Comments for The Hebdomadal Chesterton http://chesterton.wordpress.com Take a healthy dose of G.K. Chesterton once each week Fri, 04 Jul 2008 13:34:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU Comment on “A duel to the death” by Mike Taylor http://chesterton.wordpress.com/2008/07/02/a-duel-to-the-death/#comment-862 Mike Taylor Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:25:42 +0000 http://chesterton.wordpress.com/?p=87#comment-862 Hello, Hebdomodarian. I just wanted to let you know that, while hardly anyone comments on your posts, we're all out here, savouring each Chestertonian morsel you deliver up. Thank you for keeping up this valuable service! Hello, Hebdomodarian. I just wanted to let you know that, while hardly anyone comments on your posts, we’re all out here, savouring each Chestertonian morsel you deliver up. Thank you for keeping up this valuable service!

]]> Comment on “Kneeling or uncovering of the head” by Giangaleazzo http://chesterton.wordpress.com/2008/05/21/kneeling-or-uncovering-of-the-head/#comment-843 Giangaleazzo Sat, 24 May 2008 12:51:12 +0000 http://chesterton.wordpress.com/?p=77#comment-843 Thus, ritual constitutes one of the most important forms of education: symbolism behind specific actions, whether good or evil, speaks to the human person, is often imitated, and accepted. The Church is the greatest educational organization, and has always fostered true education, that is, formation of the soul, through the finest architecture, the most beautiful art, and the most magnificent ceremonies, since the beginning. Thus, through its most noble work of bringing souls to the Truth, it also became the greatest charitable structure ever known to man, a proof of its veractiy. And this is what Chesterton means: [good] ritual educates the person and aids in proper "disposition" towards what is true, good, and beautiful. For man, by nature, is naturally oriented towards these, which produce true happiness. Thus, ritual constitutes one of the most important forms of education: symbolism behind specific actions, whether good or evil, speaks to the human person, is often imitated, and accepted. The Church is the greatest educational organization, and has always fostered true education, that is, formation of the soul, through the finest architecture, the most beautiful art, and the most magnificent ceremonies, since the beginning. Thus, through its most noble work of bringing souls to the Truth, it also became the greatest charitable structure ever known to man, a proof of its veractiy.

And this is what Chesterton means: [good] ritual educates the person and aids in proper “disposition” towards what is true, good, and beautiful. For man, by nature, is naturally oriented towards these, which produce true happiness.

]]> Comment on “A fiercer delight” by Giangaleazzo http://chesterton.wordpress.com/2008/04/23/a-fiercer-delight/#comment-842 Giangaleazzo Fri, 02 May 2008 13:41:18 +0000 http://chesterton.wordpress.com/?p=82#comment-842 "I would rather that you were hot or cold, but not lukewarm." Ecclesia militans. Too often do we forget such terms, and I believe this is what Chesterton talks about underneath this wonderful prose. However, the practical problem is that truth is being obscured from the reach of many. "A city seated on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men put a candle under a vessel." Alas, there are powerful forces which aim to overthrow this light. We must fight for truth and that it be brought to light, for only then can we storm castles during the day, and yet take rest in our cottage at evening. The Faith of all times is ever new, and ever sweet, for its fountains never run dry. And as St. Maximus the Confessor says, "Joy" is the best term for the life to come, and so we may say that, if our labors strive towards it, it will bear fruit with the same name. "Iugum enim meum suave est et onus meum leve est - For my yoke is sweet and my burden light." Here's a somewhat relevant quote, from "The Religious Aim of Education." Though this is just a small, though significant field in the war. Many who would despise anything so classical as the teaching of rhetoric, are always ready with any amount of rhetoric in praise of the teaching of science. I am not attacking the teaching of science, still less the teachers of science; I am saying the teaching of evolution, if it becomes an atmosphere, cannot be an atmosphere favourable to moral fire or a fighting spirit. To put it shortly, the teaching of evolution is hardly the training for revolution. -http://chesterton.org/gkc/theologian/therel.htm “I would rather that you were hot or cold, but not lukewarm.”

