Showing posts with label Holy Spirit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holy Spirit. Show all posts

Sunday, February 7, 2016

Jesus, Nets, Decisions, and the Holy Spirit

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2016:

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2016

By Deacon Lawrence N. Kaas
February 7, 2016

Every day we are faced with thousands of decisions. Many of which are of little importance. While others can impact the rest of our lives.

For us, as disciples of Christ, they are all a part of the central decision to follow Jesus above all else. At times, it can feel overwhelming, especially when those very consequential decisions have to be made and we don't know what's best, or where God is leading us. But, thanks be to God, we are not left to make these decisions completely on our own.

In fact, it's when we tried to make those decisions without turning to God and seeking his guidance that life becomes particularly difficult. On the other hand, when we take time for prayer and discernment, asking the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and trying to follow him, while making our decisions, our life could very will be filled with difficult decisions, but can still be very peaceful, because we know we aren't on our own.

For those first disciples whom Jesus called to follow him, a very concrete decision had to be made. Before the call even came, we hear the account of Jesus in Simon's boat. He gives a command, clear and simple yet challenging: "put out into the deep water and lower your nets for a catch." They have been working hard on night, and, after all, this is their profession, not Jesus' , so human reasoning could respond with skepticism at this man who thinks he knows better.

We could easily imagine Simon responding, "we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing ... I'm not going to do it again." But that's not what he says. Instead he replies, "at your command, I will lower the nets." And what happens? A miraculous catch of fish more abundant than the Nets could hold. Simon immediately recognizes the power of this man before him, and, in the astonishment at the miracle says, "depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man." He recognizes his own unworthiness, and, perhaps, there was some doubt in his mind that he's now ashamed of. The decision to do something as mundane as lowering the nets once again gave this man the ability to make the crucial decision to leave everything and to follow Jesus.

So we might ask, "how do I do that?" We are here because we've already made the decision to follow Jesus, but that decision isn't a one time thing. It's something we've got to keep doing. Consider just one thing God gives us to help us make that decision. If something - or, more precisely, seven things - you probably had to memorize somewhere along the way. They're the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and they aren't just something we had to learn to pass a test. They're central to understanding how God continues to guide us through life. For those first disciples, it was the Holy Spirit to enable them to recognize Jesus and respond to his call, and today the Holy Spirit continues to inspire us if we are willing to receive them.

Consider again the decision Simon had to make. No human wisdom told him it was the right thing to do. Rather, the Holy Spirit, through his gifts of Wisdom and Understanding, moved Simon to respond the way he did, "Master ... at your command, I will lower the Nets." And his response upon catching the great number of fish wasn't only a natural surprise, it was the fear of the Lord that made him fall to his knees before the God-man, the same one before whom the seraphim cry out, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts!" And when the disciples made the decision to leave everything and follow Jesus, they were assured the gift of Counsel to see that it was the right decision, and the gift the Fortitude to follow through with it. They required Knowledge to receive the words, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men," and Piety to humbly submit themselves to God's will. In all of this, it was not human insight alone that guided them. It was the Holy Spirit alive within them.

We, too, have received a call from Jesus Christ to follow him, the decisions we make each day is either to keep following him, or to go our own way, but we don't even do that alone. He continues to give us the Holy Spirit to guide us each day. God gives us Wisdom to see the world as he sees it; Counsel to know right from wrong, and Understanding to know ourselves truly; Knowledge to understand the mysteries of God; and Fear of the Lord to adore in awe before him; Piety to place our trust in him; and Fortitude to strengthen us along the way. In all things he guides us, so that we, like those he first called, by the shore of Galilee, can continue to follow him.

So y'all be good, be Holy, preached the Gospel always using words and holy actions.
'Thank you' to Deacon Kaas, for letting me post his reflection here.
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Sunday, January 24, 2016

Spider-Man, Charisms, and Me

William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne, saw a connection between power and responsibility:
"The possession of great power necessarily implies great responsibility."
("The Parliamentary Debates From The Year 1803 To The Present Time," Vol. 36. (1817))
Quite a few other folks have said pretty much the same thing, including a now-famous comic book writer:
"With great power there must also come —
great responsibility!"
(Stan Lee, in Amazing Fantasy #15 (August 1962) (the first Spider-Man story))
It's hardly a new idea:
"...Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more."
(Luke 12:48)
- - - and that gets me to today's second Scripture reading, 1 Corinthians 12:12-30; the gist of which is in the shorter option:
"4 As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ.

"For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.

"Now the body is not a single part, but many.

"5 Now you are Christ's body, and individually parts of it."
(1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 27)

Feet, Hands, and Getting a Grip


I like the parts that get left out in some parishes, partly because I enjoy a bit of snark now and then:
"If a foot should say, 'Because I am not a hand I do not belong to the body,' it does not for this reason belong any less to the body.

"Or if an ear should say, 'Because I am not an eye I do not belong to the body,' it does not for this reason belong any less to the body."
(1 Corinthians 12:15-16)
And who says Sacred Scripture is dull? Granted, even Luke 3:7 or James 2:20 might inspire yawns, if recited in a listless monotone.

I've wondered if Paul — that's how Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn imagined he looked — got tired of explaining that we can't serve God and not serve God at the same time.

Or, in today's New Testament reading, that we're not supposed to be alike.

On the other hand, Romans 6:1 is nowhere near as intense as James 2:19-20, and I'm drifting off-topic.

Where was I? Responsibility, Spider-Man, not being bored. Right.

A few decades back, my wife ran into a bunch of Catholics who were enthusiastic about speaking in tongues: to the point where they said everybody should speak in tongues. I've rubbed elbows with their Protestant counterparts, and I've been over this before. Not recently, though. (June 1, 2011)

Those folks are probably sincere, but I'm quite sure they're wrong. For starters, there's what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 14:23.

