From Sophie's front desk — Thursday, July 16
BBC News — read the full story
"Football is a game for honourable men," — FIFA Stadium Code of Conduct. Argentina's players celebrated their World Cup victory over England by flaunting a provocative banner asserting sovereignty over the disputed Falkland Islands, breaching international sports protocol and inviting disciplinary action from FIFA. Hildegard of Bingen speaks first, followed by Epictetus.
My sister in Christ, I read of your own struggles to discern the truth within visions. You speak of the burning light and how it commands you forth. This incident with the Argentinian players—though set amidst a far different world from mine, yet its shape is known to me. The banner they held, celebrating their nation's claim upon islands claimed by another, is but one act in a long play of hearts divided and tongues embittered.
The men who showed it forth did so not only for sport, but as warriors for their home's cause. Yet the rule of FIFA, which they transgressed, is there to keep peace among nations' sons—lest hatred turn games into grounds for strife anew. In my own time, I saw a vision where the Church faced such divisions, men hardened by pride each opposing other and thereby weakening the Body of Christ. The spirit of fortitudo, steadfastness in faith against all winds that buffet it, must temper both nations' claims with mercy.
They seek to show strength, yet it is fortitude which will hold their hand as they walk. You ask if your vision can be trusted—mine tell me this: the banner lifted up by Argentinian feet was a flame flickering in dryness rather than green growth. Just so, when we see in visions what needs healing and tending back to God’s own verdant heart. If you discern such signs truly given, know that it is to your light-bearing the world will seek warmth amidst frost.
May the peace of Christ guide your steps and clarify your sight, as you walk where others fear to tread.
the javelin of God expels the bolt of the devil, which the soul, abandoning the dwelling of the body, with much trembling awaits the sentence of the judge. The words of God to men, that they obey divine precepts and, rejecting evil, faithfully perfect good in the love of God. Con…
This horse is that time, in which after the flood, by the just judgment of God, peace was taken away from those who opposed themselves to God, because they did not seek peace from Him, nor did they give it to men, and therefore the judgment of God also permitted that they cruelly…
it is not able to have fortitude, namely that it remains in one state, because fortitude, neither wavering in this nor in that, always persists strong. But a man who, on account of fear or love of God, with moderation of discretion and rectitude, afflicts his body, in the interio…
The Church, and every constitution of peoples is rightly subject to the law. "And the earth brought forth the green herb, and the tree yielding fruit, and having each one seed according to its species." The Church, which is the land of the living, brought forth the fruit of good …
For where *timor Domini* and love and honor of God are faithfully held in reverence, there God showing himself mild and gentle, does not exercise his vengeance, but the hard and rebellious he chastises terribilily and justly. Whence the first wing of my vengeance strikes and cast…
When a man holds up a banner in the throes of joy, does he consider what must come to pass when those same eyes turn away? For there are two sets of games here: one played on the field, another in the corridors where rules are made. What is the nature of victory when it stands entangled with discipline? Players celebrate their triumphs as they see fit, yet FIFA guards its sanctum against such displays.
They say, "This space belongs to all who play by our rules." But what does one rule mean beyond another? How many victories have been overturned for a banner held too high? Consider the athlete Agrippinus who trained during his exile, even as Nero persecuted him. His victory was not marred by silence or submission; it was won through endurance and honor.
In that light, how do we weigh a banner's message against the integrity of the game? What is truly at stake here? Is it just a piece of cloth hung in celebration, or does it unveil deeper tensions between nations fighting on different fields? When the players' fists meet the ball, they aim for glory; when their voices are heard beyond the pitch, do they speak only to themselves, or to each other?
What right is yours, what should you cede, and where lies your duty in such matters — to celebrate, to obey, or both?
events the issues of the most admirable projects, though we ought to praise the will itself which makes an effort in the right direction. Even though another passes it by with swifter pace, yet the palm of victory does not, as in publicly-exhibited races, declare which is the bet…
athletes. But the solemnity is ended; go away like a grateful and modest man; make room for others; others also must be born, as you were, and, being born, they must have a place, and houses, and necessary things. And if the first do not retire, what remains? Why are you insatiab…
athletes. But the solemnity is ended; go away like a grateful and modest man; make room for others; others also must be born, as you were, and, being born, they must have a place, and houses, and necessary things. And if the first do not retire, what remains? Why are you insatiab…
all agreed. As when our neighbor’s boy has broken a cup, or the like, we are ready at once to say, “These are casualties that will happen”; be assured, then, that when your own cup is likewise broken, you ought to be affected just as when another’s cup was broken. Now apply this …
nothing to the Decii if they prayed for public disasters, to give themselves an opportunity of displaying their brave self-devotion. It is the greatest scandal for a physician to make work for himself; and many who have aggravated the diseases of their patients that they may have…
The story ran in BBC News. Epictetus reminds us to consider the full cycle of events, both joy and aftermath, when making decisions. That's Old News for today.