We Know the Score!
Say it with me:
"X V I, Don't you know he's our guy?!"
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Let me suggest another point of view
As I cruise around the blogverse, I have noticed a thread appearing concerning the impending new translation of the Roman Missal. Mostly, it is a symphony of "how stupid can these bishops be? Just change the text and let's get with it" mingled with "Why would about a translation when we could just do it in Latin?" It seems to me that both of these responses miss the point. Any and all changes in the translation used will require re-education of an entire parish, and that will take time, not only in actually implementing the changes but then fielding all of the phone calls, comments and other stuff that will accompany the changeover.
Now, don't get me wrong. The current translation is pretty pedestrian, if not downright cheeky in spots because the prayers have been rendered in a command form unfitting for a creature to approach a creator with. And I think that it is shameful that the English speaking world is several editions behind the rest of the Church universal, especially because it seems as though most of these issues are caused by agendas rather than a through attention to fidelity to the typical edition.
Most people don't realize how difficult it would be to change over to a new translation. First, you would have to either delay the beginning of Sunday Masses or have people show up at least 15-20 minutes early for Mass for at least 2 months. Given the stampede five minutes before Mass, when 50% - 75 % of any given congregation appears, I can tell you what the response for arriving early would be: fat chance. Compound this with the running around priests like myself have to do and you can see how a fifteen minute delay can create real havoc. Second, you would have to explain all of the linguistic preferences as envitably someone is going to walk up and say, "I like the old way better." This is something of a bonus though, because then you can show how dignified language actually promotes a better comprehension of the Faith. Third, you would have to adapt all liturgical music currently in use to match the actual Mass parts. This is only somewhat irritating for me as I would like to have an excuse to seemlessly introduce plain chant throughout the Holy Mass. Fourth, you, meaning a parish, will have to assume the added expense of providing all of the new texts -- assuming you aren't using a missal service -- for people to use at Mass. Welcome to a whole new stewardship issue. Those are the things that come to mind, just off the cuff; I am sure there are more. And just to cut this off at the pass, going back to a completely Latin liturgy would be ten times more complicated than what I am suggesting here.
I don't intend this litany as an impetus to not correct and update the Missal's translation. What I am suggesting though is that when a bishop, or your pastor for that matter, suggests that something might have some difficult aspects in its implementation, don't assume out of hand that the bishop or parish priest is merely being retrograde and obstructionist.
As I cruise around the blogverse, I have noticed a thread appearing concerning the impending new translation of the Roman Missal. Mostly, it is a symphony of "how stupid can these bishops be? Just change the text and let's get with it" mingled with "Why would about a translation when we could just do it in Latin?" It seems to me that both of these responses miss the point. Any and all changes in the translation used will require re-education of an entire parish, and that will take time, not only in actually implementing the changes but then fielding all of the phone calls, comments and other stuff that will accompany the changeover.
Now, don't get me wrong. The current translation is pretty pedestrian, if not downright cheeky in spots because the prayers have been rendered in a command form unfitting for a creature to approach a creator with. And I think that it is shameful that the English speaking world is several editions behind the rest of the Church universal, especially because it seems as though most of these issues are caused by agendas rather than a through attention to fidelity to the typical edition.
Most people don't realize how difficult it would be to change over to a new translation. First, you would have to either delay the beginning of Sunday Masses or have people show up at least 15-20 minutes early for Mass for at least 2 months. Given the stampede five minutes before Mass, when 50% - 75 % of any given congregation appears, I can tell you what the response for arriving early would be: fat chance. Compound this with the running around priests like myself have to do and you can see how a fifteen minute delay can create real havoc. Second, you would have to explain all of the linguistic preferences as envitably someone is going to walk up and say, "I like the old way better." This is something of a bonus though, because then you can show how dignified language actually promotes a better comprehension of the Faith. Third, you would have to adapt all liturgical music currently in use to match the actual Mass parts. This is only somewhat irritating for me as I would like to have an excuse to seemlessly introduce plain chant throughout the Holy Mass. Fourth, you, meaning a parish, will have to assume the added expense of providing all of the new texts -- assuming you aren't using a missal service -- for people to use at Mass. Welcome to a whole new stewardship issue. Those are the things that come to mind, just off the cuff; I am sure there are more. And just to cut this off at the pass, going back to a completely Latin liturgy would be ten times more complicated than what I am suggesting here.
I don't intend this litany as an impetus to not correct and update the Missal's translation. What I am suggesting though is that when a bishop, or your pastor for that matter, suggests that something might have some difficult aspects in its implementation, don't assume out of hand that the bishop or parish priest is merely being retrograde and obstructionist.
In the Works
As if I don't have enough to do, I have been trying to find a way to fill my need for a chance to gather with like-minded, like-spirited individuals who are interested in learning and discussing all sorts of matters related to the Catholic Faith.
No, this is not a personals ad.
This is an ad for the beginnings of a Chesterton Society. There really doesn't seem to be a place for civilized folks to sit around and be civilized. I am thinking of starting something in the OKC metro area but meeting frequency and format is still a little elusive. Mainly, whatever I come up with, I don't need any more heavy lifting. It would need to be something where the leadership of the meeting could be handed over to someone else at a moment's notice, sorta like an understudy.
Here's what I have in mind. Once a month, society members would meet to discuss a chapter of a book or an essay or something like that. Then after the discussion we would go out for a relaxed dinner. Of course, what to read, how to lead meetings, what does membership in the society require, and other lovely but maddening details remain.
Would you folks be interested if it were offered in your neighborhood?
As if I don't have enough to do, I have been trying to find a way to fill my need for a chance to gather with like-minded, like-spirited individuals who are interested in learning and discussing all sorts of matters related to the Catholic Faith.
No, this is not a personals ad.
This is an ad for the beginnings of a Chesterton Society. There really doesn't seem to be a place for civilized folks to sit around and be civilized. I am thinking of starting something in the OKC metro area but meeting frequency and format is still a little elusive. Mainly, whatever I come up with, I don't need any more heavy lifting. It would need to be something where the leadership of the meeting could be handed over to someone else at a moment's notice, sorta like an understudy.
Here's what I have in mind. Once a month, society members would meet to discuss a chapter of a book or an essay or something like that. Then after the discussion we would go out for a relaxed dinner. Of course, what to read, how to lead meetings, what does membership in the society require, and other lovely but maddening details remain.
Would you folks be interested if it were offered in your neighborhood?
What was that about "One Night in Bangkok"?
Once again, you wonder what people are thinking. We already have a cultural frontier which is a playground for every perversion under the sun. The fact that television programs regularly feature and write entire stories around deviancy suggests how tolerant we have become to things which are fodder for greater problems. Granted, a story must have a conflict to set it in motion. What catches my attention is the ramping up of the weirdness and depravity factors in these plot/character motivations. 30 years ago, it was enough to say that the murder happened to cover up an affair. Now, a similar television program, a police procedural e.g., now has to add dimensions of sadomasicism or fetishism. It seems to me that all of that is an effort at normalization of abnormal tendencies. But I digress...
The irony here is that the officials both want to simultaneously curtail and promote a certain set of behaviors. Singapore has something of a reputation when it comes to public sexual matters, including the post-post production editing-out of racier material from movies. Common sense tells us that you can't have it both ways; it's akin, to my mind, of both leading the world in Splenda production, in order to cut obesity risks, and selling it in a chocolate box. If a specific act or set of actions are not conducive to the promotion of the common good, then you can't argue later that somehow that, if we police it very carefully, then it's good.
We can even follow this into a whole different disturbing quarter. Currently, throughout the world, there are not a few girls and women who are sold into sexual slavery. They are forced, at the point of violence, into a world of prostitution and drug use. What would the Singapore government have to say if mysteriously, one of the vendors or participants at their little sortie suddenly was revealed to be involved in one of these sorts of plots, perhaps even getting the idea for the criminal action, because the expo tipped him off to its existence.
Defense of the common good from all that would corrupt and co-opt the rights of the constituency begins at the simplest levels and then follows through to the largest and most comprehensive work. It sounds like Singapore has got it backward.
Biretta tip to Jason Pohlmeier for the link.
Once again, you wonder what people are thinking. We already have a cultural frontier which is a playground for every perversion under the sun. The fact that television programs regularly feature and write entire stories around deviancy suggests how tolerant we have become to things which are fodder for greater problems. Granted, a story must have a conflict to set it in motion. What catches my attention is the ramping up of the weirdness and depravity factors in these plot/character motivations. 30 years ago, it was enough to say that the murder happened to cover up an affair. Now, a similar television program, a police procedural e.g., now has to add dimensions of sadomasicism or fetishism. It seems to me that all of that is an effort at normalization of abnormal tendencies. But I digress...
The irony here is that the officials both want to simultaneously curtail and promote a certain set of behaviors. Singapore has something of a reputation when it comes to public sexual matters, including the post-post production editing-out of racier material from movies. Common sense tells us that you can't have it both ways; it's akin, to my mind, of both leading the world in Splenda production, in order to cut obesity risks, and selling it in a chocolate box. If a specific act or set of actions are not conducive to the promotion of the common good, then you can't argue later that somehow that, if we police it very carefully, then it's good.
We can even follow this into a whole different disturbing quarter. Currently, throughout the world, there are not a few girls and women who are sold into sexual slavery. They are forced, at the point of violence, into a world of prostitution and drug use. What would the Singapore government have to say if mysteriously, one of the vendors or participants at their little sortie suddenly was revealed to be involved in one of these sorts of plots, perhaps even getting the idea for the criminal action, because the expo tipped him off to its existence.
Defense of the common good from all that would corrupt and co-opt the rights of the constituency begins at the simplest levels and then follows through to the largest and most comprehensive work. It sounds like Singapore has got it backward.
Biretta tip to Jason Pohlmeier for the link.
Monday, November 21, 2005
Am I missing something here?
I really am confused and I would appreciate it if any reader could shed some light on the following situation. As I was returning from anointing someone at the hospital this morning, I read the following message on the sign board of a local church:
The acid test of a Christian is forgiveness.
I don't get the "acid test" part. Do you think the person responsible for the sign really intended "litmus test" or is there some other meaning to "acid test" I am missing?
I really am confused and I would appreciate it if any reader could shed some light on the following situation. As I was returning from anointing someone at the hospital this morning, I read the following message on the sign board of a local church:
The acid test of a Christian is forgiveness.
I don't get the "acid test" part. Do you think the person responsible for the sign really intended "litmus test" or is there some other meaning to "acid test" I am missing?
Fast Food Reading
Recently, I have been on the rampage to encourage more people to read more. But one of the issues I haven't addressed is what kind of books do I read? Permit me to use a personal example to draw out my point.
In order to prevent my brain from exploding, I was reading Stephen King's 7th book in the Dark Tower series in conjunction with two or three other books I was trying to wrap up. As time progressed, I was giving more and more time to King's book and less to those books I actually needed to read. Eventually I was reading King exclusively, just so I could get to the end. When I finished I was exhausted but not edified. The ending of that particular book by the way was particularly disturbing for a lot of reasons which I don't want to address here. I mean, it was silly for me to expect a happy ending from King, the master of horror and pain.
These sorts of books are like fast food. Occasionally stopping to have a quarter pounder with cheese is okay. Stapling your diet from that is not. Reading a "light" work is good to break up the flow of what one reads, but one ought not make a strict diet out of fluffy literature. Like fast food, I could read King very quickly because (sorry, Steve) there isn't a lot of depth there. Reading leads us to discover the truly human, and that requires a certain amount of work in our reading.
So, when you read, read only the best.
Recently, I have been on the rampage to encourage more people to read more. But one of the issues I haven't addressed is what kind of books do I read? Permit me to use a personal example to draw out my point.
In order to prevent my brain from exploding, I was reading Stephen King's 7th book in the Dark Tower series in conjunction with two or three other books I was trying to wrap up. As time progressed, I was giving more and more time to King's book and less to those books I actually needed to read. Eventually I was reading King exclusively, just so I could get to the end. When I finished I was exhausted but not edified. The ending of that particular book by the way was particularly disturbing for a lot of reasons which I don't want to address here. I mean, it was silly for me to expect a happy ending from King, the master of horror and pain.
These sorts of books are like fast food. Occasionally stopping to have a quarter pounder with cheese is okay. Stapling your diet from that is not. Reading a "light" work is good to break up the flow of what one reads, but one ought not make a strict diet out of fluffy literature. Like fast food, I could read King very quickly because (sorry, Steve) there isn't a lot of depth there. Reading leads us to discover the truly human, and that requires a certain amount of work in our reading.
So, when you read, read only the best.
Sunday, November 20, 2005
You Can Blame Alton Brown...
On Friday's broadcast of Morning Air, I mentioned a few of the things I am putting together for Thanksgiving dinner. Apart from my decretum fartum malum est (Stuffing is Evil), I explained how I brine my turkey before roasting it. Sean immediately said, "That has to go on your blog." Eager to honor that request, I give you the recipes as I got them from Food TV Network, and my cooking guru, Alton Brown.
Fr. Tharp's Thanksgiving Contributions
Roasted Brined Turkey: This turkey is literally the best I have ever made or eaten. It is worth all that prep.
Apple-Cranberry Crisp: Instead of the frozen berries, I am substituting cranberries, 3 Pink Lady apples, and a 1/4 cup of dark brown sugar. I just don't trust that this won't be mouth puckering given cranberry's reputation. Also, I think I will make this as one giant crisp rather than individual servings.
UPDATE: After having taken two runs at this recipe, I think I have the right balance of sweet and tangy. The first one was a bit too sour yet. So if you are making this, substitute frozen berries with one bag (12 oz.) of cranberries (fresh, please), use two apples, and dark brown sugar for plain sugar in the main part of the recipe. Also, add 1/4 cup of honey (again, local or varietal preferred) to up the sweetness ante. The crisp topping remains unchanged. You might let the mixture sit after combining the fruit and such. The juice from the apples may take away some of the bite.
Smashed Sweet Potatoes: I hope I can find chipotle peppers at the Alva Wal-Mart...
UPDATE: Found the peppers and let me tell you, those are the best sweet potatoes ever. The three unsolicited opinions agree.
Sweet Potato Pie: There will be at least four or five of these made as I owe some folks some thank yous. I hope no one has a nut allergy...
While I am on the subject, I have a question for all of the Good Eats fans out there. Does anyone know what ever happened to Rooney? Rooney had some of the great characters on the show like the Mad French Chef and Cousin Ray. It's a pity not to see him anymore. Don't get me wrong: Carl is a great contribution to the show and I will always have a warm spot for W. Rooney just dropped off the radar and didn't know what was up. If anyone can get this note to AB, it would be appreciated.
UPDATE: I found out who Rooney really is and where he's made off to. Rooney, rather Steve Rooney, started out as one of the executive producer and test chefs for Good Eats. Talk about parlaying your successes. I hear now that he is teaching cooking in Atlanta. I'm sorry, but I could concentrate unless he were bereating me as any good french chef should toward the up and coming sous chef.
On Friday's broadcast of Morning Air, I mentioned a few of the things I am putting together for Thanksgiving dinner. Apart from my decretum fartum malum est (Stuffing is Evil), I explained how I brine my turkey before roasting it. Sean immediately said, "That has to go on your blog." Eager to honor that request, I give you the recipes as I got them from Food TV Network, and my cooking guru, Alton Brown.
Fr. Tharp's Thanksgiving Contributions
Roasted Brined Turkey: This turkey is literally the best I have ever made or eaten. It is worth all that prep.
