Scriptorium

By Friar__Tuck - About Me - E-mail this page - Add to My Favorites - Add to Blog List - See other blogs in On Writing

Thursday, October 7, 2004

An SMS Exchange About "Utopia"

I get a lot of SMS text messages. Here is a recent one about the word "Utopia" Ingrid: Does "utopia" mean "perfect, ideal"? Myself: "utopia" etymologically means "no place." you cannot find it in our world. Ingrid: But is this right? utopian dream Myself: utopia IS already a dream. Ingrid: how do... Sign in to see full entry.

Thursday, September 16, 2004

Philokalia

The Eastern Catholics have developed a particular "twist" to spirituality; it is called PHILOKALIA or "the love of spiritual beauty." This "twist" is highly contemplative and consists it in ascending from the beauties of this world to the Beauty of Beauties, God Himself. The West has its proponent... Sign in to see full entry.

Tuesday, September 14, 2004

John Paul II's Insignia

Lawrence was at it again. "Tito, what does "Totus Tuus" mean?" he asked. "It is Latin for "I am wholly yours." " I answered. "But who is "Yours"?" he asked. "Mary," I answered. "But why would the Pope give himself to Mary? Shouldn't he be giving himself to God?" he asked. "He did give himself to... Sign in to see full entry.

Saturday, September 11, 2004

Tito, Tell Me About The Fish?

Lawrence just doesn't stop asking questions whenever I am at home. This afternoon, when I found some free time from the nuns' retreat, I went home to return some of the books I borrowed from our library. Lawrence had just arrived from school with a new assignment. "Tito, why is there a fish in this... Sign in to see full entry.

Wednesday, September 8, 2004

Those Three Mysterious Letters

"Tito, what do the letters I(J)HS stand for?" That was Lawrence consulting me for one of his religion assignments. "Those are actually Greek letters, not Latin. Iota -- Eta -- Sigma. These are the first three letters in the name of Jesus as written in Greek. So if you really want to spell them in... Sign in to see full entry.

Sunday, September 5, 2004

"Church"

Our English word "Church" is related to the German Kirche which in turn comes from the Greek Kyriake meaning "Belonging to the Lord." Etymology then, the idea denoted by the word "Church" cannot be separated from the Lord. "Church" translates also the idea behind Ekklesia (Latin: ecclesia; French:... Sign in to see full entry.

Wednesday, September 1, 2004

Ite Missa Est

"Ite Missa Est" has been translated as "Go, the Mass is ended" as if "Missa" is a noun meaning "Mass" (Misa in Spanish, Misa, in Filipino) and "Missa Est" means "That's the Mass" (in the tone of "That's the show, folks"). "Missa" however is a passive participle from the verb for mittere in the... Sign in to see full entry.

Monday, August 30, 2004

Compunction

Dictionary.Com is quite straightforward in giving its meaning: com·punc·tion ( P ) Pronunciation Key (k m-p ngk sh n) n. A strong uneasiness caused by a sense of guilt. See Synonyms at penitence. A sting of conscience or a pang of doubt aroused by wrongdoing or the prospect of wrongdoing. See... Sign in to see full entry.

Saturday, August 28, 2004

Selah

Ever wondered what "Selah" in the psalms mean? Below is a list of its occurences in the American Version Ps 3:2 Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. Ps 3:4 I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. Ps 3:8 Salvation... Sign in to see full entry.

Saturday, August 21, 2004

Catholic

Fundamentalists who criticize the Catholic Church for having changed its "Christian" name, usually blame Ignatius of Antioch for the said change: "[Ad Smyrna. 8:2] Wherever the bishop appear, there let the multitude be; even as wherever Christ Jesus is, there is the Catholic Church. It is not lawful... Sign in to see full entry.

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