Right As Usual

I've been looking forward to this all week - the purposeful refusal to dwell on the things of this world that will pass, and a dedication to thinking about Eternal Topics. This week, I was thinking about Charity and Triage: I'm not one to say that sheltering the homeless, welcoming the stranger, and other Cardinal Works of Mercy are not important. Certainly, many Christians can make an argument that these are legitimate uses of their time and energy, and should be at the top of their Merciful Works. I'm just not convinced that the taxpayer should pay for it. Why don't the Gates, Soros, Buffett, Zuckerberg, et al, concentrate on using their money for relief for those displaced by war, building homes to replace dilapidated public housing, training ex-cons for honest work, etc? That would be a charitable use, that would easily fulfill the requirements of NGOs in the USA. Instead, they seem to delight in meddling with politically-tinged causes, such as advocating and ...

I'm fascinated by politics, and the intersection of it with culture. Hence, those two major themes underly much of my posting. Not today, however. It's Sunday, and I'm using Lent as an excuse NOT to post on my usual topics on my day of rest. Assorted thoughts/ideas: I'm a catechist at my church (St. Anne Church, Rock Hill, SC). I facilitate the Adult group that meets on Wednesday evening. This coming week, the group will be looking at G. K. Chesterton (alas, I will not be there - I have a conflicting science workshop to attend). For more information about Chesterton, most of which I did not know before preparing for our group, go here. I'm simultaneously following Lenten dietary practices, and doing Weight Watchers. Good timing, it turns out. Most of the stuff I shouldn't be eating is the sort of stuff that ends up on most people's Give Up for Lent list. I did NOT give up any food for Lent; instead, I decided to spend time each day reading something ...