And there's the laundry list of charisms in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 and 1 Corinthians 12:28
  • Expression of
    • Wisdom
    • Knowledge
  • Faith
  • Being
    • Apostles
    • Prophets
    • Teachers
  • Doing mighty deeds
  • Gifts of
    • Healing
    • Assistance
    • Administration
  • Varieties of tongues
Folks in Corinth apparently weren't the only ones who needed a reminder that difference can be a good thing:
"For as in one body we have many parts, and all the parts do not have the same function,

"so we, though many, are one body in Christ 3 and individually parts of one another.

"Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them: 4 if prophecy, in proportion to the faith;

"if ministry, in ministering; if one is a teacher, in teaching;

"if one exhorts, in exhortation; if one contributes, in generosity; if one is over others, 5 with diligence; if one does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness."
Romans 12:4-8)
"...Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them...." I'll get back to that

Spirit-Filled — Administrators?!


What charisms have in common is that they're gifts of the Holy Spirit: field kits we're issued, according to our part in helping others. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 791, 797-801, 951)

Some are very high-profile, like those 'tongues as of fire' mentioned in Acts 2:1-4. But we've got spirit-filled administrators, too: quietly administrating.

Backing up a bit, the Holy Spirit makes folks who are baptized "a spiritual house and a holy priesthood." (Hebrews 5:1-5; Revelation 1:6; Catechism, 784)

That doesn't mean we're all supposed to be clergy: or a tongues-speaking superstar.

Charisms aren't for the benefit of folks who have them: they're gifts that are meant to help "the Body of Christ, the Church." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2003)

No Loose Cannons


Let's imagine that late one night I think I see the cover of an old Superman comic book come to life, telling me I'm a prophet, and that God wants everyone to wear clip-on bow ties.

There's so much wrong with that, it's hard to know where to start.

Prophecy is a charism, and in principle I could be given that job: unlikely as it seems.

But "discernment of charisms is always necessary."

In that 'bow tie' scenario, I hope that I'd have enough shreds of good sense left to check with a priest:
"Charisms are to be accepted with gratitude by the person who receives them and by all members of the Church as well. They are a wonderfully rich grace for the apostolic vitality and for the holiness of the entire Body of Christ, provided they really are genuine gifts of the Holy Spirit and are used in full conformity with authentic promptings of this same Spirit, that is, in keeping with charity, the true measure of all charisms.253

"It is in this sense that discernment of charisms is always necessary. No charism is exempt from being referred and submitted to the Church's shepherds. 'Their office [is] not indeed to extinguish the Spirit, but to test all things and hold fast to what is good,'254 so that all the diverse and complementary charisms work together 'for the common good.'255"
(Catechism, 800-801)
(Much) more realistically, I've taken stock of the package I was issued. If I have the gift of speaking in tongues, God's been hiding it from me all these decades. I'm also not a healer, or an administrator: and this is okay. Like Paul said, we're not supposed to all be alike.

I do, however, have an unusual central nervous system. I have trouble thinking of the autism spectrum disorder as a "gift." But it's part of the package: along with decades of undiagnosed major depression, both of which let me see life from a particular viewpoint.

Writing and the 'One Talent' Servant


On the 'up' side, I'm brilliant, talented,1 and (now) on medication: which may help explain some of my art. (norski.deviantart.com/prints/)

I'm also a writer, and have been developing that craft since my youth. I do the odd bit of fiction, but one of my daughters is the story-teller in the family, and that's another topic. (June 9, 2013)

My stuff tends to be non-fiction: mostly these posts. This sort of writing isn't, quite, on Paul's list of charisms; but it's pretty close to "the expression of knowledge," and in the general neighborhood of teaching.

I haven't gotten formal permission from anyone in the Church hierarchy, partly on the 'it's easier to get forgiveness than permission' principle.

On the other hand, I've got Catechism, 801, covered: I've asked a deacon to let me know if I go off the rails. And, of course, do my research before spouting off on what the Church says.

Until and unless God gives me an obvious shove in some other direction, I plan to keep writing; sharing what I'm learning about my faith — and this wonder-filled creation.

That seems a much better bet than emulating the 'one talent' servant in Matthew 25:14-29: which gets me back to power, responsibility, Spider-Man, and that's yet another topic. Topics.

Vaguely-related posts:
1 That doesn't sound "humble," in the usual self-deprecating sense, and it's not. Humility, in the Catholic sense, isn't being delusional; it's acknowledging reality, and remembering priorities:
"HUMILITY: The virtue by which a Christian acknowledges that God is the author of all good. Humility avoids inordinate ambition or pride, and provides the foundation for turning to God in prayer (2559). Voluntary humility can be described as 'poverty of spirit' (2546)."
(Catechism, Glossary, H)
I've talked about hubris, humility, getting a grip, and what St. Thomas Aquinas said about boasting, before:
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Sunday, May 31, 2015

The Trinity, Baptism, and Eternal Life

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, 2015:

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, 2015

By Deacon Lawrence N. Kaas
May 31, 2015

Today is Trinity Sunday, a Solemnity we celebrate throughout the Catholic world.

Our challenge is to try to put form to the idea of three persons in one God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. We are taught that the Father is the Creator, and at the Word of the Father we have His only Son, with the Love of the Father and Son we have the Holy Spirit. We are also taught that the three persons of God are One. By the way, if you can figure this all out give me a call cause I want to know.

Quite a number of years ago even before I was ordained I either read or heard of a hypothesis that makes sense. And have meditated much on this idea since. It goes something like this.

