Virtus In Medio Stat

The power of understanding compels me Laurence Gonzaga Very rarely do I have conversations on a truly theological or philosophical nature. I think in the last several years I can probably count on one hand how many times I have found myself in an intensely challenging discussion on some of the most troubling beliefs that I hold dear to my heart. One was with an agnostic, the other was with a former Protestant convert to Catholicism, and the third was just a few hours ago with an old friend whom I seldom converse with anymore. The predominant topics which I have engaged with them on are predictable, the existence of God and its implications, the theologically compelling superiority of the Catholic tradition over and above the Protestant tradition, and lastly how God accomplishes his plan throughout history. For my agnostic friend, and even though we have really only had a handful of real conversations, I consider him a true friend. He was in fact the first person to con...

I believe By Laurence Gonzaga It has been about eleven years since I took the “leap” back towards the faith of my upbringing, and about ten years since I came back to Catholicism in particular. It has been quite a journey, filled with a few detours, as well as much that was lacking in the way of what can be called “purity of intention”, as a friend recently phrased it. I recently wrote a piece called, “ The idolatry of worshiping God ” , which had mostly good responses, and a few appreciated critiques. I will be more careful moving forward when I disseminate my writing. Sometimes it is hard to distinguish my theological/apologetical pieces versus what can be called “theological reflection”, also known as “opinion”. After all, my undeserved positive reputation from days gone by precedes me. That piece had to do with the same topic as this one, that is, the first words of the first article of the apostle’s creed, “I believe”. It’s amazing how theologically and practically...

The idolatry of worshiping God Laurence Gonzaga A few weeks ago I had pulled into a local parking lot during my lunch break from work and a song came on the local Christian radio station. It was by no means appropriate for any kind of liturgical service, but one thing I will credit the Protestants for is that they know how to make music that touches the heart, not because of its technical or aesthetic beauty, but because it resonates with the challenges that modern Christians may face today. In that sense, it may only have transitory value, as opposed to a Mozart or Palestrina piece, but it serves a purpose. Considering the personal challenges I have been facing as of late, listening to the song and its lyrics drove me to tears; in fact, it was even a full blown sob, begging God for direction and clarity for my life. The lyrics for this song can be read here . This evening I had a wonderful conversation with a friend. We spoke about many things, not the least of which has be...

  and coming to his hometown he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, "Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works ? Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?" And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household ." And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.  (Matthew 13:54-58 ESV) Do you ever wonder why your witness tends to be better received among those who know you the least? Of course this is not always the case. Not everyone can be a Scott Hahn right? However, in my observation, of my own life and the lives of others, I have found folks with rather powerful messages. Often times they are very popular figures, champions of truth ev...

nolite iugum ducere cum infidelibus quae enim participatio iustitiae cum iniquitate aut quae societas luci ad tenebras – II Cor 6.14 This is something I have been struggling with for some time. In the height of my traditionalism I had avoided watching all television, stopped wearing jeans and t-shirts, and stopped listening to popular music. When I began to reject some social aspects of traditionalism I started watching television, popular movies and music again. The jeans and t-shirts came back and a lot of the rest. But, I have noticed since then that when I do encounter some of the more worldly and perverse aspects of the popular media and culture, I still have this disturbing response to them. The first obvious response I noticed was when I had watched the film SAW III. I remember I was not a believer when the first film came out. I was not disgusted by the scenes of torturous murder in there. I later figured it out; I was so desensitized from years of violence in popular films....

  Alios salvos fecit, seipsum non potest salvum facere. – St. Mark 15:31 This year will mark the ninth year since I had come back from my short time in atheism and agnosticism, back to belief, to Christianity, in its most ancient form (arguably), Catholic-Christianity. In my years as an atheist I had put out much effort to attack the treasured beliefs of the church, visiting campus Bible studies, wearing offensive anti-Christian t-shirts, and attacking the Bible in a debate against capital punishment. As a non-denominational Christian I vehemently opposed the pagan accretions which infected the Roman Church throughout the centuries. I tried to convert friends and family out of the Popish Church . Coming back home to that very Church, I attacked the atheists, agnostics, Protestants, Orthodox, the defenders of same-sex marriage, etc. Many folks who have since become my good friends were attracted to this passionate defense of the Church and Her teachings and vehement offense ag...

The best way of living charity lies in generously outstripping the demands made on us by justice. Such charity will generally go unnoticed, but it is very fruitful in heaven and indeed also on earth. It would be a mistake to think that when expressions such as 'the happy mean' or 'a just mean' are used regarding the moral virtues, they imply mediocrity, or somehow aiming at doing half of what we could do. The mean we are asked to aim at lies midway between excess and defect, and is in fact a summit, a peak: the best course of action, as indicated to us by prudence. Though when it comes to the theological virtues, there is no middle course. We cannot believe, or hope, or love too much. We are called to love God without limit, with a love that overflows to those around us in an abundance of generosity, understanding and charity.    ~ Josemaria Escriva, Friends of God, #83 Years ago when I was a catechist and fresh from my reversion back to the faith at the ripe ...

