So many points in here I'd like to jump on and comment on--the biggest that comes to mind is one of the speeches delivered by Fulton Sheen. He describes how, in ancient times, it was fear vs. love, power vs. compassion. Unfortunately today, particularly in the West, lukewarm sentiments pervade the public consciousness. This has led so many of our values to deteriorate over time.
But, if I may inject some good news, it does in fact seem that at least some people are starting to realize this. In an article I wrote the other week on Putnam's Bowling Alone, I found the following quote: "the country is becoming ever more clearly divided into two groups—the devoutly observant and the entirely unchurched…"
It seems today that lukewarmness has gotten so bad that it's actually driving some people to seek the oldest forms of tradition. Obviously, we can only speculate how this will play out, but still, these conversations are fascinating.
Thanks for the kind words my good sir! And I agree with your diagnosis on the “good news,” of today. Seems modernity can only swing so far until momentum takes it back in a new direction, towards tradition.
Btw, your Sun Also Rises write up was incredible 💪
This excellent piece reminded me of, “A Letter from Hell,” sent to St. Claire by a friend who had just passed. “As you read it, notice that Annette was not a particularly wicked person. Rather, it was her lukewarm life as a Catholic that ended in disaster.”
Excellent post, all around. Natural law tenets articulate part of the point you are making here: activity is reasonable and necessary for a life of flourishing. Passivity is unreasonable and leads away from the good, by definition. We are to possess the goods, and we can only do that by pursuing them. I wrote about it here: A Road Trip, and Dodging the Great Tragedy of Our Time (https://substack.com/@susanbarico/p-145095342)
Your fleshing this out further through Homer, Dante, and Kierkegaard is very helpful to me.
I appreciate what you say here: "This might seem strange — invoking pagan literature to explain a Biblical ideal — but tradition has long held that pagan myths grasp partial truths that are fully revealed in Scripture."
Exactly so. This is the power of natural law, which Christianity both inherited and perfects. The noble pagans knew truth - some aspects of it - and their input provided part of a foundation upon which Christ, the Bible, and Christian theologians built. Plato and Aristotle are of course the quintessential examples (as Aquinas well knew).
Amen. I didn't know about it till just a few years ago and I realize my life till then had been the poorer for it. It is now my primary focus (and the topic of my Substack writing). Natural law zealot am I! The world, including Christendom, needs a revival of it in my opinion. It makes our thinking and reasoning better.
Thanks David. I’m not sure what that message is below, but if it was emailed to you it might be a scammer. I wouldn’t click any links, nor give them any sensitive information!
So many points in here I'd like to jump on and comment on--the biggest that comes to mind is one of the speeches delivered by Fulton Sheen. He describes how, in ancient times, it was fear vs. love, power vs. compassion. Unfortunately today, particularly in the West, lukewarm sentiments pervade the public consciousness. This has led so many of our values to deteriorate over time.
But, if I may inject some good news, it does in fact seem that at least some people are starting to realize this. In an article I wrote the other week on Putnam's Bowling Alone, I found the following quote: "the country is becoming ever more clearly divided into two groups—the devoutly observant and the entirely unchurched…"
It seems today that lukewarmness has gotten so bad that it's actually driving some people to seek the oldest forms of tradition. Obviously, we can only speculate how this will play out, but still, these conversations are fascinating.
Loved the read, Sean.
Have a great week!
Thanks for the kind words my good sir! And I agree with your diagnosis on the “good news,” of today. Seems modernity can only swing so far until momentum takes it back in a new direction, towards tradition.
Btw, your Sun Also Rises write up was incredible 💪
Absolutely! Only time will tell, but I’m optimistic.
And thank you for the feedback brother! Always appreciate it. Hope all is well 🤝
This excellent piece reminded me of, “A Letter from Hell,” sent to St. Claire by a friend who had just passed. “As you read it, notice that Annette was not a particularly wicked person. Rather, it was her lukewarm life as a Catholic that ended in disaster.”
https://www.padreperegrino.org/2026/02/helllocution/
Yes! I’ve read this before too. So haunting and such a wonderfully pedagogical letter 🙌
Keep praying for the lapsed and lukewarm. If St. Monica’s prayers worked, there is hope. Happy Easter!
Amen! And Happy Easter Neal!
Excellent post, all around. Natural law tenets articulate part of the point you are making here: activity is reasonable and necessary for a life of flourishing. Passivity is unreasonable and leads away from the good, by definition. We are to possess the goods, and we can only do that by pursuing them. I wrote about it here: A Road Trip, and Dodging the Great Tragedy of Our Time (https://substack.com/@susanbarico/p-145095342)
Your fleshing this out further through Homer, Dante, and Kierkegaard is very helpful to me.
I appreciate what you say here: "This might seem strange — invoking pagan literature to explain a Biblical ideal — but tradition has long held that pagan myths grasp partial truths that are fully revealed in Scripture."
Exactly so. This is the power of natural law, which Christianity both inherited and perfects. The noble pagans knew truth - some aspects of it - and their input provided part of a foundation upon which Christ, the Bible, and Christian theologians built. Plato and Aristotle are of course the quintessential examples (as Aquinas well knew).
Thanks again.
Thanks for your kind words Susan! And you’re absolutely right to emphasize natural law - very well beloved throughout the Christian tradition :)
Amen. I didn't know about it till just a few years ago and I realize my life till then had been the poorer for it. It is now my primary focus (and the topic of my Substack writing). Natural law zealot am I! The world, including Christendom, needs a revival of it in my opinion. It makes our thinking and reasoning better.
I'm not sure why I got this.
I had just read your very insightful writings on lukewarmness
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Amer8cacwill,ho,t0mthe moon BECAUSE it is HARD!
Thanks David. I’m not sure what that message is below, but if it was emailed to you it might be a scammer. I wouldn’t click any links, nor give them any sensitive information!