God, who created all things and has given each of us a body, whether that body is human, an animal's or even plant's. That gives us a good start, at the bottom of the Trinitarian ladder. This idea goes on to claim that each of us whether human, animal or plant are gifted with a soul. Now we might shudder a little bit but hear me out. By this hypothesis the soul gives form and animates the body. Here is where there becomes a distinction between humans and the rest of God's creation. For in order for us to hold to the idea of eternal life there has to be an intimate relationship with the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, that is the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit that gives life to the soul.

To clarify: every living thing on earth that has been created by Almighty God will completely return to dust, except the soul of man that has been gifted of the Holy Spirit. The final gift of the Holy Spirit given to man then is the restoration of his body at the end of the world.

I'm sure some of you already thinking, there is something missing? And you are right! The missing factor here is Baptism. In order to give eternal life to the soul one must be Baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. The Sacrament of Baptism fills out this hypothesis that could easily be summed up again as: the body created by God is animated by the soul which is given life by the Holy Spirit.

A point to be made about baptism: when we are baptized we are made sons and daughters of the Father with the same hereditary right of his firstborn Son. The point here is to understand that this is our right, given by the sacrament, the right to everything that belongs to the son now belongs to the new baptized. That is Eternal Life. And of course it's good to remind the adult that it is sin that destroys this beautiful gift granted at baptism and can be restored by a good confession.

To my way of seeing things this completes the Trinitarian comparison between God's creation of man and his own Trinitarian life.

I'm not trying to tell you that this is the only way to look at our relationship with the Trinity but I think it's certainly worth our meditation!

So you all be Good, be Holy, preached the Gospel using Words and Holy Actions.
'Thank you' to Deacon Kaas, for letting me post his reflection here.
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Sunday, June 8, 2014

God's Field Kits: Pentecost Plus Two Millennia and Counting

Partly because of the visual drama, this is one of my favorite scenes from the Bible:
"1 When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together.

"And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, 2 and it filled the entire house in which they were.

"Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, 3 which parted and came to rest on each one of them.

"And they were all filled with the holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, 4 as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim."
(Acts 2:1-4)
It's also part of what we read during Mass this morning: Acts 2:1-11; 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13; John 20:19-23.

Trekking to God's Kingdom



(From Thomas Cole, used w/o permission.)

If "a noise like a strong driving wind" and "tongues as of fire" showed up at the corner of Ash Street and South 9th, here in Sauk Centre, Minnesota: I'd be flabbergasted. That sort of high-profile display doesn't happen very often: anywhere.

I've received the gift of the Holy Spirit, though, at baptism. That's when I became a "temple of the Holy Spirit," entered the life of the Church, and started on my trek to God's kingdom. I was a baby at the time, so everything I've learned about my faith came later. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 782, 1213-1284)

The Holy Spirit makes folks who are baptized "a spiritual house and a holy priesthood." (Hebrews 5:1-5; Revelation 1:6; Catechism, 784)

That makes it sound like we're all supposed to be clergy. That's not the way it works, so I'd better back up a bit.

One Body, Many Members



(From the Holy See, used w/o permission.)
(The Apostles Creed and The Nicene Creed, in Chinese.)

Catholics are united by common beliefs: like the Apostles Creed and Nicene Creed. But our goal isn't being cookie-cutter Christians, trying to fit a single mold.

Some of us get spectacular gifts, charisms, like speaking in tongues. Most of us don't, and that's okay. 1 Corinthians 14:23 is pretty clear about what could happen if an entire congregation was into speaking in tongues.
"Now the body is not a single part, but many.

"If a foot should say, 'Because I am not a hand I do not belong to the body,' it does not for this reason belong any less to the body.

"Or if an ear should say, 'Because I am not an eye I do not belong to the body,' it does not for this reason belong any less to the body.

"If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be?"
(1 Corinthians 12:14-17)
Charisms aren't for the benefit of folks who have them: they're gifts that are meant to help "the Body of Christ, the Church:" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2003)
"...Whatever their character - sometimes it is extraordinary, such as the gift of miracles or of tongues - charisms are oriented toward sanctifying grace and are intended for the common good of the Church. They are at the service of charity which builds up the Church.54"
(Catechism, 2003)
God issues an extensive array of field kits, including prophecy, teaching, healing, assistance, administration, and varieties of tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:28)

Administration isn't as glamorous as speaking in tongues or prophecy: but we need administrators, too. (December 9, 2012)

I take speaking in tongues seriously, and may have heard someone 'speaking in tongues.' Then again, maybe the chap simply had a good memory and active imagination. The sounds he made were an awful lot like a paraphrase of the Aramaic quoted in Matthew 27:46: which made no sense in context.

Anyway, one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit I'm pretty sure I don't have is tongues. I've read the first half of 1 Corinthians 12:31, "strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts...." but I've read the rest of the book, too.

Instead of griping about what I wasn't issued, I figure a better use of my time is using the equipment I've got. And that's another topic. (September 1, 2013; December 9, 2012; November 23, 2011)

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Sunday, May 25, 2014

Guide, Friend, Counselor, Comforter: the Holy Spirit

Readings for the Sixth Sunday of Easter 2014:

Sixth Sunday of Easter 2014

By Deacon Lawrence N. Kaas
May 25, 2014

In an anonymous e-mail, we are told a story we need to hear on this Memorial Day weekend. It's about an old man and his wife sitting in the parking lot of a supermarket. The hood is up on their car. Evidently they were having engine problems.

