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Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
Who Shall Go Forth Into Battle?
"The conservative movement is enfeebled, intellectually and in backing, at the very hour of its popular ascendancy... This may become a fatal impoverishment. For the most pressing need of the conservative movement in America is to quicken its own right reason and moral imagination. The rising generation, already won to a kind of unthinking conservatism on nearly every college campus, must be made aware that conservative views and policies can be at once intellectually reputable and pleasantly lively.
The ideologue cannot govern well; but neither can the time-server. So it is that thinking folk of conservative views ought to reject the embraces of the following categories of political zealots ... Those who instruct us that “the test of the market” is the whole of political economy and of morals. Those who fancy that foreign policy can be conducted with religious zeal, on a basis of absolute right and absolute wrong ... Those who assure us that great corporations can do no wrong ... And various other gentry who abjure liberalism but are capable of conserving nothing worth keeping.
... Is anybody left in the conservative camp? Yes.
There survives, even unto our day, a conservative cast of character and of mind capable of sacrifice, thought, and sound sentiment. That sort of conservative mentality was discerned in America by Tocqueville a century and a half ago, by Maine and Bryce a century ago, by Julián Marías twenty years ago. If well waked in mind and conscience, such people—really quite numerous in these United States—are capable of enduring conservative reform and reinvigoration. But if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall go forth to battle?"
Russell Kirk, The Intercollegiate Review, 1986.
Read more here.
The ideologue cannot govern well; but neither can the time-server. So it is that thinking folk of conservative views ought to reject the embraces of the following categories of political zealots ... Those who instruct us that “the test of the market” is the whole of political economy and of morals. Those who fancy that foreign policy can be conducted with religious zeal, on a basis of absolute right and absolute wrong ... Those who assure us that great corporations can do no wrong ... And various other gentry who abjure liberalism but are capable of conserving nothing worth keeping.
... Is anybody left in the conservative camp? Yes.
Russell Kirk, The Intercollegiate Review, 1986.
Read more here.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Apostolic Succession: Orthodox or Heresy?
Do you read Young, Evangelical and Catholic? Because you should:
Read the rest here.
Evangelicals reject the doctrines of apostolic authority and succession. This is of great consequence since (1) it's regarding the constitution of the Church itself and (2) if they are wrong in this rejection, evangelicals have rejected the Church established by Jesus himself.
I have a challenge for evangelicals:
Find one example of a Christian group, or even a single individual, in the first 1000 years of the faith who rejected apostolic authority and succession.
Ok, so that's actually pretty easy. Any student of early Church history knows that there were lots of groups that rejected apostolic authority and succession, e.g. the Montanists, Manicheans, etc. They all had on thing in common: every single one of them would be considered heretical by evangelicals (as well as by Catholics).
So here's my real challenge for evangelicals:
Find one example of an orthodox group or individual in the first 1000 years of the faith that rejected apostolic authority and succession. (I'll allow you to define what's orthodox pretty much however you want, assuming here that the definition would be in the ballpark of what most evangelicals believe today.)
To my knowledge, there is not a single group, not even a single individual, of which we have any historical record in the first 1000 years after Christ who was not heretical by the standards of evangelicals. Not a single one.
The answer as to why this was the case is also an easy one for any student of early Church history: Every single orthodox Christian believed that apostolic authority and succession was instituted by Jesus, that the successors were guided by the Holy Spirit, and that therefore any teaching that went against the teaching of the apostolic Church must be wrong. In other words, apostolic authority and succession was the means by which orthodoxy was distinguished from heterodoxy. (To be clear, it's not that orthodoxy is made to be true because the bishops taught it. Instead, the bishops, because of their Holy Spirit guided authority, teach the truth - and do so infallibly under certain conditions, e.g. ecumenical council, etc.)
Read the rest here.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
The First Thanksgiving Proclamation
Thanksgiving Proclamation
New York, 3 October 1789
By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.
Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be-- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks--for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war--for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed--for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted--for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions-- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually--to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed--to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord--To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us--and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.
Go: Washington
New York, 3 October 1789
By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions-- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually--to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed--to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord--To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us--and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.
Go: Washington
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Let the Rain Fall
TBM Topic 20: Moments that remind us God fully exists
"Let the Rain Fall" by Julie Robison
"Little Moments" by Trista at Not a Minx, Moron, or a Parasite
"The Mount" by Elizabeth at Startling the Day
We three are from the oft-mentioned, widely-speculated upon demographic of young, twenty-something Catholic women. We're here to dispel the myths and misconceptions- please join us for the discussion on Facebook and Twitter!
You could say I was lookin' fly. Rain boots with sailboats; orange soccer shorts; a navy blue raincoat pull-over. Correction: I was lookin' super-fly. I was all set for an impromptu walk in the rain with my boyfriend and his family's dog.
We walked around his neighborhood, talking and occasionally calling to his dog. We returned to the house wet and happy. It was the end of another fun weekend together. We talked about our future and its possibilities; we laughed and enjoyed each other's company; we looked at each other and knew we are blessed.