Apple-Cranberry Crisp: Instead of the frozen berries, I am substituting cranberries, 3 Pink Lady apples, and a 1/4 cup of dark brown sugar. I just don't trust that this won't be mouth puckering given cranberry's reputation. Also, I think I will make this as one giant crisp rather than individual servings.
UPDATE: After having taken two runs at this recipe, I think I have the right balance of sweet and tangy. The first one was a bit too sour yet. So if you are making this, substitute frozen berries with one bag (12 oz.) of cranberries (fresh, please), use two apples, and dark brown sugar for plain sugar in the main part of the recipe. Also, add 1/4 cup of honey (again, local or varietal preferred) to up the sweetness ante. The crisp topping remains unchanged. You might let the mixture sit after combining the fruit and such. The juice from the apples may take away some of the bite.
Smashed Sweet Potatoes: I hope I can find chipotle peppers at the Alva Wal-Mart...
UPDATE: Found the peppers and let me tell you, those are the best sweet potatoes ever. The three unsolicited opinions agree.
Sweet Potato Pie: There will be at least four or five of these made as I owe some folks some thank yous. I hope no one has a nut allergy...
While I am on the subject, I have a question for all of the Good Eats fans out there. Does anyone know what ever happened to Rooney? Rooney had some of the great characters on the show like the Mad French Chef and Cousin Ray. It's a pity not to see him anymore. Don't get me wrong: Carl is a great contribution to the show and I will always have a warm spot for W. Rooney just dropped off the radar and didn't know what was up. If anyone can get this note to AB, it would be appreciated.
UPDATE: I found out who Rooney really is and where he's made off to. Rooney, rather Steve Rooney, started out as one of the executive producer and test chefs for Good Eats. Talk about parlaying your successes. I hear now that he is teaching cooking in Atlanta. I'm sorry, but I could concentrate unless he were bereating me as any good french chef should toward the up and coming sous chef.
While I was away on Monday...
On Monday last, I attended the UCO Catholic Student Center fundraiser. Each year, the center sponsors a speaker of some note and then sells tickets. If you pony up enough cash, there's even dinner. So, ever since Fr. Hamilton managed to get George Weigel to come and speak, I have tried not to miss it. This year was an especially treat.
For this year's fundraiser, the director of the center, Mr. Carl Erikson (and yes, he is one of the good guys and is swiftly rising toward full Ragemonkey Minion status) brought in Mr. Patrick Madrid. For those who are out of the loop, Pat Madrid is a well-known and well-respected Catholic apologist who has worked in many venues over the last several years. In particular he deserves praise for two endeavors: public debates with Protestant ministers and the magazine Envoy. The debates alone are worth their weight in gold. I can't imagine how he does it. If roles were reversed and I were the one in the debate, my staff would have to have Silverback Strength Tranquilzer Darts on hand, just to keep me from screaming. Sadly, I think Envoy is defunct as a magazine, but you can still find the blog and the archives on-line. Just check our sidebar.
Needless to say, I had the privilege of sitting next to Mr. Madrid and sharing a delicious dinner with him. Unfortunately, I did make a slight faux pas when one of the others at the table asked me what I had been reading, specifically the last book I had read, and I think I gave a litany that was a little too, ah, showy and pompous for my own good.
Anyway, it also turns out that Mr. Madrid has visited this end of the internet jungle and is a sometime reader. The topic came up during dinner mainly beause Mr. Madrid recognized my name but couldn't place it and then to clarify something silly and flippant that I said (okay, make that two faux pas). And no, Fr. Hamilton, I did not intentionally bring up the blog; my intention was not to mention it at all. Events simply conspired against me.
If you are reading this, Pat, it was a real treat to meet you, not to mention all those books to burrow through.
On Monday last, I attended the UCO Catholic Student Center fundraiser. Each year, the center sponsors a speaker of some note and then sells tickets. If you pony up enough cash, there's even dinner. So, ever since Fr. Hamilton managed to get George Weigel to come and speak, I have tried not to miss it. This year was an especially treat.
For this year's fundraiser, the director of the center, Mr. Carl Erikson (and yes, he is one of the good guys and is swiftly rising toward full Ragemonkey Minion status) brought in Mr. Patrick Madrid. For those who are out of the loop, Pat Madrid is a well-known and well-respected Catholic apologist who has worked in many venues over the last several years. In particular he deserves praise for two endeavors: public debates with Protestant ministers and the magazine Envoy. The debates alone are worth their weight in gold. I can't imagine how he does it. If roles were reversed and I were the one in the debate, my staff would have to have Silverback Strength Tranquilzer Darts on hand, just to keep me from screaming. Sadly, I think Envoy is defunct as a magazine, but you can still find the blog and the archives on-line. Just check our sidebar.
Needless to say, I had the privilege of sitting next to Mr. Madrid and sharing a delicious dinner with him. Unfortunately, I did make a slight faux pas when one of the others at the table asked me what I had been reading, specifically the last book I had read, and I think I gave a litany that was a little too, ah, showy and pompous for my own good.
Anyway, it also turns out that Mr. Madrid has visited this end of the internet jungle and is a sometime reader. The topic came up during dinner mainly beause Mr. Madrid recognized my name but couldn't place it and then to clarify something silly and flippant that I said (okay, make that two faux pas). And no, Fr. Hamilton, I did not intentionally bring up the blog; my intention was not to mention it at all. Events simply conspired against me.
If you are reading this, Pat, it was a real treat to meet you, not to mention all those books to burrow through.
You'll Forgive Me if I Disagree
I have been meaning to write something on this, although I confess that anything I write is somewhat provisional. I haven't done nearly the research that I need to, so please be satisfied with a thoughtful sketch and we will go from there.
First, let me say that this is a touchy subject. I expect that many people who profess to have the single state as their vocation will not like what I am about to say. Fine. I can accept that. But any and all comments need to be rational, not emotional. If I hurt your feelings or upset in some way, I am sorry at the outset. However, that doesn't change the fact that some clarity is needed in this discussion.
When the Church, especially in the light of the Second Vatican Council (henceforth VII), speaks of vocation, there is two degrees meant: the universal or common vocation and the particular vocation. The universal vocation of every Christian is holiness of life which is directed to the bliss of heaven. This goes for EVERYONE. Priest, religious, married couple, child, single, everyone must strive for holiness. This is merely another way to speak of the election we have in Christ. When we were created, we were made to know God, to love Him, to serve Him, and to be happy with Him in this life and in the life to come. Even though we can, and too often do stray from the path, the intention in our creation was to spend eternity with the Holy Trinity. The rubber hits the road though when we ask the all-important question of how, specifically, how do I live the call to holiness given my state of life. This brings us to the particular vocation.
Rather than spell out the three commonly accepted particular vocations, priesthood, religious life, and marriage, I want to point out what all three have in common. First, all three require a period of testing and examination before being accepted into that state of life. Second, all three require a public profession that one is undertaking this life, freely and without force. Third, all three create not only a specific mission within, but also a specific set of obligations to the Church. Fourth, all three require recognition and permission by the Church to leave or to take up another of these states. Fifth, all three particular vocations require discernment and the confirmation of the Church, through her proper authorities, before one can take it on. Compare that to the single state qua single state and you will see it has nothing in common with these particular vocations.
What's to be done then? Up front, let me point out that being single is no obstacle to fulfilling your general vocation to holiness. If anything, I think it probably opens the playing field to other things that many of us would not be able to do. But vocation, especially particular vocation, is not a functionalistic job description. It is an identity which Christ places upon each person from the very heart of eternity. That particular vocation serves to build up the Church by being at the service of Communion, or in the case of religious and consecrated life, embodying the Communion we will all share in the kingdom of our Father in Heaven. If one discerns that one is meant to be a celibate, but not entering into a religious order, that is possible. It is a public vow of virginity that the one seeks to take. But means of this vow, the person would be enrolled in the consecrated life in the Church. Here is what the Catechism says on the subject:
The principal problem with this article on Catholic Exchange is that it lacks proper distinctions both in terms of purpose and in terminology. The question of vocation is not a question of what I want or what work I am supposed to be doing. The question is what does Christ want me to do and where in the Church can I be set to task? That requires more than a can-do spirit. It requires the input and the discernment of the Church's hierarchy, just as every other particular vocation demands.
I have been meaning to write something on this, although I confess that anything I write is somewhat provisional. I haven't done nearly the research that I need to, so please be satisfied with a thoughtful sketch and we will go from there.
First, let me say that this is a touchy subject. I expect that many people who profess to have the single state as their vocation will not like what I am about to say. Fine. I can accept that. But any and all comments need to be rational, not emotional. If I hurt your feelings or upset in some way, I am sorry at the outset. However, that doesn't change the fact that some clarity is needed in this discussion.
When the Church, especially in the light of the Second Vatican Council (henceforth VII), speaks of vocation, there is two degrees meant: the universal or common vocation and the particular vocation. The universal vocation of every Christian is holiness of life which is directed to the bliss of heaven. This goes for EVERYONE. Priest, religious, married couple, child, single, everyone must strive for holiness. This is merely another way to speak of the election we have in Christ. When we were created, we were made to know God, to love Him, to serve Him, and to be happy with Him in this life and in the life to come. Even though we can, and too often do stray from the path, the intention in our creation was to spend eternity with the Holy Trinity. The rubber hits the road though when we ask the all-important question of how, specifically, how do I live the call to holiness given my state of life. This brings us to the particular vocation.
Rather than spell out the three commonly accepted particular vocations, priesthood, religious life, and marriage, I want to point out what all three have in common. First, all three require a period of testing and examination before being accepted into that state of life. Second, all three require a public profession that one is undertaking this life, freely and without force. Third, all three create not only a specific mission within, but also a specific set of obligations to the Church. Fourth, all three require recognition and permission by the Church to leave or to take up another of these states. Fifth, all three particular vocations require discernment and the confirmation of the Church, through her proper authorities, before one can take it on. Compare that to the single state qua single state and you will see it has nothing in common with these particular vocations.
What's to be done then? Up front, let me point out that being single is no obstacle to fulfilling your general vocation to holiness. If anything, I think it probably opens the playing field to other things that many of us would not be able to do. But vocation, especially particular vocation, is not a functionalistic job description. It is an identity which Christ places upon each person from the very heart of eternity. That particular vocation serves to build up the Church by being at the service of Communion, or in the case of religious and consecrated life, embodying the Communion we will all share in the kingdom of our Father in Heaven. If one discerns that one is meant to be a celibate, but not entering into a religious order, that is possible. It is a public vow of virginity that the one seeks to take. But means of this vow, the person would be enrolled in the consecrated life in the Church. Here is what the Catechism says on the subject:
914 "The state of life which is constituted by the profession of the evangelical counsels, while not entering into the hierarchical structure of the Church, belongs undeniably to her life and holiness."
Evangelical counsels, consecrated life
915 Christ proposes the evangelical counsels, in their great variety, to every disciple. the perfection of charity, to which all the faithful are called, entails for those who freely follow the call to consecrated life the obligation of practicing chastity in celibacy for the sake of the Kingdom, poverty and obedience. It is the profession of these counsels, within a permanent state of life recognized by the Church, that characterizes the life consecrated to God.
916 The religious state is thus one way of experiencing a "more intimate" consecration, rooted in Baptism and dedicated totally to God. In the consecrated life, Christ's faithful, moved by the Holy Spirit, propose to follow Christ more nearly, to give themselves to God who is loved above all and, pursuing the perfection of charity in the service of the Kingdom, to signify and proclaim in the Church the glory of the world to come.
One great tree, with many branches
917 "From the God-given seed of the counsels a wonderful and wide-spreading tree has grown up in the field of the Lord, branching out into various forms of the religious life lived in solitude or in community. Different religious families have come into existence in which spiritual resources are multiplied for the progress in holiness of their members and for the good of the entire Body of Christ."
918 From the very beginning of the Church there were men and women who set out to follow Christ with greater liberty, and to imitate him more closely, by practicing the evangelical counsels. They led lives dedicated to God, each in his own way. Many of them, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, became hermits or founded religious families. These the Church, by virtue of her authority, gladly accepted and approved.
919 Bishops will always strive to discern new gifts of consecrated life granted to the Church by the Holy Spirit; the approval of new forms of consecrated life is reserved to the Apostolic See.
The eremitic life
920 Without always professing the three evangelical counsels publicly, hermits "devote their life to the praise of God and salvation of the world through a stricter separation from the world, the silence of solitude and assiduous prayer and penance."
921 They manifest to everyone the interior aspect of the mystery of the Church, that is, personal intimacy with Christ. Hidden from the eyes of men, the life of the hermit is a silent preaching of the Lord, to whom he has surrendered his life simply because he is everything to him. Here is a particular call to find in the desert, in the thick of spiritual battle, the glory of the Crucified One.
Consecrated virgins
922 From apostolic times Christian virgins, called by the Lord to cling only to him with greater freedom of heart, body, and spirit, have decided with the Church's approval to live in a state of virginity "for the sake of the Kingdom of heaven."
923 "Virgins who, committed to the holy plan of following Christ more closely, are consecrated to God by the diocesan bishop according to the approved liturgical rite, are betrothed mystically to Christ, the Son of God, and are dedicated to the service of the Church." By this solemn rite (Consecratio virginum), the virgin is "constituted . . . a sacred person, a transcendent sign of the Church's love for Christ, and an eschatological image of this heavenly Bride of Christ and of the life to come."
[N.B. Here is the case I mentioned. You'll notice that no mention is made of a religious order. Instead the person in question makes a public profession, which has duties and obligations, which constitutes a particular public witness. It is also to be noted that generally the word "consecrated virgin" denotes a woman. I wonder if or how the procedure and prayers are different for a man.]
924 "As with other forms of consecrated life," the order of virgins establishes the woman living in the world (or the nun) in prayer, penance, service of her brethren, and apostolic activity, according to the state of life and spiritual gifts given to her. Consecrated virgins can form themselves into associations to observe their commitment more faithfully.
The principal problem with this article on Catholic Exchange is that it lacks proper distinctions both in terms of purpose and in terminology. The question of vocation is not a question of what I want or what work I am supposed to be doing. The question is what does Christ want me to do and where in the Church can I be set to task? That requires more than a can-do spirit. It requires the input and the discernment of the Church's hierarchy, just as every other particular vocation demands.
Ah, another round of workers set to the plow
I had the pleasure of meeting Archbishop Chaput while I was a deacon. The parish youth group was attending Steubenville in the Rockies and I was one of two deacons assisting the Archbishop at the Mass on Sunday. He struck me as someone well rooted, a placid exterior which held deep wells of virtue. Needless to say, it is good to hear good news from Denver. I had the pleasure, I won't assume it was mutual as I can be something of a beast, of studying with several guys from Denver when I was at Conception in MO.
To these new deacons, ad multos annos!
I had the pleasure of meeting Archbishop Chaput while I was a deacon. The parish youth group was attending Steubenville in the Rockies and I was one of two deacons assisting the Archbishop at the Mass on Sunday. He struck me as someone well rooted, a placid exterior which held deep wells of virtue. Needless to say, it is good to hear good news from Denver. I had the pleasure, I won't assume it was mutual as I can be something of a beast, of studying with several guys from Denver when I was at Conception in MO.
To these new deacons, ad multos annos!
The short answer is "Yes."
Is that judgmental? Probably.
From my own work in post-abortion healing, I can tell you that the decision to abort is never done simply or without some degree of coercion by some party or another. I can only imagine what kind of pressure could be exerted if the doctor would come at you and say, "Your baby won't be normal." Granted, I find it worrisome that the article didn't mention how accurate the test actually is, not that accuracy does away with the eugenic overtone of the whole matter. I can only imagine the horror and dread compounding in my soul if I can a.) chosen to abort and b.) then to have my primary motive taken away from me.
