Ellicott City - Pittsburgh

February 6, 2025 Peace and Good, I have been quite busy at the Shrine and also with spiritual direction in these weeks. I have gotten a little time to write a bit and also to do some daily reflection podcasts, but not too much. The weather in Baltimore has been cold and we got a bit of snow. This led to a number of cancellations. This morning I drove out to Pittsburgh, and I was not sure how the roads would be since I was going through the mountains and there was ice and fog there. It turned out that there were no serious problems. I have been getting some nice ideas in my reading. Right now I am reading a book about Rumi, the Sufi Mystical Poet. I am not too good at poetry, but this book is a description of Rumi's ideas in the poetry. He speaks of love as being both the mystical energy and the core element of creation. I find I can only read a page or two of the book before I have to stop and reflect. I found a good saying the other day. Evelyn Maugh was an Englishman in the middle of the 20th century who converted to be a Catholic. He was famous for being a very difficult person. A lady said to him that she was surprised that with his temperament he would become a Catholic. His answer was that she could never know how much worse he would be if he didn't have his religion. I have finished some reading and listening: Years that Changed History: 1215 by Dorsey Armstrong This is a Great Courses presentation that I waatched in video format. It deals with a particular year (and its surrounding years). It speaks of what was going on in the Americas, Africa, Europe and Asia. It deals with diverse topics such as the Fourth Lateran Council, the invasion of the Mongols, the start of the mendicant orders in Europe, etc. Armstrong is a feminist and at times pushes that part of the agenda, but mostly in an informative way. Hannibal: the Military Genius who almost Conquered Rome by Even MacDonald This is a very good Modern Scholar presentation of the life and conquests of Hannibal from his earliest childhood to his death. The professor knows how to present cultural information into the text without getting lost in it. She presents the story of how this Carthaginian general almost defeated the forces of Rome (and why he, in the end, did not). I would recommend this work. Ancient West African Kingdoms by Frank Edison This is an overview of some of the great empires that existed in what is today the Saharra and the Sahel region of northwestern Africa (along with some information about Zimbabwe). This includes the Songhai empire, that of Benin, etc. The author speaks of the history at great length and it is easy to get lost in a long series of names and sites. Polycarp’s Letter to the Philippians and His Martyrdom I am trying to read some of the letters and books of the Fathers of the Church. Polycarp is said to have been a disciple of the apostle John. He was the bishop of Smyrna (present day Izmir in Turkey). The first work in this book is Polycarp’s own letter to the Philippians. It is pretty much an exhortation to keep away from heretics (especially the Docetists) and to be faithful to a life of virtue. The second account is written by another author and it concerns Polycarp’s martyrdom. The translation that I read was a bit antiquated. Many of these works were translated into English at the end of the 19th century. Biowar by Stephen Coonts and Jim DeFelice This is the fictional story of an outbreak of a new, humanly designed pathogen which has no known cure. A team of spies searches for its origin, its recipients, and a possible antidote. The account is a bit too full of 007 gadgets and unbelievable scenario. I don’t think I’ll be looking for any Stephen Coonts books in the future. Great Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt by Bob Brier This is a teaching company overview of some of the greatest pharaohs in Egypt from the time of Narmer (the founding pharaoh of the dynasty uniting upper and lower Egypt) to the reign of Cleopatra (who was really a member of a Greek dynasty). The professor is informative and entertaining. I would recommend this course. Freedom of Speech: Expression and the American Constitution by David Hudson This is a learn25 course that deals with all sorts of questions about the meaning of freedom of speech. What can one say openly, what actions are considered to be forms of speech and what actions are not, what forms of speech can be limited (threats, pornography, etc.). The professor cites court precedence extensively and he fully explains why judgments went in one direction or another. Assessing America’s National Security Threats by H.R. McMaster This is an Audible Original presentation (along with the Great Courses) on some of the dangers that face the United States today. He was a national security advisor under Trump for two years. He speaks of the nations (e.g. Russia, Iran, China) and the technology that place the nation at risk and the need to deal with these problems directly after a collegial discussion of the situation (no decisions made by individuals for political reasons). The Scientific Wonder of Birds by Bruce Fleury This is part of the Great Courses series, and it is simply an introductory course on birds. It deals with their variety, their habits, their breeding, their dangers, etc. The professor has Parkinsons (something he admits in the opening lecture) and therefore his movement and facial expressions are severely limited, but it is clear that he has a childlike awe with the wonder of birds and he communicates that well. Anthony and Cleopatra by Adrian Goldsworthy This is an audiobook by the same author who wrote Augustus. This one covers some of the same ground (when it deals with the career of Augustus). It is honest about the talents and shortcomings of Anthony (a good local leader, not a good overall general). It tries to draw a picture of Cleopatra that is not based on later literature and movies. She comes across as a survivor and a scrapper during most difficult times. As with all of Goldsworthy’s books, it is well worth reading. Van Gogh: 99 Watercolors by Narim Bender This is a short book which deals a bit with the story of Van Gogh and his training in painting, but especially his use of watercolor. This is the first time I have seen those productions, and I was moved at how beautiful they are. Medicus by Ruth Downie This is part of a series of books that speak of a Roman doctor with the Roman army in England during the days of the emperor Hadrian. He has a British slave named Tilla who is a good foil to him. He finds himself involved in investigations that have nothing to do with his job, but which he is well equipped to perform. I had read a couple of books in the series years ago but never read this first volume of the series. They are thoroughly enjoyable. Have a good week. Shalom fr. Jude