Tidbits

So That's What You Do With A Yale Education

I was at dinner this evening with some Israelis. We were in a room that is decorated with the coats of arms of many universities and learned societies. One of them noticed the arms of Yale, which has Hebrew on the book. I explained that these were the arms of Yale, and they said that the Hebrew said, "Light and mercy." I suggested this was an attempt to render the Latin motto into Hebrew, "Light and truth." Then they said that they thought the Yalies were trying to write something that means, "Light and integrity," which they said referred to the breastplate of the High Priest. And indeed, they were exactly right. The Hebrew motto is "Urim Thummim," referring to the minerals used by the ancient Israelites to discern the will of God. But apparently, the Yalies are writing it wrong.

Yes, Virginia, Scientists Hear God, Too.

Last night, I was talking about a prominent Jesuit astronomer with some older colleagues. They all thought he was a priest, but I had looked at his biography when he became prominent in the news by opposing attempts to adopt intelligent design as the Vatican's line on evolution. He never mentioned being in orders. So I asked him this evening the story. He confirmed that he was a layman and indicated that this was what God called him to be, even though most Jesuits these days are priests. On the other hand, all of his colleagues are priests, so it's fairly easy to find Mass in the morning. But it was so refreshing in an age in which people look at their lives as a set of milestones established by custom to hear someone who felt free enough to defy the usual milestones because he and God came to an understanding.

Until next time, the Holy Brothers pray that you may be what God ordered you to be, even if all of your friends are taking Holy Orders.