Showing posts with label Catholicism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Catholicism. Show all posts

Monday, October 6, 2014

New on the Blogroll: #CathBlogsGPlus

There's something new on the blogroll:
  • #CathBlogsGPlus
    On RebelMouse
    • "We are glad you are here. Join us to read the best Catholic Bloggers around. Grab your coffee, tea or beverage of choice and visit for a while."
A tip of the hat to Cyndi Marlow, on Google Plus.
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Sunday, August 3, 2014

Joining the Universal Banquet

One of the stained glass windows in my parents' church included a beautifully-done image of Jesus knocking at a door: an illustration of Revelation 3:20. Today, I recognize it as very similar to Warner Sallman's "Christ at Heart’s Door."

Most of that window's glass was replaced during a major building renovation. The new glass was brighter, but I missed the old window: and still do.

It's possible that someone thought the unsubtle colors and simpler shapes would make worship seem more "relevant." "Relevance," real or imagined, was all the rage around that time.

Protestant churches, like the ones my family attended, went through liturgical ricochets in the '60s. Some rewrites of the Apostles and Nicene creeds were — odd. Meanwhile, screwball gimmicks committed 'in the spirit of Vatican II' were upsetting some Catholics.

I get nostalgic now and then: but I don't yearn for the 'good old days.' My memory's too good for that, and that's another topic.

Mass-Produced Art: Beauty and Holy Cards



(From contemporary Lithograph and Alekjds, via Wikimedia Commons, used w/o permission.)
(Miraculous Image of Adlwang, Austria (left), and Blessed Anne Marie Javouhey (right).)

The Industrial Revolution's massive economic and social changes weren't all good news, but they weren't all bad, either. When the dust settled, folks lived longer, were wealthier, and there were a lot more of us: but we're still cleaning up the mess, and that's yet another topic. Topics.

Mass production, lithography, and folks like Currier and Ives, made art available to folks who weren't the local equivalent of Lorenzo de' Medici. Some mass-produced art wasn't particularly good, from an aesthetic viewpoint: but it brought a measure of beauty within reach of a great many folks.

While Currier and Ives were producing "...Cheap and Popular Prints" in America, some European printers used the same technology to make holy cards.

Many Protestants are still skittish about "images," but holy cards have been a part of Catholic devotional life for generations. That may explain why I see so much 19th-century artwork in posts by earnest folks who don't like today's world.

I think, and hope, that folks who seem convinced that they and folks who agree with them are the only 'real' Catholics left are sincere. I'm also convinced that they're wrong.

Don't get me wrong: I'm fond of some of the 19th century's art; and am acutely aware that the world we live in needs reform.

I sympathize, a bit, with folks who warn me that I'm going to Hell — apparently because I take God's creation 'as is' — and that's almost another topic. (July 25, 2014)

Since I am in solidarity with Rome, though: I must accept what the Church teaches. That doesn't mean returning to values of the 'good old days.' I'll get back to that.

Here's what got me started on today's post:

Retiring "Cafeteria Catholic"

"I finally figured out today why I hate the term Cafeteria Catholics. Coined several decades ago at least, it means to pick and choose what you are going to believe of what the Catholic Church teaches. For example, someone may say: 'I choose to believe in the death of Jesus Christ, but I do not believe in the real presence in the Eucharist, I am not sure I believe in the resurrection and I do not believe in submission to the pope.' The cafeteria Catholic is a term referenced to going to a cafeteria where we pick and choose what we will have for lunch today....

"...Today, I finally figured it out. The problem is with the way the term is expressed. The issue is not whether or not one believes in a certain teaching, the issue is humility. When we are antagonizing people for being 'cafeteria catholics' we are judging them by the standard of what they should or should not believe. However, the problem is not in their belief, it is in their virtue. The issue is not whether or not they believe in a certain teaching, the issue is whether or not they understand the virtue of humility.

"The person who says 'I don't care what the Church teaches, I will pick and choose what I want to believe.' is someone who lacks humility. However, I may also lack humility if I condemn them instead of seeking to teach them about humility. This is the problem with the whole cafeteria Catholic term, it is not about what I believe, it is about pride verses humility...."
("It Is Time to Retire the Term 'Cafeteria Catholic'," Fr. Robert Carr, Lukewarm No More!!!! (June 25, 2014))
I recommend reading all of Fr. Carr's article. What he says about pride and humility makes sense. "Humility," by the way, isn't about smart people pretending they're stupid, or strong folks acting as if they're puny. It's acknowledging God's place in our lives. (September 1, 2013)

Instead of rehashing what Fr. Carr wrote, I'll share some reasons that I like being Catholic.

Bringing a Message of Hope and Love


More than a thousand years ago, an illustrated Bible pictured Matthew as a man, Mark as a lion, Luke as an ox, and John as an eagle.

I recognize symbols in the Book of Kells, partly because my some of my ancestors came from the same part of the world.

We know that the evangelists are human, of course. They're occasionally shown as a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle, to symbolize what aspect of my Lord their writings highlighted.

A great many folks are familiar with Christian symbols like the cross and crucifix. Others, like the staurogram, not so much: and I'm drifting off-topic.

As I've said before, the Catholic Church is ancient and literally catholic, καθολικός, universal.