A young man in his early 20s with a grocery bag in his arms walks in the direction of the older couple. The older gentleman emerges from his car and takes a few steps in the young man's direction. He points to the open hood and asks the young man for assistance. The young man puts his grocery bag into his expensive SUV, turns back to the old man and yelled at him: "you shouldn't even be allowed to drive a car at your age." And then with a wave of his hand, he gets into his car and speeds out of the parking lot. The old gentleman pulls out his handkerchief, mops his brow and goes back to his car. Again he looks at the engine. He then goes to his wife and appears to reassure her that everything will be okay.

A stranger approaches the old man. "Looks like you're having a problem," he says. The old man smiles sheepishly, and quietly nods his head. The stranger looks under the hood of the car, but he has no more expertise with engines than the old man.

He assures the elderly gentleman he will return and heads to a nearby service station. He explains the situation to a mechanic saying he will pay him if he would help the elderly couple with their car.

Returning with a mechanic, the stranger gets into a conversation with the old gentleman. The stranger is wearing a ring signifying that he had been a Marine. Coincidentally, so had the old man. He confides that he had served in some of the harshest battles in our nation's history, including Guadalcanal in Okinawa. He retired from the Marine Corps after the war.

After the car was repaired and running, the old gentleman handed a card to the stranger and shook hands and parted. Little while later the stranger happened to look at card and the name of the old gentleman was on the card in gold leaf and under his name was written: Congressional medal of honor Society. It was only then that the former Marine realized that he had come to the aid of one of America's heroes.

This, just a reminder that this Memorial Day weekend there are men and women who have served their country, and received very little in return. It is only right we recognize their sacrifice and honor their memory this holiday weekend. And with much sadness we hear of the scandal at the VA Hospitals across our country.

Our gospel for today is of a loving relationship between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and how this relationship extends to all of humanity with a simple admonition: "if you love me, and keep my commands, I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to help you and be with you forever-- the Spirit of truth. With a further promise: I will not leave you as orphans; for I will come to you before long.

Another Story:

A man who underwent open-heart surgery told his friend about his experience. He said, "the day before surgery a nurse came into my room to visit she took hold of my hand and told me to feel it and to hold it."

"Now, she said, "during the surgery tomorrow you will be disconnected from your heart and you will be kept alive only by virtue of certain machines. When your heart is finally restored and the operation is over and you are recovering, you will eventually awaken and a very special room. You will be immobile for as long as six hours. You may be unable to move, or speak, or even to open your eyes, but you will be perfectly conscious. You will hear and you will know everything that is going on around you. During those six hours I will be at your side and I will hold your hand, exactly as I'm doing now. I will stay with you until you are fully recovered. Although you may feel absolutely helpless, when you feel my hand, you will know that I will not leave you."

It happened exactly as the nurse told me, the man continued. "I awoke and could do nothing. But I could feel the nurse's hand in my hand for hours and that made all the difference in the world.

Similarly this happen to me some months ago when getting up in the morning, attempting to get dressed I knew I was in trouble. I know I shouldn't use names, but in this case I feel it necessary. I called Connie and asked her to call Dr. Jim from next door and Maria Minette that I needed their help. In a very short time they came to my aid and stayed with me all morning. To say that I was and am grateful is an understatement, but much like the old man whose hand was being held by a nurse I felt their comfort, their concern and their love.

It does make a difference when someone comes along side us when we are in need. That is the work of the Holy Spirit. In some instances the Holy Spirit comes with power. At other times the Holy Spirit comes as a guide. But there are times when we need a friend, counselor, comforter. Then the Holy Spirit served in these capacities as well. But why did Jesus say, "I will give you another advocate."

The writer of John wants us to understand that the same Spirit that was in Christ is a Spirit that will be with us in our time of need. John is very clear that this is why Christ departed from this world so that his Spirit could be available to every person in this world who opens himself or herself to him. This is the importance of the Trinity. The same Spirit that created this world became flesh and Jesus Christ returns on the day of Pentecost to make available to every believer, with guidance, comfort, and empowerment, also for clarity of mission and for strength as we seek to be Christ's people. All this is wrapped up in that short phrase, "and I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to help you and be with you forever."

You all be Good, Be holy and Preach the Gospel always and if necessary use words!
'Thank you' to Deacon Kaas, for letting me post his reflection here.
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Sunday, December 9, 2012

A Billion Ways to be Catholic, and the Spider-Man Principle

Sometimes a group's membership will be fairly uniform.

I'd expect an exclusive golf club's roster to include fairly well-to-do folks, and not many 20-something delivery drivers: and I wouldn't expect to find a designer of haut couture handbags to be in a neighborhood bowling league.

A half-century back, folks who wanted a 'successful' career needed to fit into a fairly well-defined mold.

I've mentioned "The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit" (1956) before. Lockstep conformity didn't appeal to quite a few of the 'baby boom' kids: including me. I never yearned to be a company man.

I wasn't even a conventional non-conformist, and that's almost another topic. (January 12, 2010)

Expectations, Stereotypes, and Reality

Folks who make movies often rely on stereotypes, like the Irish cop, spunky girl reporter, environmental activist, or whatever. I don't have a problem with that.

When folks make decisions based on what they've seen in the movies: that's yet another topic. (January 15, 2012)

In real life, which of the following best describe Catholics?
  1. Live in secluded communities
  2. Have nine-to-five jobs with paid vacation
  3. Spend most of their time praying
  4. Raise families
  5. Aren't married
  6. All of the above
"All of the above" is the correct answer.

Many Parts, One Body

Some Catholics live in cloistered monastic orders, isolated from the world: which is more like volunteering for front-line duty, than running away from the world; and yet again another topic.

Some Catholics in monastic orders get up close and personal with the world. Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta's outfit is an example. (August 18, 2009)

Many of us have the equivalent of nine-to-five jobs: whatever the bulk of people in our native culture do to get food and secure shelter. We're married, single, priests, deacons, and 'just ordinary people.'

