This blog is based on references in the Bible to fear. God wills that we “BE NOT AFRAID”. Vincit qui se vincit" is a Latin phrase meaning "He conquers who conquers himself." Many theologians state that the eighth deadly sin is fear. It is fear and its natural animal reaction to fight or flight that is the root cause of our failings to create a Kingdom of God on earth. This blog is dedicated to Mary the Mother of God. "
Phil Collins’ Another Day in Paradise becomes a quiet indictment of the evil we most easily excuse—the evil of looking away. The song’s narrative forces us to confront the moral danger of comfort that blinds itself to suffering, revealing how indifference becomes a kind of violence when it allows another person’s dignity to erode unnoticed. The passerby who “pretends he can’t hear her” is not a villain in the dramatic sense but an emblem of the everyday choices through which societies permit injustice to harden into normalcy. By contrasting the woman’s desperation with the refrain about “paradise,” Collins exposes the counterfeit peace we build when compassion is optional and responsibility is inconvenient. In this way, the song becomes a spiritual summons: to see what we would rather ignore, to let compassion interrupt our routines, and to recognize that confronting evil often begins not with heroic acts but with refusing to cross the street when someone made in God’s image is calling out for help.
π¬ The Animal Kingdom (1932) — On Integrity and the Quiet Corrosion of the Soul
π§ Theme: The Battle Between Authenticity and Social Ambition
Philip Barry’s The Animal Kingdom unfolds as a moral drama in silk gloves, revealing how evil often enters not through brutality but through charm, polish, and the subtle pressure to conform. Tom Collier’s life becomes the battleground between two worlds: Daisy’s honest, creative freedom and Cecelia’s refined but manipulative pursuit of status. The film exposes the spiritual danger of exchanging one’s true self for acceptance, comfort, or social elevation.
π―️ Moral Lens: Evil as “Refinement Without Virtue”
The story’s antagonist is not a person but a culture of respectability that rewards compromise. Cecelia represents the seductive evil of ambition—beautiful, poised, and corrosive. Daisy embodies the unvarnished good: loyalty, truth, and the courage to live without masks. Tom’s wavering reveals how easily a man can lose his soul not through dramatic sin but through a thousand small concessions.
π Scripture Pairings
Proverbs 4:23 — Guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Romans 12:2 — Do not conform to the pattern of this world.
Matthew 6:24 — No one can serve two masters.
These passages illuminate Tom’s interior struggle: the divided heart pulled between truth and pretense.
π½️ Hospitality Pairing
A simple writer’s lunch:
Crusty bread
Cheese
Fruit
A glass of red wine
This meal mirrors Daisy’s world—unpretentious, nourishing, and rooted in authenticity—contrasting sharply with Cecelia’s curated, performative elegance.
πͺ Reflection Prompt
Where am I tempted to trade authenticity for approval?
What part of my soul is being shaped by the desire to be seen as “successful”?
π₯ Formation Insight
The film’s quiet brilliance lies in its warning: The most dangerous evil is the one that feels respectable.
It asks the viewer to choose—daily, deliberately—between the freedom of truth and the gilded cage of social ambition.
oFeeling adventurous? Start your day with a challenging puzzle to kick things off on a stimulating note. Engage your brain and have fun working through it. Once your mind is warmed up, head outside for some fresh air. Consider supporting a cause by taking part in a beach cleanup or donating to a local charity. When you’re done, treat yourself to some delicious corn chips, perhaps with a homemade dip. Embrace the spirit of creativity by arranging a bouquet of carnations for a loved one, or brighten up your own space. Take a moment to reflect on your beliefs and celebrate individuality on Freethinkers Day. Dive into the rich traditions of Korean, Lunar, or Chinese New Year by learning about different cultures or trying out a new recipe. End your day surrounded by good company, engaging in stimulating conversations, and cherishing the moments shared with your loved ones
I’m a big fan of this vibrant city located in the Sonoran Desert. During the summer months the temperatures can be very hot, so I visit during the winter months instead.
