The Way, The Life, and The Truth: The Person of Jesus Christ

Devoutly, I Adore Thee - The Music of Saint Thomas Aquanis

Aquinas perhaps is best known as the last of the great classical philosophers. In addition, he is arguably the greatest Christian Theolgian. His music, however, maybe is less known, less studied; but his music contains amazing truths about humanity, and the Divine human relationship. Tantum Ergo, and Salutaris Hostia lead us to Light Itself, God.
       My favorite song written by the Angelic Doctor is Adore te Devote.  I've complied two videos: The First is performed by the nice monks at Mount Angel Abby, Oregon. These videos combined require maybe eight minutes to watch/listen.

The second video is very appropriate for a Lenten observance because it accompanies a visual tour of the Passion of Our Lord, at The Shrine of Christ's Passion, Saint John's, IN:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adoro_te_devote is an English Translation of Aquinas' Latin Hymn.  

Catechesis...What? What is that? Part II

Here we will be discussing critical faith implications of the Greek word "eichen," meaning "to echo." "Eichen"
is the root word of the modern English word "Catechesis."
     What does the verb "to echo" mean? It means to not leave a footprint. It means not taking the faith truths that I have freely been given, and form my own blend of Christianity. This mindframe is nowhere related to notions of downward echocing, or catechesis. It means following the example of Saint Paul and echoing the Truth that was revealed to him, rather than creating a "Pauline Christianity."  (Pope Benedict XVI. Jesus, The First Apostles, and The Early Church. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2007, p. 31.)
Father Almighty,
You give us the Fruits
of Your Spirit to spread
the Good News of Eternal
Life. Through prayer and
reflection , may all respond
to your sacred actions of
gathering all nations to Yourself.
We ask this through Jesus
Christ, Your Son, Our Lord,
who lives and reigns with
You and the Holy Spirit,
One God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Catechesis...What? What is that?

      The word catechesis is a descendant of the Greek prefix "Kata", meaning "downward" and  the Greek verb "echien," meaning "to echo". The prefix "downward" perhaps has two meanings in the context of catechsis. The first is God's  downward Revelation to humanity, most notably in the person of Jesus Christ and His saving actions. This downward movement, issued from the graciousness and goodness of God the Father, is gift; through the Life, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of His Son, He announced that humanity remained no longer captive to death.

        Viewing God's downward, visible casting of His unfailing love for humans as a gift conflicts with notions of modern liberty many Westerners hold today. Servias Pinchaers notes that mindsets in modernity often define liberty as the ability to "do want I want, when I want to do it, and how I want to do it." A God who downwardly inserts rebuffs concepts of modern liberty, a framework of liberty that is perhaps also characterized by the wholehearted acceptance of the idea that humans can save themselves. May we always recognize the need for our souls to open themselves to God's Eternal Peace and His desire to share that Joy with us.
     The second meaning of the Greek prefix" Kata" in the context of issues of faith, as well as the importance of contemplating the meaning of the word "echo" will occur in subsequent posts. May God Bless you.