The reason for the title of this post comes from a very pessimistic part of my personality. I have a hard time believing that there is any medically supportive posture here. I don't really think that this fetal test is being offered so that parents can prepare to take on a special needs child. Sorry, it's just what my gut is telling me. The culture praises perfect body, perfect eyes, perfect makeover. The least burden is to be shunted aside without reference to the person who suffers it or finding ways to alleviate the problem.
With all this said, I could be completely wrong. Actually, I hope I am.
Is that judgmental? Probably.
From my own work in post-abortion healing, I can tell you that the decision to abort is never done simply or without some degree of coercion by some party or another. I can only imagine what kind of pressure could be exerted if the doctor would come at you and say, "Your baby won't be normal." Granted, I find it worrisome that the article didn't mention how accurate the test actually is, not that accuracy does away with the eugenic overtone of the whole matter. I can only imagine the horror and dread compounding in my soul if I can a.) chosen to abort and b.) then to have my primary motive taken away from me.
The reason for the title of this post comes from a very pessimistic part of my personality. I have a hard time believing that there is any medically supportive posture here. I don't really think that this fetal test is being offered so that parents can prepare to take on a special needs child. Sorry, it's just what my gut is telling me. The culture praises perfect body, perfect eyes, perfect makeover. The least burden is to be shunted aside without reference to the person who suffers it or finding ways to alleviate the problem.
With all this said, I could be completely wrong. Actually, I hope I am.
Clearly, the superior headline is "Mass Exodus"
Once again, I must point out the obvious flaw. Just because opinion polls say that this or that thing is okay, without any moral onus, doesn't make it so. It just reflects the fact that people have lost touch with that which makes them actually human. To act as though one can be faithful to Christ without actually worshipping Him, in the way He commands, at the direction of the Body commissioned to hand on that saving truth is absolute balderdash. You might as well claim that you can both be an active recruiter for Al-Queda and a faithful U.S. Citizen.
Once again, I must point out the obvious flaw. Just because opinion polls say that this or that thing is okay, without any moral onus, doesn't make it so. It just reflects the fact that people have lost touch with that which makes them actually human. To act as though one can be faithful to Christ without actually worshipping Him, in the way He commands, at the direction of the Body commissioned to hand on that saving truth is absolute balderdash. You might as well claim that you can both be an active recruiter for Al-Queda and a faithful U.S. Citizen.
Friday, November 18, 2005
Welcome Relevant Radio Listeners
For all those who got up at the crack of dawn to listen to the Ragemonkey Week in Review on Relevant Radio, what follows is a recap. I offered a list of ten ideas, drawn from the Holy Mass, for making your Thanksgiving Holiday more, well, thankful. The word "eucharist" derives from the Greek word "to give thanks." It seemed like a logical connection.
1.) Prepare Yourself to Give Rather Than To Get.
Like the Holy Mass, the purpose of Thanksgiving is actually to give back to the family which spawned you. Bringing something to eat or merely a pleasant attitude is certainly in order.
2.) Remember That They Are Your Family and Friends By Design.
The Sign of the Cross carries two theological truths: the Holy Trinity and the Redemption wrought by the Cross. Because of these two realities, we are bound together, yes, even your worst enemy is bound to you, assuming they are baptized, etc. Family and friends work the same way. They are given to assist us on the way, even when it seems like they get underfoot too often. It's by design to help us grow in active charity.
3.) Decide Forgiveness Is Both Going To Be Given and Requested.
The Penitential Rite heads up the introductory rites of the Holy Mass because even the best among us come as beggars before the Lord. Therefore before we give thanks we must seek to acknowledge our fault. In the same way, we need to decide to forgive other family members and be ready to ask for forgiveness ourselves. I hate to admit this, but we all fall short on the "I love my family" scale from time to time.
4.) Tell Family Stories In Order To Build Up and Be More Perfectly a Family.
The Sacred Scriptures give us the roadmap spelling out the byways into which the Redemption has flowed, leading up to our own day. This is recounted to strength us, to trust our Lord better. Family stories are wonderful, but really, do we need to hear about how Billy got his head stuck in the bars of the banister for the 10th time? The poor guy has grown up finally and hopefully has put this ackward period behind him. Tell the stories that are triumphant tales and signs proving God's goodness.
5.) Blessings Are Blessings Despite the Appearances.
I took this from the blessing prayers before the Eucharistic Prayer. When you look at the host, it's pretty modest. The same thing with the wine at the Holy Mass. Before the consecration, they aren't much. After the consecration, the appearance hasn't changed but everything significant has. Look around at the table on Thanksgiving and it will be pretty modest. But it contains greater blessings than you can imagine.
6.) Give Thanks for All of the Things, Everything It Took to Get Them There, Regardless of Who Brings Them.
Salvation comes to us through the medium of the Cross. It isn't a pretty picture. Our time together, yes, even Myrna's deadly jello surprise (Surprise -- It's made from boiled horse hooves) comes from one who wishes to give something and hopes that we will do the same. Even if they make you crazy, be thankful anyhow.
7.) The Family is a Mystery of Faith.
That one's pretty self-explanatory.
8.) Peace is A Work of Forgiveness Meant to Restore True Community.
The Sign of Peace is literally a bridge building moment in the Mass. By the Sign of Peace we intend to communicate that old injuries are forgiven. So this observation is really just a derivation of #3 above. Peace at the dinner table during Thanksgiving starts when I decide to give it to the other person. Yes, that means no harboring resentment that the third scotch may bring forth. It instead requires me to aim higher: it requires me to see that I am just a guilty of breaking peace as the peace breaker because I won't forgive as the Gospel demands.
9.) Communion, Holy or Otherwise, Requires a Gift of Self
Man, is this hard for people to see. Christ pours out His life so that sins may be forgiven and that we may be brought into oneness with Him. Thanksgiving is a micro-communion moment. It is the chance to build with those whom we see not so often and wish to deal with even less so. But for that to happen I will have to give of myself. I will have to extend something to the other person, perhaps something that will cost me quite a lot.
10.) When It's Done, It Really Isn't Over.
Here is the kicker. Once the dishes are soaking and everyone is in a turkey induced coma, the effect of Thanksgiving isn't over yet. In the days to come, perhaps you will sense a need to talk more with your mom. Perhaps, you will finally go over to your sister's house after many months of avoiding her because she made you mad. Whatever. If Thanksgiving, as a secular holiday, is to transcend the merely secular, it must oblige us to build more things to be thankful for and to be more aware of all that we have been given.
Happy Thanksgiving -- just a skosh early.
For all those who got up at the crack of dawn to listen to the Ragemonkey Week in Review on Relevant Radio, what follows is a recap. I offered a list of ten ideas, drawn from the Holy Mass, for making your Thanksgiving Holiday more, well, thankful. The word "eucharist" derives from the Greek word "to give thanks." It seemed like a logical connection.
1.) Prepare Yourself to Give Rather Than To Get.
Like the Holy Mass, the purpose of Thanksgiving is actually to give back to the family which spawned you. Bringing something to eat or merely a pleasant attitude is certainly in order.
2.) Remember That They Are Your Family and Friends By Design.
The Sign of the Cross carries two theological truths: the Holy Trinity and the Redemption wrought by the Cross. Because of these two realities, we are bound together, yes, even your worst enemy is bound to you, assuming they are baptized, etc. Family and friends work the same way. They are given to assist us on the way, even when it seems like they get underfoot too often. It's by design to help us grow in active charity.
3.) Decide Forgiveness Is Both Going To Be Given and Requested.
The Penitential Rite heads up the introductory rites of the Holy Mass because even the best among us come as beggars before the Lord. Therefore before we give thanks we must seek to acknowledge our fault. In the same way, we need to decide to forgive other family members and be ready to ask for forgiveness ourselves. I hate to admit this, but we all fall short on the "I love my family" scale from time to time.
4.) Tell Family Stories In Order To Build Up and Be More Perfectly a Family.
The Sacred Scriptures give us the roadmap spelling out the byways into which the Redemption has flowed, leading up to our own day. This is recounted to strength us, to trust our Lord better. Family stories are wonderful, but really, do we need to hear about how Billy got his head stuck in the bars of the banister for the 10th time? The poor guy has grown up finally and hopefully has put this ackward period behind him. Tell the stories that are triumphant tales and signs proving God's goodness.
5.) Blessings Are Blessings Despite the Appearances.
I took this from the blessing prayers before the Eucharistic Prayer. When you look at the host, it's pretty modest. The same thing with the wine at the Holy Mass. Before the consecration, they aren't much. After the consecration, the appearance hasn't changed but everything significant has. Look around at the table on Thanksgiving and it will be pretty modest. But it contains greater blessings than you can imagine.
6.) Give Thanks for All of the Things, Everything It Took to Get Them There, Regardless of Who Brings Them.
Salvation comes to us through the medium of the Cross. It isn't a pretty picture. Our time together, yes, even Myrna's deadly jello surprise (Surprise -- It's made from boiled horse hooves) comes from one who wishes to give something and hopes that we will do the same. Even if they make you crazy, be thankful anyhow.
7.) The Family is a Mystery of Faith.
That one's pretty self-explanatory.
8.) Peace is A Work of Forgiveness Meant to Restore True Community.
The Sign of Peace is literally a bridge building moment in the Mass. By the Sign of Peace we intend to communicate that old injuries are forgiven. So this observation is really just a derivation of #3 above. Peace at the dinner table during Thanksgiving starts when I decide to give it to the other person. Yes, that means no harboring resentment that the third scotch may bring forth. It instead requires me to aim higher: it requires me to see that I am just a guilty of breaking peace as the peace breaker because I won't forgive as the Gospel demands.
9.) Communion, Holy or Otherwise, Requires a Gift of Self
Man, is this hard for people to see. Christ pours out His life so that sins may be forgiven and that we may be brought into oneness with Him. Thanksgiving is a micro-communion moment. It is the chance to build with those whom we see not so often and wish to deal with even less so. But for that to happen I will have to give of myself. I will have to extend something to the other person, perhaps something that will cost me quite a lot.
10.) When It's Done, It Really Isn't Over.
Here is the kicker. Once the dishes are soaking and everyone is in a turkey induced coma, the effect of Thanksgiving isn't over yet. In the days to come, perhaps you will sense a need to talk more with your mom. Perhaps, you will finally go over to your sister's house after many months of avoiding her because she made you mad. Whatever. If Thanksgiving, as a secular holiday, is to transcend the merely secular, it must oblige us to build more things to be thankful for and to be more aware of all that we have been given.
Happy Thanksgiving -- just a skosh early.
Book Recommendation: Living the Mysteries: A Guide for Unfinished Christians by Scott Hahn and Mike Aquilina
For the inaugural book recommendation, I thought I would recommend a book I have used for adult formation in my parish. This book has enriched (their words, not mine) their comprehension of both Church history and their own participation of the life of the Church. Here's what you get.
Synopsis: The book is arranged as a experience of the post-Easter instruction which was common in the early Church. Even after an extended time of formation, the novice Christians would spend the weeks after Easter further unpacking the theological mysteries they had been instructed in. The book contains the writings of 7 Church Fathers on seven specific subjects which are meant to "round out" one's knowledge and experience of the Faith. The writings are short selections so that one can both read a little and think a little and pray a little.
Purpose: Most Christians have never experienced this immediate sense of conversion, of change from one way of life to another. They grow up being Christian and therefore it is as exciting as air. They know no other way of being than this one, of being a Christian. What I have noted in the folks who have read this book with me in our classes is an awakening, as though something was incomplete, waiting to be tapped and activated. In some sense, they come to know that needfulness of conversion in order to live an authentic Christian life. Therefore, I heartily recommend this book to all our readers.
BONUS: Because I have been working with people reading this book, I have composed a series of discussion/reflection questions for each of the weeks. Don't expect these every time, but because we have them, I am passing the savings on to you. The questions will be posted on Apologize and Don't Be Sorry so that it will remain at the top of the page longer. Also, here is the link to Our Sunday Visitor so that you can purchase it easily.
For the inaugural book recommendation, I thought I would recommend a book I have used for adult formation in my parish. This book has enriched (their words, not mine) their comprehension of both Church history and their own participation of the life of the Church. Here's what you get.
Synopsis: The book is arranged as a experience of the post-Easter instruction which was common in the early Church. Even after an extended time of formation, the novice Christians would spend the weeks after Easter further unpacking the theological mysteries they had been instructed in. The book contains the writings of 7 Church Fathers on seven specific subjects which are meant to "round out" one's knowledge and experience of the Faith. The writings are short selections so that one can both read a little and think a little and pray a little.
Purpose: Most Christians have never experienced this immediate sense of conversion, of change from one way of life to another. They grow up being Christian and therefore it is as exciting as air. They know no other way of being than this one, of being a Christian. What I have noted in the folks who have read this book with me in our classes is an awakening, as though something was incomplete, waiting to be tapped and activated. In some sense, they come to know that needfulness of conversion in order to live an authentic Christian life. Therefore, I heartily recommend this book to all our readers.
BONUS: Because I have been working with people reading this book, I have composed a series of discussion/reflection questions for each of the weeks. Don't expect these every time, but because we have them, I am passing the savings on to you. The questions will be posted on Apologize and Don't Be Sorry so that it will remain at the top of the page longer. Also, here is the link to Our Sunday Visitor so that you can purchase it easily.
Thursday, November 17, 2005
What is the value of books?
I was glancing through my recent copy of Entertainment Weekly and found an inset about movie adaptions of various books. The piece's title was "Reel Lit: See the Movies or Hit the Books?" and featured four books/movies: Jarhead, Bee Season, Shopgirl, and Derailed. In each case, and for disparate reasons, the reviewer gave the nod to the book over the movie.
Now, I recognize that this is a debate perennial since the advent of film. The relative merits of film versions over book originals has filled the gullets of unnumbered, unnamed, unfettered film students to the point that you wonder if the message is getting across -- the book is almost always better. As a matter of point, I can think of only one book which fell short of the movie. That book was Stephen King's The Shining. Stanley Kubrick's film literally creeped me out, where King's book literarily didn't. Kubrick's film still creeps me out every time I see it. King's book failed to have the same effect, although I must confess to having read it after being exposed to Kubrick's vision. I have many times gone back to source material after seeing movie versions and have always found the book superior, so take that for what it's worth.
In our own time, we have many people forecasting the death of the book. Even in a time when a certain British boy-wizard can post amazing sales, it becomes more evident that as a culture we are becoming generally less literate. When I speak of literacy, I am not referring merely to the power of translated squiggly cuneform symbols. Literacy is knowledge and appreciation of the canon of one's own cultural product. It is the power to smile at the mere mention of a book for you understand why that book, that tale, mattered in the larger story of man. It was telling that as I browsed the yearbook of a Oklahoma middle school (and forget asking which one, because "I'll never tell") the students were asked who was their favorite actor/actress, movie, and tv show. No one was asked what ranked as their favorite book, magazine, or literary figure. If this oversight comes from the students, that has one set of meanings. If this oversight comes from the teacher-supervisor of the yearbook, that is truly problematic, at least in appearance.
Which brings me back to the question I started from: What is the value of books? Books are the necessary memory and transmission of that which is truly human. Only within the covers of a book can one experience the nearness intimacy of true interpersonal exchanges. As you read non-fiction, you must listen and consider what the argument the author is presenting. As you do this, you become engaged in the debate. It cannot merely wash past you as a series of immaterial, insubstantial images; rather, the author and the reader engage in a dialogue. You may walk away changed for the better. You may fling the book across the room in a fit of pique. Either way, you got something that was completely unexpected in the process.
