Today we honor Saint Timothy (died 97) and Saint Titus (died c. 96), Bishops. (more…)
Daily Update: January 25, 2012
Today is the Feast of the Conversion of Paul, Apostle. Today also is the Eighth and Final Day of the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, with the overall theme for 2012 is “We will all be changed by the Victory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (cf. 1 Cor 15:51-58); for today, we highlight United in the Reign of Christ, And today is the birthday of our former friend Tim here in town, who has alienated himself from everyone in town (1956). (more…)
By the Sword: A History of Gladiators, Musketeers, Samurai, Swashbucklers, and Olympic Champions by Richard Cohen
This is a marvelous book about fencing by Richard Cohen, a British fencer who competed at three Olympic Games. He goes into just about everything that is possible to discuss about fencing, which has always been a sport that has fascinated me. This history goes into dueling, history, world figures, swords in literature, the stage, and movies, the making of swords – just about the only thing not included is the swordplay in the Kill Bill movies, which came out after the 2002 publication date of this book. (Alas.) (more…)
Daily Update: January 24, 2012
Today we honor Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor (died 1622). And today is the Seventh Day of the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, with the overall theme for 2012 is “We will all be changed by the Victory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (cf. 1 Cor 15:51-58); for today, we highlight Changed by the Good Shepherd. (more…)
The Aryan Jesus: Christian Theologians and the Bible in Nazi Germany by Susannah Heschel
I had always understood that during the time when the Nazis were in control of Germany the Christian Churches were lonely bastions of sanity, defending human rights against the evil Nazis and only accommodating to the Nazis insofar as was absolutely necessary for the survival of the Churches. This very scholarly book tells a very different story, and I am very glad I read it, although, since the book reads very much like a thesis, it is not at all a book for the popular press. (more…)
Daily Update: January 23, 2012
Happy New Year! Today is the First Day of the First Month of the Chinese lunar calendar, so today begins the Year of the Dragon. We also honor Blessed Marianne Cope, Virgin and Religious (died 1918). Today is the Sixth Day of the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, with the overall theme for 2012 is “We will all be changed by the Victory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (cf. 1 Cor 15:51-58); for today, we highlight Changed by God’s Steadfast Love. Finally, yesterday was the 39th Anniversary of the Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade; as yesterday was a Sunday, today we observe a Day of Prayer and Penance for Life. (more…)
Daily Update: January 22, 2012
Today is the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. Today we honor Saint Vincent, Deacon and Martyr (died 304). Today is also the Fifth Day of the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, with the overall theme for 2012 is “We will all be changed by the Victory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (cf. 1 Cor 15:51-58): for today, we highlight Changed by the Peace of the Risen Lord. And as today is the 39th anniversary of the Supreme Court Decision of Row v. Wade, today would normally be a Day of Prayer and Penance for Life, but this Day will be postponed until tomorrow, since today is a Sunday. (more…)
Daily Update: January 21, 2012
Today we honor Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr (died c. 304). Today is the Fourth Day of the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, with the overall theme for 2012 being “We will all be changed by the Victory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (cf. 1 Cor 15:51-58); for today, we highlight Changed by the Lord’s Victory over Evil. (more…)
Daily Update: January 20, 2012
Today we honor Saint Fabian, Pope and Martyr (died c.250), and Saint Sebastian, Martyr (died 288). Today is the Third Day of the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, with the overall theme for theme for 2012 “We will all be changed by the Victory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (cf. 1 Cor 15:51-58); today we highlight Changed by the Suffering Servant. And since today is the Third Friday in January, today is also the date of the Louisiana celebration of Arbor Day. And starting at sunset tonight is the Eve of Saint Agnes, when according to an old folk superstition a girl could see her future husband if she performed certain rites before going to sleep this night. (more…)
Daily Update: January 19, 2012
Today is the Second Day of the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, with the overall theme theme for 2012 is “We will all be changed by the Victory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (cf. 1 Cor 15:51-58), and for today we highlight Changed through Patient Waiting for the Lord. In the world of history, on this date in 1917 German Foreign Secretary Arthur Zimmermann sent a telegram to Mexico proposing a German-Mexican alliance against the United States, with eventual bad consequences for Germany. (more…)
Daily Update: January 18, 2012
Today begins the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity; the overall theme for 2012 is “We will all be changed by the Victory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (cf. 1 Cor 15:51-58), and today we highlight Changed by the Servant Christ. (more…)
