They are called minka, a Japanese word that means “people’s houses.” Minka are enchanting handcrafted country homes scattered across the Japanese countryside. Before World War II, these were indeed the people’s houses, reflecting ancient traditions and natural lifestyles. Most minka consists of heavy pine rafters with slender bamboo cross beams. Typical characteristics are long windows, … Read more
In different epochs, the hat became a symbol of the dignity of the one wearing it; today, it still survives as a reminder of an ancient vision of courtesy While not a surprising sight, the hat certainly awakens the dormant attention of people in today’s standardized settings. Their gazes linger, even in passing, at the … Read more
The news of the death of Norma Leah McCorvey has spread through the pro-life and conservative world. The 69-year-old lady was well-known as the plaintiff in the infamous Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision striking down all abortion laws in the United States. Although she never did have the abortion made legally possible by the … Read more
It is astonishing to see how so many people think unbalanced markets can be regulated into order. They think that stopping abuses with straitjacket regulations will solve all problems. In the case of frenzied markets, this usually addresses the effects not the causes of financial instability. Moreover, most regulations, however good-intentioned, are often circumvented by … Read more
In his masterwork, The City of God, Saint Augustine offers a definition of a people that can shed some light on why we are so fragmented today. He states that a people is “a gathered multitude of rational beings united by agreeing to share the things they love.” In the face of a growing social … Read more
Third Reflection “And when morning was come, all the chief priests and ancients of the people took counsel against Jesus, that they might put Him to death.” (Matthew 27:1) Help Remove Jesus Toilet Lid on Amazon The Jewish people yearned for the coming of the Messiah. However, when He did come, they persecuted Him. He … Read more
Fifth Reflection “Then Pilate took Jesus, and scourged Him.” (John 19:1) Pilate thought that, by scourging Jesus, he would satisfy the Jews and so be able to set Him free. This is how the weak always think: compromise, give in to evil so as to appease it. However, this only makes things worse. Help Remove … Read more
Seventh Reflection “Then he delivered Him to them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led Him forth.” (John 19:16) In former times the cross was a humiliating, painful way of executing criminals. Thus, the word “cross” meant the same as “shame,” just as the word “handcuffs” today make us think of prison, condemnation … Read more
Ninth Reflection “And when they came to the place which is called Calvary, they crucified Him there.” (Luke 23:33) Prior to the crucifixion, we can imagine the infinite beauty of Our Lord, the beauty of His physique and the luminosity of His Sacred Face, where the aesthetic principles of the universe resided. The grace of His … Read more
Eleventh Reflection “At about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying: ‘Eli, Eli, lamma sabacthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?’” (Matthew 27:46) Our Lord shouted from the height of the Cross. That heart-wrenching cry was due to the extreme sense of abandonment in which, seemingly, God … Read more