We're smart, not-so-smart, famous, unknown, beautiful, ugly, and everything between.

And that's okay. We're not supposed to all be alike:
"Now the body is not a single part, but many.

"If a foot should say, 'Because I am not a hand I do not belong to the body,' it does not for this reason belong any less to the body.

"Or if an ear should say, 'Because I am not an eye I do not belong to the body,' it does not for this reason belong any less to the body.

"If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be?"
(1 Corinthians 12:14-17)

High-Profile isn't Everything

I've posted about 1 Corinthians 12 before. (June 1, 2011)

A list of field kits God issues includes administration. (1 Corinthians 12:28) We need administrators, but administration isn't as glamorous as speaking in tongues or prophecy.

That may explain why there aren't more administrators who form 'spirit-filled holy administrator' groups — and claim that all Christians should be administrators. Still more topics.

The point, I think, of 1 Corinthians 12 is that God doesn't make mass-produced people. Each of us is an individual, with a package that God expects us to use.

As I've said before, I've got the authority of "some guy with a blog." I don't speak for the Church.

Individuals and an Archbishop

On the other hand, I'm pretty confident that I'm right about individuality and the Church:
"...'Our efforts at national unity often depend upon bringing peoples' diversity into something of an artificial harmony that seeks to minimize the uniqueness and distinctiveness of people. The Catholic Church on the contrary focuses upon what we all share in common which is our faith and our oneness in Christ,' Archbishop Gregory said.

" 'To be a Catholic one need not abandon one's individuality. In fact, the Catholic Church is most perfectly herself when all of her children display that rich diversity that God has fashioned into the very heart of humanity,' the archbishop said. 'We are most Catholic when we reflect our oneness of faith and worship that is achieved in response to our rich mixture of human variety through the grace of the Holy Spirit.'..."
("Atlanta Archbishop delivers homily at Catholic Cultural Diversity Convocation," USCCB News Release, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (May 10, 2010))
[emphasis mine]

1,179,500,000 Ways to be Catholic

Of the 7,000,000,000 or so people alive today, 16.85% are Roman Catholic. ("World," World Factbook, CIA (page last updated November 17, 2012)) That's a little over 1/8 of the population, about 1,179,500,000 people: and each one of us a unique individual.

What got this post started was a remark someone made this week. He said that he 'really should' start a particular devotion. Maybe he's right, I don't know.

As for me, I have enough trouble being me: without trying to be someone else. I think devotions are a good idea, but I won't try to believe that 'Catholics should always practice a devotion to [insert favorite Saint's name].

Charisms and a Gift of Gab

I've got a quirky set of abilities, which are a lot easier to use now that I've got psychoactive pharmaceuticals sorting out my neurochemistry. And that's — what else? Still another set of topics.

Having the gift of gab means being able to speak "in a persuasive and interesting way." (Idiom: Gift of the gab, UsingEnglish.com) I don't know about "persuasive," but I've had folks tell me that I speak in an 'interesting' way.

No bragging there: my 'gift of gab' and love of language is just part of the package I was born with: along with blue eyes and (formerly) dark hair. All I did was cooperate, and develop what God gave me.

I don't think it's stretching the definition too far to say that how I use language is a sort of charism, a special grace from God.

It's not an extraordinary gift, like performing miracles or speaking in tongues: but like I said, it's something I was born with. I'm inclined to give God credit.

The Spider-Man Principle

"With great power there must also come —
great responsibility!"
(Stan Lee, in Amazing Fantasy #15 (August 1962) (the first Spider-Man story))
I'm no Peter Parker/Spider-Man. But I recently learned what those "99th percentile" language ability scores meant.

During an evaluation session, the medico told me that I'd given the correct answer for every question in the language section.

Since tests like that give meaningful results only if the subject misses one or more, I was "off the scale:" with a degree of language proficiency that was too high to measure.

Again, no bragging: God saw fit to pack some special equipment in my kit.

Having a gift for language, or any other ability, is a mixed bag.

Good news: I've earned a living by using this knack for putting words together, and once in a while I get an ego boost when someone likes what I've written.

Unsettling news: I'm expected to do something useful with this gift.

Charisms aren't for the benefit of folks who have them: they're gifts that are meant to help "the Body of Christ, the Church:" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2003)
"...Whatever their character - sometimes it is extraordinary, such as the gift of miracles or of tongues - charisms are oriented toward sanctifying grace and are intended for the common good of the Church. They are at the service of charity which builds up the Church.54"
(Catechism, 2003)
Oh, great: "...sanctifying grace ... common good of the Church ... at the service of charity...." No pressure.

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Sunday, June 24, 2012

The Important Idea, Charisms, and Working With What I've Got

Being Catholic is quite simple. The rules boil down to a very simple idea.

Late in his life, Saint John was famous among Christians. He had actually known Jesus, been with my Lord at Golgotha, and had a sort of inside track where it came to understanding what Jesus had taught.

"Love One Another:" THAT'S IT?!!

Saint Jerome says that when John the Apostle was very old and weak, he'd be carried out to meet people. Then he revealed what he'd learned while at the side of Jesus:
"My dear children, love one another."
("St John, Apostle and Evagelist," EWTN)
That was the whole message.

The profound insights and knowledge learned at the side of the Second Parson of the Trinity were, at their core: "My dear children, love one another."

For two millennia, the Catholic Church has been passing on the same message:
All the rules, all the explanations, all the kilometers of shelving in the Vatican's office archive, all that boils down to "love one another:" plus the reminder that "one another" includes everybody. Even the guy who cut ahead of me in the checkout line.

As I've said before, all those rules and explanations are what happen when folks try to weasel out of the basic principles. My opinion.

