From Strength to Strength

In From Strength to Strength, Arthur C. Brooks describes his realization that he would become, as he aged, unhappy unless he changed his priorities.  The book reviews research that has studied how productivity and success declines due to aging in many fields, from athletics to geology, due to a decline in fluid intelligence, “the ability to reason, think flexibly, and solve novel problems.”

Brooks discusses the concept of “The Second Curve,” which relies upon crystallized intelligence, “the ability to use a stock of knowledge learned in the past.”  This second curve increases as one ages, and his key recommendation is that one should move to this second curve at some point in life by finding work that exploits this strength (instead of working harder and becoming unhappy futilely trying to stay successful). 

This is difficult, however, because most people don’t want to leave the familiar and are addicted to the successes that they have had previously.  He recommends abandoning the desire for worldly successes and then reducing the scope of what one wants.  To compensate, one must strengthen one’s relationships with family and close friends who have the same values. 

Although Brooks is a Catholic, the book relies on philosophical insights from many traditions around the world.  He recommends nurturing an interest in religion (or other spirituality) and spending the time needed to explore and learn about that which is transcendent, for it provides the strength to move to the second curve.

In some ways, moving to the second curve sounds a mid-life crisis, but Brooks states that this change doesn’t have to be a “crisis.”  He recommends identifying what you truly want; finding work that is inherently rewarding, interesting, enjoyable, and meaningful; and then making the jump.

 He concludes with “seven words to remember”:

 Use things.  Love people.  Worship the divine.

The title refers to a section of Psalm 84:

Blessed are the men whose strength is in thee, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
As they go through the valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools.
They go from strength to strength; the God of gods will be seen in Zion.

The Unexpected Basilica

Basilica of St. Francis Xavier, Dyersville, Iowa

 During our trip to the Midwest this summer, we visited three baseball fields: Wrigley Field (Chicago), American Family Field (Milwaukee), and the Field of Dreams (Dyersville).  After visiting the last on a beautiful early summer day, we headed into town for lunch.  After lunch, we were surprised to find the Basilica of St. Francis Xavier, a spectacularly beautiful, historic church that is indeed a minor basilica.  A gentleman mowing the lawn outside gave us a brief overview of its history and encouraged us to tour the interior.  The photo included here is from the choir loft.  The parish website has good information about its history and the church building.

Also in Iowa is Hawkeye Point, the state's high point, which Mike Warner described in a post on his blog.

Saint Ignatius Church at Port Tobacco

St. Thomas Manor (left) and St. Ignatius Church (right)

Saint Ignatius Church (and Saint Thomas Manor) at Port Tobacco is a notable site in American Catholic history, founded soon after the first Catholic settlers arrived in Maryland on the Ark and Dove.  The parish is "the oldest continuously active Catholic parish in what is now the United States" (according to a guide available from the parish website).  Saint Thomas Manor was the farm run by the Jesuits there; the two-story manor house was built around 1741.  The church was built in 1798.  In the 1990s, parishioners and others created needlework to adorn the kneelers in 56 pews.  Near the church is a historical marker that lists the local Knights of Columbus councils; in the parking lot across the street is a sign explaining the different parts of the building.  The view from the ground between the church and its historic cemetery overlooks Port Tobacco and the Potomac River.

Anerio's Venite ad me omnes

Venite ad me omnes is a motet written by Felice Anerio (1560-1614), an Italian composer and priest who studied under Giovanni Perluigi da Palestrina.  In his article in the November/December 2021 issue of Touchstone, Anthony Esolen explained that this motet is for eight voices in two choirs who respond to each other "as if the choirs were competing with one another in power and feeling and joy." (Perhaps like the crowds of supporters at a basketball game chanting "We've got spirit" at each other?) In particular, note that all eight voices sing "Omnes" together in the first verse (0:17).

According to Esolen, the piece (which is three minutes, fourteen seconds long) includes the following verses:

• Come to me all ye who labor and are heavy burdened, and I will refresh you, says the Lord (Matthew 11:28).
• The bread that I shall give is my flesh, for the life of the world (John 6:51).
• Take and eat, take and eat (Matthew 26:26).
• This is my body, which shall be given up for you; do this, do this, in memory of me (Luke 22:19).
• Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood, abides in me and I in him (John 6:56).
  

Saint Luke Drawing the Virgin

 

Rogler van der Weyden, Saint Luke Drawing the Virgin, 1435-1440.
(Image: Web Gallery of Art)

Saint Luke is the patron saint of healers and artists, and, in this 15th century masterpiece, he is drawing the Blessed Virgin Mary as she feeds the infant Jesus.  Luke is working with concentration, attention, devotion, and tenderness.  According to Sebastian Smee, in this painting, van der Weyden "cunningly integrated Christian symbolism into images that were spatially unified and consistent with reality." Mary's position on the step of the throne is a symbol of her humility, and the enclosed garden represents her purity.