photojournal Archives - The Rev. Kenneth Allen

The lake upon which the cabin sat, wherein I made a day of retreat last week, beckons me to consider a retreat in its proper fullness.

Someone in the crowd said to Jesus,
“Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.”
He replied to him,
“Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?”

Friend, don’t dwell in greed, says Jesus, greed is one of the seven deadly sins. The Catholic Encyclopedia 1917 edition has this to say on mortal sin:

Mortal sin is defined by St. Augustine (Reply to Faustus XXII.27) as “Dictum vel factum vel concupitum contra legem æternam”, i.e. something said, done or desired contrary to the eternal law, or a thought, word, or deed contrary to the eternal law. This is a definition of sin as it is a voluntary act. As it is a defect or privation it may be defined as an aversion from God, our true last end, by reason of the preference given to some mutable good.

The definition of St. Augustine is accepted generally by theologians and is primarily a definition of actual mortal sin. It explains well the material and formal elements of sin. The words “dictum vel factum vel concupitum” denote the material element of sin, a human act: “contra legem æternam”, the formal element. The act is bad because it transgresses the Divine law.

St. Ambrose (De paradiso, viii) defines sin as a “prevarication of the Divine law”. The definition of St. Augustine strictly considered, i.e. as sin averts us from our true ultimate end, does not comprehend venial sin, but in as much as venial sin is in a manner contrary to the Divine law, although not averting us from our last end, it may be said to be included in the definition as it stands.

While primarily a definition of sins of commission, sins of omission may be included in the definition because they presuppose some positive act (St. Thomas, I-II:71:5) and negation and affirmation are reduced to the same genus. Sins that violate the human or the natural law are also included, for what is contrary to the human or natural law is also contrary to the Divine law, in as much as every just human law is derived from the Divine law, and is not just unless it is in conformity with the Divine law.

People ask all the time whether or not a particular sin is mortal or venial, and I usually get a headache responding. It can often be a very complex matter of understanding. But deep down, we do know when we’ve transgressed God’s laws. We are capable of knowing right from wrong.

I discovered the weblog Divine Ripples. I’m still in the discovery phase, but have been enjoying it so far.

And despite my reservations with RealCatholicTV, I do appreciate some of their things. This short episode on the Crusades is one of them:

And there it is, this evening’s brief weblog update. Peace, out.

Well, it’s back to our dramatic, exciting and revealing tale of life along the mighty Mississippi.

In case you had forgotten all about it, or are just tuning in, we’re travelling along the river, to the south of New Orleans.

When last we met, we had just passed up Jack Dempsey’s on Poland Avenue. Right across the street from Jack’s place, is ‘The Joint‘.

Never heard of it.

But it certainly looks like a fun time. Kind of.

It’s never a good idea to take pictures while you drive.

But, since there was no one behind me for miles I stopped and took a picture of the old bridge across the Industrial Canal. It helps to get the feel of the rickety nature of it all.

And this brings us to an important point. The main reason you never drive along River Road outside of New Orleans and downriver from it, is that there is no River Road to the South of New Orleans. So to see the River front you have to do some driving in and out of various neighborhoods.

It’s an interesting trip. But it’s not for everyone.

The grand view from across the Industrial Canal. Ahhh, magnifico!

Maybe not. But looking to river’s bend and the city, one wonders why those two ships on the right are sitting there. Lord only knows. They’ve become a permanent fixture. (I think I do know, but am not 100% sure.)

The Holy Cross School was located here until Katrina flooded it out. They have an unbelievably beautiful new campus in the city proper, in an area which was also flooded out. One wonders what will become of this old place.

Here are some of the new houses being built from the designs fostered by actor Brad Pitt.

A view from this part of the levee back towards the old school, also captures one of the homes which is built to look like a river boat.

Driving along, the road ends once again and you have to go up to the highway to make a few detours. Here is a part of Jackson Barracks, used by the La. National Gaurd.

One of the last places on the along this stretch of intermingled neighborhoods and industries is the Domino Sugar refinery. Where would we be without that?

Part plantation, part factory, it looks like someplace we should have visited on a field trip as children yet, for some reason, I don’t believe we did.

Well.

That wraps up Part II of this exciting tour. I know you’ll be holding your breath waiting in anxious anticipation for Part 3. But that will have to debut sometime in the coming week.

Until then enjoy life, pray greatly, and give thanks to God for His abundant goodness and mercy.

A Brief Update

End of the Road – Part 2