Again, look to a classic work of fiction or even the best seller. There is a moment of sharing across the ebony lines of print. You are the director, the actor, the viewer, the appreciative mind who must cast every character in flesh and blood. And standing in the background of the mental stage is the author, the author who first met these people in his psychic playground. You have continued to breathe life into those who didn't first belong to you. And those new people teach, they direct, they give us the things we need.
Lastly, only a book can really make you think. A movie unfortunately is too easily dismissed as phantom, as a dream one wakes from. The book's solidity allows the reader to set it down. The movie runs on and on to its conclusion. Yes, I can pause a DVD but it still isn't the same. The book invites me to go back, to re-tread the same pages over, to savor. From the silence of salient savoring, the illuminintive moment is born. The movie wants you to get to the end. It fairly screams "Have I got more to show you!" and grasping at your wrist like an impetuous child, drags you away from the thing you wanted to think about.
If you want to know where all this comes from, you can blame Ray Bradbury. In eighth grade, Ms. Devoe made us read Fahreinheit 451, a story about a totalitarian future in which books are burned by firemen. In the book, one fireman recognizes the wrong being perpetrated and eventually escapes this world and joins the ranks of refugees from this bookless sphere. Each of the refugees takes it upon themselves to memorize one book; they literally become the book in the hopes that one day the book can be restored to life and to reality on page. As an impressionable eighth grader, that truly hit me. Each of us could become the book we read for if the book leads us deeper into reality, through the processes of reason, then we find that the book has become integrated into our world. It becomes a new colored piece in the lead glass collage of stained glass through which all of us see the world.
So here's the deal. Each Friday, I will try to have a new book to recommend to our readers. Each review will have a brief synopsis and a brief commentary on why I think it is important to read. However, unlike the recently defunct book club, there will be no questions, no discussion, no obligation. It will be your job to figure out what to do with that book.
UPDATE: Not to say I told you so, but permit this glowing review of the latest Harry Potter movie further demonstrate my point.
I was glancing through my recent copy of Entertainment Weekly and found an inset about movie adaptions of various books. The piece's title was "Reel Lit: See the Movies or Hit the Books?" and featured four books/movies: Jarhead, Bee Season, Shopgirl, and Derailed. In each case, and for disparate reasons, the reviewer gave the nod to the book over the movie.
Now, I recognize that this is a debate perennial since the advent of film. The relative merits of film versions over book originals has filled the gullets of unnumbered, unnamed, unfettered film students to the point that you wonder if the message is getting across -- the book is almost always better. As a matter of point, I can think of only one book which fell short of the movie. That book was Stephen King's The Shining. Stanley Kubrick's film literally creeped me out, where King's book literarily didn't. Kubrick's film still creeps me out every time I see it. King's book failed to have the same effect, although I must confess to having read it after being exposed to Kubrick's vision. I have many times gone back to source material after seeing movie versions and have always found the book superior, so take that for what it's worth.
In our own time, we have many people forecasting the death of the book. Even in a time when a certain British boy-wizard can post amazing sales, it becomes more evident that as a culture we are becoming generally less literate. When I speak of literacy, I am not referring merely to the power of translated squiggly cuneform symbols. Literacy is knowledge and appreciation of the canon of one's own cultural product. It is the power to smile at the mere mention of a book for you understand why that book, that tale, mattered in the larger story of man. It was telling that as I browsed the yearbook of a Oklahoma middle school (and forget asking which one, because "I'll never tell") the students were asked who was their favorite actor/actress, movie, and tv show. No one was asked what ranked as their favorite book, magazine, or literary figure. If this oversight comes from the students, that has one set of meanings. If this oversight comes from the teacher-supervisor of the yearbook, that is truly problematic, at least in appearance.
Which brings me back to the question I started from: What is the value of books? Books are the necessary memory and transmission of that which is truly human. Only within the covers of a book can one experience the nearness intimacy of true interpersonal exchanges. As you read non-fiction, you must listen and consider what the argument the author is presenting. As you do this, you become engaged in the debate. It cannot merely wash past you as a series of immaterial, insubstantial images; rather, the author and the reader engage in a dialogue. You may walk away changed for the better. You may fling the book across the room in a fit of pique. Either way, you got something that was completely unexpected in the process.
Again, look to a classic work of fiction or even the best seller. There is a moment of sharing across the ebony lines of print. You are the director, the actor, the viewer, the appreciative mind who must cast every character in flesh and blood. And standing in the background of the mental stage is the author, the author who first met these people in his psychic playground. You have continued to breathe life into those who didn't first belong to you. And those new people teach, they direct, they give us the things we need.
Lastly, only a book can really make you think. A movie unfortunately is too easily dismissed as phantom, as a dream one wakes from. The book's solidity allows the reader to set it down. The movie runs on and on to its conclusion. Yes, I can pause a DVD but it still isn't the same. The book invites me to go back, to re-tread the same pages over, to savor. From the silence of salient savoring, the illuminintive moment is born. The movie wants you to get to the end. It fairly screams "Have I got more to show you!" and grasping at your wrist like an impetuous child, drags you away from the thing you wanted to think about.
If you want to know where all this comes from, you can blame Ray Bradbury. In eighth grade, Ms. Devoe made us read Fahreinheit 451, a story about a totalitarian future in which books are burned by firemen. In the book, one fireman recognizes the wrong being perpetrated and eventually escapes this world and joins the ranks of refugees from this bookless sphere. Each of the refugees takes it upon themselves to memorize one book; they literally become the book in the hopes that one day the book can be restored to life and to reality on page. As an impressionable eighth grader, that truly hit me. Each of us could become the book we read for if the book leads us deeper into reality, through the processes of reason, then we find that the book has become integrated into our world. It becomes a new colored piece in the lead glass collage of stained glass through which all of us see the world.
So here's the deal. Each Friday, I will try to have a new book to recommend to our readers. Each review will have a brief synopsis and a brief commentary on why I think it is important to read. However, unlike the recently defunct book club, there will be no questions, no discussion, no obligation. It will be your job to figure out what to do with that book.
UPDATE: Not to say I told you so, but permit this glowing review of the latest Harry Potter movie further demonstrate my point.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
When you are looking for something more substantial...
you can go over to my other blog, Apologize and Don't Be Sorry! It carries my articles that I write for the Sooner Catholic, our local diocesan newspaper. This week, I help someone know what to do with their mom's ashes. You'll have to go over there to see what I mean.
you can go over to my other blog, Apologize and Don't Be Sorry! It carries my articles that I write for the Sooner Catholic, our local diocesan newspaper. This week, I help someone know what to do with their mom's ashes. You'll have to go over there to see what I mean.
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
One step forward; two steps back
Well, I found an e-mail today informing me that our diocesan library had finally gone online. This will allow persons to check the library catalog from home and even have materials mailed to them for temporary use. I must say this is a noteworthy step in our diocese which is terribly behind the curve in the use of modern technology and communication media. Also, I want to be clear that I am sure it was very hard and long work to get everything catalogued for an online service. Those who so labored are to be congratulated. So, I visited the online catalog to check some of the offerings of the library.
Though there are many good books housed there, I was disturbed that my (admittedly litmus test-like) search turned up plenty of offerings from dubiously orthodox theologians (that's being unnecessarily generous) such as Hans Kung, and Charles Curran. Sad to say, but it was no surprise to see that the search turned up these volumes. I guess I'll have to request my copy of Curran's "Absolutes in Moral Theology?" and keep it past its due date in the hopes that it won't infect someone else!
Just when it seemed the library had made an advance worth celebrating... Now this will likely mean that more people will have access to bad theology. It's another example of one step forward, two steps back!
Well, I found an e-mail today informing me that our diocesan library had finally gone online. This will allow persons to check the library catalog from home and even have materials mailed to them for temporary use. I must say this is a noteworthy step in our diocese which is terribly behind the curve in the use of modern technology and communication media. Also, I want to be clear that I am sure it was very hard and long work to get everything catalogued for an online service. Those who so labored are to be congratulated. So, I visited the online catalog to check some of the offerings of the library.
Though there are many good books housed there, I was disturbed that my (admittedly litmus test-like) search turned up plenty of offerings from dubiously orthodox theologians (that's being unnecessarily generous) such as Hans Kung, and Charles Curran. Sad to say, but it was no surprise to see that the search turned up these volumes. I guess I'll have to request my copy of Curran's "Absolutes in Moral Theology?" and keep it past its due date in the hopes that it won't infect someone else!
Just when it seemed the library had made an advance worth celebrating... Now this will likely mean that more people will have access to bad theology. It's another example of one step forward, two steps back!
Friday, November 11, 2005
Vote for Kingfisher ONCE PER DAY
I want to thank the many of you who have voted and are voting for Kingfisher (and those outside of the United States who have attempted to do so) in the American Dream Town competition. Kingfisher is still lagging behind. The town that is currently in first place took an enormous jump last week in the polls. I don't know what they did and are doing, but Kingfisher continues to be far behind.
So, once again, with much thanks for what has already been done on behalf of Kingfisher, I am hoping to unleash the power of the blog to help Kingfisher in the polls. Here is the link to my earlier post with a more detailed explanation of the competition. From that post you can link to the competition web site to vote. For those who would simply like to go directly the web site in order to vote, click here for the American Dream Town web site.
I want to thank the many of you who have voted and are voting for Kingfisher (and those outside of the United States who have attempted to do so) in the American Dream Town competition. Kingfisher is still lagging behind. The town that is currently in first place took an enormous jump last week in the polls. I don't know what they did and are doing, but Kingfisher continues to be far behind.
So, once again, with much thanks for what has already been done on behalf of Kingfisher, I am hoping to unleash the power of the blog to help Kingfisher in the polls. Here is the link to my earlier post with a more detailed explanation of the competition. From that post you can link to the competition web site to vote. For those who would simply like to go directly the web site in order to vote, click here for the American Dream Town web site.
Thursday, November 10, 2005
(Magic) Eight ball, side pocket
After my move to Guymon a few years ago, visits to my spiritual director in Wichita became less frequent -- a sad consequence of the distance from Wichita to the Oklahoma Panhandle. I would see my director every few months and I always hoped that some day, I could return to a more frequent pattern of attendance at spiritual direction. Then Pope John Paul II threw a further wrench into that plan when he decided to name my former spiritual director a bishop. Ever since then I have been without a director.
Fr. Tharp, in his sollicitude for the spiritual life, became so concerned at one point that I have a director that he bought me a Magic Eight Ball (you know, the thing you ask questions and then turn over to see the answer), telling me something like this: "Hey, I don't support magic or wizardry, but you need a director other than yourself so badly that even asking a Magic Eight Ball would be better than your current arrangement [of being without a director]!" So that has been an ongoing joke between us ever since.
Well, I am happy to report the end of my solo pool game and I declare: Magic Eight Ball, side pocket! Yes, I have made arrangements to return to Wichita to begin direction with a different priest this time. It is the same priest Fr. Tharp visits for spiritual direction. The director has kindly offered to make room in his schedule for me and so Fr. Tharp and I will probably plan on tearing up I-35 together on a monthly basis or so as we arrange back-to-back direction appointments in Wichita. Of course, since the director and I don't know each other well, we will begin on a probationary period of sorts ... but here's hoping it all works out and I can again have spiritual direction! So, dear readers, should you ever be near I-35 north of Oklahoma City and south of Wichita, Kansas, you just may see Fr. Tharp's Batmobile (the tinted window, black Avalon) speeding along, carrying not only one ragemonkey, but both!
Of course, this may mean we have to develop a security detail or at least a decoy car so that some malefactor doesn't take out the whole ragemonkey team in one fell swoop!
After my move to Guymon a few years ago, visits to my spiritual director in Wichita became less frequent -- a sad consequence of the distance from Wichita to the Oklahoma Panhandle. I would see my director every few months and I always hoped that some day, I could return to a more frequent pattern of attendance at spiritual direction. Then Pope John Paul II threw a further wrench into that plan when he decided to name my former spiritual director a bishop. Ever since then I have been without a director.
Fr. Tharp, in his sollicitude for the spiritual life, became so concerned at one point that I have a director that he bought me a Magic Eight Ball (you know, the thing you ask questions and then turn over to see the answer), telling me something like this: "Hey, I don't support magic or wizardry, but you need a director other than yourself so badly that even asking a Magic Eight Ball would be better than your current arrangement [of being without a director]!" So that has been an ongoing joke between us ever since.
Well, I am happy to report the end of my solo pool game and I declare: Magic Eight Ball, side pocket! Yes, I have made arrangements to return to Wichita to begin direction with a different priest this time. It is the same priest Fr. Tharp visits for spiritual direction. The director has kindly offered to make room in his schedule for me and so Fr. Tharp and I will probably plan on tearing up I-35 together on a monthly basis or so as we arrange back-to-back direction appointments in Wichita. Of course, since the director and I don't know each other well, we will begin on a probationary period of sorts ... but here's hoping it all works out and I can again have spiritual direction! So, dear readers, should you ever be near I-35 north of Oklahoma City and south of Wichita, Kansas, you just may see Fr. Tharp's Batmobile (the tinted window, black Avalon) speeding along, carrying not only one ragemonkey, but both!
Of course, this may mean we have to develop a security detail or at least a decoy car so that some malefactor doesn't take out the whole ragemonkey team in one fell swoop!
Bringing the Pandemic Straight To You!
Well, it's official. I have the bird flu. No, I really mean it. Look at the facts: 1.)While visiting San Francisco I was in Chinatown, 2.) Last Sunday, before the onset of bird flu, I visited a Japanese restaurant, and 3.) I like fried chicken. Clearly, the asiatic influences have gotten the better of my immune system.
All jesting aside, although I actually do have the flu, this bird flu situation is both scary and irritating. Scary because pandemics are generally bad; irritating because the news people don't understand anything about molecular biology. Now, I can't count a degree in advanced immunology among my personal achievements, but one thing I do know is that viruses tend to stay in a species until it adapts to the defenses of a new creature and then moves in. Once it has moved in, then it begins to become a new subspecies of the original. This is relevant given the fact that people are trying to make vaccines for a virus that currently hasn't made the full jump to humans, and when that virus does jump, will be different from the virus the vaccine was derived from. Hence, it will probably be worthless.
Why did I post this chipper piece of info.? Because if I have to lay around nauseated and feverish and miserable, then the rest of you are going to get a little taste of it too.
Well, it's official. I have the bird flu. No, I really mean it. Look at the facts: 1.)While visiting San Francisco I was in Chinatown, 2.) Last Sunday, before the onset of bird flu, I visited a Japanese restaurant, and 3.) I like fried chicken. Clearly, the asiatic influences have gotten the better of my immune system.
All jesting aside, although I actually do have the flu, this bird flu situation is both scary and irritating. Scary because pandemics are generally bad; irritating because the news people don't understand anything about molecular biology. Now, I can't count a degree in advanced immunology among my personal achievements, but one thing I do know is that viruses tend to stay in a species until it adapts to the defenses of a new creature and then moves in. Once it has moved in, then it begins to become a new subspecies of the original. This is relevant given the fact that people are trying to make vaccines for a virus that currently hasn't made the full jump to humans, and when that virus does jump, will be different from the virus the vaccine was derived from. Hence, it will probably be worthless.
Why did I post this chipper piece of info.? Because if I have to lay around nauseated and feverish and miserable, then the rest of you are going to get a little taste of it too.
