Each new human creature receives existence directly from Being and is therefore radically new. Each human being is determined by antecedents as regards matter and form. But each is radically undetermined by matter and form as regards existence. At every moment, radical newness is not only possible but actual. New persons come into existence, summoned …
Tag Archives: freedom
Human Reefs Need Saving Too
Do not gratify the promptings of the flesh Galatians 5:16; hate the urgings of self-will. (Rule of St. Benedict 4. 59-60) What is “the flesh”? “The flesh” is a Christian metaphor. The struggle represented by “the flesh” consists of our efforts to do good and to reject evil. It’s this vital spiritual struggle that builds …
Bear Injuries Patiently
Do not repay one bad turn with another 1 Thessalonians 5:15; 1 Peter 3:9. Do not injure anyone, but bear injuries patiently. (Rule of St. Benedict 4. 29-30) First of all, bearing injuries patiently is not a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of goodness. Only the strong bear up. Only the good restrain themselves when …
Beware Fatal Attraction
Rage Definition We must then be on guard against any base desire, because death is stationed near the gateway of pleasure. (Rule of St. Benedict 7.24) Last week a man identified himself with death and stationed himself at the gateway of pleasure to deal it out. This was not a Kenny Rogers kind of …