I like being part of an outfit that predates my civilization's current iteration, was global before internationalism was cool, and embraces all cultures. For two millennia, we have been bringing a message of love and hope to the world. (Catechism, 758-776, 816, 1202)

Our job is not trying to drag the world back to some imagined golden age, or imposing the 'correct' kind of government or culture on everyone. We're told to work with what we have, correcting what is unjust, and supporting what is right. (Catechism, 1897-1917, 1928-1942)

Two Millennia: Looking Back, Looking Ahead


Some things about Catholicism have changed over the last two millennia: like what role, if any, digital media should play in worship. (August 12, 2012)

The Code of Canon Law gets revised occasionally, which generally results in someone getting upset. I've run into folks who haven't gotten over the Council of Trent, and that's yet again another topic.

Some things haven't changed, and won't. For example, we're still told to love God, love our neighbor, and see everyone as our neighbor. (Matthew 5:43-44; Matthew 22:36-40; Mark 12:29-31; Luke 10:25-27, 29-37; Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1822, 1825)

We're also expected to be at Mass each Sunday. This weekly worship is "at the heart of the Church's life." It's where, each week, I am with my Lord: at a "...Paschal banquet," receiving Christ in the Eucharist. (Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Catechism, 1322-1405, 2174-2183)

Then there's the "wedding feast of the Lamb mentioned in Revelation 19:9. By all accounts, the Kingdom of God is not going to be boring. At all.

I've put a little background about the Eucharist and Mass at the end of this post.

I love the wonderfully rich artistic and cultural heritage of the Catholic Church, and the wisdom we've collected over the millennia. But that's not the main reason I became a Catholic.

I've been a Christian, following Jesus, for as long as I remember.

Matthew 16:18 tells us that my Lord gave Peter "the keys to the kingdom of heaven." When I found out who currently holds that authority, I didn't have much choice:
"Jesus then said to the Twelve, 'Do you also want to leave?'

"Simon Peter answered him, 'Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.

"We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.' "
(John 6:67-69)
— and that's still another topic.

If you haven't had enough of this blog yet, there's more:
"EUCHARIST: The ritual, sacramental action of thanksgiving to God which constitutes the principal Christian liturgical celebration of and communion in the paschal mystery of Christ. The liturgical action called the Eucharist is also traditionally known as the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. It is one of the seven sacraments of the Church; the Holy Eucharist completes Christian initiation (1322 ff.). The Sunday celebration of the Eucharist is at the heart of the Church’s life (2177). See Mass."
(Catechism, Glossary, Eucharist)

"MASS: The Eucharist or principal sacramental celebration of the Church, established by Jesus at the Last Supper, in which the mystery of our salvation through participation in the sacrificial death and glorious Resurrection of Christ is renewed and accomplished. The Mass renews the paschal sacrifice of Christ as the sacrifice offered by the Church. It is called 'Mass' (from the Latin missa) because of the 'mission' or 'sending' with which the liturgical celebration concludes (Latin: 'Ite, Missa est.') (1332; cf. 1088, 1382, 2192). See Eucharist; Paschal Mystery/Sacrifice."
(Catechism, Glossary, Mass)
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Sunday, June 22, 2014

Corpus Christi Procession: Sauk Centre, Minnesota, 2014

I wrote about Corpus Christi, or the solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, in this morning's post. (June 22, 2014)

The small central Minnesota town where I live lost track of doing Corpus Christi processions somewhere in the 20th century, but revived the custom in 2003. (August 2, 2009)

Walking in the procession isn't required: which is just as well, since my walk is more of a lurch. A fair number of folks hung around after this morning's Mass, though, and joined the parade: make that joined the procession. Instead of trying to keep up, I took pictures.


(Getting ready for the procession, at Our Lady of Angels church. The monstrance is there on the altar, between the candelabras, with its back open.)


(They've reached St. Paul's. That tent-like thing, or canopy, is called a baldachin, and I wrote about that this morning.)


(The procession stopped twice: once on the way out, and on the way back. This is the second stop, for a benediction and more singing.)

Folks sang and prayed as they walked: in a mix of English and Latin, as is our custom around here.

I wondered if we'd have a procession this year. We've been rained out a few times: and thunderstorms were in the forecast. One of the folks in the procession gave me an odd look while I was taking this last photo. I hadn't thought about the impression given by some older guy with a Grizzly Adams beard, shadowing the procession in a van and taking pictures: and that's another topic.

Related posts:
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Monday, March 31, 2014

New on the Blogroll: Harvesting The Fruits Of Contemplation

There's another entry on the blogroll: Michael Seagriff's style is pretty much the opposite of mine: instead of writing a few long posts each week, he does a short one nearly every day. Maybe there's a lesson to learn here.

Don't let the St. Catherine of Siena quote fool you, though: some of those posts are fun.

Vaguely-related posts:
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Sunday, January 12, 2014

Being Myself: Catholic Style

Back when I was a teenager, some folks asserted their individuality with long hair and jeans. Instead of donning the conventional nonconformist's uniform, I wore white socks and used a pocket protector.

"Be Yourself," or Not

"Be yourself" was a common bit of advice back in my 'good old days,' and still is.

A page on wikiHow tells women "How to Be Yourself:" with headings like "find yourself and define yourself on your terms;" "avoid fixating on the past;" and the familiar old "develop and express your individuality."

A dedicated apostle of angst might dredge an affront out of the advice given: but I won't.

Then there's Rob Waugh's opinion piece in Mail Online, "Why 'just be yourself' is the WORST possible advice for the workplace - people who conceal their 'real' selves are happiest."

Oscar Wilde and the Image of God

The "How to Be Yourself:" page quotes Oscar Wilde: "Be yourself, everyone else is already taken." I'm not on the same page as Oscar Wilde in most ways, but that's funny: and quite true.