A Brief Interruption: About Fortnight for Freedom

I'll get back with my reasons for acting the way I do, right after promoting something I think is important.

Today is 'Day Four' of Fortnight for Freedom. I plan to have a post focusing on that ready later today. For the moment, though, I'll just add a few links here:

Fortnight for Freedom
Some folks have more options for paying attention to Fortnight for Freedom than I do. As far as I know, there isn't a prayer vigil, pep rally, or anything else 'official' having to do with F. f. F. here in Sauk Centre, Minnesota. Maybe I missed the announcements: or maybe, as someone said, 'we can only do so much.'

Prayer, Pep Rallies, and Me

I could travel to the nearest town where folks get together to observe Fortnight for Freedom: but I haven't done that. I haven't even committed to sit in the Adoration Chapel down the street on a regular basis.

That's not because I think pep rallies are bad, or prayer is pointless, or that folks who keep vigil in the Adoration Chapel are wasting their time.

I think there's a time and place for pep rallies: and know that some folks seem to get a charge out of them.

As for prayer and vigils: I admire folks who do that sort of thing. I pray, of course: it's 'in the rules.' But my prayers tend to be relatively short; and often linked to particular routines, like eating.

I still experience spending an hour at the Adoration Chapel as 60 minutes of 'doing nothing:' but I'm working on that.

Being Different

I'm not upset that God didn't outfit me with abilities I haven't got. Like 1 Corinthians 12 says:
"3 There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit;

"there are different forms of service but the same Lord;

"there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone.

"To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. "
(1 Corinthians 12:4-7)
I've found that I'm good at something that doesn't show up in the list that follows. On the other hand, "...the expression of wisdom..." and "...the expression of knowledge..." come close. (1 Corinthians 12:8) By the way, I've got the full teaching authority of "some guy with a blog." I don't speak for the Church. This is speculation on my part.

Research, Writing, and Me

I haven't 'always enjoyed writing.' Like any other skill, I had to learn my language, and how to organize ideas. But as soon as I knew how, writing was fun. So was finding information, and sorting it into something coherent.

Not everybody is good at putting words together. That occasionally helped me make a living by having someone pay me to find information and put ideas into writing. By now, I'm pretty good at doing both.

Oh, sinful pride? I don't think so.

If I assumed that I was responsible for having the abilities I do: yeah, that would be a bad idea. As it is, I recognize that God gave me a kit that includes really good language skills.

Humility is a virtue, but it doesn't mean ignoring what God gave me, or being a doormat:
I may not be a top-notch vigil keeper, and don't seem drawn to saying one novena after another. But writing is something I'm good at. I think that gift can be useful for something besides earning a paycheck.

Writing as a Charism???

Saying "I'm drawn by the Spirit to write" sounds - odd, to be charitable about it. Certainly when I imagine saying that about myself. On the other hand, there may be something to the idea. Or, not.

I found this footnote at the end of 1 Corinthians 12, in the New American Bible:
"There are some features common to all charisms, despite their diversity: all are gifts (charismata), grace from outside ourselves; all are forms of service (diakoniai), an expression of their purpose and effect; and all are workings (energemata), in which God is at work. Paul associates each of these aspects with what later theology will call one of the persons of the Trinity, an early example of 'appropriation.' "
(1 Corinthians 12, footnote 3)
I wasn't familiar with that last word, "appropriation:" not in this context. I found what looks like a pretty good definition:
"...In theology, appropriation is used in speaking of the different Persons of the Trinity. It consists in attributing certain names, qualities, or operations to one of the Persons, not, however, to the exclusion of the others, but in preference to the others...."
("Appropriation," The Catholic Encyclopedia (1907))
Okay, so there are a wide variety of charisms, but all charisms are:
  1. Gifts (charismata)
    • Grace from outside ourselves
  2. Forms of service (diakoniai)
    • An expression of their purpose and effect
  3. Workings (energemata)
    • In which God is at work
I think my knack with words is a gift, so it fits the first point.

I can write as service to others. I've written 'purely for my own enjoyment,' but that isn't as rewarding as it might sound. So I think writing can fit the second point too.

Whether or not my writing is something "in which God is at work" is a good question. I hope so: but figure that I'd better leave that decision up to God. If God is getting something done by having me write? Then what I do in the blog, and elsewhere, is a charism.

If not, well: I'll find out at my particular judgment. (Catechism, 1013, 1021) (August 27, 2011) Until I get a better alternative, I'll muddle along on the assumption that writing is one way I can serve my Lord.

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Friday, June 8, 2012

The Pope; Vatileaks; Seven Gifts; and Looking Beyond the End of Time

Everybody has a vocation, a "calling or destiny we have in this life and hereafter." (Catechism, Glossary) Mine is being a married man, part of the laity. Besides being husbands, fathers, wives, mothers, and children, the laity are:
"...in the Church and in the world, their own assignment in the mission of the whole People of God.' 387 Finally, 'from both groups [hierarchy and laity] there exist Christian faithful who are consecrated to God in their own special manner and serve the salvific mission of the Church through the profession of the evangelical counsels.'388..."
(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 873)
Maybe that sounds highfalutin. I've been around long enough to know that fancy-sounding titles and important positions generally include work. Lots of work.

The New Evanglization and Me

One of the 'new' jobs for the laity is the 'new evangelization.' (April 12, 2012) It's not, really, all that new: just the latest wrinkle in the millennia-spanning "call for laypeople to publicly witness to their faith." (www.catholicvoicesusa.org)

I live too far away from America's major metropolitan areas to join the formal parts of this country's new evangelization. But that doesn't let me off the hook. Thanks to Information Age technology, I can share what I'm learning about my faith, and why it matters. Which is where this blog comes in. And my weekly 'my take on the news' post.

