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...

Crossing the Christian’s Boundaries By Laurence Gonzaga Hi Laurence - Had a question for you--- I have been reading a book on dealing with a loved with a mental health condition, and one of the things it talks about is the importance of boundaries -- to my uneducated mind on matters of psychology, i see there being a conflict with setting boundaries and that of basically Christ's all and totally giving example -- giving to the point of death. Do you have insights on how one may and must set appropriate boundaries on their relationships with people that does not necessarily set aside the example of Christ, or efforts to say, heroic virtue of serving another. [My only guess is that, when dealing with some people, by giving so much of oneself that it enables a person, and in no way helps them with their redemption or self improvement, etc...]. Appreciate if you can offer a few words of insight, I know you've studied psychology and theology so you could help me understand how t...

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...

Some months ago I was directed to a viral video making its way through the social networking universes, titled Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus ( http://youtu.be/1IAhDGYlpqY ). It was a Christian attack on “religion”, or at least, how the author portrays religion. I have to say, what makes his message so appealing, is the means by which it is packaged. Like it or not, we live in the modern world. Like it or not, the folks that need the Gospel message the most are not those who are already “well”, that is, those who already know Jesus and His message, but those that don’t, and perhaps don’t even want to hear it (Luke 5:31-32). I think this guy speaks a language or dialect if you wish that most Christians probably can’t or refuse to speak. It is in a similar sense that I think the Holy Ghost gave the apostles gifts of tongues to be able to preach the Gospel to others in their own languages (Acts 2:6). Some may argue it is “dumbing” it down; some will say it is taking sacred thing...

"High Fashion" http://www.forbes.com/sites/forbeslifestyle/2012/03/26/why-adults-should-ditch-the-shorts-wear-suits/ The piece above is a perfect compliment to what I had just posted yesterday. This will be a reflection on choice of attire. Like I had said previously, there was a time when I had rejected my jeans and t-shirts. I had fallen in love with the principles that I had learned from the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP). Good ideas, at the time. When I was in high school, my old friends and acquaintances can confirm that I went to public high school wearing slacks, button up long sleeves, and ties. I even carried around a brief case rather than a backback. It was a style I was attracted to at the time. I don't know if it helped me with my grades, as I was not the stellar student then. But, after leaving much of what can be described socially as "traditionalism", the jeans and t-shirts came back. I was comforta...

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....

For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the prudence of the prudent I will reject. Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputant of this world? 1 Corinthians 1 I was never one to be referred to as a studious teenager. I had average grades. I failed a geography class. I didnt take school very seriously, and I was on the senior fail list. I almost didnt graduate on time. I did grow to love algebra, trig, pre calc, and physics, however. When I went to college, I fell in love with philosophy, and certain aspects of psychology. When, I became a Christian again, I fell in love with God, theology, apologetics, and debates. The depth of my knowledge of Church teachings really impressed a lot of people. So, I had sort of a following. This phenomena that happens on a larger scale with more impressive men and women, developed in me a sort of prideful boastfulness in my knowledge. Knowledge has the power to bring me to a fuller life, or to condemn me...

The other day I was sitting on a friend’s porch. I had left my watch there when we went running some weeks ago. I wanted to go pick it up before he pawned it for beer money. I had shared with him my recent sense that life seems so mundane as of late. I have a feeling I know what this is, but as of late it just seems like life is just boring or dull. I don’t know, maybe I have just fell into routine. My friend would respond with lofty theological truths. I thought it was amusing. Now I know what it feels like to hear it. I quickly joked, “Wow, you’re just full of life lessons and clichés, aren’t you?” I think he is right, however. We get bored sometimes with life, because it is a hint that there is more, beyond this life. He quoted Fulton Sheen on this. Of course this is true. But in further reflection, I would add to it, that there is more to life than what has already happened, and what is happening presently. I would say the danger of just accepting the hum drum norm, is that we ma...

[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 ...

A few years ago I took some courses as an undergrad relating to the arts, and the various philosophies which dovetailed with the arts. I had at that time wrote a term paper for a different course on how church art had changed in the last few decades, abandoning its former understanding of the role that art played in the practice of religion. Since then thoughts on what role the arts play in the development of the human person have only been theoretical and the subject of passing conversations. Today, however, I was introduced to a movement which seems to be becoming viral, in the online world. It is a group that takes the arts out of the concert halls and brings it to ordinary everyday places, where unsuspecting bystanders will be given a treat to opera, jazz, tango, etc. The first video at Macy's was impressive, but the other ones that I viewed were really moving for me. It was the reactions from the people interviewed. No need for theory and sophistry any longer for me, this is...

The beginnings of this new phase en mi vida began less than a year ago. While maintaining the doctrinal, didactic, aesthetic , artistic, theological, symbological , ceremonial, superiority of the extraordinary form of the Roman Mass, compared to the ordinary form (my studied opinion), I had become increasingly dissatisfied with my place in the community/ ies which have come to call themselves "traditionalists". If you are interested in what those concerns are, speak with me; I have shared my concerns with any and all who have asked. Some, may think I have backtracked, backpedaled , or if you are a convert and still have some vestiges of protestantism in you, "backslid", towards my more liberal days. Not so. I just no longer believe in these cookie cutter groups that we are all supposed to fit ourselves into. Every one of them thinks their way is the best way, and everyone else is, protestantized , liberal, conservative, progressive, unbaptized in the spi...