Beheading of John the Baptist

CARAVAGGIO. Beheading of Saint John the Baptist.
1608. Oil on canvas. Saint John's Co-Cathedral, La Valletta

At the beginning of this week, we noted the feasts days of both St. Monica and her son St. Augustine. The Church sanctifies Time. The reason the Church devotes special attention to certain people at certain times is the same reason that the Bible exhorts us to remember the Sabbath and to "keep the feasts" and to "not remove the ancient boundary stone." Today, therefore, is "The Beheading of John the Baptist." Consider Caravaggio's depiction. Note the ordinariness of the platter. Note the others in jail leaning with interest to behold the spectacle. What does this say about the death of saints? 

Agenda:

1. Pray
2. Grammar Quiz: Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
3. Lecture on Greek Tragedy, the Sacrificial Mechanism, and the difference between Pagan Sacrifice and Christian Sacrifice. 
4. Review Books III: 
1. Do lust and the emotions of the theater lead Augustine to satisfaction or to frustration? (How does he describe his life?)
2. How do Augustine and his friends become worse sinners?   
5. From Bible: 
1. According to James 4: 1-3, why do we sin? 
2. Does this mean that God wants our lives to be devoid of enjoyment?
6. Review and copy HW:
1. Read Books V-VI (9/3)
2. Revise ICEs. Turn in on Friday (8/30).
3. Study grammar. Quiz on Pronouns and Antecedents this week.
4. Este perfecti!