Showing posts with label charisms. Show all posts
Showing posts with label charisms. Show all posts

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, 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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Monday, March 17, 2014

New on the Blogroll/Catholic Links Page:

There's a new website on the Blogroll/Catholic Links page (Blogroll > Organizations):
It's a new website, too, so I suggest revisiting it at intervals to see what's new there.

A tip of the hat to Brendan Walsh on Google Plus.
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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 15, 2012

Bishops, Nuns, the News, and Being Catholic

First, a tip of the hat to New Advent, on Twitter, for the heads-up on a Reuters article about Catholic bishops in America.

I decided to take a good look at what Reuters did: and then reviewed a related article, by a news agency that understands Catholicism. Reuters did a fairly good job of covering a "PR campaign" involving the Catholic Church. But I think there's room for improvement:
A 'Catholic' story and Reuters

I didn't know what to expect when I saw that Reuters, an international news service, had done an article on American bishops and a "PR campaign." Particularly when the first few paragraphs hinted that Reuters would be discussing how news media was covering 'Catholic' stories.

All-Too-Familiar Terms

Words like "confrontational," " 'debacle,' " and "crackdown," pushed some of my buttons. I'm not a particularly placid man, and I'm not at all happy about new media's failure to keep up with the times. Which is another topic, almost.

"Too Confrontational"

"U.S. bishops plan PR campaign to soften image"
Reuters (June 14, 2012)

"U.S. Catholic bishops announced plans on Thursday for an ambitious public relations drive to soften and shape their image and reach out to the younger generation using social media.

"In a lively session at their national conference in Atlanta, several bishops expressed dismay that they are slow to get their talking points across and are perceived as too confrontational.

"The recent Vatican crackdown on the largest organization of U.S. nuns turned into a public relations 'debacle' for the bishops, said Cardinal Sean O'Malley of Boston.
So far, this looked like more of the same old: same old, where some news service would 'analyze' how news services were boldly exposing vile abuse committed by 'those religious people over there.'

Instead of whipping out a post full of "sound and fury," I kept reading.

Good thing, too: because Reuters did a pretty good job of reporting. For an establishment outfit. More topics.

(Back to list of headings)

Point of view

"Radical Feminists" and the Establishment: 2012

"He complained that the Vatican's decision to put bishops in charge of rooting out 'radical feminist' elements within the nuns' group was linked in the secular media to unrelated events, such as the bishops' investigation of the Girl Scouts, with negative consequences for the church's image...."
(Reuters)
There's quite a lot going on here, starting with that reference to "radical feminists."

I've learned to be wary of words like "radical," since what one person may see as "radical," another may perceive as merely enthusiastic or tightly-focused.

'The establishment,' folks whose wealth, position, or influence, make it possible for them to decide things for the rest of us, will exist in any largish society. My opinion.

In my youth, the establishment was almost exclusively male, white, and either WASP or WASP mimics. Quite a few 'regular Americans' saw nothing unusual about folks who wouldn't stop talking about commie plots: but thought women wearing pants was "radical."

That was then, this is now. The establishment looks different: but the old 'everyone is free to agree with me' attitude is still there:

Getting a Grip on About Girl Scouts

Hats off to Reuters: whoever wrote or edited that article mentioned why Catholic bishops in America are re-thinking their position about Girl Scouts:
"...The bishops are looking into concerns that the Girl Scouts sometimes work with groups that promote access to contraception. The U.S. church's image also has been hurt sex abuse scandals...."
(Reuters)
Many Americans may wonder why those bishops would want to keep Girl Scouts from having access to contraceptives. Aren't women - and girls - supposed to be "free?"

The Catholic Church says that we should do some things, like love God and love our neighbor: but there's no eleventh commandment about not having any fun. On the other hand, the Church does say that I have to respect all people: 'even' women.

And, yes: I know about the pedophile priests.

(Back to list of headings)

Women are people

Contraceptives, 'Freedom,' and Sex Machines

The idea that 'freedom' includes a man's right to have sex with any woman, any time, without consequences, is firmly rooted in America's culture.

It's not a particularly new idea, although details have changed over the decades. For example, I remember when 'she really wanted it' was still an accepted excuse for rape. That's changed, thank God.

Wide-spread acceptance of contraceptives made 'come on, baby: you know you really want to' seem less threatening. Sadly, the underlying assumption that men should have sexual access to at least some women without consequence is still with us.

I don't see women as sex machines: but I'm a practicing Catholic, so my views are quite counter-cultural. I've discussed artificial contraceptives, sex, and why I became a Catholic, before:

Men, Women, Sex, and Being Catholic

I think this is the best 'one-stop' resource for learning what the Church says about human sexuality, particularly "the regulation of birth:"
Here's a quick overview of men, women, and getting a grip, from a Catholic point of view:
  • God gives man and woman an equal personal dignity
    (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 378, 1645, 2331, 2334-2335)
  • Marriage is important
    (Catechism, 1601-1658)
  • Unjust discrimination based on sex or national origin is wrong
    (Catechism, 2433)
    • So is unjust treatment of homosexuals
      (Catechism, 2358)
(Back to list of headings)

Awareness

"Not Combative, But Inviting"

"...Added Bishop Blase Cupich of Spokane, Washington, 'We need to teach in a way that's not combative, but inviting.'