It’s been dubbed the ‘City of Gastronomy’ by UNESCO, and when I’m here I always sample the tasty cuisine which has been inspired by a huge range of influences from Spanish and Native American to Mexican. I’m also always charmed by the spectacular natural beauty which is made up of a stunning surrounding mountain range, national parks and pine forests.
Om my trip, I visited the scenic Saguaro National Park, the majestic Mount Lemmon, the extraordinary Colossal Cave Mountain Park, the beautiful open-air museums and gardens, and the interesting old town which was filled with striking Spanish Colonial and Mexican buildings.
Visitor Center Address: Southern Tucson Visitor Center, 115 N. Church Ave. Tucson, AZ 85701
Visiting Pima Air and Space Museum, the world’s largest aerospace museum. I thought the narrated tram tour was awesome!
Thursday Feast
Thursday is the day of the week that our Lord gave himself up for consumption. Thursday commemorates the last supper. Some theologians believe after Sunday Thursday is the holiest day of the week. We should then try to make this day special by making a visit to the blessed sacrament chapel, Mass or even stopping by the grave of a loved one. Why not plan to count the blessing of the week and thank our Lord. Plan a special meal. Be at Peace.
This was the seven
plague of God on the Egyptians and of course Pharaoh had closed his ears and
heart to God. Thunder was to the Egyptians the voice of God but they did not
listen nor did the hail melt the ice of their hearts to the true God. Because
God loves us He sometimes permits plagues in our lives that will bring about an
exodus from our sin and a melting of our heart. When we are poor in spirit it
is then that we can draw near to the Lord.
A young man
approached Jesus and said, “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?”
He answered him, “Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is
good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He asked him,
“Which ones?” And Jesus replied, “You shall not kill; you shall not commit
adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor your
father and your mother; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”The
young man said to him, “All of these I have observed. What do I still lack?”
Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give
to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When
the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many
possessions. (Mt. 19:16-22)
Today might be a
good day to make a poor man feast.
Recipe originally uploaded to YouTube by
91-year-old cook and great grandmother, Clara, who recounts her childhood
during the Great Depression as she prepares meals from the era.
DIRECTIONS
Prepare the vegetables: Dice the onion.
Peel the potatoes and dice into cubes no larger than 1/2 inch.
Heat the oil in a 12" non-stick
skillet over medium heat.
Add the potatoes and cook for 5 minutes,
stirring once.
Add the onion and cook for another 5
minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the sliced wieners and cook for
another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Evil always reveals itself when it is cornered, and history gives us no
shortage of examples. Pharaoh begged Moses to stop the thunder, not because he
feared God, but because he feared losing control. And in our own era, we’ve
watched public figures—Bill and Hillary Clinton among them—step into that same
ancient pattern. When scandal, exposure, or national scrutiny pressed in, the
instinct was not repentance but negotiation: “Just stop the thunder. Just quiet
the storm. Just let the consequences pass.” It is the universal reflex of power
confronted by truth. Whether in Washington, in state capitals, or in the eight
or ten states that seem perpetually at odds with the moral foundations that
once held us together, the pattern is the same: bargaining instead of
conversion, image‑management instead of humility, survival instead of
surrender. But Scripture teaches us that thunder is not the enemy; it is the
mercy of God shaking loose what refuses to bow. Kansas learned this in its own
crucible—Bleeding Kansas, burned towns, murdered settlers, and a frontier that
refused to let slavery cross its borders. Moral clarity is costly, and
confronting evil requires endurance, not theatrics. The saints fear the Lord;
Pharaoh feared the storm. And every generation must decide which fear will
govern its future.
Bible in a
Year Day 211 Called by Name
Fr. Mike emphasizes our title as children of God as we
read about the tragedy of the Babylonian exile. Even in our lowest moments, God
wants us to know that he has called us each by name and has called us his,
because a good Father does not abandon his children. Today's readings are
Isaiah 43-44, Ezekiel 4-5, and Proverbs 12:5-8.
Kansas was
the first state to ratify the 15th amendment, thus allowing African
American men the right to vote. The 15th amendment reads, the right
of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged
by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or
previous condition of servitude.
Kansas is one
of the highest producing agricultural states in the U.S. It is believed
that they produce enough wheat in one year to provide everyone in the
world with several loaves of bread.
