DaveTown

So, I’m trying to read Thomas Aquinas. Reading books about St. Thomas helped me on my path to the Church (Fr. Robert Barron’s Thomas Aquinas: Spiritual Master and the cleverly titled A First Glance at St. Thomas Aquinas: A Handbook for Peeping Thomists by Ralph McInerny to be precise), but actually going to the man himself can be a long row to hoe. I’m not as smart as guys like Old Oligarch and Fr. Jim Tucker, so I’m starting off taking the easier route.

The first book I’m trying to tackle is Summa of the Summa by Peter Kreeft. Dr. Kreeft is a very accesible writer and editor, and by boiling down the “The Essential Philosophical Passages of St Thomas Aguinas’ Summa Theologica (as the subtitle goes) as well as adding a number of excellent footnotes, he makes the Angelic Doctor almost understandable to a man of my limited intellect.

The other is The Aquinas Catechism, which is actually a collection of sermons Aquinas preached on the Apostle’s Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, the Hail Mary, the Ten Commandments, and the Articles of Faith. Being sermons intended for a lay audience, our Saint leaves out the technical philosophical vocabulary which makes some of his other works tough to wrap your head around.

The most interesting thing I read in the Summa of the Summa so far is Thomas’ assertion that acts of goodness are of only three types: acts of virtue, acts of practical necessity, and acts done for the sake of pleasure. I’m going to do some cogitating on this idea and try to blog about it later.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PAPA

A BRIEF HISTORY OF EDUCATIONAL TIME

As all teachers know, the last week of school produces a phenomena wherein times begins to move at a slow, glacial, one might even say geological pace. I’m pretty sure I saw the clock moving backwards yesterday. 5 days to go. I might make it.

TO BOLT OR NOT TO BOLT; THAT IS THE QUESTION

This summer I’ll be faced with the option of continuing my teaching career in a middle school environment, or taking a job in the private sector for much more money. A switch to middle school will be a nice change of pace after a decade in the elementary arena. The private sector job will involve working with a close friend on a project I’ve been unofficially involved in for 8 years, and in which I am a stockholder.

I’m leaning towards the private sector. At times I wonder if teaching is my vocation and I’m supposed to stick with it. Other times I know I’m burned out and need to change. The decision doesn’t need to be made right away, and indeed, circumstances may end up making the decision for me. I’d welcome any input you faithful few readers may have.

TODAY’S OBSERVATION FROM LEFT FIELD

Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger is the victim of inexcusable stereotyping by the press. He is a man of intellilgence, wit, vision and grace. Check out “Salt of the Earth” if you don’t believe me.

Bill Bennett: Vegas Whale

I don’t know about you, but this is the first endearing thing I’ve ever read about the guy.