Each human being is a "me," a unique person, made in the image of God. We're finite and God isn't, so that leaves lots of room for individuality. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 202, 357)

Free to be Me

I've got a mind of my own, like everyone else. Even if I decided to 'go along with the crowd,' imitating the actions of others, the decision would be mine.

I'm supposed to conform my will to the will of God, but it's my choice. I could decide to follow my own whims, but that would be a daft idea.

My job is to work within God's guidelines, accepting the realities of this creation. (Romans 12:2; Catechism, 1730, 1992, 2085)

I don't feel 'trammeled by the shackles of an oppressive society,' though: and don't think God is trying to ruin my fun. I've long since realized that serving what is good and just is good for me, too.
"The more one does what is good, the freer one becomes. There is no true freedom except in the service of what is good and just. The choice to disobey and do evil is an abuse of freedom and leads to 'the slavery of sin.'28"
(Catechism, 1733)
This freedom comes with responsibilities, and that's another topic.

Related posts:
"...We were thought of and desired; thus, there is an idea that preceded me, a feeling that preceded me, that I must discover, that I must follow, because it will at last give meaning to my life. This seems to me to be the first point: to discover that my being is truly reasonable, it was thought of, it has meaning. And my important mission is to discover this meaning, to live it and thereby contribute a new element to the great cosmic harmony conceived of by the Creator."
(Benedict XVI (July 24, 2007); from "The Pontifical Academy of Sciences Yearbook 2008")
"Being in the image of God the human individual possesses the dignity of a person, who is not just something, but someone. He is capable of self-knowledge, of self-possession and of freely giving himself and entering into communion with other persons. And he is called by grace to a covenant with his Creator, to offer him a response of faith and love that no other creature can give in his stead."
(Catechism, 357)
"God created man a rational being, conferring on him the dignity of a person who can initiate and control his own actions. 'God willed that man should be 'left in the hand of his own counsel,' so that he might of his own accord seek his Creator and freely attain his full and blessed perfection by cleaving to him.'26
"Man is rational and therefore like God; he is created with free will and is master over his acts.27 "
(Catechism, 1730)
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Sunday, October 27, 2013

Prayer, Latin, and Getting a Grip

Prayer is important for Catholics. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2558-2565, 2566-2567, 2568-2589-2598, and much more)

Say "Catholic prayer," and some folks may think of a group of Catholics droning their way through the Rosary: or parroting something they don't understand in a reasonable facsimile of Latin.

Mary and the Rosary


(From USCCB, used w/o permission.)

The Rosary is a very "Catholic" prayer, although I've heard of folks who aren't Catholic who pray the Rosary more often and more regularly than I do. There are a few "Catholic" prayers that we all say, starting with the Lord's Prayer. (Luke 11:1-4; Matthew 6:9-13; Catechism, 2759-2760, 2761-2776, 2777-2802, 2803-2854)

I had a soft spot in my heat for Mary long before I became a Catholic, and still do. Marian devotions are important in the lives of many Catholics, which doesn't meant that we worship Mary. That would be idolatry, which is a very bad idea and strictly against the rules. (Catechism, 2097, 2112-2114)

The Rosary is an important part of some, but not all, Marian devotions, and I'm getting off-topic. (Catechism, 971)

Latin, Monty Python, and a Really Old Joke

I've said prayers and sung songs in Latin, although my knowledge of the language is minimal.

Latin is a beautiful language, and using it as the 'official' language of the Church made sense when the Roman Empire was still in operation. Later, when monks in Ireland and a few other outposts were keeping civilization alive in Europe, Latin still made sense, since it was the only language all educated Catholics would understand.

Most folks who lived where Rome's Imperial influence had been strong didn't speak Latin, but that language influenced their native tongues. That's why Spanish, Italian, and French are called romance languages, and that's another topic. My ancestral languages didn't. still more topics.

A traveler who spoke Latin was in the position of someone who speaks English today. Anywhere in Europe, the odds were pretty good that the traveler would eventually find at least one person who would understand what he or she said. It helped to be within a day's walk of a monastery, of course.

Today, Latin is still the language used by the Catholic Church for official documents and communications. I don't think that will change, particularly since we've accumulated quite a few documents over the last two millennia. Translating from one language to another is a tricky affair, as anyone who uses online tools like Google Translate should realize.

There's a joke that's so old, maybe you haven't heard it.

A man traveling in the Orient uses his phrasebook to ask for some service. The attendant obviously understands, but seems distressed. He replies, "alas, exalted thimble! I would carry you there on my back, but the cat is already late for the wedding." The attendant had probably memorized his phrasebook, without benefit of recordings to give some idea of what English is supposed to sound like.

Then there's the Monty Python 'phrasebook' sketch. As I recall, the author was charged with publishing a foreign phrase book with intent to cause riot.


(From Monty Python's Flying Circus, via YouTube, used w/o permission.)

Moving on.

Vatican II and Getting a Grip

Latin has become a rather sensitive topic, particularly after the mid-1960s, when the Second Vatican Council results hit the news.

Some American priests, and even bishops, were delighted. I suspect that many of them read about the Vatican II documents in Time, Newsweek, and maybe even The New York Times. Judging from the results, some of them never bothered to read the Vatican II documents themselves: in the original Latin or official translations into our native language.

We're still cleaning up the mess left by screwball 'reforms.'

Many Catholics living in America gritted their teeth as altar rails and statues were hauled out, and kept the faith. In my parish, some folks recovered all the pieces from the altar rail and put them in storage. The stone altar rails are still around, waiting for an economy that's more conducive to major remodeling projects.

