As we are moving to celebrate the graduation of my son Lonergan from St. Mary College High School, and then to attend the University of San Francisco, I just wanted to share a little section from a letter that I wrote him to read during his final high school retreat. I have spent the last three months clarifying philosophical concept with him, and this section touches on that: Just recently, I have enjoyed sharing with you the philosophical theory of Bernard Lonergan on the process of the mind when it is minding; there we were able to see the problem when we prematurely accept reality as truth by skipping level II. We then moved to clarify our understanding of Aristotle’s meaning when he said that “friendship is the highest of all virtue” only to realize that the concept is true when this highest of virtue is equal to love. This “friendship” virtue of love is what Mom and I have lived out throughout our marriage life in relationship to you and your siblings. To love and care for you without condition, but to do so because it is of the highest good, it is the right thing to do. When we moved away from Aristotle to Plato to see that virtue is “Excellent.” This truth was only affirmed after putting it to the test with Aristotle’s four Cardinal virtues of Prudence, Justice, Fortitude and Temperance. And finally on this point, we mentioned the spiritual virtues of Love, Hope and Charity to be the essence of the moral good. And to wrap this point up, you said it best by quoting Socrates, that he was only aware of his own ignorance. Yes Lonergan, when you move thru life, never forget that HUMILITY (like Socrates) is your greatest asset because it will always open you up to Love, Hope and Charity. Thank you again Lonergan for being a great son to share the last 18 years with. Good luck in your future academic endeavor. Never afraid to kick open any door, because when you do, the possibility that will open before you is immeasurable. Go after your star and never underestimate your ability to endeavor new horizon. Always keep in mind these two thoughts: “The only way to fail is to stop!” St. Theresa Avila. “We are not call to be successful; we are called to be faithful.” Mother Theresa, because by being faithful, success is the most logical conclusion. Mom and I will always be there, only a phone call away. Love, Dad
Posted on: Sat, 08 Jun 2013 01:21:15 +0000
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