Charred & Scarred

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Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris - BBC

Notre-Dame de Paris has burned. No one was physically harmed by the fire. The fire has seared the souls of all lovers of beauty, truth and goodness, i.e., all those who love God and the works inspired by His gift of salvation in Christ.

Notre Dame Cathedral will be rebuilt. France and the world need it. France, especially, needs it in ways that many people may not immediately understand. The Cathedral is not merely a national treasure nor a tourist attraction nor a museum piece. It incarnates the mystery of salvation in Christ. It tells the truth of the Holy Gospel. It is a tabernacle for the living God; the Cathedral is a dwelling place for Jesus Christ present, the Holy Eucharist. The Cathedral is a sign of hope for a world that languishes in the shadows of despair and materialism. That hope is vigorous, indefatigable, and will fuel the efforts to rebuild just as it did fuel the efforts to raise the Cathedral in the first place. People need hope and beauty and truth. The Cathedral points to the One Who offers hope and life eternal.

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ST AUGUSTINE

The truth is like a lion; you don’t have to defend it. Let it loose; it will defend itself.

From EVENSONG 24 JAN : The Hymn

Rest now, my heaven-born mind and will; Rest, all ye thoughts and deeds of ill; May faith its watch unwearied keep, And cool the dreaming warmth of sleep.

MARCUS AURELIUS

There is but one thing of real value - to cultivate truth and justice, and to live without anger in the midst of lying and unjust men.

MARK TWAIN

If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.

ARTHUR SCHOPENHAUER

All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.