My first post on this blog was titled “ Away from tradism ”. It was intended to be a mild public statement of where I was at the time when that piece was written. Though even after re-reading it numerous times, I still believe it to be a rather sterile assessment of what I believed was lacking in the community with which I had once thought I felt was my home, theologically, socially, ecclesially, etc. I had numerous private discussions with certain individuals since then, which seemed to paint a picture of me as a churchy social drifter, one who does not take firm stands anymore, prideful, a judger, you name it. Those who have known me the longest since my reversion to the faith in 2002, you know who you are, can give testament to the minor changes I have gone through theologically. However, the social communities with which I attached myself to was a process. I wanted to find where my tendencies fit. In many ways, this is sort of like Protestantism. You have certain affinities, and yo...

Written: December 21, 2009 Mat 13:3-8, 19-23   And he spoke to them many things in parables, saying: Behold the sower went forth to sow.  (4)  And whilst he soweth some fell by the way side, and the birds of the air came and ate them up.  (5)  And other some fell upon stony ground, where they had not much earth: and they sprung up immediately, because they had no deepness of earth.  (6)  And when the sun was up they were scorched: and because they had not root, they withered away.  (7)  And others fell among thorns: and the thorns grew up and choked them.  (8)  And others fell upon good ground: and they brought forth fruit, some an hundred fold, some sixty fold, and some thirty fold. (19)  When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, there cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart: this is he that received the seed by the way side.  (20)  And he that receiv...

By Laurence G. May 7, 2011 I don’t watch many films in the theatres. One reason is the expense; another reason is, well, it’s mostly the expense. The last few films I have seen were rather emotional. This film was no exception. I think taking a step back, most folks who watch this film will be inspired by the heroic virtues of the protagonist, Josemaria Escriva and the, arguably heroic and unexpected decisions made by the antagonist Manolo. What had a significant impact on me, beyond perhaps what the film would naturally elicit, is the fact that this film depicts, perhaps a little bit of truth and a little bit of fantasy, of the life of the founder of the international group Opus Dei (The Work of God), St. Josemaria Escriva. Having been introduced many years ago as an undergraduate to the spirituality and life philosophy of the teachings of Josemaria Escriva, as well as having read his writings, and accounts of the early days of The Work, it was a delightful treat to see some of the...

[24] Know you not that they that run in the race, all run indeed, but one receiveth the prize? So run that you may obtain. [25] And every one that striveth for the mastery, refraineth himself from all things: and they indeed that they may receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible one. [26] I therefore so run, not as at an uncertainty: I so fight, not as one beating the air: [27] But I chastisemy body, and bring it into subjection: lest perhaps, when I have preached to others, I myself should become a castaway. ~ First Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians, Chapter 9 I think that most folks who have read this passage will conclude that it is referring to a man who is running a race, and is favored by God, and if he cooperates with His grace, will win the race. He is compared to others who perhaps being called by God, given all the opportunities, but either they want to win by the power of their own steam or are distracted by more earthly rewards rather than heavenly. I ...

Written for Facebook, July 24, 2010 A few months ago there were two lessons I learned within a few days of each other. I had intended to write about them right away because they were quite powerful lessons, but this is my first opportunity. Ever since coming back to the church close to seven years ago, I had come to discover that while there is a unity that exists in the Church ecclesiologically, there are variations in terms of expressions of that same Catholic faith. For certain groups, I have in the past developed a repertoire of jokes about their particular kind of spirituality, mocked it, and laughed at it. There would be times where I would conclude that these individuals were in it for the “me-centeredness” of it. They had a craving for attention and being “special”. Ironically, these were the same charges thrown at some brands of “conservatives” who would engage in non-normative postures at the Ordinary Form, such as kneeling for communion. Now, I try my best to assist at...

Today (Oct 5, 2010), I was listening to Air 1, a non-denominational Christian radio station, on my way back home from San Francisco. I am not exactly too keen on the music, but it's better than most secular music. In between some songs there are inspirational messages. One of them was from a band telling the story of a girl who was about to commit suicide. She heard one of their songs on the radio, and stopped by the Best Buy store to pick up their album. She didn't end up commiting suicide, turned her life around and lives for God now.   Now, I am not a relativist, an indifferentist, a universalist, or a modernist (my trad friends may beg to defer). However, I have found there has been much said against our Protestant brethren in the Christian faith. I know, much of it was from my own mouth. Granted, their ecclesial communities  lack in many ways, the full Christian faith. But, in our bitter sentiments towards their continued rejection of Catholic-Christianity, mi...

Don’t worry about it, just do it! Laurence G. respicite volatilia caeli quoniam non serunt neque metunt neque congregant in horrea et Pater vester caelestis pascit illa nonne vos magis pluris estis illis (Mt. 6.26) I came to this Opus Dei retreat with many concerns and many worries. There exist many questions I have been anxious about for many months now. These questions were not even remotely on my mind when I went on this same retreat last year. In fact, with regard to the talks which pertained to the topic of marriage, I think there was a part of me that “tuned out” last year as it clearly was not relevant to me, or so I thought. I seem to recall that it may have even made me uncomfortable. But for those who have been following the ongoing soap opera that has been my life in the last few years, will know that that has changed in the last year or so. I won’t reiterate what I have already written in so many words. Suffice it to say that sometimes it takes only one person or one eve...