Friday, July 04, 2008

The Long and Winding Road

It's been a while. I don't mean since I've posted; although, that also. But I mean, rather, it's been a while that I've been around here, doing this thing.

A while back I posted a sort of mission statement - or, restatement. It was meant to breathe life into this affair. But it was not to be.

Truth is, my heart was not in it. It has not been in it for some time. I set out here, some time ago, to sound my ideas into the space of cybercommunications and see who was listening, and who might have something to say in return. It's been an enjoyable jaunt. I've been informed. Occasionally, I've been corrected. Once, maybe even reprimanded.

Now, I'm moving on.

Those who know me well will sometimes accuse me of an "artistic" temperament or disposition. I don't know about that. Perhaps I'll concede somewhat, but I refuse to have this current change misconstrued as some sort of self-reinvention a la Prince, or even Picasso. Besides, I'm no Picasso. And I'm certainly no prince.

I'm setting out in a new direction. Whence or wherefore exactly, well... it's hard to describe. At midnight tonight, in another little corner of the web, some unlucky passersby will find out just how hard it is to describe. But I'll try nevertheless.

So, this is the end. As of midnight tonight, Veritatis Visio will be archives only. It's closing down. (I just have to figure out exactly how to do that.)

I thank my readership over the years. At one time, there really were a substantial few. I wonder how many still swing by, wondering whether I'm up to anything.

I hope you'll join me at my new place. It's a bit edgier. As the title suggests, it's not the same overt optimism with which I first forayed into this field. The mission is changed, although an essential part remains the same: I'm determined to grow deeper in the knowledge of God's truth, assist others in doing the same, and continue down the paths of spiritual and intellectual growth along which I know God to be leading me.

I've been truly blessed. I was raised by awesome parents who encouraged me to think and to imagine. I attended good, Catholic schools. I have been called to study as a Seminarian with an awesome house of formation and faculty to help me along my path. I live in a somewhat leisured society where I can spend time writing and reading in print and in cyberspace, and it is harder to let a day go by without growing in knowledge than to squander such opportunity.

We are blessed. We live in an age of great import. The more I think and pray about it, the more convinced I become that ours is a crucial time for our society, for the Church. The basic institutions of man - his very nature, being a social creature - are being challenged from all fronts and the Catholic Church is increasingly returning to the fore as the defender of right and reason.

Deep in my soul, I've felt a burning desire to be part of that defense. Deep in my mind, I've perceived the shadows of an oncoming storm. As Chesterton allegedly said before he died: "The issue is quite clear now. It is between light and darkness and every one must choose his side."

I'm choosing my side. The rain is coming. But I hope to weather the storm. I hope you'll help me.