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Hilarity, as you would expect!
As I was typing that last post, Fr. Tharp called and we were speaking via speaker phone as I typed. I think readers will get a kick out of envisioning what happened next. I kept repeatedly signing on and off of Instant Message, so as to annoy Fr. Tharp with the accompanying sign on and sign off noise on his end of the computer. So, he simply signed off himself and then began pontificating to me about my nonsense. So, in mid sentence as Fr. Tharp was speaking, I simply hung up the phone! Yes, folks, the monkeys are ripping up the forest again!
As I was typing that last post, Fr. Tharp called and we were speaking via speaker phone as I typed. I think readers will get a kick out of envisioning what happened next. I kept repeatedly signing on and off of Instant Message, so as to annoy Fr. Tharp with the accompanying sign on and sign off noise on his end of the computer. So, he simply signed off himself and then began pontificating to me about my nonsense. So, in mid sentence as Fr. Tharp was speaking, I simply hung up the phone! Yes, folks, the monkeys are ripping up the forest again!
Doctrine of devils?
Well, I had a grand time this evening speaking to juniors and seniors in our youth group about priestly celibacy. It went very well. They were interested and engaged and they seemed to get the message. I was impressed how they responded and nodded in agreement as I spoke. All in all, it inspired some hope in the future among this group of young Catholics.
Well, I had a grand time this evening speaking to juniors and seniors in our youth group about priestly celibacy. It went very well. They were interested and engaged and they seemed to get the message. I was impressed how they responded and nodded in agreement as I spoke. All in all, it inspired some hope in the future among this group of young Catholics.
Good for you, Mr. President
Can't you just hear the Chinese representative saying, in perfect Mandarin, "Hey, don't talk to him. Can't you see we aren't through oppressing him and his country?"
Can't you just hear the Chinese representative saying, in perfect Mandarin, "Hey, don't talk to him. Can't you see we aren't through oppressing him and his country?"
Reporting Some Sad News
I wanted to report to all of our readers some sad news. Fr. J.C. Garrett, former East Coast coorespondant for CRM, emailed me with the news that his father has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. He requested your prayers for his father and for his family. As the family is asking the intercession of John Paul the Great to cure Mr. Garrett, I thought the following prayer would be helpful.
God of Mercy and of Justice,
you graciously deigned to give to your Church a firm foundation stone as she travels
her pilgrim way in the world.
Your Son called Simon the Apostle, Peter, making him the rock upon which the Church would be founded.
In the successors of St. Peter, we hear you speaking, strengthening the faith of your children, demonstrating that you have not left us orphans.
You have, in every age and in every place, led the people claimed by your Son
through the visible shepherd of our unity.
We praise you for your generous care for our souls.
In our own time, you have blessed the Church with an outstanding example of truth and virtue in the person of John Paul II.
He made of himself a gift, freely and totally given, to your Son through His Blessed Mother.
Despite sorrow in his life, he has called us, in your name, to be not afraid,
to set out into deep water, to not settle for mediocrity.
We praise you and thank you for your generosity.
If it be in accordance with your will, raise this holy man to the glories of the altar.
Manifest in our times signs and wonders which demonstrate that he rests now in the glory of Heaven.
By his intercession, I bring my petition to you. (Mention your petition here.)
Glory and honor to you, through your Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit,
now and until the ages of man run dry.
We ask these things through Christ our Lord. Amen.
I wanted to report to all of our readers some sad news. Fr. J.C. Garrett, former East Coast coorespondant for CRM, emailed me with the news that his father has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. He requested your prayers for his father and for his family. As the family is asking the intercession of John Paul the Great to cure Mr. Garrett, I thought the following prayer would be helpful.
God of Mercy and of Justice,
you graciously deigned to give to your Church a firm foundation stone as she travels
her pilgrim way in the world.
Your Son called Simon the Apostle, Peter, making him the rock upon which the Church would be founded.
In the successors of St. Peter, we hear you speaking, strengthening the faith of your children, demonstrating that you have not left us orphans.
You have, in every age and in every place, led the people claimed by your Son
through the visible shepherd of our unity.
We praise you for your generous care for our souls.
In our own time, you have blessed the Church with an outstanding example of truth and virtue in the person of John Paul II.
He made of himself a gift, freely and totally given, to your Son through His Blessed Mother.
Despite sorrow in his life, he has called us, in your name, to be not afraid,
to set out into deep water, to not settle for mediocrity.
We praise you and thank you for your generosity.
If it be in accordance with your will, raise this holy man to the glories of the altar.
Manifest in our times signs and wonders which demonstrate that he rests now in the glory of Heaven.
By his intercession, I bring my petition to you. (Mention your petition here.)
Glory and honor to you, through your Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit,
now and until the ages of man run dry.
We ask these things through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Attention well deserved
My spiritual director just returned a few days back from visiting Clear Creek and spoke very highly of the foundation. I guess this means I have a trip to Hulbert, OK coming up in my future.
My spiritual director just returned a few days back from visiting Clear Creek and spoke very highly of the foundation. I guess this means I have a trip to Hulbert, OK coming up in my future.
Applications for the Starfleet Academy being taken NOW!
And you don't think TV influences the course of culture and society?
And you don't think TV influences the course of culture and society?
Monday, November 07, 2005
Give Kingfisher a helping hand
Kingfisher, Oklahoma, where I reside in my new parish, is one of three Oklahoma towns nominated to receive a make-over of sorts. The organization offering this gift is American Dream Town. After the nomination phase, people who log on and register (by submitting an e-mail address) can vote up to once a day during the voting phase. Here is where you, faithful reader, come in.
Kingfisher has been lagging behind in the voting (currently in second place). I wonder if you could help us along by logging on and voting for Kingfisher. It is very simple to do. And, don't forget, you can vote once per day (which I really hope you will do).
Follow this link to American Dream Town. From this page, click on the State of Oklahoma (for those who are Midwest Plains-challenged, that is the state above Texas which looks like a square with a long, thin handle on the left side). After clicking on Oklahoma, a page with the three Oklahoma towns nominated should appear. To vote for Kingfisher, look to the right of the screen where there is a little box beside each town's name. Click on the word "vote" above that box (Note: Clicking on the box itself will take you to an obnoxious ad). You will have to register by giving your e-mail address, and making up a password. After that, you are asked to re-type a confirmation code which is given on your screen. It's as simple as that and it will register a vote one time per day.
Please help us out. Polls are open until December 1st. As of this post Kingfisher is about 1,000 votes behind another Oklahoma town. Different towns are nominated in each state. And, as far as I know, you don't have to reside in Oklahoma in order to vote for a town. So, bloggers and blog readers, make your presence and force known by rocketing Kingfisher to the top of Oklahoma's American Dream Town list!
Kingfisher, Oklahoma, where I reside in my new parish, is one of three Oklahoma towns nominated to receive a make-over of sorts. The organization offering this gift is American Dream Town. After the nomination phase, people who log on and register (by submitting an e-mail address) can vote up to once a day during the voting phase. Here is where you, faithful reader, come in.
Kingfisher has been lagging behind in the voting (currently in second place). I wonder if you could help us along by logging on and voting for Kingfisher. It is very simple to do. And, don't forget, you can vote once per day (which I really hope you will do).
Follow this link to American Dream Town. From this page, click on the State of Oklahoma (for those who are Midwest Plains-challenged, that is the state above Texas which looks like a square with a long, thin handle on the left side). After clicking on Oklahoma, a page with the three Oklahoma towns nominated should appear. To vote for Kingfisher, look to the right of the screen where there is a little box beside each town's name. Click on the word "vote" above that box (Note: Clicking on the box itself will take you to an obnoxious ad). You will have to register by giving your e-mail address, and making up a password. After that, you are asked to re-type a confirmation code which is given on your screen. It's as simple as that and it will register a vote one time per day.
Please help us out. Polls are open until December 1st. As of this post Kingfisher is about 1,000 votes behind another Oklahoma town. Different towns are nominated in each state. And, as far as I know, you don't have to reside in Oklahoma in order to vote for a town. So, bloggers and blog readers, make your presence and force known by rocketing Kingfisher to the top of Oklahoma's American Dream Town list!
Friday, November 04, 2005
Talk about a real Habitat for Humanity
Former President Carter has stepped forward and taken a decisive step in leading his political brethren. I say, "Hail and well-met." It is poorly timed in that the Alito nomination is on hold for now, but maybe that will give people time to reflect.
This is really good to see though and it bodes well for the Democratic party, if they will make anything of it. However, it doesn't dissuade me from my opinion that the U.S. needs a Christian-principled political party.
Former President Carter has stepped forward and taken a decisive step in leading his political brethren. I say, "Hail and well-met." It is poorly timed in that the Alito nomination is on hold for now, but maybe that will give people time to reflect.
This is really good to see though and it bodes well for the Democratic party, if they will make anything of it. However, it doesn't dissuade me from my opinion that the U.S. needs a Christian-principled political party.
The First Step in the Rise of the Hegemony: Registration of Elect Members
Okay, not to be bossy, but I am going to insist that everyone please take a moment and register with our new tracking map. This way, I can coordinate my paramilitary efforts into areas where resistance to the Hegemony is highest.
Okay, not to be bossy, but I am going to insist that everyone please take a moment and register with our new tracking map. This way, I can coordinate my paramilitary efforts into areas where resistance to the Hegemony is highest.
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Take us down to DEFCON 2 and get the Pope on the horn!
Yes, allow me to borrow our national defense condition terminology and apply it to an ecclesial usage.
Much to my chagrin I caught a commercial this evening alerting viewers that tomorrow (November 4th) on the TODAY show on NBC there will a segment "Inside Opus Dei". The add promised an explanation of this secret society within the Church.
Oh, Lord, help us! I can only imagine the stupidity with which this subject will be approached. Therefore, I declare: Take us down to DEFCON 2 and get the Pope on the horn!
Yes, allow me to borrow our national defense condition terminology and apply it to an ecclesial usage.
Much to my chagrin I caught a commercial this evening alerting viewers that tomorrow (November 4th) on the TODAY show on NBC there will a segment "Inside Opus Dei". The add promised an explanation of this secret society within the Church.
Oh, Lord, help us! I can only imagine the stupidity with which this subject will be approached. Therefore, I declare: Take us down to DEFCON 2 and get the Pope on the horn!
Fear and Loathing in Kingfisher
For a few years now I have rested secure in my spot as an associate pastor or as the Pastor of a parish which did NOT have a school. But now I am Pastor where there is a school. I love it and I love what a school adds to the life of the parish. However, a day appears to be on the horizon which I have long dreaded. It is a day I loved mocking other Pastors about. But the light of this day appears to now be breaking into my foggy, still dawn. You guessed it! It is the day when Father gets to talk to an older class about what we sheepishly call the "facts of life".
The drama of young teenage lives, of crushes, of so-called dating, and of spurned teen love seems to be making its ripple effect in our little pond, much like a gigantic boulder thrown into an otherwise still pool.
Don't get me wrong. It is not that I am totally uncomfortable speaking to kids about sexual love. I can do that (if I have to!). However, I want to do this well and I don't in any way want to impart a version of "sex education" that could best be called the "Parts is Parts Approach". In other words, I want to provide something for the kids that helps them understand what is going on in their lives now, but which also helps them see the beauty and meaning of sexuality. The problem is I am not sure how to approach this; how to avoid the caveat of the presentation being simply what you might get at a generic health fair.
I guess I express these feelings in the hopes that some reader may know of a good, sound, and faith-based program or booklet which might help me come up with some good ideas about how to go about presenting this important topic to the kids (7th and 8th graders).
I don't envy Fr. Tharp's presentation on the Spanish Inquisition. I hope to avoid a practicum on the Inquisition in mine!
For a few years now I have rested secure in my spot as an associate pastor or as the Pastor of a parish which did NOT have a school. But now I am Pastor where there is a school. I love it and I love what a school adds to the life of the parish. However, a day appears to be on the horizon which I have long dreaded. It is a day I loved mocking other Pastors about. But the light of this day appears to now be breaking into my foggy, still dawn. You guessed it! It is the day when Father gets to talk to an older class about what we sheepishly call the "facts of life".
The drama of young teenage lives, of crushes, of so-called dating, and of spurned teen love seems to be making its ripple effect in our little pond, much like a gigantic boulder thrown into an otherwise still pool.
Don't get me wrong. It is not that I am totally uncomfortable speaking to kids about sexual love. I can do that (if I have to!). However, I want to do this well and I don't in any way want to impart a version of "sex education" that could best be called the "Parts is Parts Approach". In other words, I want to provide something for the kids that helps them understand what is going on in their lives now, but which also helps them see the beauty and meaning of sexuality. The problem is I am not sure how to approach this; how to avoid the caveat of the presentation being simply what you might get at a generic health fair.
I guess I express these feelings in the hopes that some reader may know of a good, sound, and faith-based program or booklet which might help me come up with some good ideas about how to go about presenting this important topic to the kids (7th and 8th graders).
I don't envy Fr. Tharp's presentation on the Spanish Inquisition. I hope to avoid a practicum on the Inquisition in mine!
Did Video Kill the Radio Star?
Music purists often claim that with the advent of the music video the pure notion of song has been eliminated from the common experience. In a certain sense, the video imposes an "interpretation" of the song over the lyrics and remaining music craft. It's akin to the effect a movie treatment of a book has on the reader. From now on, anyone who reads the LOTR will invoke the image of Sean Astin when they read the name "Sam Gamgee."
Now, I can't claim that music purists don't have a point. Performance is an elusive reality and therefore the power of music sometimes can't be reclaimed after the instances of the needle dropping to vinyl. Sorry, I meant the excited light particle effusion strikes the magnetically changed ditigal broadcast medium. The first time you hear a song and it excites your imagination only comes, you guessed it, once. But this doesn't mean we have to demonize the video as part of the performance reality.
Case in point is Fiona Apple's new album Extraordinary Machine. I have been a fan of Fiona from the first track I heard from her debut, Tidal. (Did you catch the pun?) In this new album, I have purchased my first DualDisc in which one side of the disc is a CD and the reverse is a DVD. When I listened to "Not About Love" the first time, I had the sense this was a clever way to describe the conflict about break-up of a relationship. The lyrical logic jumps from "Glad that jerk is gone" to "I miss that stupid ape." Then I flipped the disc to watch the video of the same song and was treated to a whole new sense of the song. In this version, the very talented Zach Galifinakis lipsyncs the song. The scenery shifts between Apple and Galifinakis laying in bed, fully clothed and Zach cavorting around what I presume is the Venice Beach area. The video imagery introduced a new and complimentary notion of the song as a duet. Essentially the chorus "This is not about love..." could be seen as the man saying "enough" while the verses are the woman who both loves the stupid ape and wants him out. But at the same time as Zach read and lipsynced you could easily interpret that action as mocking his erstwhile love. She leaves the letter (the lyrics) in a hope of making him feel really, really bad and his response is "So what? this is not about love." Isn't that cool?
However, with all that said, I am not reactivating MTV on the rectory TV...
Music purists often claim that with the advent of the music video the pure notion of song has been eliminated from the common experience. In a certain sense, the video imposes an "interpretation" of the song over the lyrics and remaining music craft. It's akin to the effect a movie treatment of a book has on the reader. From now on, anyone who reads the LOTR will invoke the image of Sean Astin when they read the name "Sam Gamgee."
Now, I can't claim that music purists don't have a point. Performance is an elusive reality and therefore the power of music sometimes can't be reclaimed after the instances of the needle dropping to vinyl. Sorry, I meant the excited light particle effusion strikes the magnetically changed ditigal broadcast medium. The first time you hear a song and it excites your imagination only comes, you guessed it, once. But this doesn't mean we have to demonize the video as part of the performance reality.
