St. Augustine, however, disagrees. "Who would dare to believe or assert that it was not in God's power to ensure that neither angel nor man should fall?" That is to say, He most certainly could have ensured that men and angels (rational and free creatures by definition) never sin. In fact He did so in the case of the Blessed Virgin. God ensured that she never sin. Yet in doing so He rather increased her freedom than violated it; He made her more capable of that free response of love for which we are all created. Surely we would not dare to believe or assert otherwise about the Blessed Virgin. Why could God not have done the same for all men?
Furthermore, not only does freedom not require the possibility of choosing to sin, but it is actually a defect in our freedom, a lack of full and perfect freedom, that makes that choice possible for us.
Why, then, did God prefer to make the choice to sin available to men and angels alike? "To show the magnitude of their pride's power for evil and of God's grace for good." (The City of God, XIV, 27).
Now for more pictures of Maria!
This one was actually taken yesterday early in the morning as Maria and I discussed some of the finer points of Aristotlian philosophy over coffee (or milk). She is listening bemusedly as I describe the Philosopher's doctrine of matter and form.
These two were both taken this evening just before dinner. Maria came swooping through the kitchen into the living/dining room intent on rescuing Rupert (her stuffed dog) from the same villain who had misplaced her pants.
5 comments:
Super-Maria! What a heroine she is, fighting for truth, justice and the true Way (not to mention rescuing her dog. Who actually nemed him Rupert? Is our little darling speaking that well now?)
By the way, what words does she say? "Nana?"
now John...
who was drinking what???
Be careful! If she is to listen bemusedly to discussions of Aristotle, she may need to take up pipe smoking!
Nana,
Maria is saying more words now, but "Rupert" so far isn't one of them. She says "mommy" and "daddy" and "papou" and yes, I've heard somthing like "nana" a few times. She has recently been having fun identifying the parts of the face. She can say "eye" and can usually correctly point to whichever part of the face that we mention.
Besty,
It was just coffee, I promise!
Dad,
I think we're safe on that score at least until Rupert is able to walk around on his own. As it is both of Maria's hands tend to be well occupied.
AAAAhhhh! I didn't look closely enough the first time...this time I looked too closely. Lisa, what are you wearing? As your earthly sister and your sister in the Lord I urge you, please, to throw off the sin that so easily entangles!
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