Who has taught you to live well?

The Lord sends us out to proclaim his message to the ends of the earth. We are to bring it to those who do not know him personally, on a one-to-one basis, just as the first Christians did with their families, their colleagues and their neighbors. To do this apostolate, we need not resort to strange behavior. And when they see that we live the same life as they do, they will ask us, "Why are you so happy? How do you manage to overcome selfishness and comfort-seeking? Who has taught you to understand others, to live well and to spend yourself in the service of others?" Then we must disclose to them the divine secret of Christian existence. We must speak to them about God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, Mary The time has come for us to use our poor words to communicate the depth of God's love which grace has poured into our souls (Christ is passing by, J. Escriva). ...

We should also consider the fact that the leaven has an effect only when it is in contact with the dough. Without being indistinguishable from the dough, but working from within, the leaven does the work of transformation. The woman not only inserts the leaven, but she also kneads it into the mass and hides its presence. In like manner, you have to mix in with other people and become identified with them... Just as the leaven is hidden but does not disappear, so, little by little, all of the mass is transformed to the proper degree (St. John Chrysostom, Homilies on St. Matthew's Gospel). Only in the middle of the world can we bring all things to be renewed by God. it is for this task that we have been called by divine vocation.

Francis Fernandez,

In Conversation with God

Volume Four: Ordinary Time: Weeks 13-23

Woman Seated

Woman seated, Gaston Lachaise

I tend to think of the Amon Carter Museum as having mostly western art, especially since it originally was built around Carter's Remington collection of paintings and sculpture. It's always a pleasure to be reminded that there is a lot of other art ranging through America's history and with some playful modern pieces like this one. I feel as if it should really be titled "Woman with attitude."

Dorothy and Jack: The Transforming Friendship of Dorothy L. Sayers and C.S. Lewis by Gina Dalfonzo

In each of my friends there is something that only some other friend can fully bring out.— C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves

I remember being surprised and interested to learn that Dorothy Sayers and C.S. Lewis were friends who exchanged comments about writing and many other things in their acquaintance. I was intrigued by the idea of what the famous mystery writer and a famous Inkling had to discuss. That's because, while I knew a lot about C.S. Lewis's life, I knew only the basics about Dorothy Sayers. I'd forgotten that when she'd taken the Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries as far as she felt she could, Sayers turned to writing theological books and plays, translating Dante, and in general serving her Christian faith. So, of course, she and Lewis were on the same path.

This book does a good job of tracking their friendship, what it meant to each of them, and how they supported and critiqued each other's work. It also does a good job of giving brief but comprehensive biographies for each, so I learned a lot more about Sayers' life. And, in the context of that friendship, it helped me see C.S. Lewis more clearly.

There is an emphasis throughout holding up Sayers' and Lewis's friendship as an ideal proving that men and women can be friends without succumbing to sexual attraction. The idea that my friendship with a man would lead to us automatically flinging ourselves into each other's arms was a very strange idea to me. I understand prudently keeping an eye on anything that might strike a spark. It is a very rare circumstance in my experience. I actually tend to have as many male as female friends. However, I discovered it is evidently a well known assumption in some Evangelical circles. So much so that you should've seen the Facebook page for the book launch light up with passionate (haha) arguments about the book promoting incorrect ideas. It doesn't detract from the book overall but it is an odd thread woven throughout. And I suppose if this is a thing you care about, then this book will be of extra interest.

All things considered, I enjoyed filling in the story of these strong-minded but mutually respectful famous friends. Their friendship is the sort that I have with a few people myself and I liked reading it.

If You Can Get It by Brendan Hodge

Jen Nilsson has an MBA, a nice condo, and a fast-track Silicon Valley job. Then her sister, Katie blows through the front door, dumping cardboard boxes and drama onto Jen’s just-swept floor.

Maybe Jen can turn aimless Katie into a model adult. But when her own life hurtles off the tracks, Jen turns to Katie for support and begins to reassess the place of family, and love, in her life.

I couldn't put this book down, which is really surprising when you consider it is the sort of story that I usually avoid (2 sisters making their way in the modern world today).

These sisters are polar opposites who are 10 years apart, so there is a generation gap also. We follow Jen through career crises which shake her confidence in herself. Her experience in China made me laugh. I can easily believe the scenario is true to life. I really liked all the business experiences — they were well explained and I was on board. Meanwhile, Katie plays X-box all day until told to get a job. Which she breezily does at a Starbucks. I liked watching Katie find her levels of competence, none of which had to do with a job in the business world.

The parents are no help. They recently found deep faith and are creeping the girls out with their holier-than-thou-ness and convenient lack of memory about early parenting failures. (I especially enjoyed that reminder for us faithful in the completely secular world. As Blaise Pascal said, "One must have deeper motives and judge everything accordingly, but go on talking like an ordinary person.")