Case in point is Fiona Apple's new album Extraordinary Machine. I have been a fan of Fiona from the first track I heard from her debut, Tidal. (Did you catch the pun?) In this new album, I have purchased my first DualDisc in which one side of the disc is a CD and the reverse is a DVD. When I listened to "Not About Love" the first time, I had the sense this was a clever way to describe the conflict about break-up of a relationship. The lyrical logic jumps from "Glad that jerk is gone" to "I miss that stupid ape." Then I flipped the disc to watch the video of the same song and was treated to a whole new sense of the song. In this version, the very talented Zach Galifinakis lipsyncs the song. The scenery shifts between Apple and Galifinakis laying in bed, fully clothed and Zach cavorting around what I presume is the Venice Beach area. The video imagery introduced a new and complimentary notion of the song as a duet. Essentially the chorus "This is not about love..." could be seen as the man saying "enough" while the verses are the woman who both loves the stupid ape and wants him out. But at the same time as Zach read and lipsynced you could easily interpret that action as mocking his erstwhile love. She leaves the letter (the lyrics) in a hope of making him feel really, really bad and his response is "So what? this is not about love." Isn't that cool?
However, with all that said, I am not reactivating MTV on the rectory TV...
The Beginning of the Re-Education of Fr. Tharp: Chapter I
They arrived today. On a whim and thanks to Amazon.com, they arrived today. I had had been feeling the need to re-connect with the vital roots of the Church's teaching. Today, the key tool arrived. Yes, I have my five volume Summa Theologica sitting on my kitchen table. It was a repulsive scene, watching me rub the first volume against my jawline and smelling the faux leather bindings. My contented purring rose from my need to open Thomas immediately and bask in his doubly reflected glory.
So begins the re-education. There are so many key works by so many key figures that I still need to read. How will I ever make room for science fiction, murder mysteries, and FINALLY the end of the Wheel of Time series.
They arrived today. On a whim and thanks to Amazon.com, they arrived today. I had had been feeling the need to re-connect with the vital roots of the Church's teaching. Today, the key tool arrived. Yes, I have my five volume Summa Theologica sitting on my kitchen table. It was a repulsive scene, watching me rub the first volume against my jawline and smelling the faux leather bindings. My contented purring rose from my need to open Thomas immediately and bask in his doubly reflected glory.
So begins the re-education. There are so many key works by so many key figures that I still need to read. How will I ever make room for science fiction, murder mysteries, and FINALLY the end of the Wheel of Time series.
The Fulfillment of a Vietnamese Proverb in My Time
Last night during the Newman Society meeting, one of the local Spanish professors asked me to come and do a presentation on the Spanish Inquistion for his upper level Spanish seminar next Friday. Of course, I readily agreed. I love taking on debunkable myths.
However, then I started thinking through the research I was going to have to do. Then I realized how poorly most of these kids, I was willing to bet, had on European history. So now I am in a virtual panic, and all over a 20-25 minute presentation. What I love (or loathe, ask which tomorrow) most is the fact one of local Protestant minister will be coming to another class to provide an "alternative interpretation." Gaaaah! It just leaves me foaming at the mouth which brings me to the title of the post.
Twee was a friend of my sister's. She would with my sister in the pharmacy of a major OKC Catholic hospital for many years before Twee moved away. I suspect, that Twee was in part responsible for my sister's return to the Faith and my subsequent conversion. After meeting me on one occasion, Twee told my sister this rather ominous piece of information. Apparently, among the Vietnamese, to be born with a freckle on your lip, like myself, meant that your mouth was going to get you into trouble. Considering the considerable head ache this presentation on the Inquisition will create for me, I would say my mouth got me into a world of hurt.
I'll keep you posted on the outcome.
Last night during the Newman Society meeting, one of the local Spanish professors asked me to come and do a presentation on the Spanish Inquistion for his upper level Spanish seminar next Friday. Of course, I readily agreed. I love taking on debunkable myths.
However, then I started thinking through the research I was going to have to do. Then I realized how poorly most of these kids, I was willing to bet, had on European history. So now I am in a virtual panic, and all over a 20-25 minute presentation. What I love (or loathe, ask which tomorrow) most is the fact one of local Protestant minister will be coming to another class to provide an "alternative interpretation." Gaaaah! It just leaves me foaming at the mouth which brings me to the title of the post.
Twee was a friend of my sister's. She would with my sister in the pharmacy of a major OKC Catholic hospital for many years before Twee moved away. I suspect, that Twee was in part responsible for my sister's return to the Faith and my subsequent conversion. After meeting me on one occasion, Twee told my sister this rather ominous piece of information. Apparently, among the Vietnamese, to be born with a freckle on your lip, like myself, meant that your mouth was going to get you into trouble. Considering the considerable head ache this presentation on the Inquisition will create for me, I would say my mouth got me into a world of hurt.
I'll keep you posted on the outcome.
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Just when you thought my Starfleet Uniform for Catholic Chaplains was an fever dream of a dork like me...
...IBM sets the stage for the isolinear chip of Next Gen fame. What would 1/300th of the speed of light clock in at, assuming you haven't changed the outcome by observing it.
...IBM sets the stage for the isolinear chip of Next Gen fame. What would 1/300th of the speed of light clock in at, assuming you haven't changed the outcome by observing it.
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Speaking of the Holy Rosary as Powerful Lasso
Eddy at To Jesus Through Mary has asked all of us to join him in a Rosary Novena for his mother who has lapsed from the practice of the Faith. No details are offered and none are being requested. Since you have to pray your Rosary anyway, you might as well aim your intercession at this issue. If it is no offence to Eddy and his needs right now, please remember all lapsed Catholics, especially those living in your parish.
Eddy at To Jesus Through Mary has asked all of us to join him in a Rosary Novena for his mother who has lapsed from the practice of the Faith. No details are offered and none are being requested. Since you have to pray your Rosary anyway, you might as well aim your intercession at this issue. If it is no offence to Eddy and his needs right now, please remember all lapsed Catholics, especially those living in your parish.
Disturbing revelation
Grand juries, indictments, Supreme Court nominees and more have been all the talk in D.C. and the nation of late. But something else sort of slipped under the media radar and I think it deserves some attention and a prompt response. Just yesterday, the Diocesan News Network (DNN) announced a most disturbing revelation: The Chairman of the Pastoral Council at Fr. Tharp's parish is Scooter Libby!
Grand juries, indictments, Supreme Court nominees and more have been all the talk in D.C. and the nation of late. But something else sort of slipped under the media radar and I think it deserves some attention and a prompt response. Just yesterday, the Diocesan News Network (DNN) announced a most disturbing revelation: The Chairman of the Pastoral Council at Fr. Tharp's parish is Scooter Libby!
>This still doesn't justify that costume of the killer from Scream hanging in your closet...
but it totally justifies my new standard costume of myself as GKC and my working costume of myself as John the Baptist with real oozing neck stump.
but it totally justifies my new standard costume of myself as GKC and my working costume of myself as John the Baptist with real oozing neck stump.
Oooh, Snap, Matt Lauer!
After Holy Mass for the Solemnity of All Saints', I sat down to a lovely breakfast of toast, eggs, and sausage. Yes, yes, how very Devonshire of me. Anyway, I was flipping through television channels (or should that be telly?) and who appeared on the Today Show but newest Ragemonkey reader, Anne Rice. Matt Lauer was interviewing her and Anne was giving her very best to the moment. The classic line from Mrs. Rice, for all those who hate, hate, hate, etc., The DaVinci Code, came when Matt Lauer, standing in a puddle of his own drool, asked if she was going to say anything about the married relationship (then he quickly recovered, amending his statement, with "alleged") of Christ and Mary Magdalene. She replied, "I am going to say only that which appears in the four Gospels, and THERE IS NO RELATIONSHIP there." You'll forgive the paraphrase but you get the gist. Rice's works are not going to go the way of D.B.'s lunacy. Huzzah!
What this means is I will be further bankrupting myself by swinging over to Amazon later this morning.
After Holy Mass for the Solemnity of All Saints', I sat down to a lovely breakfast of toast, eggs, and sausage. Yes, yes, how very Devonshire of me. Anyway, I was flipping through television channels (or should that be telly?) and who appeared on the Today Show but newest Ragemonkey reader, Anne Rice. Matt Lauer was interviewing her and Anne was giving her very best to the moment. The classic line from Mrs. Rice, for all those who hate, hate, hate, etc., The DaVinci Code, came when Matt Lauer, standing in a puddle of his own drool, asked if she was going to say anything about the married relationship (then he quickly recovered, amending his statement, with "alleged") of Christ and Mary Magdalene. She replied, "I am going to say only that which appears in the four Gospels, and THERE IS NO RELATIONSHIP there." You'll forgive the paraphrase but you get the gist. Rice's works are not going to go the way of D.B.'s lunacy. Huzzah!
What this means is I will be further bankrupting myself by swinging over to Amazon later this morning.
Monday, October 31, 2005
Okay, just one more...
I forgot to mention that this discussion about Anne Rice's new novel is no longer an mere academic exercise. Mrs. Rice stopped by the rainforest canopy of solitude to leave this message:
Needless to say, I most flattered and appreciative of her comments and insights. Again, the most essential thing I want to stress here is I am very happy that you have returned to Holy Mother Church. I am a convert to the Faith and love our Lord and His Holy Church so much. It makes my heart swell with happiness to hear someone being drawn back, by a thousand subtle hooks and lines, into her fold.
I hope you understand from what I have posted here that my concerns are not the same as criticisms. As a fellow Christian, it is my hope that anything that might lead you astray will be avoided. That's a concern because it may or may not prove applicable, and quite frankly, that applies to all of my readers. A criticism of your work would require a copy of the book in front of me so that I could reference this or that passage. So unless you are going to send a pre-release copy for my review (which is not being requested) you shouldn't expect criticism.
Okay, now this is really the last post until I see the book in print. Again, I hope you will come back and visit us at CRM. And as always you can reach me but the email address in the side bar. Have a happy All Saints' Day.
I forgot to mention that this discussion about Anne Rice's new novel is no longer an mere academic exercise. Mrs. Rice stopped by the rainforest canopy of solitude to leave this message:
Thank you for your interesting discussion of my conversion (return to
Catholicism), and my book Christ the Lord. The infancy legends I use in the book are not gnostic. I used nothing that contradicted the four canonical gospels. As a Catholic, as a believer, as a novelist, I find the Jesus of faith to be my obsession. The identity of Joachim and Anne do also come from non-canonical sources. My belief is Jesus was Divine from the beginning but He did experience being an infant, a child, a man. And He "emptied" Himself as Paul says for us. I
took this to mean that He did not always use His knowledge of all things. Obviously He came down to earth to truly be human, and it does seem, from Luke's statement that Jesus "grew in wisdom and stature" and from other statements in the gospels that Jesus valued human experience. I chose to write this novel because of my personal belief in Christ, and my desire to put any gifts I possessed at His service. So far the reception has been amazingly good. I knew
there would be some criticism, but I never knew people would be interested in this book. I'm thankful. This is my life's work. Take care, Anne Rice.
Needless to say, I most flattered and appreciative of her comments and insights. Again, the most essential thing I want to stress here is I am very happy that you have returned to Holy Mother Church. I am a convert to the Faith and love our Lord and His Holy Church so much. It makes my heart swell with happiness to hear someone being drawn back, by a thousand subtle hooks and lines, into her fold.
I hope you understand from what I have posted here that my concerns are not the same as criticisms. As a fellow Christian, it is my hope that anything that might lead you astray will be avoided. That's a concern because it may or may not prove applicable, and quite frankly, that applies to all of my readers. A criticism of your work would require a copy of the book in front of me so that I could reference this or that passage. So unless you are going to send a pre-release copy for my review (which is not being requested) you shouldn't expect criticism.
Okay, now this is really the last post until I see the book in print. Again, I hope you will come back and visit us at CRM. And as always you can reach me but the email address in the side bar. Have a happy All Saints' Day.
Post-Consultation Conflagration
After some questions were posted about the exact problems with the Protoevangelium of James and the Gospel of Thomas, I went back to my trusty copy of the standard text on Patrology by Johannes Quasten to make sure I had my facts straight. So here it is.
The Protoevangelium of James is apocryphal but not considered to be of a Gnostic source. So, therefore, it is probably of spurious origin. As to actual usefulness, I will need to more research.
The Gospel of Thomas however being early is considered to be of Gnostic origin, or at minimum, highly influenced by Gnosticism. One commentor asked for a definition of the errors and I will say here, I will try to post an article pinning down Gnostic doctrines, although that is like trying to staple Jello to a tack board. The main problem with the Gospel of Thomas is a clear duelistic notion of matter and a problematic misogyny present in the closing chapters. The reason that the Gospel of Thomas came up at all was to my knowledge, the only source for the tale of the Lord animating clay pigeons is the Gospel of Thomas. So, if Mrs. Rice got that story from somewhere else, it would be news to me. Further, if I recall the event correctly, after the pigeons are animated, one of the Pharisee's children complains that Jesus was working on the sabbath, and the Lord's response is to strike him dead. But I will confess it has been a good spell since I read the Gospel of Thomas.
Okay, enough of that for now. No more Anne Rice posts until I see the book.
After some questions were posted about the exact problems with the Protoevangelium of James and the Gospel of Thomas, I went back to my trusty copy of the standard text on Patrology by Johannes Quasten to make sure I had my facts straight. So here it is.
The Protoevangelium of James is apocryphal but not considered to be of a Gnostic source. So, therefore, it is probably of spurious origin. As to actual usefulness, I will need to more research.
The Gospel of Thomas however being early is considered to be of Gnostic origin, or at minimum, highly influenced by Gnosticism. One commentor asked for a definition of the errors and I will say here, I will try to post an article pinning down Gnostic doctrines, although that is like trying to staple Jello to a tack board. The main problem with the Gospel of Thomas is a clear duelistic notion of matter and a problematic misogyny present in the closing chapters. The reason that the Gospel of Thomas came up at all was to my knowledge, the only source for the tale of the Lord animating clay pigeons is the Gospel of Thomas. So, if Mrs. Rice got that story from somewhere else, it would be news to me. Further, if I recall the event correctly, after the pigeons are animated, one of the Pharisee's children complains that Jesus was working on the sabbath, and the Lord's response is to strike him dead. But I will confess it has been a good spell since I read the Gospel of Thomas.
Okay, enough of that for now. No more Anne Rice posts until I see the book.
Was that a fat joke?
A few weeks ago, after a cold front moved into town, I was standing in the sacristy a few minutes before one of the Masses. The servers were assembled as was the man who was the lector. A lady walked in through the sacristy and with no introduction said,
"Father, less food. It's colder now."
I responded, "Oh, right. I have already been putting less [food] in."
She then departed to take her seat in the church. I saw the lector sort of squinting as if he was trying to understand what had just transpired. I realized there was an explanation needed.
Here is the background that no one else in the sacristy completely knew. The lady who came in has a landscaping business and some time ago she put a garden pond in the rectory back yard, complete with large gold fish. After I arrived in Kingfisher, I began taking care of the fish, giving them food each evening. She had instructed me that in the colder months I should not put as much food in the pond because the fish won't eat as much as when it is warm outside. With that information, now go back and read the brief dialogue. What a difference a little information makes, huh? One might have thought she was making a fat joke about me. No, just the fish THIS time!