"While several bishops said they wanted to push their views directly to the public, without mediation by the press, Bishop Gerald Kicanas of Tucson, Arizona, urged his brethren to remain open to all forums of communication.

"It's important to engage people who have positions that are possibly different than ours, so that we can build coalitions,' Kicanas said. 'We shouldn't always be overly sensitive about criticism.'..."
(Reuters)
I agree with the "inviting" part, since I've been on the receiving end of 'assault with Bible verses.' The trick, I think, will be overcoming:
  • American culture's deep-seated revulsion towards anything 'Catholic'
  • 'What folks know, that just ain't so' about the Catholic Church
  • News media ignorance
I think a major problem is that many Americans in news media and the general public don't realize that what 'everybody knows' about the Catholic Church often isn't true.

Happily, quite a few resources are online.

Catechism of the Catholic Church, Reuters, and What's Not New

"...The bishops' public relations campaign is still in the early stages but tentative plans include appointing a high-profile, always-on-call spokesman and creating a more active presence on Twitter and Facebook. Bishop John Wester of Salt Lake City also announced the launch of a private social network for bishops only - a sort of Facebook of the magisterium.

"The campaign 'will be a tremendous expense,' said Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Atlanta. 'But the greater cost, I believe, is not doing it.'

"The bishops are moving to post more Catholic resources online as well. On Thursday, they announced that the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which has sold nearly 1 million print copies, has been posted on the Conference of Catholic Bishops' website in e-book format...."
(Reuters)
The "e-book format" copy of the Catechism is new, but the official English translation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church has been online for years: on both the USCCB website (www.usccb.org), and the Vatican's (www.vatican.va:
Maybe it's just as well that Reuters didn't try to explain what magisterium means. On the other hand, it's a term that someone who's not familiar with the Catholic Church isn't likely to understand. I've posted about using highly-specialized language before:
(Back to list of headings)
'Religious' News Coverage - or - Home Runs at the Super Bowl

I've said something like this before. If establishment news covered the Super Bowl the way they cover religious news, we'd see expert discussions of the quality of this year's home runs compared to number of women employed by the NFL, and speculation about why the jockeys weren't wearing feed bags.

CNA, the Catholic News Agency, knows about Catholicism and the Catholic Church. I think establishment news services could learn from their example.

(Back to list of headings)

Language Barrier

Being a convert to Catholicism, I knew that there was a lot to learn, including the set of beliefs and ways of dealing with each other that comes with being Catholic. Or should. There's an advantage to being ignorant - if a person knows about the gaps in knowledge. Yet again more topics.

The "Language of Politics" isn't "the Language of Faith"

"Sisters of Mercy doctors say LCWR is injecting politics into dialogue"
Kevin J. Jones, CNA (Catholic News Agency) (June 14, 2012)

"Physicians who are also Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma are criticizing the Leadership Conference of Women Religious and its defenders for using an impoverished 'language of politics' instead of 'the language of faith' in the dialogue with the Catholic hierarchy.

" 'There is no basis for authentic dialogue between these two languages. The language of faith is rooted in Jesus Christ, His life and His mission, as well as the magisterial teaching of the Church,' said the physician-sisters' statement, which was issued after a June 2 meeting on the contributions of religious women in the healing ministry of the Catholic Church.

" 'The language of politics arises from the social marketplace,' they said. 'The Sisters who use political language in their responses to the magisterial Church reflect the poverty of their education and formation in the faith.'..."
I'm strongly inclined to agree with the physician-sisters' statement. I'm not sure how many 'cradle Catholics' have had opportunities to sort out what 'everybody knows' and what's actually true about the Catholic Church: and have used the opportunities they had.

"Crisis" of Belief

"...In April 2012, the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith released the results of a four-year doctrinal assessment which determined that the Leadership Conference of Women Religious exhibited a 'crisis' of belief and 'serious doctrinal problems.' The audit also found that letters from conference officers suggested the presence of 'corporate dissent' from Church teaching on issues like the ordination of men to the priesthood and homosexuality.

"The conference is made up of leaders from 1,500 women's religious congregations. Those sisters represent some 57,000 American women religious.

"In response, the conference's board members charged that the assessment was 'based on unsubstantiated accusations' and used 'a flawed process that lacked transparency.' They said the report 'caused scandal and pain throughout the church community, and created greater polarization.'...
(CNA)
I've posted about the Church and homosexuality before. It's probably not what you've read in the papers:
Ordination of men is another issue. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1577-1580) I don't see it as 'oppression:' but then I see the parish priest flat on his face during parts of some Masses, and know about "servant of the servants of God."

From what the boss nuns said the Vatican (interfering?) with what they want to believe, it sounds to me that they've embraced a contemporary American point of view. I like being an American: but I'm aware that there's a whole lot beyond this country's borders.