The publisher compares Jen and Katie to the sisters in Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility. (I'd say the book is more like Emma, actually, considering Jen's journey from having the perfect life to realizing others might have more on the ball than she thought.)

Thinking of that helped me see why I liked this book. Jane Austen talked about normal, ordinary life with regular people who were out of money, had lost their boyfriends, had silly parents, and who thought they were in control of their lives. This book is the same sort of story. It is not Jane Austen to be sure. But it doesn't try to be. In some senses it reminds me of the gentle novels by Elizabeth Caddell or Enchanted April or Miss Buncle's Book. Although it is not those novels either. They are hard to categorize and so is the appeal of this one.

Author Brendan Hodge is weaving threads of providence, faith, and how to best live a fulfilling life. Those things are often found in domesticity, the work-a-day world, and family. This story does that very well.

Definitely recommended.

Christ and the Woman of Samaria

Christ and the Woman of Samaria, c. 1619-20
Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri)

Tom and I took a day trip to Fort Worth last Saturday. We went to the Kimball Museum and the Amon Carter Museum. Both were free and it was lovely to be able to wander around on a long date, albeit with masks most of the time.

Standing face to face with this large painting, I was captured by the expressions. I'm familiar with the story but hadn't ever imagined it, hadn't thought at all about the mood of the conversation. Here we see the woman drinking in Christ's words with an open, intelligent expression. She's captivated. Her face is in the dark but the light is creeping over it slowly as she begins to understand. Christ has a thoughtful, tender look and you feel his gentle sincerity. Of course, his face is in the light.

The flavor of scripture

To get the full flavor of an herb, it must be pressed between the fingers, so it is the same with the Scriptures; the more familiar they become, the more they reveal their hidden treasures and yield their indescribable riches.

Saint John Chrysostom

The Art Critics

The Art Critics by Michael Ancher
via Gandalf's Gallery

Second Hand Booksellers

Second Hand Booksellers, Spring by T. F. Šimon

Mr. Pancks, whose resources seemed equal to any emergency...

I am always fascinated by how sharply Charles Dickens can draw minor characters. Mr. Pancks is one of my favorites from Little Dorrit. He is immensely practical and I really love the way he handles Mr. F's Aunt in this scene. She obviously has some form of senile dementia and he is completely unflustered while surprising the reader (or at least me) with his solution.

“Therefore Flora said, though still not without a certain boastfulness and triumph in her legacy, that Mr F.'s Aunt was 'very lively to-day, and she thought they had better go.' But Mr F.'s Aunt proved so lively as to take the suggestion in unexpected dudgeon and declare that she would not go; adding, with several injurious expressions, that if 'He'--too evidently meaning Clennam--wanted to get rid of her, 'let him chuck her out of winder;' and urgently expressing her desire to see 'Him' perform that ceremony.

In this dilemma, Mr Pancks, whose resources appeared equal to any emergency in the Patriarchal waters, slipped on his hat, slipped out at the counting-house door, and slipped in again a moment afterwards with an artificial freshness upon him, as if he had been in the country for some weeks. 'Why, bless my heart, ma'am!' said Mr Pancks, rubbing up his hair in great astonishment, 'is that you?

How do you do, ma'am? You are looking charming to-day! I am delighted to see you. Favour me with your arm, ma'am; we'll have a little walk together, you and me, if you'll honour me with your company.' And so escorted Mr F.'s Aunt down the private staircase of the counting-house with great gallantry and success.

Charles Dickens, Little Dorrit

Gospel of Matthew: The Irony of the Pharisees' Decision

Matthew 12:14

This is a familiar story for us. In the temple, on the sabbath, the Pharisees ask Jesus, "Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath?" There was a man with a withered hand in the synagogue and after responding to them with a question, Jesus heals the man. The Pharisees then resolve to put Jesus to death. Perhaps because this is so very familiar, I never caught the irony that George Martin points out below.

Christ healing the man with a withered hand, Byzantine mosaic.

Matthew does recount the reaction of those who had questioned Jesus about healing on the Sabbath. But the Pharisees went our and took counsel against him to put him to death. The phrase, "put him to death" could also be translated, "destroy him." By doing good and showing mercy on the Sabbath, Jesus has put his own life in danger. This is the first notice in Matthew's gospel that Jesus has mortal enemies. It is deeply ironic that those who consider healing a violation of the Sabbath then hatch deadly plans on the Sabbath. ...

Quote is from Bringing the Gospel of Matthew to Life by George Martin. This series first ran in 2008. I'm refreshing it as I go.

City News and Coney Island Diner

Neon signs, Mansfield, Ohio - City News and Coney Island Diner
Photographer: Brian Butko, Creative Commons License, some rights reserved

I love these old neon signs.

Independence

From my quote journal. This works no matter what the source, but it had extra resonance when I read it in The Last Monk of Tibhirine.

