[NYer]

Fr. James V. Schall, S.J., is Professor of Political Philosophy at Georgetown University.

He is the author of numerous books on social issues, spirituality, culture, and literature including Another Sort of Learning, Idylls and Rambles, A Student's Guide to Liberal Learning, The Life of the Mind (ISI, 2006), The Sum Total of Human Happiness (St. Augustine's Press, 2007), The Regensburg Lecture (St. Augustine's Press, 2007), and The Mind That Is Catholic: Philosophical and Political Essays (CUA, 2008). His most recent book from Ignatius Press is The Order of Things (Ignatius Press, 2007). His new book, The Modern Age, is available from St. Augustine's Press. Read more of his essays on his website.

[NYer]

The limits of the divine mercy, then, are established by what even God cannot do. He cannot make us free and then make us un-free. What he can do is make us free and, when we abuse our freedom, offer us a way to restore the law or love we have violated. But even here, it is up to us. God can give us an example of what our sins cost. But he cannot make us see it or admit our part in it.

Powerful insight from soon to be Blessed John Paul II.

[marron]

Excellent.

[Rashputin]

Thanks for the post and links to some books.

[the invisib1e hand]

This approach would leave us innocent. We shift the blame to God.

No, I don't think so. I think it's perfectly reasonable to hold the Almighty accountable to his profuse promises of protection, deliverance, blessing, holy vengeance, &c &c. And I think its repulsive to dismiss the process of doing so by wrapping it in emasculating psycho-babble (i.e. "blame-shifting").

[SumProVita]

Fr. Schall ROCKS!!!!

(...as he has for quite some time)

;-)