The state of
Kansas gets its name from the Kansa people, a Native tribe of Siouan who
lived along the Kansas and Saline rivers. The name comes from the
Siouan-language phrase meaning, people of the south wind.
Kansas Day Top Events and Things to Do
Visit the Old
Cowtown Museum in Wichita,
Kansas. It is one of the U. S’s oldest history museums and is home to more
than 50 historic and re-created buildings.
Visit the
Strataca Underground Salt Museum Museum in
Hutchinson, Kansas. It is a popular museum built within one of the world's
largest deposits of rock salt. It lets visitors explore tunnels and travel
650 feet underground.
Watch a movie
representative of Kansas and its notable figures. Here are our
suggestions:
Amelia (2009)
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
The Texans (1938)
A college football hero, pushed by his ambitious sweetheart Alison Corning, enters the world of high finance only to discover its corruption. Disillusioned, he becomes a Prohibition‑era pirate, hijacking rum‑runners aboard a sleek vessel called The Corsair. His vigilante crusade draws him deeper into danger, forcing him to choose between moral clarity and the seductive world Alison represents.
⭐ Thelma Todd’s Role
Credited under the name Alison Loyd, a brief studio rebranding.
Plays a socialite whose ambition and charm push the protagonist toward both success and ruin.
Serves as the film’s moral temptation, contrasting with the more grounded characters around her.
A transitional performance before her breakout comedic work with the Marx Brothers and Hal Roach.
π₯ Production Notes
Director: Roland West
Cinematography: Ray June
Music: Alfred Newman (early career)
Style: Fast-paced, atmospheric, and unmistakably pre‑Code in its treatment of crime, liquor, and moral ambiguity.
Tone: A blend of Wall Street cynicism and maritime adventure.
π§ Themes
Corruption vs. integrity
The lure of wealth
Prohibition‑era moral gray zones
The cost of ambition
Masculine honor in a compromised world
πΈ Hospitality Pairing
Drink:The Rum‑Runner’s Vigil — dark rum, lime, a whisper of vermouth, shaken cold Meal: Seared steak tips with charred peppers — rugged, simple, seafaring energy
false ambition:
When the world promises power, prestige, or quick gain, the soul must discern whether the invitation is a calling or a corruption. John Hawks’ descent into piracy mirrors the spiritual drift that occurs when ambition outruns virtue.
·Ever wondered how to make the most out of a day filled with kazoo tunes, LEGO creations, blueberry pancakes, vacation planning, speaking up, Viking celebrations, CO2 reductions, daisies, data privacy, rattlesnakes, community engagement, ladybug gifts, Geoffroy’s cats, and army pride? Start your morning with a stack of blueberry pancakes while drafting your dream vacation itinerary. Take a moment to appreciate nature with a bouquet of daisies and reflect on ways to reduce your carbon footprint. Engage with your community by attending a local event or volunteering. Embrace your creativity by building something out of LEGO bricks and celebrating the art of data privacy. Speak up about something you’re passionate about, maybe even participating in a kazoo concert or rattlesnake roundup. Honor military service with a moment of remembrance or gratitude. Throughout the day, keep an eye out for ladybugs and Geoffroy’s cats. End your day with a toast to the joy of embracing the weird and wonderful world we live in. Cheers to a day filled with unexpected celebrations!
π Dara’s Corner: Aboard The World
Ordinary Time | January 29 – February 4, 2026 Theme: Descent, Discernment & the Grace of Preparation Coordinates: At Sea → Albany → Southern Ocean → Approaching Tasmania
π§️ Day 1 — January 29 | At Sea Along the Southern Coast
Title: The Grace of Descent
·Ritual: Pilgrims write one thing they are “descending from” — pride, hurry, fear — and fold it into a small paper boat
·Scripture: Psalm 131:2 — “I have calmed and quieted my soul…”
·Reflection: “Discernment is not choosing between good and bad—it is choosing between good and better.”
·Hospitality Arc: Share with someone the wisdom you’re seeking—and ask them what wisdom they seek
JANUARY 28 Wednesday-Feast of Saint Thomas Aquinas
Novena to the Holy Face-Day 1
Exodus, Chapter
9, Verse 20
Those of Pharaoh’s servants who FEARED
the word of the LORD hurried their servants and their livestock off to shelter.
