Category Archives: Augustine

The Samaritan Woman at Jacob’s Well: Who Were Those Five Husbands?

Posted on March 15, 2020 by marklangley

[I could not resist reposting this – the original may be found here with a number of great comments!] The Gospel for the third Sunday of Lent offers a special little gem for the classically minded church-goer. As Jesus is … Continue reading →

Posted in Augustine, Catena Aurea, classical education | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Sin is first in the will: a brief lesson in morality from Lady Macbeth

Posted on February 20, 2020 by marklangley

Of all the authors we should compel our students to read, surely no one is so foolhardy as to demand a reason for reading Shakespeare. I can forgive the one who asks, Why should students read Aeschylus? Or Why do you force them to … Continue reading →

Posted in aeschylus, Augustine, catholic education, classical education, Literature, Shakespeare, Temptation | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The Priest: Privileged Witness of the Reality of Grace Present in the World

Posted on January 3, 2020 by marklangley

On this, the eve of the Epiphany, with the Christ Child still lying in the manger, a great many Catholics everywhere are hoping and praying for a year of renewed grace. And, of course, with the turn of the secular … Continue reading →

Posted in Augustine, beauty, Christmas, Feasts | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Concerning the ill-advised changes to the Lord’s Prayer. Lionandox meets “The Catholic Current”

Posted on September 14, 2019 by marklangley

In light of the recent ill-advised yet “approved” inept translations/changes to the Lord’s Prayer (and the Gloria) by the Holy See for both French and Italian Catholics…what else can one do but argue for accurate translations on the radio with … Continue reading →

Posted in Aquinas, Augustine, catholic education, classical education, The Lord's Prayer | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

What does ‘On Earth As It Is In Heaven’ mean?

Posted on July 28, 2019 by marklangley

Punctuation can often be misleading, especially when translators are faced with punctuating a text which has no punctuation. And so when we read the Lord’s Prayer in the Gospel of Saint Matthew we are perhaps accustomed to reading the first … Continue reading →

Posted in Aquinas, Augustine, Catena Aurea, Lord's Prayer | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Slow down, you move too fast!

Posted on July 3, 2019 by marklangley

The lazy hazy days of summer are here and I can’t think of more appropriate advice to give anyone than that which Friar Laurence gave to Romeo: ROMEO O, let us hence; I stand on sudden haste. FRIAR LAURENCE Wisely … Continue reading →

Posted in Aquinas, Augustine, catholic education, education, liberal education, summer vacation, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Lord’s Prayer: What Does “Lead Us Not Into Temptation” Mean?

Posted on June 6, 2019 by marklangley

Well… I tried explaining this very thing back in 2017 but as a seasoned teacher, I know the importance of repetition. More than most, I know that, “Repetitio est mater memoriae!” Additionally, (and thankfully!) we classical teachers are an extremely patient … Continue reading →

Posted in Aquinas, Augustine, Lord's Prayer, Temptation, The Passion | Tagged , , | 16 Comments

The Prodigal Son and The Prodigal Mind: Our Lord’s Parable for Educators

Posted on March 29, 2019 by marklangley

Our Lord’s parable about the man who had two sons, upon the younger of whom tradition has bestowed the sobriquet ‘prodigal,’  provides an excellent lesson for parents everywhere who are concerned about the education of their children. I have a … Continue reading →

Posted in Ambrose, Augustine, Catena Aurea, college, education, liberal education, soul, truth for its own sake | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

The Sun Shall be Darkened: First Sunday of Advent.

Posted on December 1, 2018 by marklangley

No one can hear the Gospel for the First Sunday of Advent without feeling at least a twinge of dread. I mean, Yikes! People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world. Our Lord undoubtedly meant to … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Ambrose, Aquinas, Augustine, Catena Aurea | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Did You Know That Drinking Milk Is An Excellent Preparation For Eating Meat?

Posted on November 9, 2017 by marklangley

Sometimes St. Paul seems downright condescending! For whereas for the time you ought to be masters, you have need to be taught again what are the first elements of the words of God: and you are become such as have … Continue reading →

Posted in aeschylus, Aquinas, Augustine, catholic education, Heraclitus, Homer, Sacred Doctrine, Socrates | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments