Comments for The Key That Fits the Lock, Part 7 at http://www.thecatholicthing.org , comment 1 to 8 out of 8 comments http://www.thecatholicthing.org Wed, 22 May 2013 16:21:20 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/the-key-that-fits-the-lock-part-7.html#comment-14051 @Facile1's last point, well taken - as it always appears trailer parks are tornado magnets. Though perhaps poorness is really the result of suffering in all its manifestations, given how many men of means and ease have ended up down paths of self-destruction by their ingratitude/discontent and ultimate loss of the steady habits instilled by faith/love. The world is a valley of tears for most really, witha good portion of it caused by human selfishness and greed at the expense of others and finally oneselves (an image of Citizen Cane comes to mind, and the true meaning of Rosebud). A special thanks to Prof. Esolen for these most remarkable articles - so very appreciated (and to my Augustinian Uncle who forwarded them to me). - TomG2 Thu, 25 Oct 2012 02:04:37 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/the-key-that-fits-the-lock-part-7.html#comment-14037 I never understood the story of Ham, until now. I never understood the story of Lot, until now. Maybe I still fail to understand. It seems sometimes suffering is wasted on the poor. - Facile1 Wed, 24 Oct 2012 00:43:26 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/the-key-that-fits-the-lock-part-7.html#comment-13809 Look at the Ksenofontov painting, The Curse of Ham. Is that Jesus in the shadow back in the tent? Interesting symbolism if that is Who it is. - Randall Wed, 10 Oct 2012 17:30:41 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/the-key-that-fits-the-lock-part-7.html#comment-13808 @jmitty & Achilles: Gentlemen, please keep to the point; don't make it personal. - Brad Miner Wed, 10 Oct 2012 16:13:02 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/the-key-that-fits-the-lock-part-7.html#comment-13807 Typical Achilles-- in lieu of the actual data of life (in this case textual details about the Sacred Page) he substitutes his own "theological" platitudes. - jsmitty Wed, 10 Oct 2012 16:02:45 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/the-key-that-fits-the-lock-part-7.html#comment-13806 obedience jsmitty, obedience. Not very American. In looking down you miss what is above. - Achilles Wed, 10 Oct 2012 13:18:41 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/the-key-that-fits-the-lock-part-7.html#comment-13805 Strange isn't it that Abraham bends over backwards to intercede for Sodom, but utters not a peep in protest to convince God that sacrificing his own son Isaac is not a good idea? Regrading that intercession you write: Abraham here pleads not for the sinner – that mercy has not yet been definitively revealed, though it has been suggested by God’s having clothed Adam and Eve. He pleads for the righteous men. me: sort of...but actually he intercedes for the whole city for the sake of the righteous. Philo saw in this part of the mystery of redemption...that God may in theory spare the many wicked for the righteous few. I think Origen saw this too. one other minor quibble. You write: In both stories destruction comes from above.... The rain here may suggest a reversion to chaos, an obliteration of boundaries: the firmament that separates the waters above from the waters below. me: actually the water in the Noah story comes from below too (Gen 7:11; 8:2). And this fits with the larger theme of primordial chaos you mentioned. The story harkens back to creation in which the chaos waters were subdued and confined..being pressed down into the earth (to make room for dry land) and being confined in the firmament--the two conditions that make life possible for human beings. Creation is being undone simply by God allowing the forces of chaos once again to have their day. Interesting piece overall. Not too many English professors bother to look closely at Genesis 1-11 at all, let alone the Hebrew version of the story. - jsmitty Wed, 10 Oct 2012 07:50:12 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/the-key-that-fits-the-lock-part-7.html#comment-13803 Just a great read. I hope we get as many Parts as possible. - M Wed, 10 Oct 2012 06:23:49 +0100