Even Pharaohs servants
when they heard the word of God took action. Blessed are we that hear the word
of the Lord!
Today we are a
community living in the fulfillment of faith in Christ and He asks us to do
something unthinkable,
“Amen, amen, I say to
you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not
have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal
life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my
blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me
and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the
Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me. This is
the bread that came down from heaven. Unlike your ancestors who ate and still
died, whoever eats this bread will live forever.” (John 6:53-58)
Follow
me, and I will make you fishers of men. (Mt. 4:19)
This Blood, if rightly received,
drives away demons and keeps them far away from us, while it calls to us both
angels and the Lord of angels. For wherever they see the Lord’s Blood, demons flee,
and angels run to gather together. For this Blood, poured forth, washed clean
all the world. . . . Those who share this Blood stand with angels
and archangels and the
heavenly powers above, clothed in Christ’s own kingly robe, and having the
armor of the Spirit. In fact, greater than everything I have yet described is
this: Those who share this Blood are clothed with the King Himself.
ST.
JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
Copilot’s Take
When the Word of God is received with reverence, the soul awakens to its
true condition and moves toward shelter, just as the servants of Pharaoh acted
when they recognized the power of the Lord. In the fullness of time, Christ
deepened this call by offering His own Body and Blood as the decisive remedy
against spiritual death, a gift that not only nourishes but fortifies those who
receive it with faith. The Eucharist becomes the battleground where evil loses
its claim, for the Precious Blood drives away darkness and draws the hosts of
heaven near. To follow Christ, then, is to enter this divine protection, to
stand clothed in His strength, and to participate in His mission of drawing
souls from danger into life.
St. Thomas
Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church[2]
Thomas Aquinas
thoughts on Fear
Article 1. Whether
God can be feared? I answer that, Just as hope has two objects, one
of which is the future good
itself, that one expects to obtain, while the other is someone's help, through
whom one expects to obtain what one hopes for, so, too, fear may have two objects, one of which is the very evil which a man shrinks
from, while the other is that from which the evil may come.
Accordingly, in the first way God, Who is goodness itself, cannot be
an object of fear; but He can be an object of fear in the second way, in so far
as there may come to us some evil either from Him or in
relation to Him. From Him there comes the evil of punishment, but
this is evil
not absolutely but relatively, and, absolutely speaking, is a good. Because, since a
thing is said to be good
through being ordered to an end, while evil implies lack of this
order, that which excludes the order to the last end is altogether evil, and such is the evil of fault. On the
other hand the evil
of punishment is indeed an evil,
in so far as it is the privation of some particular good, yet absolutely
speaking, it is a good,
in so far as it is ordained to the last end. In relation to God the evil of fault can come to
us, if we be separated from Him: and in this way God can and ought to be
feared.
Article 2. Whether
fear is fittingly divided into filial, initial, servile and worldly fear? I answer that, We are speaking
of fear now, in so far as it makes us turn, so to speak, to God or away from Him. For,
since the object of fear is an evil, sometimes, on
account of the evils
he fears, man withdraws from God, and this is called human fear; while
sometimes, on account of the evils he fears, he turns to God and adheres to Him.
This latter evil
is twofold, viz. evil
of punishment, and evil
of fault. Accordingly if a man turn to God and adhere to Him,
through fear of punishment, it will be servile fear; but if it be on account of
fear of committing a fault, it will be filial fear, for it becomes a child to
fear offending its father. If, however, it be on account of both, it will be
initial fear, which is between both these fears.
Article 3. Whether
worldly fear is always evil? I answer that, moral acts and habits take their name and
species from their
objects. Now the proper object of the appetite's movement is the
final good:
so that, in consequence, every appetitive movement is
both specified and named from its proper end. For if anyone were to describe covetousness as love of
work because men work on account of covetousness, this
description would be incorrect, since the covetous man seeks work not as end
but as a means: the end that he seeks is wealth, wherefore covetousness is rightly
described as the desire or the love of wealth, and this is evil. Accordingly, worldly
love is, properly speaking; the love whereby a man trusts in the world as his
end, so that worldly love is always evil. Now fear is born of
love, since manfears the loss of what he
loves, as Augustine
states. Now worldly fear is that which arises from worldly love as from an evil root, for which
reason worldly fear is always evil.