In this past week, I've read a couple Why I'm Catholic stories. When non-believers read such conversion stories, they are generally unconvinced. The responses I usually see are "lame" and "unbelievable" and "that person probably wasn't a real atheist."
When our Protestant brethren talk the Real Presence of Christ, they are not referring to Transubstantiation. They are talking about knowing Christ and thus recognizing his presence in the sacredness of the ordinary.
Take rain for instance; it can often have a negative connotation. For instance, the phrases "raining on my parade" and "It was a dark and rainy night," Adele's "Set Fire to the Rain" and the Allman Brothers' "Bad Rain", and the fact that rain's usual company, overcast weather, tends to depress people.
Rain can also be renewing. Rainbows come after the rain, as does puddle jumping, more vegetation and horticultural growth, and, as one 11 year old optimist put it, "It makes you appreciate the sunny days that we get and makes them more enjoyable!"
I happen to love the rain. I love walking in it, I love being in it*, I love listening to it, and I am grateful for it. Rain is a blessing, literally from above.
My senior year of college, in my last few weeks, my beloved Aunt died. My thesis was due and the time crunch was too severe, so my family told me not to come down for the funeral. The day of the funeral, I wrote a poem entitled "The Rain." It rained in Michigan the day of my Aunt's funeral. I imagined it was God's tears. (Sentimental, I am.) It is not a great poem (the blog published version is its first draft form), but these last lines partly captures my appreciation and love of rain:
It is when it rains that I know God fully exists. It is when I am praying, eyes closed and hands clasped; asking, seeking, knocking - I come before God in faith alone. There is nothing more I can often do but trust. There is nothing to be gained through holding the weight on my shoulders, when Christ already paid the price to have such pains airlifted. In the rain and the discomfort of being wet, I am most receptive and aware of the importance of offering it up to God, whatever "it"** may be for each individual.
Without trying to disconnect my theology from my naturalistic experiences, I'd like to add that rain reminds me of God because we cannot know the ways of rain. It can just as easily be a foe and turn to sleet, hail or ice as it can beautify one's garden and grass. Rain gives no reason for its coming and going, nor offers sound logic for its patterns. But rain does not answer to me, and neither does God.
During the times when studying theology becomes more theory and less love affair, it is the physicality of rain that appeals to me, just as my physical reception of Holy Communion is necessary, and spending time with our Lord in Eucharistic adoration. It is in Christ that I am alive, and his presence - made actual through the Liturgy or apparent through his world - I cherish, as I grow to know him deeper and in different ways, and so have more Love for him.
Edith Stein once said that God shows himself too much; that he offers too much proof of his existence. I believe that. I think the power and grandeur of God really is too overwhelming for us to truly comprehend. God shows himself, as Jesus said in the Gospel on Sunday, in the poor, sick, homeless, and imprisoned. I think he also shows himself through the beauty of art, music, science, the wideness of the galaxy, and the intrinsic complexity of the world. This world says to me, there is a God and he is good, because he made this for us. God did not make evil, which taints the world, but he can sanctify it.
In this same vein, I believe rain is a sanctifying agent in the world. It renews. It revives. It gives hope. It can tear down in order to make us build up again. It takes away so that the Lord may giveth. Rain, so ordinary, is so sacred. With every drop of rain comes a blessing to be counted, and I'm thankful the rain reminds me of God's graciousness and from whom all blessings flow.
What do you think of the rain? What kind of moments is God fully alive to you?
*My sister may correct me here; walking up a huge hill to a castle in Germany in a downpour with our tour group was not an overly agreeable experience; if only I had remembered my rain jacket!
**For some, it is shrubbery!
Have a blessed Thanksgiving, dear readers! Here is some extra reading: "The Weight of Glory" by C.S. Lewis
"Let the Rain Fall" by Julie Robison
"Little Moments" by Trista at Not a Minx, Moron, or a Parasite
"The Mount" by Elizabeth at Startling the Day
We three are from the oft-mentioned, widely-speculated upon demographic of young, twenty-something Catholic women. We're here to dispel the myths and misconceptions- please join us for the discussion on Facebook and Twitter!
You could say I was lookin' fly. Rain boots with sailboats; orange soccer shorts; a navy blue raincoat pull-over. Correction: I was lookin' super-fly. I was all set for an impromptu walk in the rain with my boyfriend and his family's dog.
We walked around his neighborhood, talking and occasionally calling to his dog. We returned to the house wet and happy. It was the end of another fun weekend together. We talked about our future and its possibilities; we laughed and enjoyed each other's company; we looked at each other and knew we are blessed.
In this past week, I've read a couple Why I'm Catholic stories. When non-believers read such conversion stories, they are generally unconvinced. The responses I usually see are "lame" and "unbelievable" and "that person probably wasn't a real atheist."
When our Protestant brethren talk the Real Presence of Christ, they are not referring to Transubstantiation. They are talking about knowing Christ and thus recognizing his presence in the sacredness of the ordinary.
 |
| My sister taking pictures on the Marienbrucke in Germany |
Take rain for instance; it can often have a negative connotation. For instance, the phrases "raining on my parade" and "It was a dark and rainy night," Adele's "Set Fire to the Rain" and the Allman Brothers' "Bad Rain", and the fact that rain's usual company, overcast weather, tends to depress people.