Some folks were appalled by 'in the spirit of Vatican II' antics, and set up their own little churches. Some of these 'roll your own faith' outfits are still around, apparently convinced that they're the only 'real' Catholics in the whole wide world.

Being upset makes sense. Assuming that the Holy Spirit was AWOL and no longer guided the Magisterium: not so much.

Happily, many documents of the Church have been translated into my native language, English, like the Catechism. yet again more topics.

Before I get back to prayer, writing about prayer that is, a few words about the Magisterium, Papal authority, and getting a grip.

Papal authority doesn't mean that Catholics have to believe that Popes never make mistakes. They're human, and some have been remarkably poor role models. Even the worst of them didn't make any official statements that permanently damaged the Church. After two millennia, that's a remarkable track record.

The Magisterium is the Church's central authority, with the task of maintaining what Jesus gave us.

That's a massive oversimplification. I've posted about this sort of thing before:

Prayer and Praying

Prayer is important, but convincing you that everyone should pray the way I do doesn't make sense: and that's still more topics.

I learned that the sort of prayer I usually do is called "Franciscan:" informal 'conversation' with God. Quite a few folks are discussing four types of prayer, online anyway. They're called Franciscan, Ignatian, Augustinian, and Thomistic. The forms of prayer, not the people, of course.

I think formal prayers like the Lord's Prayer are important. I should probably make an effort to do more of them, more often. There's meditating, too, studying Holy Scripture, and 1 Corinthians 12, and those are — you guessed it — even more topics.

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Sunday, May 5, 2013

Sin, Outrage, and Making Sense

I'm not sure why so many folks act as if we need to be angry to care about something.

I've seen the attitude in folks who blame religion for the world's woes, and in others who verbally lambast just about everyone who doesn't worship the way they do.

It might be fun to rant about stuff I don't like, and folks whose actions annoy or offend me: at first.

I've indulged in (self-)righteous indignation now and then, and try to avoid doing so. I've found that in the long run it doesn't accomplish much except feed my anger.

That doesn't mean that pretending everything is fine is a good idea. Truthfulness is a virtue, hypocrisy is a really bad idea, and I'm getting a bit off-topic. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2468)

Not Letting Friends Drive Drunk

Noticing that someone's action is wrong is okay. Sometimes it's important.

The old 'friends don't let friends drive drunk' slogan may have saved lives. It's a good idea.

Labeling someone a useless drunkard, maybe not so much. Making a lifestyle out of kvetching, definitely a bad idea.

We're not supposed to be arrogant or self-righteous. We're not supposed to be stupid, either.
"1 2 'Stop judging, that you may not be judged.

"For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you."
(Matthew 7:1-2)
"1 Therefore, you are without excuse, every one of you who passes judgment. 2 For by the standard by which you judge another you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the very same things. ... There is no partiality with God."
(Romans 2:1-11)
A footnote to Matthew 7 points out that Jesus isn't telling us to avoid getting lumber stuck in our eyes. The idea is that being arrogant and judgmental is not good.
"2 [1] This is not a prohibition against recognizing the faults of others, which would be hardly compatible with ⇒ Matthew 7:5, 6 but against passing judgment in a spirit of arrogance, forgetful of one's own faults."
(Matthew 7, footnote 1, footnote 2)
That seem clear enough.

Getting Even, Getting Smart

"Anger" can mean an emotion, or an act of will: something I decide to do. Emotions happen. They're part of being human. They're not good or bad, what we decide to do about them is what makes a difference. (Catechism, 1762-1770)
"ANGER: An emotion which is not in itself wrong, but which, when it is not controlled by reason or hardens into resentment and hate, becomes one of the seven capital sins. Christ taught that anger is an offense against the fifth commandment (1765, 1866, 2262)."
(Glossary, Catechism of the Catholic Church)
The sort of anger that's a desire to get revenge is a bad idea. I'm not even allowed to hurl insults. That last part is something I still need to work on. (Matthew 5:22; Catechism, 2302)

Besides the sort of psychological damage we've been (re)discovering in recent generations, taking revenge is butting into God's business: and a really, really bad idea.

God is good, God is merciful, but God can play hardball.
"Beloved, do not look for revenge but leave room for the wrath; for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.' Rather, 'if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.' Do not be conquered by evil but conquer evil with good."
(Romans 12:19-21)

"We know the one who said: 'Vengeance is mine; I will repay,' and again: 'The Lord will judge his people.' It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."
(Hebrews 10:30, 31)

"The vengeful will suffer the LORD'S vengeance, for he remembers their sins in detail. Forgive your neighbor's injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will be forgiven. Should a man nourish anger against his fellows and expect healing from the LORD? Should a man refuse mercy to his fellows, yet seek pardon for his own sins? If he who is but flesh cherishes wrath, who will forgive his sins?"
(Sirach 28:1-5)

My Life, My Choice

Having free will, being able to decide what we do, is great. But responsibility comes with that power. I can 'decide' my way out of Heaven, which is why I may seem diffident about denouncing 'those sinners over there.'
"...although we can judge that an act is in itself a grave offense, we must entrust judgment of persons to the justice and mercy of God."
(Catechism, 1861)
So: what's the worst that can happen if I decide to hold on to a grudge, or opt into some other mortal sin? God won't throw me into Hell: but I could jump in.

If I tell God 'thanks but no thanks' to love and charity, and walk away, that's my choice: a stupid choice, but mine.

