3 things

Dante on Citizenship

What God allowed me to learn on my feet was a simple but life-altering truth: that my primary citizenship is not in Florence, nor in Rome, nor in any other earthly city. My true citizenship is in heaven. While here in the world, I am, like St. Paul, a pilgrim, a sojourner, a stranger in a strange land. Like Christ himself, I am one who has no place to rest his head.

We are all Narcissus now.

Rather than opening up the world, digital technology can gradually close off our senses. The fragrant smell of flowers in bloom are instead seen as potential Instagram posts. A melodious birdsong is deafened by earbuds blasting a Spotify playlist. The taste of food is overpowered by the impulse to Snapchat the moment. 

An Empire of Lies

The United States has become an empire of lies. We are governed by liars chosen on the basis of lies, and the worst partisans have begun openly to admire the lies, so long as they are skillfully constructed and delivered. The lowest among us enjoy being lied to and celebrate it. Entire political careers are based on lies — and policy initiatives, too.