Rain can also be renewing. Rainbows come after the rain, as does puddle jumping, more vegetation and horticultural growth, and, as one 11 year old optimist put it, "It makes you appreciate the sunny days that we get and makes them more enjoyable!"
I happen to love the rain. I love walking in it, I love being in it*, I love listening to it, and I am grateful for it. Rain is a blessing, literally from above.
My senior year of college, in my last few weeks, my beloved Aunt died. My thesis was due and the time crunch was too severe, so my family told me not to come down for the funeral. The day of the funeral, I wrote a poem entitled "The Rain." It rained in Michigan the day of my Aunt's funeral. I imagined it was God's tears. (Sentimental, I am.) It is not a great poem (the blog published version is its first draft form), but these last lines partly captures my appreciation and love of rain:
and here I am, still at school, no time to think about leaving,As I walked through the rain with B. last weekend, I could smile because I am alive. In the rain, I am reminded of God's covenant with his people. In the rain, I can understand why grace can hurt. Every year on Good Friday, my family prays together on the steps in Mt. Adams for two hours, and every year it rains. Not always exactly at noon, but between the hours of 12 and 3 p.m., the time of Jesus hanging dead on the cross, the sky grows dark and the earth shakes. And then it rains.
no more time to cry while my heart still mourns,
but instead relish in the rain: people are running
from building to building and all I think
is how she can no longer feel the rain hit her face
or get cold, or smile, or walk, or skip,
and so I do all of these as I move through the rain,
my funeral procession of one,
the still living.
 |
| My sister and I in the rain as wee tots |
Without trying to disconnect my theology from my naturalistic experiences, I'd like to add that rain reminds me of God because we cannot know the ways of rain. It can just as easily be a foe and turn to sleet, hail or ice as it can beautify one's garden and grass. Rain gives no reason for its coming and going, nor offers sound logic for its patterns. But rain does not answer to me, and neither does God.
During the times when studying theology becomes more theory and less love affair, it is the physicality of rain that appeals to me, just as my physical reception of Holy Communion is necessary, and spending time with our Lord in Eucharistic adoration. It is in Christ that I am alive, and his presence - made actual through the Liturgy or apparent through his world - I cherish, as I grow to know him deeper and in different ways, and so have more Love for him.
Edith Stein once said that God shows himself too much; that he offers too much proof of his existence. I believe that. I think the power and grandeur of God really is too overwhelming for us to truly comprehend. God shows himself, as Jesus said in the Gospel on Sunday, in the poor, sick, homeless, and imprisoned. I think he also shows himself through the beauty of art, music, science, the wideness of the galaxy, and the intrinsic complexity of the world. This world says to me, there is a God and he is good, because he made this for us. God did not make evil, which taints the world, but he can sanctify it.
In this same vein, I believe rain is a sanctifying agent in the world. It renews. It revives. It gives hope. It can tear down in order to make us build up again. It takes away so that the Lord may giveth. Rain, so ordinary, is so sacred. With every drop of rain comes a blessing to be counted, and I'm thankful the rain reminds me of God's graciousness and from whom all blessings flow.
What do you think of the rain? What kind of moments is God fully alive to you?
*My sister may correct me here; walking up a huge hill to a castle in Germany in a downpour with our tour group was not an overly agreeable experience; if only I had remembered my rain jacket!
**For some, it is shrubbery!
Have a blessed Thanksgiving, dear readers! Here is some extra reading: "The Weight of Glory" by C.S. Lewis
Monday, November 21, 2011
The Man, the Legend: Winston Elliott
Winston Elliott: a man's man, ladies' man, and man about town. He's also witty and wise, a married man, intelligent, and a devout Roman Catholic of the convert variety!
Here is a talk he gave recently at the Houston Baptist University's Honors College; it is quite enlightening and magnificent.
Oh, and another disclosure: he's my editor at The Imaginative Conservative, which everyone should read regularly, if not hourly.
Follow him on Twitter, too!
Here is a talk he gave recently at the Houston Baptist University's Honors College; it is quite enlightening and magnificent.
Oh, and another disclosure: he's my editor at The Imaginative Conservative, which everyone should read regularly, if not hourly.
Follow him on Twitter, too!
Sunday, November 20, 2011
On Sundays I'm Shameless: FOLLOW ME! (I Changed My Twitter Handle Name Too)
Hey y'all! I've changed my Twitter handle from @juliemrobison to @thejulieview for FIVE reasons:
1. It connects my Twitter account more to my blog (The Corner With A View)
2. It takes out my last name, which I'll eventually change legally anyways
3. It has a nice ring to it, ja?
4. It is shorter, so people can say more to me (From 125 characters to 126! YEAH!)
5. Branding! I'm so savvy.
FOLLOW ME!
Also, if you read my blog but don't subscribe, could I make a request? Make yourself known and subscribe? I know you're out there. Yes, I'm talking to you.
I'm on Google Plus too.
