I'm a convert to Catholicism and I'm from Toronto, although currently living in Beijing. I have a blog located here: blog.sina.com.cn/u/2689849402
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All Glory to God
Ceremonies come after.
Tsze-hsia asked a question to Confucius about a verse of poetry. What did the writer mean when he said the plain background that the colours were put on to make the beautiful image?
Confucius said that the plain background was what came first and the colours are added afterwards. In any beautiful picture, it must start with a plain piece of paper as its background before it can be drawn.
The poetry was interpreted to be referring to more than just about art but about human life and society. It meant that before anyone could have something beautiful, the life had to be plain and without spot on the inside.
Tsze-hsia, inferring this meaning, then asked whether that meant that ceremonies, like religious ceremonies were something that came afterwards. Confucius then said that Tsze-hisa (who is also called Bu Shang) understood his meaning correctly.
In Christianity, the mass, and the liturgy only has a benefit if the people who take part in it are living right in the …More
Love Your Enemies.
Confucius' words here are saying that a proper man, even if he has struggles or fights with others, remains courteous and kind towards him. Like if he is in an archery competition, he will still bow to his competitor and drink with him afterwards. Even should he have enemies or competitors, he will not forget to treat them with love and respect.
The painting is Diego Velázquez's depiction of the surrender of Breda in the thirty years war. The Spanish Catholics besieged the Dutch Protestant city of Breda in the Netherlands and the city surrendered to the Spanish. The Italian general that led the Spanish troops, Ambrogio Spinola, forbade his troops to even jeer at the defenders after their victory. He saluted and embraced the surrendering Dutch commander, and praised the courage of the defenders. Even as people slaughtered each other in religious warfare over their mutual animosities, the miracle of reconciliation could still triumph for those who had not forgotten God. …More
Attention to the root.
Painting is from Almeida Júnior’s depiction of Jesus’ baptism
The wise man looks to his elders and forefathers to learn. The ancestor of all the ancestors of human beings is God.
The wise student listens to his teacher. The teacher of all human teachers is God.
The good citizen obeys the law. The authority behind all human law is God and His law.
Behind every power and wisdom, God is the source. It is to this root that the good man must direct his attention, and it is from this root that all goodness and Truth come forth.
All Glory to God
Obedience and Rebellion.
Painting is Giotto's depiction of Francis receiving approval for his order from the Pope. Photograph is of Vladimir Lenin.
Those who love peace are also those who obey and respect the true authorities. The people who hate peace, cause confusion and hurt people are not those who obey and respect true authority.
All Glory to God
Social Justice.
photo from www.padrehurtado.com/03 fotos/3_hogar.htm (Centro de Estudios y Documentacion <<Padre Hurtado >> de la Pontifica Universidad Catolica de Chile)
All Glory to GodMore
UN Data on Global Contraception use.
Data is copyrighted to the United Nations. - www.un.org/…/index.shtmlMore
Wolgemut's 'Sermon of the Antichrist'
Michael Wolgemut(1434-1519) was a German painter who was the teacher of Albrecht Durer. This was made by him in the late 15th century; it depicts the antichrist. The Emperor on the left with the demon speaking into his ear is the antichrist. The same Emperor is being elevated up in the air by demons in the top, in the sight of all the people, as a miracle to deceive them. The two men on the right are Enoch and Elijah.
All Glory to God