A Carpe Diem Snapshot:
This scene seems to be stuck on repeat as last summer I took almost the same identical photo of another kitten putting her head in another cup when we lived in another house. Cat nature, like human nature, is fairly predictable based on experience and observation. We are intelligent beings living in an intelligible universe, a fact that should give us great hope (even if we fail to learn from all our experiences, such as not letting cats on tables). This seems to be a theme that runs through much of today's lessons below, especially the natural cycle. Since I woke up and got a good dose of morning sunlight and espresso, I decided to tackle calendar class and the big questions of life head on. Here's an article positing the idea that what we conceive as the intelligibility of the universe is actually a product of human biological evolution. Read and discuss and let me know if you have any fabulous insights!
Liturgical: Readings for the Memorial of Saint Benedict, abbot
My son, if you receive my words and treasure my commands, Turning your ear to wisdom, inclining your heart to understanding; Yes, if you call to intelligence, and to understanding raise your voice; If you seek her like silver, and like hidden treasures search her out: Then will you understand the fear of the LORD; the knowledge of God you will find; For the LORD gives wisdom, from his mouth come knowledge and understanding..."
Bishop Barron's Gospel reflections today.
Sanctoral: Benedict of Nursia, founder of the Benedictine order and father of Western monasticism. He and his order changed the history of the Church in Europe. You can still walk in his footsteps in Italy today, from Norcia, to Rome, to Subiaco, to Montecasino. In Rome there are several places related to him, which would take too long to recount here but I am looking forward to taking my students to all of them this Fall.
Here's an audio bio on St. Benedict.
"And let them first pray together, that so they may associate in peace."
Human: Birthday of Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland – 1274; John Quincy Adams (6th U.S. president) – 1767; E.B. White (author) – 1899; U.S. Vice President Aaron Burr fatally shot Alexander Hamilton in a duel– 1804
212 AD – Roman emperor Caracalla issued an edict – the Constitutio Antoniniana-- granting Roman citizenship to all free inhabitants of the Empire. The emperor justified his move with religious arguments (gaining favor of the gods). The then historian, Cassius Dio, attributed to the edict only fiscal motivations (extension of taxes incriminating Roman citizens on the majority of the population without exemption from previous benefits).
Natural: In yet another exciting example of how everything old becomes new again because that's just the way human beings and creation are designed, here is a video I happened upon last night with two popular doctors talking about how to care for a woman's body according to how it is actually made. It's a long one, so in case you don't get around to watching it, here are some highlights-- we need to sync ourselves with the sun and get outside to walk every morning (early), afternoon, and at sunset. We need to be aware that women's bodies have a cycle that corresponds to the cycle of the moon and take care of it accordingly. Hormones change throughout our lives, and we should plan our activities accordingly. Spouses need to communicate about this cycle and men should protect and nurture women (this topic was very hesitatingly and delicately broached but is an example of the "reformation" happening within the feminist movement).
Italian Word of the Day: Spazio (space)
Quote: I get up every morning determined to both change the world and have one hell of a good time. Sometimes this makes planning my day difficult.”
―E.B. White
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