On the whole I think deciding to clean up my act, telling God I'm sorry, and asking to be taken back in, seems prudent.
"...If it is not redeemed by repentance and God's forgiveness, it [mortal sin] causes exclusion from Christ's kingdom and the eternal death of hell, ... our freedom has the power to make choices for ever, with no turning back...."
(Catechism, 1861)
The good news is that repentence is possible as long as I'm alive, and that's another topic.

Related posts:
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Wednesday, July 25, 2012

New on the Blogroll: Never Give Up

Earlier today, I linked to a post in John Janaro's blog:
  • Never Give Up
    • "An ordinary man engages the circumstances of daily life, seeking to draw closer to the Mystery who gives meaning to everything."
Professor Janaro's blog is in the blogroll now, under - what else? - Blogs.

"Professor?!"

Here's what I found in Never Give Up's sidebar:
"John Janaro is Associate Professor Emeritus of Theology at Christendom College. He is a Catholic theologian, and a writer, researcher, and lecturer on issues in religion and culture. His most recent book is NEVER GIVE UP: MY LIFE AND GOD'S MERCY. He is married to Eileen Janaro and has five children."
(About Me, Never Give Up)
John Janaro's post discusses an assumption I've run into fairly often:
The short answer to that question is 'no.'

Sure, we've got rules: but they're not 'oppressive,' and - we get help.
"... We are not just burdened with a bunch of rules, and then left alone. People are afraid to embrace the demands of Christian morality because they think they have to do it themselves. But this is not what Christianity proposes. We are not 'by ourselves' and we are not left in the hands of our own power.

"People need to hear and see this witness...."
(Never Give Up (July 23, 2012))
I'm looking forward to reading more in Never Give Up.

Vaguely-related posts in A Catholic Citizen in America:
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Sunday, May 27, 2012

Love, Hate, and Lady Gaga

I'm a Catholic, and I take my faith seriously. Which means that I'm not allowed to act like this lot:


(Reuters photo, via FoxNews.com, used w/o permission)

In some circles 'everybody knows' what practicing Catholics and other religious people are like: and 'everybody' is wrong. In a way, I don't blame folks living in America for having odd notions about the Catholic Church, and I've posted about that before:
I also don't think that attending Lady Gaga's live shows is a good idea. But I am at least as concerned about the way a few folks in Indonesia expressed their concerns:

"Lady Gaga?!"

Folks don't always use a 'stage name' when they start a career in entertainment, but some do. Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta decided to follow that tradition: and now this New Yorker is called Lady Gaga.

Aside from using a professional pseudonym, Lady Gaga isn't particularly 'traditional.' Those things in her hair seem to be empty pop-top cans.

I think that wearing soft drink cans in one's hair is silly, but don't see any harm in it. Lady Gaga's outfit is, even by American standards, a bit on the immodest side, and I've posted about that sort of thing before. (August 16, 2009)

(Back to the list of headings)

Having Standards, Getting a Grip

I suspect that some of a common American perception of 'those religious people' comes from burning crosses.

Not all American Protestants gather around a burning cross to pray, or use it as a warning against someone whose ancestors came from the 'wrong' place, but some did.

I think the connection between burning crosses and dead bodies made it easy for some Americans to assume that all crosses represent hatred. This isn't, in my considered opinion, a good thing. (April 7, 2011)

I also think that there's a huge difference between thinking that human sexuality is a good thing, which can be used or misused: and telling people who don't act the way I would to go to Hell. Which brings me back to Lady Gaga. And Indonesia.

(Back to the list of headings)

"Go To Hell, Lady Gaga" - Not a Loving Statement

I'm not a fan of Lady Gaga. Like I said, I think her wardrobe is often immodest. Even by contemporary American standards. I also gather that her live shows involve expressions of sexuality that do not reflect the dignity and value of the person.

But carrying a sign that says "Go to Hell, Lady Gaga" - and threatening violence is she performs in a nearby city? I think that's a really bad idea: for me, or anybody.

In a few decades, maybe less, I get some serious one-to-one time with my Lord: a sort of final evaluation. (August 8, 2010) I've already got enough to deal with then, without adding more deliberate violations.

Telling someone to go to Hell isn't a particularly loving thing to do: and my Lord is pretty specific about how we're supposed to behave:
I gather that the folks in that photo are Muslims, not Christians, and that's another topic. Several, actually. I'll get back to that later. Some of it, at least.

(Back to the list of headings)

"Tone Things Down" - or No Concert Permit

Here's what got me started: "Lady Gaga cancels Indonesian show after threats"
Associated Press, via FoxNews.com (May 27, 2012)

"...The Islamic Defenders Front said Lady Gaga's sexy clothes and provocative dance moves would corrupt youth in the world's most populous Muslim country.

"The group said supporters had bought tickets to the concert and planned to enter and force it to be stopped. It also threatened that thousands of protesters would confront the singer on her way from the airport.

"Police had said they would only issue the required permits for the concert if Lady Gaga agreed to tone things down. Instead, she pulled the plug on the show, which had sold out with more than 50,000 tickets...."
I think that concerns about 'corrupting the youth' can be legitimate. One of my four surviving children is still a "youth," and I'd be concerned about his buying a ticket to a Lady Gaga concert. But I'd be much more concerned about why he decided to buy the ticket in the first place.

(Back to the list of headings)

A Parent's Job

Trying to shut down a public performance because teens want to see it strikes me as a case of locking the barn door after the horse is gone.

