Remember, Remember, the Fifth of November

Today is the day that a British man tried to bring down a corrupt and abusive British governmet by blowing up parliament. It is a day to remember that governments are instituted by the people, for the people, and not for the banks (like Goldman Sachs) or corporate pirates that pillage the government and the people. So, today, tomorrow, and for the rest of your lives, remember the Fifth of November.

A closer look at the religious laws of the time from the BBC and also at the oppression of Catholics in Protestant England, circumstances that all led up to the Jesuits' decision to attempt revolution.





Remember, remember the fifth of November,
The gunpowder treason and plot,
I know of no reason
Why the gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.

Saturday Quote of the Week

When we speak about wisdom, we are speaking of Christ. When we speak about virtue, we are speaking of Christ. When we speak about justice, we are speaking of Christ. When we speak about peace, we are speaking of Christ. When we speak about truth and life and redemption, we are speaking of Christ.

--St. Ambrose of Milan

Truth, Beauty, Goodness

When exhorting the throngs at World Youth Day, Pope Benedict XVI at one point urged the young people to seek truth, goodness and beauty in their lives and in the world.

In the 14th century, in the book "The Life in Christ" by the Byzantine theologian, Nicholas Cabasilas, we rediscover Plato's experience in which the ultimate object of man's longing/poignancy transformed by the new Christian experience, is nameless. Cabasilas says: "When men have a longing so great that it surpasses human nature and eagerly desire and are able to accomplish things beyond human thought, it is the Bridegroom who has smitten them with this longing. It is he who has sent a ray of his beauty into their eyes. The greatness of the wound already shows the arrow which has struck home, the longing indicates who has inflicted the wound" (cf. "The Life in Christ," the Second Book, 15). True knowledge is being struck by the arrow of Beauty that wounds man, moved to apprehend "how it is Christ himself who is present."

A love for Nature, a love for her beauties, a love for art and music and surpassingly lovely architecture, a passion for goodness and truth: what are these but a love of souls? What are these but the yearning of the soul for its Creator and the intuition of the signature of the Author in His "books"? The miracle of an apple blossom, a rose, a water lily ~ its scent, its perfection, the delicate fuzzy tiny heart of the flower, like a soft golden crown ~ such stand as a marker of the right way on the highway to heaven. Veined with light, fragrant and serene, they carpet the pathways of The King.

It is very good that the curent pontiff is encouraging the young people in this.

Wisdom From The Heir Of Peter

From Father Mark's Blog - EWTN

QUOTE The authority of the papacy is exercised in service: service of the Church and service of the truth. Deep down, we crave to be subject to such authority. We want to live our lives according to what is true, good and beautiful. The Pope reminded the young people this evening that in seeking what is true, good and beautiful, we exercise true freedom – a true freedom that leads to happiness and joy.
Young people have a special gift of generosity and hope. They want a cause, something to give their lives for. They have a natural hope for happiness and fulfillment. They witness to the rest of us who may have given up on such ideals.
The Holy Father told the young people tonight,

“Our world has grown weary of greed, exploitation and division, of the tedium of false idols and piecemeal responses, and the pain of false promises. Our hearts and minds are yearning for a vision of life where love endures, where gifts are shared, where unity is built, where freedom finds meaning in truth, and where identity is found in respectful communion. This is the work of the Holy Spirit!” UNQUOTE