Sun Tzu said that “In war the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won, whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory.” This is often interpreted as “Every battle is won before it is ever fought.” You can debate the meaning, but it really says …
Category: Essay
LOVE AS ENERGY: Some Philosophical Implications of Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur
I wrote this paper in 1975 during my final year as a graduate student majoring in English at DePaul University. It sparked a battle between me and the instructor, Dr. Ellin M. Kelly. The fallout was that I graduated with the M.A., but not with honors. I needed an A in the course to get …
On Re-Reading Sir Thomas Elyot’s (1490 – 1546) THE GOVERNOR on December 4, 2021
What if? I mean, what if? As Elyot outlined the order of learning, and which authors to read first, I remembered, and ask, “What if?” What if people had listened to Elyot throughout the centuries? Learn Greek, then Latin, then Grammar he said, and follow it all with Aesop who has “much variety in words.” …
On Re-Reading John Skelton (1460 – 1529) on December 3, 2021
I’m sure in his time Skelton carried the rhyme. But today, no offense, Who cares a sparrow died. His “the pangs of hateful death Well nigh had stopped my breath” Rings true. But honestly, The rest falls short. Kinda boney, like his name.
Luke: 15: 1 – 31 It’s Not About Finding Lost Sheep; It’s About Finding Your Lost Self
The Real Meaning of the Prodigal (Lost) Son In any communication, there is a sender and a receiver. When you tell stories, you have to understand not only who the sender is, but who the receiver(s) is. When you realize there are narrators of stories, you have to be very careful because you yourself – …
Mustard Seeds and Faith: The Sad, Continued Misinterpretation of Luke 17:5-10
This Sunday’s gospel was Luke 17: 5 – 10, and the homily around it was pathetic. Somehow, the Deacon tried to tie in global warming into the story’s meaning. Fabrication pure and simple. This repeated problem of misinterpretation of scripture or bending it to suit your needs is one of the main reasons that the …
Why You Need Hate to Find Jesus. Luke 14: 25-33
It’s hard to believe that the mistakes made in the interpretation of the Bible go unchecked generation after generation. But they do. Take the Gospel Luke 14: 25-33. It continues this trend of misinterpretations by doing a kabuki dance during homilies around the word “hate.” I listened to the explanation of what is one of …
LAZY MARY WILL YOU GET UP: What Really Happens in Luke 10:38-42
LUKE: 10:38-42 is an interesting, troubling passage for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is it is a story of hospitality, and the apparent breaking of the laws of hospitality – something not done in those days without serious consequences. In fact, that epic The Odyssey is all about good and bad …
Independence Day
July 4 is a day called Independence Day. Some municipalities are calling it a “summer celebration” because they don’t want to use the word Independence. That is a puzzle to me. The day is marked to commemorate the Declaration of Independence of the United States on July 4, 1776. It was a great day, and …
Benedict Emeritus or Benedict Arnold?
I didn’t even know Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI wrote a letter. I thought he retired. I called my friend to wish him a Happy Easter and he wanted to talk about two things: the letter of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, and the Mueller Report. I told him, “What letter?” and he sent me this link. …