By the time kids are likely to get interested in Lady Gaga, parents and neighbors have had maybe a dozen years to show by word and example what's a good idea: and what isn't. If they still think that watching a Lady Gaga show is sensible: I'm not at all convinced that attacking the performer is going to change the kids' minds.

Part of a parent's job is educating children, teaching ethics, values, and mutual respect; as well as skills. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1601, 1652-1653, 2206, 2372) I think that education gets easier after kids reach the age of reason, and that's yet another topic.1

Early in their teen years, our children started looking a bit like adults: and my wife and I started treating them that way.

We didn't 'let them do anything they wanted to.' But we did let them know that they could make reasoned decisions now: and that we expected them to do so. There are still 'house rules,' which we all follow, and that's yet again more topics.

The sort of heavy-handed 'NO DAUGHTER OF MINE WILL WEAR PANTS' approach of some American parents didn't work in the '60s. (September 26, 2009) I think it's likely folks in Indonesia will discover that The Islamic Defenders Front's actions will produce unintended consequences, too.

Not that Indonesia in 2012 is Alabama in 1966.

(Back to the list of headings)

Lady Gaga and Indonesia: There's a Lesson Here

What's the harm in putting "go to Hell, Lady Gaga" on a banner, or screaming insults at "transvestites, atheists and others" whose decisions I don't like?

I've mentioned the personal consequences before. (August 8, 2010)

There's also the effect of that sort of emotional outburst on others: and on whatever I am associated with.

Back to Lady Gaga and Indonesia:
"...'This is not only about Lady Gaga's security, but extends to those who will be watching her.' [Minola Sebayang, a lawyer for concert promoter Big Daddy]

"Indonesia, a secular nation of 240 million people, is often held up by the U.S. and others in the West as example of how Islam and democracy can coexist.

"Ninety percent of the population is Muslim, but most practice a moderate, tolerant form of the faith.

"A small, extremist fringe, has gotten more vocal - and violent - in recent years, however, sometimes attacking Christians and members of other religious minorities with clubs and machetes.

"They also targeted transvestites, atheists and others considered 'blasphemous.'..."
(Associated Press, via FoxNews.com)
I think it's important to remember that the "go to Hell, Lady Gaga" faction is almost certainly a "small, extremist fringe" of Indonesia's Muslims. I also think it's important to avoid acting like the "God hates you" folks here in America.

It's hard, when my faith is attacked, to keep from hating the attacker. I've had a few opportunities to practice the self-discipline needed to act according to the 'love God, love your neighbor' principle: and could have done worse, or better.

That's a consecrated Host with a nail pushed through it, by the way: an example of academic freedom from the University of Minnesota, Morris, a few years back.


(from PZ Myers, Pharyngula (July 24, 2008), used w/o permission)

(Back to the list of headings)

Love: No Matter What

As a practicing Catholic, I'm not allowed to hate anyone. (Catechism, 1033) I'm also supposed to "stop judging" others. (Matthew 7:1-5) That isn't the same as lacking good judgment. (October 12, 2011, September 4, 2011)

More importantly, I'm supposed to love. When someone asked Jesus what the most important commandment was, my Lord said: 'love God, love your neighbor.' I don't think what my Lord had in mind was the sort of misty feel-good 'love' that's been popular off and on for the last half-century: and that's still another topic.

(Back to the list of headings)
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1 Human beings are, generally, able to tell the difference between right and wrong by the time we're seven years old. It's called the "age of reason:"
  • "The Eucharist and Children"
    Cardinal Dario Castrillon, Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, Pontifical Society of the Holy Childhood (January 8, 2005)
  • "Age of reason"
    Free Online Law Dictionary
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Saturday, May 26, 2012

The Man Who is Truth

Readings for May 26, Vigil Mass for Pentecost Sunday 2012:

Pentecost 2012

Deacon Lawrence N. Kaas
from Homiletic and Pastoral Review
April 27, 2012

No one likes to be lied to. Even when the truth is inconvenient or uncomfortable, we still want it, on some level. The truth has a charm of its own; all the more, when we are speaking of the truth about the whole meaning of human life and existence, the truth of Jesus Christ.

Jesus promised to St. Peter, and the Apostles, that he would send them the Holy Spirit to guide them into all truth. This stable gift of Jesus to his Church is not a thing, but a Person: the Holy Spirit himself. He proceeds from the Father and the Son. He is their eternal, mutual love. He knows the Father and the Son perfectly, and so he alone is able to guide the Church into the full truth.

What is the truth to which the Holy Spirit testifies? Certainly, we acknowledge all the creeds and teachings of the Church to be directed by the Holy Spirit. But we are not looking for just a collection of truths but all truth, that is, truth itself. In fact, Jesus Christ is himself the truth which we seek, the one to whom the Holy Spirit bears witness. All the individual truths of the Catholic faith, then, are not merely individual facts. Rather, they are aspects of the truth about Jesus Christ. When we study the Church's teaching, we are getting to know Jesus.

Since Christ promised to St. Peter, and the Apostles, that he would send them the Holy Spirit to guide them into all truth; and since Christ has kept this promise throughout the ages to the Holy Father, and the Bishops, in union with him; why has the world not yet been converted? Why do we still find so much error and confusion? The only answer to be found is the hardness of human hearts, and our own sluggishness and fear. It's not that God is not doing enough; it's that we don't always cooperate with him. The Holy Spirit is not lying down on the job; we are failing to bear witness as we ought.

