In Principio Erant Verba…

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In Principio Erat Verbum…

Thus begins the famous Incipit of the Prologue of the Gospel of John.  As theologically profound as that may be, it also is on many other levels.  We greet, bid farewell, amuse, console, and instruct with words.  Words are the raw material through which we convey thought and sentiment.  They are the vehicle by which we try to arrive at the highest truths, and express the most mundane.

I wish to express a warmhearted and sincere welcome to all who have come to read this new blog, “Scutum et Lorica”.  I have been encouraged over the years to write and communicate through various media, but nothing beats the immediacy and accessibility of a blog.

What brings us here?

What is the purpose of this blog?  Why bother getting it started, and why, God willing, will it continue into the future?

Firstly, I am a Catholic Priest with a passionate interest in all things spiritual, theological and philosophical.  Everything I will say or do here, including the works of my co-authors, will be, to the best of our ability and knowledge, accurate, informative, and inspiring.  If you like this, you’ve come to the right place.

Secondly, I am also a person interested in a diverse spectrum of topics. If you are looking for words about areas such as astronomy, current events, economics, linguistics, history, archaeology, art, and just good old humor, you’ve come to the right place.

Thirdly, I am also a person who likes to have informed opinions about things after diligent research and reflection.  If you are looking for a blog which focuses on the analytical and the technical, rather than a simple Op-Ed column, you’ve come to the right place.

Our Inspiration…

Words are powerful, and idle words above all are to be feared by wise people.  At the same time, much good can be done, as long as we keep in mind the end “Word” for which all our little words exist: words exist to help us to become one in relationship with one another.  They are to help us become better people.  They are meant to help us come nearer to the Truth of things.  They also open to us the beauty of the world around us, and so ennoble us.

In this atrocious age in which words are increasingly used to divide, deceive, deface and disparage the essence of what it is to be human, we especially remember the powerful words of Psalm 91, which all Christians know and love as that beautiful invocation of the protecting power of God:

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, who abides in the shadow of the Almighty, 
will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.” 
For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence; 
he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. 
You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. 
A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand; but it will not come near you. 
you will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. Because you have made the LORD your refuge, the Most High your habitation, 
no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent. 
For he will give his angels charge of you to guard you in all your ways. 
On their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. 
You will tread on the lion and the adder, the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot. 
Because he cleaves to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. 
When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will rescue him and honor him. 
With long life I will satisfy him, and show him my salvation.” – Psalm 91, RSV

 

The words of this Psalm, like so many of the Sacred Scriptures, have power to protect us from despondency and despair in the face of an overwhelming deluge of negativity in this era of “Fake News” and a “Post-Truth” society.

In this vein, verse 4 is extremely important:

“His faithfulness is buckler and shield.”  In the Latin, this reads: Scutum et Lorica veritas eius.  Literally, this means “His truth is breastplate and shield.”  So it is.

This blog, Scutum et Lorica, evokes the image of the Shield (Scutum) et Lorica (Breastplate) which, in the military equipment of the ancient world, protected most of the body.  So too, it is my hope that this blog/website helps provide the means by which we all may seek the Truth, which by its nature protects and shelters those who love it/him.

Final Remarks…

At the same time, I want to emphasize that this blog is not to be considered strictly for ‘people of faith’.  I would hope that anyone of good will would be likewise inspired and uplifted by the content that will be provided here.

Readers should note that some websites, videos and other links will involve a degree of multilingualism.  I will try to provide translations where possible or desired.

In closing, I would like to invoke the words of another Psalm,

“Confirma hoc, Deus, quod operatus es in nobis…”

Strengthen this, O God, which you have worked within us… (Psalm 67:29)

Yours always, dear reader,

Aquae Regiae (My nom de plume)

 

Published by Aquae Regiae