More shamelessness:
Two more websites you should all read are The Imaginative Conservative and Virtuous Planet.
I'm one of the three Bright Maidens, which sponsors conversations on any topic pertaining to women, The Catholic Church, and fun times. Feel free to follow us too!
The Bright Maidens' Twitter Account
The Bright Maidens' Facebook Fan Page
My counterparts: Elizabeth is on the Twittah and so is Trista!
Thank you! Much obliged to you for humoring me, folks. Have a blessed Sunday!
1. It connects my Twitter account more to my blog (The Corner With A View)
2. It takes out my last name, which I'll eventually change legally anyways
3. It has a nice ring to it, ja?
4. It is shorter, so people can say more to me (From 125 characters to 126! YEAH!)
5. Branding! I'm so savvy.
FOLLOW ME!
 |
| Two of my siblings and me during intermission of another sister's play. We're a fun bunch. (Follow me.) |
I'm on Google Plus too.
More shamelessness:
Two more websites you should all read are The Imaginative Conservative and Virtuous Planet.
I'm one of the three Bright Maidens, which sponsors conversations on any topic pertaining to women, The Catholic Church, and fun times. Feel free to follow us too!
The Bright Maidens' Twitter Account
The Bright Maidens' Facebook Fan Page
My counterparts: Elizabeth is on the Twittah and so is Trista!
Thank you! Much obliged to you for humoring me, folks. Have a blessed Sunday!
Friday, November 18, 2011
What Does the Church Do in Africa?
The Catholic Church is the biggest (that is, most giving) charitable organization in the world:
The Pope's scheduled trip to Benin:
For more, follow RomeReports on YouTube!
The Pope's scheduled trip to Benin:
For more, follow RomeReports on YouTube!
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Never was wine so red or bread so white
"Mass at Dawn" by Roy Campbell
I dropped my sail and dried my dripping seines
Where the white quay is chequered by cool planes
In whose great branches, always out of sight,
The nightingales are singing day and night.
Though all was grey beneath the moon’s grey beam,
My boat in her new paint shone like a bride,
And silver in my baskets shone the bream:
My arms were tired and I was heavy-eyed,
But when with food and drink, at morning-light,
The children met me at the water-side,
Never was wine so red or bread so white.
H/T Steve Masty
I dropped my sail and dried my dripping seines
Where the white quay is chequered by cool planes
In whose great branches, always out of sight,
The nightingales are singing day and night.
Though all was grey beneath the moon’s grey beam,
My boat in her new paint shone like a bride,
And silver in my baskets shone the bream:
My arms were tired and I was heavy-eyed,
But when with food and drink, at morning-light,
The children met me at the water-side,
Never was wine so red or bread so white.
H/T Steve Masty
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Serve to Conserve? Yes We Can!
Upon the prompting of Stephen Masty, I'd like to explore "what still really exists in America that is worth conserving and what may be, quite frankly, lost to all but memory."
Reid Buckley has declared that he cannot love our country because we are vile. Morally corrupt and bankrupt, we've even given Pat Buchanan license to doubt. "What is it now that conservatives must conserve?" he asked.
The Declaration of Independence offers a few good suggestions -- life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness -- and, if I may add onto the list: the preservation of the English language.
Life
Life, for one, seems a given right. Life is the highest good-- we all have life in common, though we may live out our own lives differently. Suicidal tendencies aside, most people would argue for the preservation of their life.
If a gun was placed against your head, would you pull the trigger or try to get out of harm's way? Now, what if the gun was placed against another person's head? A good person, who pays taxes and goes to Church; lives in the community and does good. Would you want to save that person? How about a bad person? A bad person is one who disregards other people's lives, has wrecked havoc upon their community and has no regards for good, unless it is good for them.
If you would only save the good person, you are a bad person too.
It seems to me that Americans no longer know which way is up and which way is down. As a result, they are milling about life, thinking deeply on issues before growing tired and throwing up one's hands to accepted despair. Change is a farce. Our sacred cows are sinners. Republicans are pansies and Democrats are, well, Democrats. The more things change the more they stay the same, eh?
Continue reading at The Imaginative Conservative >>>>>>>
Reid Buckley has declared that he cannot love our country because we are vile. Morally corrupt and bankrupt, we've even given Pat Buchanan license to doubt. "What is it now that conservatives must conserve?" he asked.
The Declaration of Independence offers a few good suggestions -- life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness -- and, if I may add onto the list: the preservation of the English language.
Life
Life, for one, seems a given right. Life is the highest good-- we all have life in common, though we may live out our own lives differently. Suicidal tendencies aside, most people would argue for the preservation of their life.
 |
| Some people need a gun at their head every second; do you? |
If you would only save the good person, you are a bad person too.
It seems to me that Americans no longer know which way is up and which way is down. As a result, they are milling about life, thinking deeply on issues before growing tired and throwing up one's hands to accepted despair. Change is a farce. Our sacred cows are sinners. Republicans are pansies and Democrats are, well, Democrats. The more things change the more they stay the same, eh?