1.
Fear is a shrinking back from evil. Hence, we cannot fear God in himself, for
God is infinite goodness. But one is said to fear God in the sense of
fearing the evil of being separated from God by sin, and in the sense of
fearing to incur his punishments for sin.
2.
Fear is called servile fear when it is the dread of punishment alone. It
is called filial fear or chaste
fear when it is primarily the dread of offending God, our loving father.
Between these two types of fear is initial fear, which is properly the
beginning of filial fear, and differs
from it only as imperfect differs from perfect. There is another type of fear
called worldly fear which is the dread of losing temporal things to
which the heart clings as to the ultimate good.
3. Worldly fear is always evil, for it
discounts God and eternity, and dreads only the loss of creatural goods.
4. Servile fear is not good in point of its
servility, but it is good inasmuch as it recognizes and dreads the evil that
attends upon sin. From such a dread a person may readily rise to the higher and
noble type of fear, and through this, to charity and repentance.
5.
However, servile fear is essentially
different from filial fear. Servile fear dreads punishment; filial fear dreads offending God. These
two types of fear differ in their specific objects, and therefore differ
essentially from each other.
6.
Yet servile fear, as we have seen,
has a good aspect, and, in this respect, it comes from the Holy Ghost; but it
is not the gift of the Holy Ghost that we call fear. Hence, servile fear, in so far as it is good,
can remain in the soul which has charity, that is, which is in the state of
sanctifying or habitual grace, and therefore in the friendship and love of God.
7.
Wisdom is knowledge of God together with the will to serve him and possess him.
Now, the beginning of wisdom itself is faith, for by faith we know God and are
directed to him. But the beginning of wisdom, in the sense of what arouses one
and stirs oneto be wise, is fear. This beginning of wisdom is both servile fear and filial fear; such fear puts spurs to a man, so to speak, and makes
him cultivate wisdom. In this sense, "the fear of the Lord is the
beginning of wisdom" (Psalm 110).
8. Initial fear is, as we have said, beginning
fear. Both servile fear and filial fear may be, in some way, the
start of fearing the Lord. Yet initial
fear is closer to filial fear than to
servile fear; indeed, it is, properly
speaking, an imperfect form of filial
fear.
9. Filial or chaste fear of the Lord is one of the seven gifts of the Holy
Ghost. By it we revere God and avoid what separates us from him.
10.
Filial fear increases with charity,
for the more one loves God, the more one fears to offend him. Servile fear loses its servility as
charity increases, and then, as the non servile dread of deserved punishments,
it decreases in the glow of charity. For charity fixes the soul more and more
on God, and thus the thought of self, and even of deserved punishment of
oneself, becomes less and less. Besides, the greater one's charity is, the more
confident is one's soul of escape from punishment. And thus, finally, the only
fear in the charity-filled soul is filial
fear.
11.
Filial fear will exist in a perfected
state in heaven. It cannot be the same as it is during earthly life, for in
heaven all possibility of losing or offending God will be taken away. Servile fear will not exist at all in
heaven.
12.
The first beatitude, "Blessed are the poor inspirit," corresponds to
the gift of fear. For if a man fears God perfectly, as he may do by the gift,
he does not pridefully seek to be rich or honored but is humble and poor
inspirit.Things
to do:[4]
·Read
G.K. Chesterton's biography, St.
Thomas Aquinas, The Dumb Ox, which is full of Chestertonian profundity
and wit online or purchase it from Amazon.
·Dive
into the intellectual depth and beauty of St. Thomas' thought in his Summa
Theologiae. Familiarize yourself with his method of inquiry by reading his
section on God's attributes, especially the goodness of God.
Here is a Bibliography in English.
·Nearly
everyone, especially young people, knows and appreciates the story of St.