A Long, Hard Path: Surrounded by Beauty and Wonder

This week's news includes opportunities for me to get distressed, distracted, and dismayed. I could indulge in hand wringing: maybe even make it seem very 'spiritual.'

On the whole, though, I don't see the percentage in doing that. Particularly since I realize that if I lift my eyes from the path and look around: I'm surrounded by vistas of wonder. And the best is still ahead. (June 3, 2012)

Here's my take on this week's news:
  1. World Meeting of Families, 2015
  2. Vatileaks - The Butler Did It
  3. Called to Great Things

1. World Meeting of Families, 2015

CNA (Catholic News Agency) ran an article that's mostly about the next scheduled World Meeting of Families and Benedict XVI's plans for that get-together.

Since Philadelphia and Catholics are involved, Americans who follow the news are likely to remember a the recurring story of the pedophile priests. I might as well get that out of the way first:
"...The Philadelphia archdiocese faces continuing fallout from sex abuse scandals and has been forced to close dozens of Catholic schools because of a lack of financial resources...."
(CNA)
I've posted about what some priests did during the last half-century:
Moving on.

The Pope's Choice, Plans, and Hope

"Pope to attend World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia"
Kevin J. Jones, CNA (Catholic News Agency) (June 6, 2012)

"Pope Benedict XVI personally chose Philadelphia as the site for the next World Meeting of Families and, health permitting, will attend the 2015 event, Philadelphia Archbishop Charles J. Chaput said.

"...He said he hoped to be there, but he reminded me he's 85 years old and he'd be 88 at that time, and God willing he will be with us,' Archbishop Chaput said. 'He's a man who trusts God's providence, and I do too.'

"The World Meeting of Families, sponsored by the Pontifical Council for the Family, takes place every three years. It brings together hundreds of thousands of people to pray, celebrate and study marriage and family life. Archbishop Chaput and Pope Benedict attended the 2012 event in Milan...."
(CNA)
I hope that Benedict XVI will be with us for the 2012 World Meeting of Families. But if he's not, I'm about as sure as I can be that the authority held by the 265th successor to Peter will have been passed along - and that the Pope will be there.

"Hope" hasn't been fashionable for much of my lifetime. That's understandable, given the silly optimism about the "inevitability of progress" that came before.

I was cautiously hopeful before I became a Catholic. I'd noticed that, although there were setbacks on a scale of years, decades, and sometimes centuries: from millennium to millennium, on average, people learned more effective ways to:
  • Grow and distribute food
  • Deal with injuries and disease
  • Cooperate
After my conversion, I learned a bit more about why this has been happening, and that's another topic.

I've posted about hope, progress, and getting a grip, before:

Milan, Attendance, and Statistics

"...Archbishop Chaput attended the final Mass with a military family from South Carolina who represented the United States.

" 'Surprisingly, the six of them and myself were invited to lunch, and not only to lunch, but to the same table as the Pope,' he said.

"The archbishop said a 'large number of people' usually attend the World Meeting of Families, and typically the Pope visits for the final days of the event. The closing Mass for the 2012 gathering in Milan was attended by 1 million people...."
(CNA)
Even by American standards, a get-together with 1,000,000 attendees is pretty big. But I suppose someone could draw attention that only about 1/1,000 of the world's living Catholics attended that Mass: and express either anguish or triumph, depending on personal outlook.

I think it's a fairly good turnout for this sort of an event. More topics.

The Pope's view of the Milan World Meeting of Families:

2. Vatileaks - The Butler Did It

"Cardinal Bertone speaks of 'ferocious' Vatileaks attack on Pope"
David Kerr, CNA (Catholic News Agency) (June 6, 2012)

"The Vatican's Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, believes the continued leaking of confidential papal information to the media is 'ferocious, biting and organized.'

" 'Attacks have always existed, in all times' he told Italian television station RAI on June 4.

" 'This time, however, it seems that the attacks are more targeted, sometimes also ferocious, biting and organized.'...
I remember the trailing edge of McCarthyism. I grew up in an area where radio preachers were almost as enthusiastic about the communist menace as they were about the latest End Times Bible prophecy. With my background, someone expressing the idea that 'it's a plot' tends to make me dubious.

Still, the Vatican's Secretary of State has almost certainly been paying more attention to Vatileaks than I have: and has sources of information that I don't.Maybe there actually is an organized media attack on the Catholic Church. It's quite possible.

It's also possible that the Vatican's Secretary of State has slipped a cog, and will shortly be claiming that the Pope's being controlled by radio waves from outer space. Possible: but not likely. At all. My opinion.

Not Organized: Just Like-Minded?

I think it's possible for what appears to be an organized media campaign to happen, without being organized. my take on news, bias, and unconsidered assumptions, posted yesterday:
Basically, when a relatively small number of people who share very nearly the same assumptions and biases get the same information at about the same time: I'm not surprised that they all tend to report it pretty much the same way.

Vatileaks may be one of those unintended consequences of old-school assumptions colliding with Information Age technology. Sort of like the 'flash crash' of 2010. Or, not. Here's a pretty good analysis of what went wrong:

No, Really: The Butler Did It

"...This is the first time Cardinal Bertone has commented publicly on the so-called 'Vatileaks' scandal that has rumbled on since January 2012.

"So far, the only person charged by Vatican police as part of the ongoing investigation is the Pope's butler, Paolo Gabriele. The Secretary of State's statement that the leaks are "organized" seems to suggest that he believes Gabriele was not acting alone....