There are so many ways that we shy away from our Catholic identity. We sometimes fail to do the simplest things to bear witness to the truth. How often have we been too self-conscious to pray grace before meals in a restaurant? Are we embarrassed about some of the Church's teachings, or do we find ourselves ignorant of them? Do we make an honest effort to study and to learn the basics of the faith? If we ought to be willing to give up our lives in testimony to the truth of the Gospel, we must learn also how to testify in each and every aspect of our lives, in every corner of our minds and hearts.

Christ makes us his witnesses to the world, in our family, in political life, in our workplace. Christ also gives us the power to carry out this mission. He knows our weakness, our spirit of indifference and cowardice, and he gives us the most perfect remedy: The Spirit of the living God: Fire, Charity. He, the Holy Spirit, brings with him his sacred seven gifts. He gives us his divine strength to fulfill Christ's divine command.

In baptism, we received the Holy Spirit with his gifts, but our Lord, knowing so well our human nature, and the depth of our fear and weakness, has given us - through the Apostles and their successors, the Bishops - the great sacrament of confirmation. Confirmation, like baptism and holy orders, imprints a spiritual character on the soul. This character is a permanent mark. It is a firm, spiritual power that cannot be taken away. Through the sacrament of confirmation, the Holy Spirit increases the strength of his gifts and the virtues in us.

Those of us who have been confirmed, have been changed forever. We have received a special spiritual power that enables us to testify to the eternal truth in this world that is passing away. We can call upon the Holy Spirit to bring us spiritual life, to warm our frozen hearts, to overcome our fear with the strength of his love. The character that has been impressed on our souls is a guarantee that he will act when we call upon him.

If the Holy Spirit is with us, then we have all that we need. Let us never forget to call upon him, to act in our lives, and to increase in us, the sacred gifts we have received through baptism and confirmation.
'Thank you' to Deacon Kaas, for letting me post his reflection here.
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Sunday, May 20, 2012

Being Catholic: Saint Isidore the Farmer; and 24 Photos from 2010


Statue of Saint Isidore, Our Lady of Angels church, Sauk Centre, Minnesota. May 15, 2010.

Saint Isidore and Blessing Seeds

That's my parish's statue of Saint Isidor. Saint Isidore the farmer is part of this parish's life, particularly for the last several years.

The statue isn't always in front of the altar. May 15 is Saint Isidore, patron of farmers and gardeners, day: and is also in 'planting season' around here. The odds are that you know of him as Saint Isidore the Laborer, and that's another topic. Topics.

Not many folks in this parish are farmers, but some of us have gardens: and that's why the basket is there. Seeds put in the basket will be blessed during the week.

The idea isn't to grow magic beanstalks, or ward off garden pests. Here's part of what's on the back of a prayer card that I picked up:
"...O great Saint, help all farmers and gardeners spiritually to see the wonders God has strewn on this earth...."
Sauk Centre, Minnesota, has light manufacturing industries, communications and retail businesses, and enough professionals to keep this community of 4,000 going. And all of it relates, directly or indirectly, to the farms and farmers in this area.

Saint Isidore of Seville, Anachronisms, and the Domestic Church

Isidore of Seville lived in Spain, near Madrid, about 900 years ago. He certainly didn't wear overalls, and that's yet another topic:

Faith and photos


Saint Paul's, Sauk Centre, November 13, 2009.

These posts are usually heavy on words and light on pictures. Today I'm switching it around: with mostly photos, and not many words. Here's what being Catholic looked like to me, more or less, in 2010:

Being Catholic in Sauk Centre: 2010


Our Lady of Angels church. Lent was more than two weeks away, but we were already collecting palms from the previous Easter. January 31, 2010.


Our Lady of Angels. The bulletin board near the church entrance. January 31, 2010.


Our Lady of Angels. That's Father Statz, our parish priest, on the floor. He hadn't fallen: that posture indicates the way we see what my Lord did on Golgotha. February 21, 2010.


Crucifix, keyboard, and prescription bottles. Prayer is a vital part of being Catholic. Maintaining health is important, too: and we're not expected to ignore technology or science. March 4, 2010.


Our Lady of Angels, before Mass. March 7, 2010.


Our Lady of Angels' Gospel Book. This is the old Gospel Book, before someone stole it. It's gone, we've got a new one, and forgiveness is important. March 7, 2010.


Our Lady of Angels bulletin board: another week, another set of announcements. March 7, 2010.


A reminder of what Jesus did for us. For me. March 14, 2010.


Artwork and a book by Deb Holt, a local artist. March 29, 2010


Father Sylvester Kleinschmidt's 60th year as a priest. We don't generally have that many priests and deacons at the altar, but this was a special occasion. March 29, 2010.


Part of the Marian garden between Our Lady of Angels church and rectory. I like that place. It's (fairly) quiet. June 28, 2010.


Being Catholic means being at Mass regularly. September 5, 2010.


Sometimes being Catholic also involves clearing out the shed. September 5, 2010.


Our Lady of Angels' Marian garden, again. It's a good place to stop and think. August 5, 2010.


St. Paul's, the other Catholic church in town. That's a statue of (now Saint) Faustina Kowalska. August 21, 2010.


Saint Paul's altar. This is the 'German' church. I go the 'Irish' church, and there's a story behind that. August 21, 2010


Divine Mercy shrine in St. Paul's. August 21, 2010.


My household likes to have 'Catholic' art in view. I like it: and think it's a good idea. August 31, 2010.


Family photos: but that 'Last Supper' picture is at the room's focal point. August 31, 2010.