Continue reading at The Imaginative Conservative >>>>>>>
Monday, November 14, 2011
Moral Decadence in Man
“For Paul, the moral decadence of society is nothing more than the logical consequence and the faithful reflection of this radical perversion. When man prefers his own egoism, his pride, and his convenience to the demands made on him by the truth, the only possible outcome is an upside-down existence. Adoration is due to God alone, but what is adored is no longer God; images, outward appearances, and current opinion have dominion over man.
This general alteration extends to every sphere of life. That which is against nature becomes the norm; the man who lives against he truth also lives against nature. His creativity is no longer at the service of the good: he devotes his genius to ever more refined forms of evil. The bonds between man and woman, and between parents and children, are dissolved, so that the very sources from which life springs are blocked up. It is no longer life that reigns, but death. A civilization of death is formed (Rom 1:21-32). The description of decadence that Paul sketches here astonishes us modern readers by its contemporary relevance.”
and
“The knowledge of God has always existed. And everywhere in the history of religions, in various forms, we encounter the significant conflict between the knowledge of the one God and the attraction of other powers that are considered more dangerous or nearer at hand and, therefore, more important for man than the God who is distant mysterious.
All of history bears the traces of this strange dilemma between the non-violent, tranquil demands made by the truth, on the one hand, and the pressure brought to make profits and the need to have a good relationship with the powers that determine daily life by their interventions, on the other hand. Again and again, we see the victory of profit over truth, although the signs of the truth and of its own power never disappear completely. Indeed, they continue to live, often in surprising forms, in the very heart of a jungle full of poisonous plants.”
--Pope Benedict XVI, as Joseph Ratzinger; Christianity and the Crisis of Culture
This general alteration extends to every sphere of life. That which is against nature becomes the norm; the man who lives against he truth also lives against nature. His creativity is no longer at the service of the good: he devotes his genius to ever more refined forms of evil. The bonds between man and woman, and between parents and children, are dissolved, so that the very sources from which life springs are blocked up. It is no longer life that reigns, but death. A civilization of death is formed (Rom 1:21-32). The description of decadence that Paul sketches here astonishes us modern readers by its contemporary relevance.”
 |
| Padre Pio's stigmatas are a good reminder of our higher calling to God's way, not our own |
“The knowledge of God has always existed. And everywhere in the history of religions, in various forms, we encounter the significant conflict between the knowledge of the one God and the attraction of other powers that are considered more dangerous or nearer at hand and, therefore, more important for man than the God who is distant mysterious.
All of history bears the traces of this strange dilemma between the non-violent, tranquil demands made by the truth, on the one hand, and the pressure brought to make profits and the need to have a good relationship with the powers that determine daily life by their interventions, on the other hand. Again and again, we see the victory of profit over truth, although the signs of the truth and of its own power never disappear completely. Indeed, they continue to live, often in surprising forms, in the very heart of a jungle full of poisonous plants.”
--Pope Benedict XVI, as Joseph Ratzinger; Christianity and the Crisis of Culture
Friday, November 11, 2011
Atheist Convert: R.J. Stove
I read this amazing testimony by R.J. Stove about his conversion to Catholicism on Why I'm Catholic, a site run by an awesome guy and fellow VP contributor Steven Lawson.
Stove is the son a prominent atheist, the late David Stove. He joined the Catholic Church in 2002. He lives in Melbourne, Australia. His website says he is an editor, writer, composer and narcissist, and features a quote by Paul Valery (French poet, essayist and philosopher): "A poem is never finished, it is only abandoned."
The first part of that sentence, I think, applies well to humans. We humans are not perfect, which would seem like a good finishing point. But even the word "perfect" could be exchanged for another attitude: we're never finished striving towards God, just as God is ever patient waiting for us to come back to him.
The second part of Valery's sentence, then, could juxtapose the difference between man and God: as man gives up, God never abandons us. Through the calm and storms of life, he uses our free will and decisions as a pathway for grace.
I tried to pick a favorite graf, but couldn't. I hope you consider Stove's conversion with an open mind and delight in his use of the English language. Read the article here.
Stove is the son a prominent atheist, the late David Stove. He joined the Catholic Church in 2002. He lives in Melbourne, Australia. His website says he is an editor, writer, composer and narcissist, and features a quote by Paul Valery (French poet, essayist and philosopher): "A poem is never finished, it is only abandoned."
The first part of that sentence, I think, applies well to humans. We humans are not perfect, which would seem like a good finishing point. But even the word "perfect" could be exchanged for another attitude: we're never finished striving towards God, just as God is ever patient waiting for us to come back to him.
The second part of Valery's sentence, then, could juxtapose the difference between man and God: as man gives up, God never abandons us. Through the calm and storms of life, he uses our free will and decisions as a pathway for grace.
I tried to pick a favorite graf, but couldn't. I hope you consider Stove's conversion with an open mind and delight in his use of the English language. Read the article here.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Disordered? Or Specifically Designed to Carry the Cross?
