By Dr. Robert Hickson

Theme: Looking Toward a Catholic America

Title: Deep Trust and the Disposition for Wisdom

This talk is a reflection on the importance of deep trust and the disposition for wisdom in a world filled with sophistry and broken trust. He draws a historical parallel to the year 529, contrasting the closure of the corrupt Platonic academy with St. Benedict's founding of Monte Cassino, highlighting the latter as a model for creating order amidst chaos. Dr. Hickson emphasizes the need to cultivate a deep, ontological trust in the intelligibility and goodness of creation, even in the face of suffering and betrayal. He warns against the modern-day manipulation of language and perception, urging a return to the virtues of prudence and a contemplative savoring of truth. The talk is ultimately a call to resist the despair caused by perfidy and to collaborate with God's providence in bringing a greater good out of evil.

(From 2001 SBC Conference)

Also available on MP3