A few weeks ago, after a cold front moved into town, I was standing in the sacristy a few minutes before one of the Masses. The servers were assembled as was the man who was the lector. A lady walked in through the sacristy and with no introduction said,
"Father, less food. It's colder now."
I responded, "Oh, right. I have already been putting less [food] in."
She then departed to take her seat in the church. I saw the lector sort of squinting as if he was trying to understand what had just transpired. I realized there was an explanation needed.
Here is the background that no one else in the sacristy completely knew. The lady who came in has a landscaping business and some time ago she put a garden pond in the rectory back yard, complete with large gold fish. After I arrived in Kingfisher, I began taking care of the fish, giving them food each evening. She had instructed me that in the colder months I should not put as much food in the pond because the fish won't eat as much as when it is warm outside. With that information, now go back and read the brief dialogue. What a difference a little information makes, huh? One might have thought she was making a fat joke about me. No, just the fish THIS time!
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Love Changes Everything
Events like these are small signs of the movement of the heart back to God. It would have been twice as cheap and three times as easy to leave things as they were. Instead, to heal an old wound, a new "scar" had to cover it. And what a lovely scar it is.
Events like these are small signs of the movement of the heart back to God. It would have been twice as cheap and three times as easy to leave things as they were. Instead, to heal an old wound, a new "scar" had to cover it. And what a lovely scar it is.
Friday, October 28, 2005
A Pair of Catch-22's
Today, during the broadcast of Morning Air on Relevant Radio, I treated the subject of Anne Rice's conversion and the upcoming book from her about our Lord's childhood. I mentioned in a previous post as well as on the air about having a certain degree of hestitation about this new book as it covers a time period which, for better or for worse, the canonical Gospels don't whisper a word concerning. Ms. Rice's book covers the time period of Jesus's youth, about 7 or 8 years old, if I understood the reviews and reports correctly. Specifically, my concern was that Rice makes use of non-canonical sources like Mailer's The Gospel According to the Son and the Gnostic Gospels. To be truthful, it was the Gnostic sources which worried me the most. As I reflected on this, though, I realized it was a touch hypocritical of me to be upset about this when I will happily celebrate the Feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne, the parents of Our Lady. The source for these names is a Gnostic gospel, the Proto-Evangelium of St. James, if memory serves. So it seems to me, that if Rice uses the faux miracles merely to introduce the idea of the boy Jesus finding the way in his human nature to comprehend and to explain His divinity, and doesn't beat this point into the ground, it shouldn't adversely affect the book.
Now, some of you are saying, "Wait, Father, I thought that use of the Gnostic Gospels was bad, given what you said about The DaVinci Code. Why is it okay now?" The difference between Rice and Dan Brown is a vast gulf of intention. D. Brown wants the Catholic Church to become the hippest home for goddess worship this side of the Greenwich mean. Therefore, his use of the Gnostic Gospels is an effort to SUPPLANT the canonical Gospels. In Rice's case, and again, I haven't seen the book, the effort here is to have source material from which to work so that people will EMBRACE the canonical Gospels. In short, it would be akin to either the use of pious legends or other spurious materials. As long as Ms. Rice makes it clear that she isn't trying to dissent from the Church's teaching and practice, I think she is on better ground. And again, it's good to have you home, Anne.
(If you aren't satisfied with my response, don't worry; I'll probably change my mind tomorrow.)
For our second catch-22, I refer you to Leonard DiCaprio's effort at relevance. Global Warming is a topic that has generally left me very cold. On the one hand, I am skeptical of theories of everything which claim to be able to predict outcomes from vastly interconnected and brain-numbingly complex systems. On the other hand, if global warming is a real phenomenon, I don't want to wake up one morning to stone-faced scientists saying, "You know, Venus, that planet next door where the atmosphere exerts twenty times the pressure of our own and it rains sulfuric acid? The first thunderstorm is next week." If such a thing as global warming actually exists, we don't want to wake up and say "Ooooops" and then have to live (or die) with the consequences. So, it seems prudentially, we might want to pay attention to something for which we don't have slam dunk evidence.
Today, during the broadcast of Morning Air on Relevant Radio, I treated the subject of Anne Rice's conversion and the upcoming book from her about our Lord's childhood. I mentioned in a previous post as well as on the air about having a certain degree of hestitation about this new book as it covers a time period which, for better or for worse, the canonical Gospels don't whisper a word concerning. Ms. Rice's book covers the time period of Jesus's youth, about 7 or 8 years old, if I understood the reviews and reports correctly. Specifically, my concern was that Rice makes use of non-canonical sources like Mailer's The Gospel According to the Son and the Gnostic Gospels. To be truthful, it was the Gnostic sources which worried me the most. As I reflected on this, though, I realized it was a touch hypocritical of me to be upset about this when I will happily celebrate the Feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne, the parents of Our Lady. The source for these names is a Gnostic gospel, the Proto-Evangelium of St. James, if memory serves. So it seems to me, that if Rice uses the faux miracles merely to introduce the idea of the boy Jesus finding the way in his human nature to comprehend and to explain His divinity, and doesn't beat this point into the ground, it shouldn't adversely affect the book.
Now, some of you are saying, "Wait, Father, I thought that use of the Gnostic Gospels was bad, given what you said about The DaVinci Code. Why is it okay now?" The difference between Rice and Dan Brown is a vast gulf of intention. D. Brown wants the Catholic Church to become the hippest home for goddess worship this side of the Greenwich mean. Therefore, his use of the Gnostic Gospels is an effort to SUPPLANT the canonical Gospels. In Rice's case, and again, I haven't seen the book, the effort here is to have source material from which to work so that people will EMBRACE the canonical Gospels. In short, it would be akin to either the use of pious legends or other spurious materials. As long as Ms. Rice makes it clear that she isn't trying to dissent from the Church's teaching and practice, I think she is on better ground. And again, it's good to have you home, Anne.
(If you aren't satisfied with my response, don't worry; I'll probably change my mind tomorrow.)
For our second catch-22, I refer you to Leonard DiCaprio's effort at relevance. Global Warming is a topic that has generally left me very cold. On the one hand, I am skeptical of theories of everything which claim to be able to predict outcomes from vastly interconnected and brain-numbingly complex systems. On the other hand, if global warming is a real phenomenon, I don't want to wake up one morning to stone-faced scientists saying, "You know, Venus, that planet next door where the atmosphere exerts twenty times the pressure of our own and it rains sulfuric acid? The first thunderstorm is next week." If such a thing as global warming actually exists, we don't want to wake up and say "Ooooops" and then have to live (or die) with the consequences. So, it seems prudentially, we might want to pay attention to something for which we don't have slam dunk evidence.
I'm Not One to Start a Panic, But...
the last time I checked there was a natural substance, other than the ones mentioned, which generates a sweet odor when it reaches maturity. The sweet odor is a strategy to help it continue to spread but making sure you take a nice big deep sniff of its spores. Yep, you guessed it. That sweet smell might be smallpox.
The sweet aroma is called the "foeter" of smallpox and at one time, it was used as a diagnostic tool to identify the presence of the disease. Granted, that to generate a discernable odor all over Lower Manhatten would require every man, woman, and child, (and probably a fair number of rats) to be infected and running hot with contagion, this probably isn't the actual source. But I had you worried, didn't I?
the last time I checked there was a natural substance, other than the ones mentioned, which generates a sweet odor when it reaches maturity. The sweet odor is a strategy to help it continue to spread but making sure you take a nice big deep sniff of its spores. Yep, you guessed it. That sweet smell might be smallpox.
The sweet aroma is called the "foeter" of smallpox and at one time, it was used as a diagnostic tool to identify the presence of the disease. Granted, that to generate a discernable odor all over Lower Manhatten would require every man, woman, and child, (and probably a fair number of rats) to be infected and running hot with contagion, this probably isn't the actual source. But I had you worried, didn't I?
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Talk about leaving nothing to the imagination
And trust me, I am searching the rectory for a pipe cleaner so that I can burrow out any vestiges of memory associated with this image. Thanks to Elinor Dashwood for the link.
And trust me, I am searching the rectory for a pipe cleaner so that I can burrow out any vestiges of memory associated with this image. Thanks to Elinor Dashwood for the link.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
A Restoration of Proper Order
This article introduces an interesting notion that I have been arguing for, for several years. While I would qualify more carefully the statements that Confirmation isn't about being a good soldier for Christ, because I think that Confirmation as a seal for the battle of faith is a valid way of considering the sacrament given especially the early history of the Church, I wholeheartedly encourage this move to restoring Confirmation to a closer place with Baptism. After all, this is the nature of Confirmation; its primary effect is to complete Baptismal graces. To hold off Confirmation, because we want people to make a "mature" decision about their Faith, severely undercuts the two Sacraments which assume that aspect, namely Holy Communion and Confession.
Tip o' the biretta to T.K. for sending this my way.
This article introduces an interesting notion that I have been arguing for, for several years. While I would qualify more carefully the statements that Confirmation isn't about being a good soldier for Christ, because I think that Confirmation as a seal for the battle of faith is a valid way of considering the sacrament given especially the early history of the Church, I wholeheartedly encourage this move to restoring Confirmation to a closer place with Baptism. After all, this is the nature of Confirmation; its primary effect is to complete Baptismal graces. To hold off Confirmation, because we want people to make a "mature" decision about their Faith, severely undercuts the two Sacraments which assume that aspect, namely Holy Communion and Confession.
Tip o' the biretta to T.K. for sending this my way.
An Active Sense of Justice
Nikki Brown from the L.A. Times sent me this article concerning the work of one religious sister and her crusade to get a young man, who may have been falsely accused, out of jail. So, first, thanks to Ms. Brown for the heads up.
This sort of story demonstrates how preliminary and, in the best sense of the word, arbitrary. Often times a case is determined by "being in the wrong place and the wrong time" sort of scenario.
Nikki Brown from the L.A. Times sent me this article concerning the work of one religious sister and her crusade to get a young man, who may have been falsely accused, out of jail. So, first, thanks to Ms. Brown for the heads up.
This sort of story demonstrates how preliminary and, in the best sense of the word, arbitrary. Often times a case is determined by "being in the wrong place and the wrong time" sort of scenario.
Monday, October 24, 2005
Bring It On, Holy Father!
I am rubbing my claws together with delight over this news. Granted, it means that I will have to read like the wind to be ready so that I can be caught up with all the other writings of the Holy Father that are available in English. I cannot wait to begin to order my life using directions coming from the Home Office.
I am rubbing my claws together with delight over this news. Granted, it means that I will have to read like the wind to be ready so that I can be caught up with all the other writings of the Holy Father that are available in English. I cannot wait to begin to order my life using directions coming from the Home Office.
A Different Take on the Shifting Fortunes of History
Perhaps history isn't really written by the winners after all. Or perhaps history is written by the winner, that being Jesus Christ, the Lord and Master of History.
Perhaps history isn't really written by the winners after all. Or perhaps history is written by the winner, that being Jesus Christ, the Lord and Master of History.
Truth In Shopping
I went to the grocery today and discovered a truth that I would like to share with all the readers. The truth is "If you spent more than five minutes selecting candy to give to trick or treaters, you are not shopping for them; you are making plans for the leftovers." With that in mind, what is your favorite candy?
I went to the grocery today and discovered a truth that I would like to share with all the readers. The truth is "If you spent more than five minutes selecting candy to give to trick or treaters, you are not shopping for them; you are making plans for the leftovers." With that in mind, what is your favorite candy?
Why the Blessed Virgin Mary Is Better Than Wonder Woman or My Mom Can Beat Up Your Feminist Icon
While I was visiting the St. Albert's Priory in Oakland, I was treated to one of the patronal feasts of the Dominican Order, namely the Feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary. It was delightful to see the Marian piety so central to the work and identity of the brothers along with the energetic preaching of the wonders of the Rosary. In the priory chapel (which was beautiful in its own right), there is a large statue of Our Lady. Now, I need to explain what the statue looks like for you to understand where this post is going. The Blessed Mother is standing and leaning forward just a bit, and therefore it conveys the sense of forward motion. Elevated and toward her left shoulder, Mary holds the Infant Jesus who has His hands extended in a gesture of joyful excitement. In His hands and threaded into Mary's mantle is a very large white Rosary. I don't know where this came from, but, the position of the Rosary suggested a lasso or lariat, and that was when it hit me. Mary's got her own "magic lasso" and it's the Rosary. And then I started cracking up as I imagined Mary chastising Wonder Woman, probably for immodest dress.
It's funny how in a culture there are always archetypes presented for our assimilation. This is not to suggest that Jung was right, quite the opposite. Instead of having universal images, a culture enshrines what it thinks is the ideal and then goes about making sure that everyone gets the message. It's the same way with art. Art is not about self-expression; it's about communication and can be evaluated on that point. When it comes to heroism and feminity, I think every faithful Catholic has got the popular culture beat in the person of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Here are the top ten reasons why Mary is better than Wonder Woman.
10.) What kind of sense does an invisible jet make? Face it, an invisible jet makes as much sense as a screen door on a submarine. You'd be constantly losing it at the airfield, not to mention a fair number of bloody noses from "bumping" into the body of the plane. Furthermore, the comics have Wonder Woman with the power of flight, so isn't this jet a bit redundant? With Mary, she is simply everywhere the Church is, as she is its pre-eminant member. This doesn't include all those times she appears for the benefit of the faithful.
9.) Mary serves the one True God; Wonder Woman works for anybody. Here we have the classic problem of turning from cleverly concocted myths to the worship of the True God. Mary has got WW beat hands down. Not only was Mary in on the First Covenant, she is the sign of the Covenant coming to full flower when she bears her son, the Covenant Between Expressed in Living Flesh. She is the first Christian. Wonder Woman will work for Olympians or the U.S. Government or the Justice League or whomever will keep her in Aqua Net. Heck, she even shilled Hostess cupcakes at one point in her career.
8.) One word: modesty. I must confess a puerile crush upon the Lynda Carter incarnation of WW. Wonder Woman's attire, however, leaves very little to the imagination. Let's just face it: metal brasserie-wearing ladies are not the ladies one takes home to your parents for marriage approval. Your parents are likely to think that you stopped by the carnival on your way to the house. Mary however conceals the mystery of her feminity, a femininity which achieves supreme greatness in the economy of salvation. Mary gets to be both Virgin and Mother. She conscrated her heart and that heart bursts with life-giving Love. Mary is someone you would be proud to have over.
7.) Better Accessories. What's Wonder Woman got? Apart from an invisible jet, bullet reflecting vambraces, and a magic lasso, so what? The jet we have already considered. But the bullet deflecting bracelets are nothing compared with the ability to crush Satan with your heel. And Wonder Woman's lasso is out of control. I mean seriously, what kind of man-hating psycho came up with this one? The lasso compels those entrapped in it to tell the truth and to obey Wonder Woman. On the other hand, Mary's got the benefit of being full of grace and freed from the corruption of all sin, Original and personal, of being the Mother of God, of being assumed Body and Soul into Heaven, and of her perpetual Virginity. Add on the Rosary and you see the clear winner. Rather than making us tell truth, the Rosary tells us the truth and then in light of these saving truths, we find the strength, through the sweet surrender of grace, of submitting to God. Nothing degrading in being wrapped in the bonds of the Holy Rosary.
6.) Better Allies. Do you think St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse, has anything to fear from being one-upped by Steve Trevor or even Superman? Guess again. Once you put in that Mary, as Queen of Heaven, also, can count the apostles, prophets, martyrs, confessors, and the many other saints, Wonder Woman will be hard put to impress me even if she were to marshal all the forces of Themescrya.
