Esse est percipi

I've thought of many topics since pausing for a few days.  I've had plans.  My mind has worked through many possibilities, none of which are complete.  For some reason, I have thought of the Anglo-Irish philosopher George Berkley, author of Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge.  Esse est percipi, he said, to be is to be perceived.

In the absence of anyone reading my blog, does it exist?

Many things have happened that I should have told you about.  For example, today was Martha and Mary Sunday: what is truly "needful"?  Are you distracted?

One of the most wonderful descriptions of the monastic life, especially the Benedictine order was given on the Solemnity of St. Benedict: http://chicagomonk.org/mp3/benedict_10_brendan.mp3
You should all listen to this delightful homily.

I am considering a new format - it probably won't happen, but I'm considering it nonetheless.  Perhaps a weekly format with special topics to be drawn from the topics list which I will change at my prerogative - or more hopefully with your input.

Illustration from Wikimedia Commons, First Edition of Berkley's Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge.

A milestone

Yesterday was my 100th post.  I have to admit that I have mixed feelings about this endeavor.  I have been considering taking a break for a few days or weeks.  I may do that.  I had hoped for more of a dialog with you, but maybe that dialog is a different kind of dialog, taking years not the evil microseconds of the internet.

So consider again today a blessing.

"May your barns be filled to overflowing with all manner of crops..." (Psalm 144:14)

Barn in Greene County, Indiana from Wikimedia Commons

The Plowman in the Psalms

Perhaps it's because it has just been announced that the United States has a new poet laureate, W.S. Merwin, that my mind once again turns to the poetry of the Psalms.  Today's Evening Prayer psalter reading is a beautiful example:

"Our bones are scattered at the grave's mouth, as when one cutteth and cleaveth wood upon [ploweth and cleaveth] the earth." Psalm 141: 7

Plügende Ochsen by Rudolf Koller, from Wikimedia Commons.

What the Lord hath spoken

Balaam summarizes for Balak the words that the Lord spoke to Balaam in this continuing, somewhat peculiar, chain of communication between the Lord, an angel, Balak, Balaam, the people of Israel, and an ass.  These are words that encapsulate great theology:

"God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?" (Numbers 23:19)

Balaam blessing the Israelites, from Wikimedia Commons.