I read this conversation on a CatholicVote.org article:
First, Davide:
I think this is a tough issue for the Church, especially since it has become subjective in the sense that people hear "gay" and immediately think of their friend or relative. The teaching of homosexuality is aligned tightly with the Church's teachings of heterosexuality sexuality. They are one in the same; they are concerned primarily to the whole dignity of each person and faithfulness to the Lord's commandments.
Two slim books I really recommend are "Set Free to Love: Lives Changed by Theology of the Body" by Marcel LeJuene and "Washed and Waiting" by Wesley Hill. The former is from a Roman Catholic perspective (he works at Texas A&M and runs the Aggie Catholics blog) and the latter is Evangelical Christian (the author is a graduate of Wheaton College). Another excellent person to read on this subject is Eve Tushnet; she is a Catholic convert, lesbian and single (ergo, celibate). I first heard about her from a NYT article and enjoy her blog. OH! And Steve Gershom - a must-read blog by a "Catholic, Gay, and Feeling Fine, Thanks" man.
I reviewed LeJeune's book this past January; he writes on "sex, chastity, married life, celibacy, Trinitarian love, human dignity, the differences between men and women, and our ultimate purpose in life."
The story by the young man who struggles with same-sex attraction was phenomenal. When he asked Christopher West (renowned TOB author and speaker) how best to "deal" with it, West said, "First and foremost, you are a man."
This young man would later find further grace through the sacraments of the Church: "I started attending daily Mass and receiving the Eucharist day in and day out. I realized this was what I had been looking for all along! If I really wanted to learn what it meant to be a man, how much further did I need to look than the Sacrament of the greatest man who ever lived?"
Please pray with me for further understanding, contentment, respect and joy for all affected in this growing dialogue!
First, Davide:
Tom, if I told you I was not sexually attracted to you am I disordered? You are mistaken no where absolutely no where does the Church say the attraction is disordered. I encourage you to read the CCC 2357-2359. It says our attraction is a 'trail'. I am willing to go further and say it is not normal or natural. But I don;t need anyone reminding me of this. Imagine a 15 year old Catholic boy who is confused about his sexuality and he is told his attraction is disordered even though he is a virgin. Right out of the gate he feels lost and condemn. His straight buddies are disinterested in his sexuality. So he goes to the 'gay' kids who are disinterested in his faith. But not one of them considered him disordered. So he struggles between faith and what the world wants him to do. More than likely where do you think he will end up? Its no wonder most hetero folks don't understand homosexual advocacy, cause they don't undertand SSA. So I think we should limit the 'disordered' comments to the actual sin.The response by Tom:
Davide--- Again, I didn't say you or anyone dealing with SSA *is* disordered. And as I read CCC 2358 I see it say of the homosexual attraction, "This inclination, which is objectively disordered...." Am I wrong in interpreting that to refer to the attraction, regardless of the action? If so, how? But again, in no way am I condemning anyone. As I imagine that 15 year old boy confused about his sexuality, telling him that his attraction is disordered isn't telling him that *he* is bad or condemned, but that he has a disordered inclination. Yes, it'll be a tough pill to swallow, but it's not incorrect. The next step, of course, is to help him on the path of living chastely, which, incidentally, is what 15 year olds who don't experience SSA need to be taught also. Perhaps steps can be taken to prevent the feeling of being lost and condemned through proper compassion at that tender age. I do not dispute that the compassion has been lacking far too frequently, but that does not mean the truth is not the truth. ------------ And I do not take any offense to your responses. I have appreciated your contributions and appreciate that you have a personal stake in this topic.And a welcome clarification from Andy:
Again, "disordered" is not to be thought of in the psychological sense.I'm glad these respectful conversations are happening. For more on SSA and the Church, the Canadian Council of Catholic Bishops put out the excellent read, "Pastoral Ministry to Young People with Same-Sex Attraction." The Church respects and defends the dignity of all people carrying this cross; let us Catholics do the same, without compromising the Church's teachings.
I think this is a tough issue for the Church, especially since it has become subjective in the sense that people hear "gay" and immediately think of their friend or relative. The teaching of homosexuality is aligned tightly with the Church's teachings of heterosexuality sexuality. They are one in the same; they are concerned primarily to the whole dignity of each person and faithfulness to the Lord's commandments.
Two slim books I really recommend are "Set Free to Love: Lives Changed by Theology of the Body" by Marcel LeJuene and "Washed and Waiting" by Wesley Hill. The former is from a Roman Catholic perspective (he works at Texas A&M and runs the Aggie Catholics blog) and the latter is Evangelical Christian (the author is a graduate of Wheaton College). Another excellent person to read on this subject is Eve Tushnet; she is a Catholic convert, lesbian and single (ergo, celibate). I first heard about her from a NYT article and enjoy her blog. OH! And Steve Gershom - a must-read blog by a "Catholic, Gay, and Feeling Fine, Thanks" man.
The story by the young man who struggles with same-sex attraction was phenomenal. When he asked Christopher West (renowned TOB author and speaker) how best to "deal" with it, West said, "First and foremost, you are a man."
This young man would later find further grace through the sacraments of the Church: "I started attending daily Mass and receiving the Eucharist day in and day out. I realized this was what I had been looking for all along! If I really wanted to learn what it meant to be a man, how much further did I need to look than the Sacrament of the greatest man who ever lived?"