5.) Mary appeals to every culture and land; Wonder Woman is clearly an American idea. Blessed Gueric of Igny reminds us that faithful Christians instinctively turn to Mary and honor her. That would explain all the various ways Mary is and can be depicted without doing violence to her nature and identity. We will not remind readers about the elephant dung incident but simply note that as an anamoly. However, try picturing Wonder Woman in a sarong or in a kimono, and you will see my point. Wonder Woman exists in the weird intersection of the glorification of violence and inappropriate sexuality that is modern American culture. If you don't believe me, go see Aeon Flux when it comes out and then we'll talk.
4.) Mary's my mother in the plan of Grace. No matter how much I might want a relationship with Wonder Woman, I can't have one. However, the instant I am baptized, because I become a Son in the Son, Mary becomes Mary of all the Living, those who live in Christ.
3.) If I follow Mary's example, I can go to Heaven. If I follow Wonder Woman's example, I am fit only for an island paradise. If I wanted an island paradise, I would only be aiming for Adam and Eve. Mary shows the human person who follows Christ in the fullness of joy in Heaven. You take your pick.
2.) Mary is a real, historical person. Unlike Wonder Woman, I can model my life on Mary. As one who is baptized and therefore illuminated by grace, I can actually attain to the same things that Mary actually achieved. Through Faith, I can give birth to the Word Incarnate, both in thought and action. Through Hope, I can unite any misery or suffering to the Passion of Christ, and thus not submit to despair. Through Love, I can achieve victory over the greatest evil of any time or place. No matter how hard I try, I will never become an Amazonian princess. (I think we are all glad about that.) Additionally, I can never learn to fly under my own power or deflect bullets with magic bracelets.
1.) Mary's Son is God! In the final analysis, this is the Ace of Trumps in this discussion. Rather than having some muddled sense of divinity being like a genetic trait, which predominates in both Greek and modern American culture, Mary's Son reinforces the great divide between Creator and Creature, while simulataneously showing us the condescension which God shows to Man in order to bring all creation back into union with Himself.
If you have made it to the end of this post, you can tell I am having some fun at the expense of my comic dork persona. At the same time, I offer this as a reflection about whom we idolize, whether we recognize it or not. If we hold up power and domination as something to shoot for, then we will expend all our energy in trying to getting that. I would suggest that all of us would be well-served to examine ourselves on this point. With whom would I be associated based upon our actions? Whom would I like my action to make folks think of?
While I was visiting the St. Albert's Priory in Oakland, I was treated to one of the patronal feasts of the Dominican Order, namely the Feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary. It was delightful to see the Marian piety so central to the work and identity of the brothers along with the energetic preaching of the wonders of the Rosary. In the priory chapel (which was beautiful in its own right), there is a large statue of Our Lady. Now, I need to explain what the statue looks like for you to understand where this post is going. The Blessed Mother is standing and leaning forward just a bit, and therefore it conveys the sense of forward motion. Elevated and toward her left shoulder, Mary holds the Infant Jesus who has His hands extended in a gesture of joyful excitement. In His hands and threaded into Mary's mantle is a very large white Rosary. I don't know where this came from, but, the position of the Rosary suggested a lasso or lariat, and that was when it hit me. Mary's got her own "magic lasso" and it's the Rosary. And then I started cracking up as I imagined Mary chastising Wonder Woman, probably for immodest dress.
It's funny how in a culture there are always archetypes presented for our assimilation. This is not to suggest that Jung was right, quite the opposite. Instead of having universal images, a culture enshrines what it thinks is the ideal and then goes about making sure that everyone gets the message. It's the same way with art. Art is not about self-expression; it's about communication and can be evaluated on that point. When it comes to heroism and feminity, I think every faithful Catholic has got the popular culture beat in the person of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Here are the top ten reasons why Mary is better than Wonder Woman.
10.) What kind of sense does an invisible jet make? Face it, an invisible jet makes as much sense as a screen door on a submarine. You'd be constantly losing it at the airfield, not to mention a fair number of bloody noses from "bumping" into the body of the plane. Furthermore, the comics have Wonder Woman with the power of flight, so isn't this jet a bit redundant? With Mary, she is simply everywhere the Church is, as she is its pre-eminant member. This doesn't include all those times she appears for the benefit of the faithful.
9.) Mary serves the one True God; Wonder Woman works for anybody. Here we have the classic problem of turning from cleverly concocted myths to the worship of the True God. Mary has got WW beat hands down. Not only was Mary in on the First Covenant, she is the sign of the Covenant coming to full flower when she bears her son, the Covenant Between Expressed in Living Flesh. She is the first Christian. Wonder Woman will work for Olympians or the U.S. Government or the Justice League or whomever will keep her in Aqua Net. Heck, she even shilled Hostess cupcakes at one point in her career.
8.) One word: modesty. I must confess a puerile crush upon the Lynda Carter incarnation of WW. Wonder Woman's attire, however, leaves very little to the imagination. Let's just face it: metal brasserie-wearing ladies are not the ladies one takes home to your parents for marriage approval. Your parents are likely to think that you stopped by the carnival on your way to the house. Mary however conceals the mystery of her feminity, a femininity which achieves supreme greatness in the economy of salvation. Mary gets to be both Virgin and Mother. She conscrated her heart and that heart bursts with life-giving Love. Mary is someone you would be proud to have over.
7.) Better Accessories. What's Wonder Woman got? Apart from an invisible jet, bullet reflecting vambraces, and a magic lasso, so what? The jet we have already considered. But the bullet deflecting bracelets are nothing compared with the ability to crush Satan with your heel. And Wonder Woman's lasso is out of control. I mean seriously, what kind of man-hating psycho came up with this one? The lasso compels those entrapped in it to tell the truth and to obey Wonder Woman. On the other hand, Mary's got the benefit of being full of grace and freed from the corruption of all sin, Original and personal, of being the Mother of God, of being assumed Body and Soul into Heaven, and of her perpetual Virginity. Add on the Rosary and you see the clear winner. Rather than making us tell truth, the Rosary tells us the truth and then in light of these saving truths, we find the strength, through the sweet surrender of grace, of submitting to God. Nothing degrading in being wrapped in the bonds of the Holy Rosary.
6.) Better Allies. Do you think St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse, has anything to fear from being one-upped by Steve Trevor or even Superman? Guess again. Once you put in that Mary, as Queen of Heaven, also, can count the apostles, prophets, martyrs, confessors, and the many other saints, Wonder Woman will be hard put to impress me even if she were to marshal all the forces of Themescrya.
5.) Mary appeals to every culture and land; Wonder Woman is clearly an American idea. Blessed Gueric of Igny reminds us that faithful Christians instinctively turn to Mary and honor her. That would explain all the various ways Mary is and can be depicted without doing violence to her nature and identity. We will not remind readers about the elephant dung incident but simply note that as an anamoly. However, try picturing Wonder Woman in a sarong or in a kimono, and you will see my point. Wonder Woman exists in the weird intersection of the glorification of violence and inappropriate sexuality that is modern American culture. If you don't believe me, go see Aeon Flux when it comes out and then we'll talk.
4.) Mary's my mother in the plan of Grace. No matter how much I might want a relationship with Wonder Woman, I can't have one. However, the instant I am baptized, because I become a Son in the Son, Mary becomes Mary of all the Living, those who live in Christ.
3.) If I follow Mary's example, I can go to Heaven. If I follow Wonder Woman's example, I am fit only for an island paradise. If I wanted an island paradise, I would only be aiming for Adam and Eve. Mary shows the human person who follows Christ in the fullness of joy in Heaven. You take your pick.
2.) Mary is a real, historical person. Unlike Wonder Woman, I can model my life on Mary. As one who is baptized and therefore illuminated by grace, I can actually attain to the same things that Mary actually achieved. Through Faith, I can give birth to the Word Incarnate, both in thought and action. Through Hope, I can unite any misery or suffering to the Passion of Christ, and thus not submit to despair. Through Love, I can achieve victory over the greatest evil of any time or place. No matter how hard I try, I will never become an Amazonian princess. (I think we are all glad about that.) Additionally, I can never learn to fly under my own power or deflect bullets with magic bracelets.
1.) Mary's Son is God! In the final analysis, this is the Ace of Trumps in this discussion. Rather than having some muddled sense of divinity being like a genetic trait, which predominates in both Greek and modern American culture, Mary's Son reinforces the great divide between Creator and Creature, while simulataneously showing us the condescension which God shows to Man in order to bring all creation back into union with Himself.
If you have made it to the end of this post, you can tell I am having some fun at the expense of my comic dork persona. At the same time, I offer this as a reflection about whom we idolize, whether we recognize it or not. If we hold up power and domination as something to shoot for, then we will expend all our energy in trying to getting that. I would suggest that all of us would be well-served to examine ourselves on this point. With whom would I be associated based upon our actions? Whom would I like my action to make folks think of?
Conversion One Step at a Time
I still recall with amusement Fr. Benedict Groeschel's proclamation to the students on the spiritual year during the year I was there. He looked at all of us and said, "I am sincerely praying that Madonna would return to the Faith and become a cloistered Carmelite nun." We howled with laughter at the thought, but Fr. Benedict chastened us. He said something like, "Grace works even when you're not expecting it to." The linked article gives some evidence of this.
I am always pleased to see someone return to the practice of the Faith, and from my experience, I can report that it is something of a daily event. Regularly, folks would appear in the confession or in my office and say, "I'm ready to come back." After wandering, they awaken to the gift of conversion. Granted, this is only the first step. There is much more in the offing. But at least it's a start.
To hear that Mrs. Rice has returned to the Catholic Faith pleases me mightily. I always suspected that Rice was a Catholic, although possibly a lapsed one. There was something about her books, the two that I read, that tipped me off. But to be honest I couldn't tell you now what that was. At any rate, it's nice to have you back, Mrs. Rice. And anyone reading this blog who has lapsed from the Faith should know that goes double for you. The average revert will not receive the support of understanding popular fans so I suspect it will be twice as hard for you, the invisible revert, to come back. If you need help or encourage me, just fire off an email and I'll do what I can. Just don't expect prompt responses.
However, with all this goodwill flowing from my pores, I do have a concern to voice and it has to do with Rice's new novel coming out. Now, this is not to dispute her good intentions or the sincerity of her re-version, but I get leery when I hear about novels focused on the childhood of Jesus. From what the article says, Rice is gathering from lots of sources, some of them kosher and some of them not so much. It reminds me of what Msgr. Romano Guardini said in his preface to his masterwork, The Lord, that mere psychology is never enough to analyze our Lord because he is greater than any created science. The Lord is greater than our capacity to understand Him, and therefore, to write novels about Him means running the mine field of turning the Living Lord into a dead idol, and an American one at that. I am particularly concerned with Rice's alleged dependance upon Gnostic sources, such as the Gospel of Thomas. I know that the article makes no mention of the exact apocryphal texts employed, but given the events that are slated to make an appearance, there is only one source for them that I know of, and that's the Gospel of Thomas. It's strange that such a feminist author would employ a text which concludes that for Mary Magdalene to enter the Kingdom she must be remade as a man (read male). If I find the time and the method I might just drop her an email. I wonder who is helping her in this time of return.
So, here's my thought. Tonight or some time soon, let's all say a Rosary for Mrs. Rice and all revert Catholics on the way. This article is a helpful reinforcement of last Sunday's Gospel. We need to love the Lord with everything, and that occasionally means changing our minds and putting on the new life and person of Christ. And if you read this Mrs. Rice, welcome home.
I still recall with amusement Fr. Benedict Groeschel's proclamation to the students on the spiritual year during the year I was there. He looked at all of us and said, "I am sincerely praying that Madonna would return to the Faith and become a cloistered Carmelite nun." We howled with laughter at the thought, but Fr. Benedict chastened us. He said something like, "Grace works even when you're not expecting it to." The linked article gives some evidence of this.
I am always pleased to see someone return to the practice of the Faith, and from my experience, I can report that it is something of a daily event. Regularly, folks would appear in the confession or in my office and say, "I'm ready to come back." After wandering, they awaken to the gift of conversion. Granted, this is only the first step. There is much more in the offing. But at least it's a start.
To hear that Mrs. Rice has returned to the Catholic Faith pleases me mightily. I always suspected that Rice was a Catholic, although possibly a lapsed one. There was something about her books, the two that I read, that tipped me off. But to be honest I couldn't tell you now what that was. At any rate, it's nice to have you back, Mrs. Rice. And anyone reading this blog who has lapsed from the Faith should know that goes double for you. The average revert will not receive the support of understanding popular fans so I suspect it will be twice as hard for you, the invisible revert, to come back. If you need help or encourage me, just fire off an email and I'll do what I can. Just don't expect prompt responses.
However, with all this goodwill flowing from my pores, I do have a concern to voice and it has to do with Rice's new novel coming out. Now, this is not to dispute her good intentions or the sincerity of her re-version, but I get leery when I hear about novels focused on the childhood of Jesus. From what the article says, Rice is gathering from lots of sources, some of them kosher and some of them not so much. It reminds me of what Msgr. Romano Guardini said in his preface to his masterwork, The Lord, that mere psychology is never enough to analyze our Lord because he is greater than any created science. The Lord is greater than our capacity to understand Him, and therefore, to write novels about Him means running the mine field of turning the Living Lord into a dead idol, and an American one at that. I am particularly concerned with Rice's alleged dependance upon Gnostic sources, such as the Gospel of Thomas. I know that the article makes no mention of the exact apocryphal texts employed, but given the events that are slated to make an appearance, there is only one source for them that I know of, and that's the Gospel of Thomas. It's strange that such a feminist author would employ a text which concludes that for Mary Magdalene to enter the Kingdom she must be remade as a man (read male). If I find the time and the method I might just drop her an email. I wonder who is helping her in this time of return.
So, here's my thought. Tonight or some time soon, let's all say a Rosary for Mrs. Rice and all revert Catholics on the way. This article is a helpful reinforcement of last Sunday's Gospel. We need to love the Lord with everything, and that occasionally means changing our minds and putting on the new life and person of Christ. And if you read this Mrs. Rice, welcome home.
"I'm tired of the ayatollahs of the Right Wing..."
"...so I propose replacing them with the Gestapo of the Left."
Yes, I know I completely invalidated my argument by making allusions to Nazism, but I thought one ridiculous exaggeration deserved another.
"...so I propose replacing them with the Gestapo of the Left."
Yes, I know I completely invalidated my argument by making allusions to Nazism, but I thought one ridiculous exaggeration deserved another.
That puts a new spin on the phrase "snaking the toilet"
I can imagine finding good housekeepers in that part of the world, but seriously, get a Toilet Monkey instead. Jojo can give you plenty of references.
I can imagine finding good housekeepers in that part of the world, but seriously, get a Toilet Monkey instead. Jojo can give you plenty of references.
A Point in Favor of Homeschooling
It's stuff like this which makes me crazy. A photo of Jesus Christ is construed as endorsement of religion by the school? The only person who is endorsing the religion is, of course, the adherent, namely a 5 year old. Eeeesh!
There are days when I look upon those who forecast a persecution for the Church with scepticism. Then things like this come along and I wonder how much bottled water can be stored in the basement of the rectory.
It's stuff like this which makes me crazy. A photo of Jesus Christ is construed as endorsement of religion by the school? The only person who is endorsing the religion is, of course, the adherent, namely a 5 year old. Eeeesh!
There are days when I look upon those who forecast a persecution for the Church with scepticism. Then things like this come along and I wonder how much bottled water can be stored in the basement of the rectory.
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