Ecclesia militans. Too often do we forget such terms, and I believe this is what Chesterton talks about underneath this wonderful prose. However, the practical problem is that truth is being obscured from the reach of many. “A city seated on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men put a candle under a vessel.” Alas, there are powerful forces which aim to overthrow this light.

We must fight for truth and that it be brought to light, for only then can we storm castles during the day, and yet take rest in our cottage at evening. The Faith of all times is ever new, and ever sweet, for its fountains never run dry. And as St. Maximus the Confessor says, “Joy” is the best term for the life to come, and so we may say that, if our labors strive towards it, it will bear fruit with the same name. “Iugum enim meum suave est et onus meum leve est - For my yoke is sweet and my burden light.”

Here’s a somewhat relevant quote, from “The Religious Aim of Education.” Though this is just a small, though significant field in the war.

Many who would despise anything so classical as the teaching of rhetoric, are always ready with any amount of rhetoric in praise of the teaching of science. I am not attacking the teaching of science, still less the teachers of science; I am saying the teaching of evolution, if it becomes an atmosphere, cannot be an atmosphere favourable to moral fire or a fighting spirit. To put it shortly, the teaching of evolution is hardly the training for revolution.

-http://chesterton.org/gkc/theologian/therel.htm

]]> Comment on “Discuss in the dark” by Giangaleazzo http://chesterton.wordpress.com/2008/02/13/discuss-in-the-dark/#comment-838 Giangaleazzo Sun, 20 Apr 2008 02:46:46 +0000 http://chesterton.wordpress.com/?p=53#comment-838 Along with the venerable JRR Tolkien's "On Fairy Stories," this is the most enjoyable, and most joyfully true piece of writing I have read in the last few months, worthy to be called immortal. And it is, because truth is, in fact, immortal. Along with the venerable JRR Tolkien’s “On Fairy Stories,” this is the most enjoyable, and most joyfully true piece of writing I have read in the last few months, worthy to be called immortal. And it is, because truth is, in fact, immortal.

]]> Comment on “The fieriness of fire” by Giangaleazzo http://chesterton.wordpress.com/2008/04/09/the-fieriness-of-fire/#comment-837 Giangaleazzo Sun, 20 Apr 2008 02:28:23 +0000 http://chesterton.wordpress.com/?p=71#comment-837 [this before I read the above comment] Rereading this quote and reflecting on my appreciation of women, Chesterton's remark that "When we call a[..] woman “womanly” we touch the deepest philosophy." is accurately sublime. Because "womanly" women are a joy and wonder just to behold, not in any utilitarian way, far from it, but in praise of our Creator for His Goodness and, well, ingenuity [to use an inadequate word] in creating such wonders. Often, though, this quality of "womanhood" is lost, but when found, it makes it all the more appreciable. To Hebdomadarian: In simpleness, profundity. Often, in many aspects of life, clutter and disorder rules, where even good things become obscured and vulgarized. By focusing on one quote, allowing for a week's reflection, we affirm that simpleness and humility are human virtues. Gratias. [Also note email change, if applicable] [this before I read the above comment]

Rereading this quote and reflecting on my appreciation of women, Chesterton’s remark that

“When we call a[..] woman “womanly” we touch the deepest philosophy.”

is accurately sublime. Because “womanly” women are a joy and wonder just to behold, not in any utilitarian way, far from it, but in praise of our Creator for His Goodness and, well, ingenuity [to use an inadequate word] in creating such wonders. Often, though, this quality of “womanhood” is lost, but when found, it makes it all the more appreciable.