Thomas chasing the prostitute from his room with a burning log. (She was sent
by his wealthy family to tempt him away from the religious life.) After he
drove away the temptress, two angels came to him and fastened a mystical
chastity cord around his waist. Buy or fashion your own chastity belt, easy to
make from braided yarn or thin, soft rope. (St. Joseph chastity belts are
available at some Catholic shops.) This would be a beautiful alternative or
addition to the "True Love Waits" chastity pledge and ring. It is a
wonderful low-key symbol for self-conscious teens. It also serves as an
excellent reminder to pray daily for the virtue of chastity.
·Meditate
upon the profound humility of St. Thomas Aquinas, whose intellectual capacity
far surpasses any since his time. He stopped writing at the end of his life
after having a vision of the glory of God, claiming that 'All that I have
written seems to me like straw compared to what has now been revealed to me.'
How often do we take pride in our own intellectual achievements, fully
crediting them to ourselves?
·Read
Pope Leo XIII's encyclical, Aeterni Patris, strangely relevant to our time in
its exhortation towards a renewal in philosophical study with a focus on the
Angelic Doctor, Saint Thomas Aquinas.
·Finally,
read Pope John Paul II's encyclical, Fides et Ratio, especially the section on The
enduring originality of the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas. He expresses a
similar intent to that of Pope Leo XIII's in the following words, "If it
has been necessary from time to time to intervene on this question, to
reiterate the value of the Angelic Doctor's insights and insist on the study of
his thought, this has been because the Magisterium's directives have not always
been followed with the readiness one would wish."
Fr. Mike
compares the messages of Isaiah and Ezekiel, one coming from a pre-exile time
and the other from a post-exile time. Even though they are coming from two very
different points in salvation history, they both are persistent in speaking the
Word of God, and sharing his consolation with the people of Israel. Today's
readings are Isaiah 41-42, Ezekiel 2-3, and Proverbs 12:1-4.
Pre‑Code Hollywood — drama, crime, and moral ambiguity
⭐ Quick Overview
A young woman marries a wealthy man to escape poverty, only to find herself entangled in blackmail, corruption, and a web of moral compromises. The film leans heavily into Pre‑Code themes:
transactional marriage
class desperation
sexual implication without explicitness
corruption among the wealthy
women navigating power structures stacked against them
It’s a compact, moody drama that asks: What is a marriage worth when survival is on the line?
π Plot Summary
Marian (Evalyn Knapp), a working‑class young woman, is pressured into a marriage of convenience with a wealthy older man, Judge Harlan. The marriage is less about love and more about protection — he offers her stability, she offers him companionship and social polish.
But Marian’s past won’t stay buried.
A criminal figure who once helped her threatens to expose her history unless she cooperates in a blackmail scheme. As the judge becomes entangled in the scandal, Marian must choose between loyalty, self‑preservation, and the possibility of real love with a younger man who sees her for who she is.
The film ends with a surprisingly moral — but not moralistic — resolution, typical of the Pre‑Code era: sin has consequences, but mercy is possible.
π️ Catholic Moral Reading
1. Marriage as contract vs. covenant
The film exposes the fragility of marriages built on:
fear
money
social pressure
escape
It invites a reflection on the Catholic understanding of marriage as a sacramental covenant, not a survival strategy.
2. The danger of hidden sin
Marian’s past isn’t evil — it’s desperate — but secrecy becomes the weapon used against her.
A perfect tie‑in to:
Confession
The healing power of truth
The spiritual cost of living in fear
3. Corruption among the powerful
Judge Harlan’s world is polished but morally compromised.
A reminder that sin is not the domain of the poor — it’s often more refined among the wealthy.
4. Mercy as the turning point
The film’s resolution hinges on compassion, not punishment.
A very Pre‑Code but also very Gospel ending.
πΈ Hospitality Pairing
For Strange Marriage, the pairing should reflect:
class tension
elegance masking danger
a woman caught between two worlds
Drink: The “False Security” Highball
A polished drink with a sting underneath.
Ingredients:
Bourbon
Ginger ale
A dash of bitters
Lemon twist
Symbolism:
Bourbon = the judge’s wealth and authority
Ginger ale = Marian’s attempt to “sweeten” her circumstances
Posts
