, it is quite clear in practice. That doesn't mean we have a direct line to God, a red phone that rings and He gives us direct instruction, but it simply means that we remain aware of His presence in our moment-to-moment existence, responding to His will as it is revealed through those things and fleeing from sin and into the loving and forgiving arms of Jesus.
I am not good at following through on all of this, but this is a book that was certainly motivating for me to reinvigorate my prayer life and I will be revisiting it in the future. I highly recommend it for spiritual reading....more
**spoiler alert** This may be one of the saddest books I have ever read. The apostasy of Fr. Rodrigues is one of the most upsetting things I had to re**spoiler alert** This may be one of the saddest books I have ever read. The apostasy of Fr. Rodrigues is one of the most upsetting things I had to read. Like Fr. Rodrigues had felt towards Ferreira earlier in the story, I felt angry at him, but ultimately I felt sorry for his fall into apostasy.
If there was ever a doubt that the Enemy prowls about like a roaring lion seeking souls to devour, this book should assuage you of that doubt in short order. Satan was whispering doubts and lies into the ear of Rodrigues straight up until he trampled the holy image of the Lord.
I don't know what I would have done if I were in Rodrigues's shoes. I hope that I would be a martyr, but considering that martyrdom can be considered a miracle towards canonization in and of itself, I do not know. All I know is that every day of my life I must trust in God. I pray that I am never faced with the horrors that these Japanese Christians had to face in this very real era of history.
Rodrigues had a sad ending, resigned to his apostasy and resigned to his sin. He rightly understood that Christ still loved him after his apostasy, but he never seemed fully repentant, assisting the Japanese in further persecuting Christians. This is the portion that upset me more than anything. When we sin, it is our duty to get back up, because we will all sin, and we must persevere through the temptation and failures. Rodrigues's resignation was disheartening and was the most upsetting part of the whole story.
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil; May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; And do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen....more
Pieper masterfully outlines what Leisure is and what it is not. Leisure is not idleness (think watching TV or scrolling Twitter). Leisure is worship. Pieper masterfully outlines what Leisure is and what it is not. Leisure is not idleness (think watching TV or scrolling Twitter). Leisure is worship. To worship is to fully live. He asks the question: Do we live to work or work to live? For many in our liberal society, the answer is "live to work." We must restore worship as the primary focus of life and reject this idea that the workaday world makes the man. Work and labor is important, but it is far less than meaningful time spent with family and friends in pursuit of the highest Good: God....more
There is a reason that this is still a widely read classic 1700 years after it was written. St. Augustine speaks profoundly into the human experience There is a reason that this is still a widely read classic 1700 years after it was written. St. Augustine speaks profoundly into the human experience and our relationship with God. He is also profoundly and explicitly Catholic, which was surprising considering the amount of Protestants that I know who adore this book.
I will read and reread this book over and over for the remainder of my life, especially the last four chapters.
The book is divided into two sections. The first nine chapters are the memoir portion and the last four chapters are philosophy and theology. The last four chapters are so dense that I feel the need to go back through them with a notebook and write down what St. Augustine is saying as I read through. It is incredibly dense with information.
The memoir section, however, is the portion I enjoyed the most. I feel that the most spiritual benefit comes from the reading of the memoir because it is far more accessible than the philosophy later on.
Ultimately a wonderful experience and a joy to read. A challenging one, for sure; but incredibly enriching as well....more
Upon my second reading, I have affirmed that this is my favorite work of fiction of all time. It's not overly complex. It's just a simple Hero's JournUpon my second reading, I have affirmed that this is my favorite work of fiction of all time. It's not overly complex. It's just a simple Hero's Journey. Tolkien is such a gifted writer that, in its simplicity, the world comes alive and you find yourself feeling quite nostalgic for the story by the end.
I first read this in middle school when the movies were first being released. I loved it then and I love it now. The fact that Tolkien can write in a way that a child and an adult can read the same story and feel the same enjoyment out of it is truly remarkable.
A classic for the ages, I cannot reccomend "The Hobbit" enough....more
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