Independence is not freedom.

Elisabeth Lafourcade

Listen Up: Morning Glory

Gloria Purvis, Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers, Msgr. Charles Pope, Fr. Bjorn Lundberg, Fr. Vincent De Rosa are talking about everything important to today's Catholic: Prayer, Life, the Church, Family, and the Culture.

This is essentially an hour-long Catholic morning show, hosted by Gloria Purvis and Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers. There is always a third person joining them, usually a priest. They will discuss a current news topic including things like statues being removed, Black Lives Matter protests, and the Supreme Court decision for the Little Sisters of the Poor. Sometimes the current topic is not specifically tied to a headline, such as discussions about food deserts, authentic feminism, or Catholic responses to immigration.

They also will have brief psalm readings to open each half hour (the show is an hour long) and talk about Catholic stuff like devotions to help Monday morning back-to-work stress, how to talk to fallen away friends about the faith, or why nuns wear habits. Often there is a "saint of the day" discussion and they are good about tying them into real life issues or that day's topics. It is a really nice blend and I enjoy the hosts, who are very personable.

I first heard of Morning Glory via an editorial at Our Sunday Visitor after the show was dropped by a major Catholic radio network for being "uncomfortable to listen to." I'd never heard of the show and even if I had this wasn't one I would have tried. I don't love morning shows, news talk, or Catholic talk shows and I don't have a lot of listening time. I mean, how am I going to fit in Rachel Watches Star Trek if I spend all my time listening to EWTN? Priorities, people!

However, I was intrigued by an EWTN show that was so topical (and controversial?) that it was dropped like a hot potato. So I tried an episode about statues being removed. And was pleasantly surprised by the nuanced response, the informed give-and-take of the discussion, and the Catholic take on everything. I might not always agree in the details with someone's take but for the big picture, I was in agreement. They also don't talk everything to death. There is just enough coverage to give food for thought and then they're on to something different.

So I tried another. And then another. With each show my liking grew. I may not keep up with each and every day's show, but there is always a Morning Glory on my iPod for easy access.

Their website is here. It's available as a daily podcast through iTunes or various podcast providers.

Go Away - in hard language

How do you tell a man to go away in hard language? Scram, beat it, take off, take the air, on your way, dangle, hit the road, and so forth. All good enough. But give me the classic expression actually used by Spike O'Donnell (of the O'Donnell brothers of Chicago, the only small outfit to tell the Capone mob to go to hell and live). What he said was: "Be missing." The restraint of it is deadly.

Raymond Chandler in a letter to his British publisher

Rivals

Henry Woods - Rivals [1891]
Via Gandalf's Gallery

This makes me laugh at myself. The young man in the painting is smoking. However, to my modern eyes it looks for all the world as if he is on a smartphone.

Rouen Cathedral series

Claude Monet did a famous series painting the facade of the Rouen Cathedral studying the changes that time of day and light make to appearance. I love these. See more images and read more here.

What is an apostle really?

What is an apostle really? ... It is difficult even to consider them "great religious personalities," if by this we mean bearers of inherent spiritual talents. John and Paul were probably exceptions, but we only risk misunderstanding them both by overstating this. On the whole, we do the apostle no service by considering him a great religious personality. This attitude is usually the beginning of unbelief. Personal importance, spiritual creativeness, dynamic faith are not decisive in his life. What counts is that Jesus Christ has called him, pressed his seal upon him, and sent him forth. ... It is not he who speaks, but Christ in him.

Romano Guardini, The Lord

Corn Off the Cob

When you suddenly realize your one big pot is being used for something else, what do you do with corn on the cob? You take it off the cob and remember that fresh corn is another thing which frozen cannot substitute for.

Get it at Meanwhile, Back in the Kitchen.

Marguerite

Marguerite (1878) by Hugues Merle
Via Books and Art

You don't have to feel sorry to be sorry.

Sincere sorrow for sin does not necessarily require having to feel sorry. Just like love, sorrow is an act of the will, not a feeling. And in the same way as one can love God deeply without any emotional reaction, one can also be truly sorry for sin without experiencing anything sentimental. Real sorrow is seen principally in the way one unhesitatingly avoids all occasions of offending God and is ready to do specific acts of penance for any infidelities committed. These are the things to help us atone for the punishment our sins deserve, to overcome bad inclinations, and to strengthen us in doing good.

What are the acts of penance that are pleasing to God? they are: prayer, fasting, almsgiving, small mortifications, putting up patiently with the disappointments and difficulties of life, being ready to accept the monotonous aspects of our job and the tiredness that is part and parcel of work. In particular, we should always be ready and eager to go to Confession well, truly sorry for our faults and sins.

Francis Fernandez, In Conversation with God,

Vol. 4, Ordinary Time: Weeks 13-23