Please pray with me for further understanding, contentment, respect and joy for all affected in this growing dialogue!
Friday, November 4, 2011
PDA: Pets, Drama and Attention
TBM Topic 19: PDA in the Digital Age
"PDA: Pets, Drama and Attention" by Julie Robison
Trista at Not a Minx, Moron, or a Parasite - on a blogging break of sorts
"Hold your tongues" by Elizabeth at Startling the Day
We three are from the oft-mentioned, widely-speculated upon demographic of young, twenty-something Catholic women. We're here to dispel the myths and misconceptions- please join us for the discussion on Facebook and Twitter!
Allow me to begin with a male friend's sentiments on the subject of Facebook PDA: "It is an abomination. It'll probably earns you time in Purgatory, which I don't believe in- but if I did, it would earn you time there. LOTS of it."
We were discussing pictures, mostly, as well as wall posts of "Hey. I like you." and other, much more discriminatory sentiments. I gathered more intel- my few friends are generally ambivalent to the occasional show of couple cuteness. I tended to agree with them. I felt my thesis collapsing. Then I had a terrible realization: I am guilty.
No, not with my boyfriend. We're always smiling, with the one exception of him surprise kissing my cheek. No, I am guilty with Heidi, the beloved family pet. There are few things Robisons enjoy sharing more than adorable pictures of our mutt. For example:
That's not all. In this past week, while cleaning my room and writing, Heidi chilled with me. I took advantage of the situation:
I know. This is getting shameless. You might have even skimmed over the last ones. I don't blame you. Our mutual love can be overwhelming!
Now, imagine if these pictures had been with humans. A big theme in Catholic romance is protecting one's heart. The reason FB PDA bothers me is because I see it as exhibitionism. Constantly writing on FB about how much you love your significant other may be a sweet gesture, but it can easily become annoying and trite. I think there are very tasteful ways of doing it as well; one of my engaged besties has a far-away shot of her kissing her now-fiance after they got engaged. (His sister was taking pictures from afar!) I love seeing that sweet moment captured.
But what about the make-out albums? Oh, you know the ones I'm talking about. Scenic picture, kissing picture, smiling picture, kissing picture, kissing picture, kissing picture, scenic picture, smiling picture, and so on. It's very true that one does not need to look at them. Like some terrible whirlpool, you the viewer get sucked in, unable to look away, fascinated by the endurance and amount of saliva being exchanged with the passing of each frame.
Then you go on to live your life, pledging to never post pictures like that on FB.
But Julie! You just posted an obnoxious amount of Heidi pictures!
True. But only the first one was on FB; the rest are from my private collection. They are also of my pet, which I think makes a slight difference. Perhaps not in principle, but in practice. Pet pictures do not encourage drama. Human pictures of relationships do, be it couples or friends. Pictures of girls in suggestive poses, even if it is meant as a joke, can be provocative for the viewer. Pictures of couples kissing can be overwhelming in reaction.
If the intention is to show off the relationship or prove something (as another friend pointed out), the picture serves to attract attention, not affection or "d'awwwws!" We humans are not islands, and FB's purpose is to connect people. The very pictures being shared can serve to disconnect people.
I have no rules for engagement. That's up to each person's individual reason and prudence to decide. Kindness towards others is not just how you act towards them, but how you display yourself. Your self-image is how people gauge what kind of person you are and how they should act. Affection can be shown reasonably and tastefully, but is can also be lessened when shared with too many. A special moment is more often felt than shown, and too much FB can be voyeuristic.
Happy Friday!
"PDA: Pets, Drama and Attention" by Julie Robison
Trista at Not a Minx, Moron, or a Parasite - on a blogging break of sorts
"Hold your tongues" by Elizabeth at Startling the Day
We three are from the oft-mentioned, widely-speculated upon demographic of young, twenty-something Catholic women. We're here to dispel the myths and misconceptions- please join us for the discussion on Facebook and Twitter!
Allow me to begin with a male friend's sentiments on the subject of Facebook PDA: "It is an abomination. It'll probably earns you time in Purgatory, which I don't believe in- but if I did, it would earn you time there. LOTS of it."
We were discussing pictures, mostly, as well as wall posts of "Hey. I like you." and other, much more discriminatory sentiments. I gathered more intel- my few friends are generally ambivalent to the occasional show of couple cuteness. I tended to agree with them. I felt my thesis collapsing. Then I had a terrible realization: I am guilty.
No, not with my boyfriend. We're always smiling, with the one exception of him surprise kissing my cheek. No, I am guilty with Heidi, the beloved family pet. There are few things Robisons enjoy sharing more than adorable pictures of our mutt. For example:
 |
| Halloween Heidi! Photo and costume credit: my sister Kato |
 |
| I captured the puppy! |
 |
| Typical. |
 |
| Zoolander faces. |
 |
| Snuggle-buggles! |
Now, imagine if these pictures had been with humans. A big theme in Catholic romance is protecting one's heart. The reason FB PDA bothers me is because I see it as exhibitionism. Constantly writing on FB about how much you love your significant other may be a sweet gesture, but it can easily become annoying and trite. I think there are very tasteful ways of doing it as well; one of my engaged besties has a far-away shot of her kissing her now-fiance after they got engaged. (His sister was taking pictures from afar!) I love seeing that sweet moment captured.
