asymptotes

This is Part 3 of a series of 4 talk outlines on the cardinal virtues 'I will take the Ring,' he said, 'though I do not know the way.'   Elrond raised his eyes and looked at him, and Frodo felt his heart pierced by the sudden keenness of the glance. 'If I understand alright all that I have heard,' he said, 'I think this task is appointed for you, Frodo; and that if you do not find a way, no one will.'   - J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring Introduction Society has always admired and exalted people who have overcome great difficulties to achieve an ideal or goal Roselle Ambubuyug, blind student who graduated BS Math  summa cum laude  in Ateneo de Manila University Filipina pilot without hands Manny Pacquiao Martyrs Frodo and the quest to destroy the One Ring These are examples of the virtue of fortitude. What is Fortitude? Fortitude is the capacity to pursue an ideal despite the difficulties Fortitude st...

Funny how we find it heroic and admirable when one disciplines his body in order to be a good athlete or a good soldier and yet we find it absurd when we’re told that we have to discipline our body in order to be a good Christian.   Funny how we find it right and just that a person pay for his offenses and yet we find it crazy when we’re told we have to atone for our offenses against God. Funny how we find it romantic and poetic when a human lover suffers with and for the sake of his Beloved and yet we find it stupid when we’re told that we have to suffer with Christ. [1] Suffering is present in all three cases mentioned above; but suffering is not what is sought, but dominion , atonement , union .   Dominion over our passions, atonement for our sins and union with Christ: these are some reasons why the Church prescribes sacrifice and self-denial, most especially during the seasons of Lent and Advent.  --- NOTES Death of Turin Turambar from aryundomiel....