To Hebdomadarian:
In simpleness, profundity. Often, in many aspects of life, clutter and disorder rules, where even good things become obscured and vulgarized. By focusing on one quote, allowing for a week’s reflection, we affirm that simpleness and humility are human virtues. Gratias.
[Also note email change, if applicable]

]]> Comment on “The fieriness of fire” by cburrell http://chesterton.wordpress.com/2008/04/09/the-fieriness-of-fire/#comment-836 cburrell Thu, 17 Apr 2008 20:39:32 +0000 http://chesterton.wordpress.com/?p=71#comment-836 Thank you, Giangaleazzo, for your frequent comments on this site. It gets a fair number of readers, but few commenters. Your input is appreciated. Sincerely, The Hebdomadarian Thank you, Giangaleazzo, for your frequent comments on this site. It gets a fair number of readers, but few commenters. Your input is appreciated.

Sincerely,

The Hebdomadarian

]]> Comment on “The fieriness of fire” by Giangaleazzo http://chesterton.wordpress.com/2008/04/09/the-fieriness-of-fire/#comment-835 Giangaleazzo Thu, 17 Apr 2008 19:32:40 +0000 http://chesterton.wordpress.com/?p=71#comment-835 And you are quite proficient in this true philosophy, dear Mr. Chesterton. And you are quite proficient in this true philosophy, dear Mr. Chesterton.

]]> Comment on “You can toast muffins at it” by Giangaleazzo http://chesterton.wordpress.com/2008/04/02/you-can-toast-muffins-at-it/#comment-832 Giangaleazzo Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:34:47 +0000 http://chesterton.wordpress.com/?p=70#comment-832 "I know I'm of an older fashion. Much that I love has been destroyed or sent into exile." -GKC And I agree. “I know I’m of an older fashion. Much that I love has been destroyed or sent into exile.”
-GKC

And I agree.

]]> Comment on “One whirling adventure” by A truth-telling thing « All Manner of Thing http://chesterton.wordpress.com/2007/08/22/one-whirling-adventure/#comment-745 A truth-telling thing « All Manner of Thing Thu, 20 Mar 2008 12:37:34 +0000 http://chesterton.wordpress.com/2007/08/22/one-whirling-adventure/#comment-745 [...] In fact, the Christian world-view is subtle and balanced, but, he says, its balance is of a particular kind. “Paganism declared that virtue was in a balance; Christianity declared it was in a conflict: the collision of two passions apparently opposite.” Christianity achieves its balance not by compromise, but by encouraging everything human to thrive: it is “love and wrath both burning”. It teaches us not to settle for partial goods but to hunger and thirst after complete fulfillment, and not to shrug at our sins but to repent with ashes on our heads. A balance of such dynamic forces is necessarily a delicate balance, and this accounts for the Church’s sometimes stern proscriptions, for it knows that if certain passions or principles are given reign at the expense of others, the balance will be upset. These proscriptions, therefore, are at the service of a larger liberty, and the balancing act is part of the romance of orthodoxy. [...] [...] In fact, the Christian world-view is subtle and balanced, but, he says, its balance is of a particular kind. “Paganism declared that virtue was in a balance; Christianity declared it was in a conflict: the collision of two passions apparently opposite.” Christianity achieves its balance not by compromise, but by encouraging everything human to thrive: it is “love and wrath both burning”. It teaches us not to settle for partial goods but to hunger and thirst after complete fulfillment, and not to shrug at our sins but to repent with ashes on our heads. A balance of such dynamic forces is necessarily a delicate balance, and this accounts for the Church’s sometimes stern proscriptions, for it knows that if certain passions or principles are given reign at the expense of others, the balance will be upset. These proscriptions, therefore, are at the service of a larger liberty, and the balancing act is part of the romance of orthodoxy. [...]

]]> Comment on “Died in the dark” by notabenetutoring http://chesterton.wordpress.com/2008/03/12/died-in-the-dark/#comment-734 notabenetutoring Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:41:02 +0000 http://chesterton.wordpress.com/?p=67#comment-734 Haha! Well put. Haha! Well put.

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