That's near my home's front door. It's a sort of reminder. August 31, 2010


Someone else took this photo. I'm the bald guy, neat the center of the picture. We were getting together with folks from Kenya. September 18, 2010.


Adoration Chapel, near St. Paul's. I really should spend more time there. October 25, 2010.


Inside a book-and-gift shop in Sauk Centre, Hidden Treasure. We're a very 'Catholic' community, and that affects what's on the store shelves. December 1, 2010.


Our Lady of Angels, starting another cycle of the Church year. December 5, 2010.

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Monday, May 7, 2012

Catholics aren't Calvinists

I still hope to get a post about Caritas in Veritate out today. Or maybe tomorrow. Sections 31 and 32, anyway.

Before I get to that, I think a little clarification might be in order:

Too 'Sensible' to Believe in God

An online discussion thread I was in recently included contributions from fellows who apparently are too sensible to believe in God.

In a way, I see their point.

In a way.

I know about Matthew 7:1-5, don't know where anybody else stands with respect to God, and I've been over judgment and common sense before. Recently. (May 4, 2012)

That said, the way some Christians act: "with friends like these, who needs enemies?"

Catholics are Christians. But that doesn't mean that we're Calvinists or Fundamentalists. Which, for some folks I've run into, means we're not Christians. I stopped trying to reason with zealots a long time ago, and that's another topic.

Be Like Me, or Be Damned?

By the time Calvinism got to 20th century America, its louder supporters had developed a fairly consistent attitude about Jesus, themselves, and everybody else.

This is a gross oversimplification, but 'I'm going to Heaven, everybody who isn't like me is damned' isn't all that far from the message that came across. And still comes across, in the second decade of the 21st century.

I realize that the Westboro Baptist Church of Kansas, for example, isn't necessarily a typical Calvinist church. Still, it's folks like these who affect the perceptions of just about everybody else:


(Reuters photo, via FoxNews.com, used w/o permission)

What Everybody Knows, That Just Ain't So

Back to that online discussion thread, and the 'sensible' folks. Their questions, accusations, and assumptions, were familiar:
  • Why do
    • Catholics believe everybody who isn't Catholic goes to Hell?
    • Christians hate non-Christians?
  • How can Catholics
    • Believe the Bible?
      • Which
        • Doesn't describe how the universe works
          • As understood by scientists in 2012
        • Was written in a hurry
          • Actually, that's a new one for me
  • The world is just fine the way it is
    • Problems are the fault of Christians
  • God doesn't exist because
    • I don't understand God
    • Christians don't understand God
    • Free will is icky
  • Christians believe in "magic from the sky"
Except for 'the Bible was written in a hurry,' these are assumptions I've run into fairly often. There's some truth to the notion that my Lord is the only way to salvation. But that does not mean that folks who don't agree with me are going to Hell. God is just, God is merciful: and I'm counting on God's mercy, myself.

Then there's the assumption that religious people are superstitious and believe in magic.

Hate, Magic, and Getting a Grip

Here's a very quick, and extremely incomplete, set of links to what the Catholic Church has to say about salvation and magic. And why hating people is a really bad idea. Also my take. But remember: I've got the teaching authority of "some guy with a blog." I don't speak for the Church.

"Success" and Long-Range Planning

I might attract attention, and have 'success' in one sense of the word, if I decided to start a blog called "Religious People are Hateful, Ignorant, and Smell Bad;" or maybe "The Sinful Shame of Satanic Science."

Either way, I think I'd be appealing to some very enthusiastic folks.

A few things have kept me from trying that sort of thing. The biggest obstacle to that sort of success, for me, is my habit of taking long term goals into account.

Here's a sort of 'best case' sequence of events, as I see it, for my career with either of those hypothetical blogs:
  • Skyrocketing viewership
  • Promoting my latest book on
    • Dr. Phil
    • Jerry Springer
    • Jay Leno
      • He's back
  • Building a house with all the latest gadgets
  • Dying
  • Geting some serious face time with my Lord
That looks quite attractive, until I get to the last two points. Particularly the face time with my Lord.

That kind of trouble I don't need, and I've discussed particular judgment, the Last Judgment, and why long-term planning is important, before:

Back to Work

Oh, great. Another 'unscheduled' post.

I've started reviewing my schedule. I simply don't have enough hours in the day to do what I think I should. And that's, good grief, yet another topic. Time to stop.

Right after two of my favorite quotes:
"It ain't so much the things we don't know that get us into trouble. It's the things we know that just ain't so."
(attr. humorists Mark Twain,11 Artemus Ward, Kin Hubbard, and Will Rogers; inventor Charles Kettering; pianist Eubie Blake; baseball player Yogi Berra, Al Gore (once))
"There are not a hundred people in America who hate the Catholic Church. There are millions of people who hate what they wrongly believe to be the Catholic Church - which is, of course, quite a different thing."
(Bishop Fulton Sheen,12 Foreword to Radio Replies Vol. 1, (1938) page ix, via Wikiquote)
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Marian Apparition: Champion, Wisconsin

Background:Posts in this blog: In the news:

What's That Doing in a Nice Catholic Blog?

From time to time, a service that I use will display links to - odd - services and retailers.

I block a few of the more obvious dubious advertisers.

For example: psychic anything, numerology, mediums, and related practices are on the no-no list for Catholics. It has to do with the Church's stand on divination. I try to block those ads.

Sometime regrettable advertisements get through, anyway.

Bottom line? What that service displays reflects the local culture's norms, - not Catholic teaching.