Author Archives: Thomas

I love a good story, a book that maintains dramatic tension across several hundred pages. Recently I came across such a story in an unexpected place.I work with computers, networks and software systems; nevertheless I’d like to know more about … Continue reading →

From this web posting. The Vocation of the Apostles is a fresco by the Italian Renaissance painter Domenico Ghirlandaio, executed in 1481–1482 and located in the Sistine Chapel, Rome. It depicts the Gospel narrative of Jesus Christ calling Peter and Andrew to become his disciples.

Members of the Appalachian Riders for Our Lady are encouraged to introduce themselves as theologians. However, we are theologians in the unique style of our order with our work guided by, in addition to the basic character of our order, … Continue reading →

I’ve listened to, on average, at least one sermon or homily every week for the last forty years. I continue to look forward to: a coherent exposition of the Scriptures, increasing my understanding and actualization of passages with which I … Continue reading →

If one is an atheist, it seems to me one of the major challenges is to counterbalance politics. Unless, of course, one also thinks that everything is politics; however, that way lies madness and no point in trying to argue … Continue reading →

It seems clear that the purpose of synodality is to insert an authoritative structure between Pope and Bishops.  Argument can be made that this is needed due to growth of the Church. However, by inserting a bureaucratic organization between the … Continue reading →

  Saint Francis 1181/1182 – 3 October 1226 St Thomas Aquinas 1225 – 7 March 1274 Dante Alighieri 1265 – 1321 Giotto 1267 – January 8, 1337 Great Famine 1315–1322 Black Plague 1347-1352 Chaucer 1343 – 25 October 1400 St Catherine of Siena 1347-1380 Brunelleschi 1377 … Continue reading →

While I often listen to music for entertainment, I prefer music that helps me think about the human condition, especially in the light of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. For this, Bob Dylan’s honky-tonk gospel is my main … Continue reading →

Hamartiology is not only flagged by most spellcheckers, it is not even included in some recent dictionaries. On the other hand, searching for it via Google is productive. That’s my day’s summary of the world in 2018.  

Throughout Scripture, seems to me that it is the Holy Spirit who uncovers sin. The devil merely accuses.  Moreover, our own experience agrees with this. God’s uncovering of sin prompts us to repent and to seek our Redeemer. It is … Continue reading →

Someone tweeted a quote of Roger Scruton’s “A Political Philosophy”: If you look at Western societies from the angle of traditional religion you will see a seemingly inexorable flood of desecration, directed not at religious symbols, but at the thing … Continue reading →

This short article is a reflection on the field of Information Technology from the perspective of the religious order with which I’m connected.  Information Technology (IT) is defined by programmers and sysadmins, and the management of that talent. The Programmer … Continue reading →

Tony Abbott, MP, former Prime Minister of Australia writes: Even 18 months into his presidency, the world is still having trouble coming to grips with Donald Trump, the most unconventional president ever. Still, he’s not a bad dream from which … Continue reading →

  Day 1 – Morning Prayer 001 |00:00:00| Blessed is the man 002 |00:02:37| Why do the heathen 003 |00:07:04| Lord, how are they increased 004 |00:09:51| Hear me when I call 005 |00:12:35| Ponder my words Day 1 – … Continue reading →

From The Book of Common Prayer (1662 of course) 00:00:00 | Psalm 8 – O Lord our Governour 00:02:32 | Psalm 15 – Lord, who shall dwell in thy tabernacle 00:04:42 | Psalm 19 – The heavens declare the glory … Continue reading →

In the introduction to his book “3:16 Bible Texts Illuminated“, Donald E. Knuth writes: “There are two ways to read the Bible. Method 1: We can read it straight through, for context. By reading at normal speed, we can follow … Continue reading →

From Fr Dwight Longenecker’s article “Help, I’m Sinking in the Quicksand of Scandal‘: … When you stop again and think again, why did you expect anything else, and furthermore, wouldn’t you be suspicious of a church which wasn’t riddled with … Continue reading →