For some time now, I have constantly delayed writing this first blog post. I am not usually like this especially if I personally decided to start this blog.
Maybe it is because I don’t know what to write in my first post and at the same time explain the essence of this blog.
On the Dawn Masses
Today is December 16, 2010, Thursday. It is also the very first day of the Rooster’s Mass or the Dawn Mass (a nine-day novena mass leading up to Christmas Day itself).
' Peaceful, Cool [from time to time] and Reflective'
I must admit I am a laggard when it comes to this religious ritual (in fact this is my first time to attend). As I attended this Mass I was astounded to see throngs of people attend mass (at 4:00 am, mind you). This means that at the earliest people are awake at 3:00 am (maybe even longer because of travel time).
But I was even more pleased to see how right after the first set of humanity has finished hearing Mass, the second wave has come to hear the 5:00 AM Mass.
'In another church, in another city another wave of humanity rushes in.'
It is reassuring to see how God is still part of people’s lives. Perhaps our country's poorness is what keeps us humble enough to ask God for help and thank Him through Masses like these.
Plus all that walking (to and from church) helps get the blood moving and stay wide awake. Maybe I should consider jogging right after mass?
Polymath 2.0
A polymath is simply another name for a ‘Renaissance Man’ or a ‘universal man’. Among the historical figures, Leonardo Da Vinci has been the most famous and most recognized polymath.
This Renaissance concept (hence the term Renaissance man) focuses on physical and intellectual properties. After all, it was during the Renaissance that knowledge and arts had a major growth spurt. But it lacks a strong spiritual side.
In today’s homily, the priest tells the crowd that [retold]: The dawn mass is a reminder how our ancestors (as farmers and land tillers) saw the importance of God in their lives that so that they can go about their daily schedule of farming (usually at 5:00 am or earlier then) they would attend a 4:00 am mass to make God part of their lives.
Training the mind and the body is our duty but it is also important not to forget to train our souls (strong spiritual life).
A trained soul improves the body by enhancing our character (e.g. discipline) that is needed in our physical training. The trained soul also improves the mind by giving it clarity attained only by constant reflection, meditation, spiritual direction and prayer.
Always make room for God in our daily life.
That is why today’s homily during the Dawn Mass is both a great reminder of the importance of a strong spiritual life and also a great way to introduce the purpose of this blog.
'Polymath in the house y'all!.'
This blog, Polymath 2.0, will be a collection of posts with the sole purpose of helping each other become polymaths. In further posts, I shall elaborate further on various concepts and topics so that we can truly be ‘new men of the world’.