"...The latest batch of leaked papal documents appeared in the Italian newspaper La Repubblica over the June 2-3 weekend. They included a confidential letter written by the American Cardinal Raymond Burke to Pope Benedict in January 2012...."
(CNA)
What interests me more than business-as-usual in news media is Cardinal Raymond Burke's letter, and related correspondence.

Correspondence, Clarification, and Getting a Grip

It's not that I enjoy reading other people's mail: this is an opportunity to see how the Catholic Church works.
"...In his correspondence, Cardinal Burke expressed surprise and dismay after receiving an invitation to an event that seemed to be celebrating the Vatican's approval for the liturgies used by the new movement, the Neocatechumenatal Way.

"He explained to the Pope that he did 'not recall having heard a consultation regarding a particular liturgy for this ecclesial movement' and that 'such liturgical innovations' do not seem 'coherent with the liturgical magisterium of the pope.'

"After reading the letter, Pope Benedict attached a handwritten note agreeing with Cardinal Burke's sentiments with the instruction that they should be passed onto the Congregation for Divine Worship.

"After the cardinal's letter was sent it emerged that the Vatican's approval only applied to non-liturgical prayers within the Neocatechumenatal Way's catechesis and not to the Mass or other liturgies of the Church."
(CNA)
I'm not shocked and horrified that a Cardinal wrote the Pope, expressing concern over the Vatican's apparent approval of an offbeat liturgy. Given screwball antics done 'in the spirit of Vatican II' in this country: I'd be concerned if a Cardinal didn't ask Rome what was going on.

This isn't 'dissension,' or 'chaos.' This is how a two-millennia-old outfit works: asking questions and getting answers. Or, in this case, a clarification.

By the way, I'm also not shocked and horrified that the Pope didn't rant about Satanic heretics who would go to Hell because they had new ideas. I've been over this before, too:

3. Called to Great Things

"Pope to Youth: God Calls You to Great Things Today"
ZENIT.org (June 4, 2012)
"Explains Holy Spirit's Gifts to Those to Be Confirmed"

"During his trip to Milan for the 7th World Meeting of Families, Benedict XVI reminded youth that God is calling them each day to something great. He exhorted them to have high ideals and to strive to be saints, saying sanctity is for everyone, also for the young.

"The Pope said this Saturday in an address to young people who are about to receive the sacrament of confirmation, or have recently been confirmed.

"His address centered on a brief explanation of each of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit....
ZENIT has what Benedict XVI said, full text, English, online:
The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit:
  • Wisdom
  • Understanding
  • Counsel
  • Fortitude
  • Knowledge
  • Piety
  • Fear of the Lord
    (Catechism, 1830-1832)

Spiritual Mountain Climbing

"...'The Spirit's gifts are wondrous realities that allow you to form yourselves as Christians, to live the Gospel and to be active members of the community,' he told them.

"The Holy Father compared the whole of the Christian life to a journey, saying it is 'like climbing a path that leads up a mountain - and so it is not always easy, but climbing a mountain is something beautiful - together with Jesus; with these precious gifts your friendship with him will become still more real and intimate.'

"The Pontiff encouraged the youth to take advantage of Sunday Mass and the sacrament of confession, as well as daily prayer. Regarding confession, he said it is 'a meeting with Jesus who forgives our sins and helps us to do the good; receiving this gift, beginning again, is a great gift in life, knowing that I am free, that I can start over, that all is forgiven.'..."
I like that image of climbing a path up a mountain. I've seen mountains: the ones separating my part of North America from the west coast. Being partway up a mountain is "something beautiful," even when using a car instead of walking.

Forgiveness and Decisions

I also like " '...knowing that I am free, that I can start over, that all is forgiven.'..." In the 60 years since my birth, I've had to start over: fairly often. Happily, Catholics aren't expected to be perfect people. We're 'just' expected to work toward that goal. (Catechism, 309-314, 519-521, 1693, 1698)

I believe in "one baptism for the forgiveness of sin." But I also accept the idea that, even though I was baptized, I'm not likely "to escape every wound of sin." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 977-980)

Happily, there is no offense that the Church cannot forgive. (Catechism, 976-983) I can chose to turn away from from the Church, reject God: but that would be my decision, not an action by God or the Church. (Catechism, 1993) Telling God to leave me alone would also be an abysmally daft move.

"In Days to Come - - - "

'Climbing a mountain' is hardly a new way to look at moving toward God:
"2 In days to come, The mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established as the highest mountain and raised above the hills. All nations shall stream toward it;

"3 many peoples shall come and say: 'Come, let us climb the LORD'S mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, That he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.' For from Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

"He shall judge between the nations, and impose terms on many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again."
(Isaiah 2:2-4)
It's been a long climb, since the days of Isaiah. Today, we're more than two dozen centuries closer to "in days to come:" but my guess is that we still have a lot more climbing ahead.

God willing, I'll spend the rest of my life climbing: and enjoying the view. Then it's particular judgment for me: and others will keep climbing toward a city with "no more death or mourning, wailing or pain."1

More, about Abraham, mountains, and an eternal covenant:
Related posts:
1 You've probably run into this before:
"I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, God's dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people 4 and God himself will always be with them (as their God).

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, (for) the old order has passed away.' "
(Revelation 21:3-4)
I'm pretty sure that the "unfamiliar and extravagant symbolism" in The Apocalypse, or Revelation to John will make sense: when we get together after the Last Judgment. (Catechism, 1038-1041) Until then, I'm quite willing to let God handle the details.

I'm also pretty sure that the end of time and the new universe is coming "soon" - from God's point of view. Judging from the awesome scale of this creation, my guess is that God's "soon" could be a long, long way off by human standards.

I've posted about God, the universe, and size, before: More:
  • The Hope of the New Heaven and the New Earth
    (Catechism, 1042-1050)
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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.