But what about the make-out albums? Oh, you know the ones I'm talking about. Scenic picture, kissing picture, smiling picture, kissing picture, kissing picture, kissing picture, scenic picture, smiling picture, and so on. It's very true that one does not need to look at them. Like some terrible whirlpool, you the viewer get sucked in, unable to look away, fascinated by the endurance and amount of saliva being exchanged with the passing of each frame.
Then you go on to live your life, pledging to never post pictures like that on FB.
But Julie! You just posted an obnoxious amount of Heidi pictures!
True. But only the first one was on FB; the rest are from my private collection. They are also of my pet, which I think makes a slight difference. Perhaps not in principle, but in practice. Pet pictures do not encourage drama. Human pictures of relationships do, be it couples or friends. Pictures of girls in suggestive poses, even if it is meant as a joke, can be provocative for the viewer. Pictures of couples kissing can be overwhelming in reaction.
If the intention is to show off the relationship or prove something (as another friend pointed out), the picture serves to attract attention, not affection or "d'awwwws!" We humans are not islands, and FB's purpose is to connect people. The very pictures being shared can serve to disconnect people.
I have no rules for engagement. That's up to each person's individual reason and prudence to decide. Kindness towards others is not just how you act towards them, but how you display yourself. Your self-image is how people gauge what kind of person you are and how they should act. Affection can be shown reasonably and tastefully, but is can also be lessened when shared with too many. A special moment is more often felt than shown, and too much FB can be voyeuristic.
 |
| From earlier this year: can you tell how much we love each other? |
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Logic, Science and History Prevail!
I came across an amazing documentary called "180" paralleling the Holocaust and abortion. It is produced by Living Waters, a ministry run by Ray Comfort. Comfort was born a Jew, and, while he still identifies himself as such, is an Evangelical Christian pastor in California. Comfort begins the movie by discussing with people what they would do if in the kind of situations Nazi-occupied Germany put citizens in on a regular basis, and moving towards bigger life-centered questions of valuing all human life, or just some. It is well-worth a watch or two:
The Judgement Day portion was a little heavy-handed, and looking over Comfort's personal website and theology, I do not agree with many of his stances. For one, evolution may be a theory, but it is certainly a viable one on a micro-level, especially since we believe all things are possible with God! Nonetheless, Comfort seems to me to be a fantastic human being and follower of Christ, forwarding our Lord's message and commandments in this world. Living Waters has done a fantastic job with this production, and it well-deserves much praise and publicity.
The website is 180movie.com and heartchanger.com; the Facebook page is 180moviecom; the Twitter account is @180movie with a #180movie hashtag. The movie premiered on September 26, 2011 and has already been viewed over a million times! The film is offered for free on the website for sharing and viewing. They also welcome feedback.
Continue reading at Virtuous Planet >>>>>>>
The Judgement Day portion was a little heavy-handed, and looking over Comfort's personal website and theology, I do not agree with many of his stances. For one, evolution may be a theory, but it is certainly a viable one on a micro-level, especially since we believe all things are possible with God! Nonetheless, Comfort seems to me to be a fantastic human being and follower of Christ, forwarding our Lord's message and commandments in this world. Living Waters has done a fantastic job with this production, and it well-deserves much praise and publicity.
The website is 180movie.com and heartchanger.com; the Facebook page is 180moviecom; the Twitter account is @180movie with a #180movie hashtag. The movie premiered on September 26, 2011 and has already been viewed over a million times! The film is offered for free on the website for sharing and viewing. They also welcome feedback.
Continue reading at Virtuous Planet >>>>>>>
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
If you need me, I'll be at the zoo
Yep, you read that right. The Zoo (zoo-zoo! How about you-you-you?).
I am posting my Bright Maidens post on PDA in the Digital Age late to encourage all of you to do so as well (contributions may be posted on our FB wall!) Actually, I started another job to help pay for the bills and future bills, and I am still organizing my time accordingly. Mea culpa!
To make up for my delinquency, I am sharing two videos of great songs Mumford & Sons have covered. They are one of my FAVORITEST bands; they are uber-talented and have a lot of Christian allusions in their songs. Enjoy!
Here is a video introduction to their awesomeness:
I really am going to the zoo today with the 3 year old and 9 month I now nanny a few days a week. I'm so excited!!!
Happy All Souls Day, friends!
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| Two of my sisters at the Cincinnati Zoo |
To make up for my delinquency, I am sharing two videos of great songs Mumford & Sons have covered. They are one of my FAVORITEST bands; they are uber-talented and have a lot of Christian allusions in their songs. Enjoy!
Here is a video introduction to their awesomeness:
I really am going to the zoo today with the 3 year old and 9 month I now nanny a few days a week. I'm so excited!!!
Happy All Souls Day, friends!
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