(Back to list of headings)

Understanding Authority

Maybe my '60s roots are showing, but how establishment media decided to present the Vatican's actions looks awfully familiar:

'Male Chauvinist Pigs Attack Oppressed Women'

"...Critics of the Vatican assessment have found sympathy in major media outlets, some of which have depicted the action against the leadership conference as an attack on all religious sisters and nuns.

"But the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma see things differently.

"Sr. Jane Mary Firestone, RSM, an internist at Sacred Heart Clinic in Alma, Mich., who helped write her religious congregation's statement, spoke about it with CNA. She said that there is no issue with people representing their perspective to the Church and stating where they see problems.

"However, she said that critics of Vatican's assessment are taking their action into 'a political arena of demonstrations' and are 'garnering support in a political sense.'


" 'That doesn’t feel very appropriate,' Sr. Firestone said June 13. In her view, the social marketplace uses 'the language of majority rule' and does not necessarily have 'a regard for authority.'..."
(CNA)
Again: I like being an American. I also like 'democracy,' the way this country lets citizens have some say in how our government works.

But the Catholic Church isn't a democracy, and I wouldn't join a church where I had the 'right' to vote on amendments to the Decalogue.

When I became a Catholic, I knew that I was joining an 'undemocratic' outfit, where I'd be under the authority of the Pope. I was okay with that, because the Pope's authority comes from Peter: who got it from my Lord. (Matthew 16:17-19) As my wife pointed out to me, I have no problem with authority. What bothers me are "pompous nitwits with a professional title and a fancy desk." (March 30, 2011)

Representation, Dialog, and "A Bunch of Men"

"...'They've [the Leadership Conference of Women Religious ] taken this into the public political arena and it no longer stays in the dialogue of faith. Representation is always possible, dialogue is always possible, but it's with the reverence towards the hierarchical Church.'

"She said that the 'language of faith' expresses belief in the Church and the authority of the Church. Catholics believe that when the bishops speak, they have 'a different degree of authority' than when someone else does.

" 'In other words, the magisterial Church does direct for us the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives as religious women,' she said.

"Sr. Firestone said that while Catholics do not believe the bishops are canonized saints, they are 'not just "a bunch of men." '..."
(CNA)
I recommend reading the entire CNA article. There's quite a bit more, including this:

"The Deposit of Faith and the Hierarchical Structure of the Church"

"...Her [Sr. Firestone's] comments echoed the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma's broader statement. It said that a religious community's charism is given to "enrich the Church" and the Catholic hierarchy must determine its authenticity. A woman religious participates in this charism and 'cannot separate her work from the Church."

"The sisters praised 'the generosity and service' of the religious women who preceded them and foresaw 'great hope' for the future of religious life in the Church.

"They said that this hope rests in remaining within 'the deposit of faith and the hierarchical structure of the Church.'..."
(CNA)
I've mentioned the hierarchy, in the context of vocations, before. (April 13, 2012) I don't have a problem with not being able to vote on which of the Ten Commandments we like, and I've seen what happens in churches where pastors are hired and fired by folks in the pews. I became a Catholic for reasons: and that's still another topic.

(Back to list of headings)

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Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Talents, "the Outer Darkness," and Interest-Bearing Bank Accounts

Matthew 25:14-30 isn't one of those 'comforting' parts of the Bible. Not for me, anyway. That's the 'parable of the talents,' where a master gives three servants talents and then goes on a long journey. What happened to the first two is nice enough. It's the third one that gets me worried.

Talents, Bank Accounts, and Darkness

The third servant was the one who took the talent he got, buried it, had nothing more to show when the master returned, and got thrown "into the darkness outside" when the master returned to settle accounts. Like I said, it's not one of those 'comforting' parts:
"12 For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 13 And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.' "
(Matthew 25:29-30)
I suppose someone could take Matthew 25:29 by itself, and claim that the Bible says we should have a sort of 'socialism-in-reverse' system. Or take Matthew 25:27 as 'proof' that the Bible says people who don't put money in interest-bearing bank accounts will get thrown into the outer darkness.

As a practicing Catholic, I have to take the Bible very seriously. But I'm not allowed to get 'inspired,' and come up with my own version of what I'd like it to mean. I wrote about the Bible, the Magisterium, and Tradition last Sunday.

Acceptance, Final Condemnation, and Understanding

Getting back to what Matthew 25:29-30 means, I checked out the footnotes for those verses. Footnotes 12 and 13 refer to other footnotes:
"... There will be wailing and grinding of teeth: the first occurrence of a phrase used frequently in this gospel to describe final condemnation (⇒ Matthew 13:42, ⇒ 50; ⇒ 22:13; ⇒ 24:51; ⇒ 25:30). It is found elsewhere in the New Testament only in ⇒ Luke 13:28."
(Footnote 8, Matthew 8:11)

"In the New Testament use of this axiom of practical 'wisdom' (see ⇒ Matthew 25:29; ⇒ Mark 4:25; ⇒ Luke 8:18; ⇒ 19:26), the reference transcends the original level. God gives further understanding to one who accepts the revealed mystery; from the one who does not, he will take it away (note the 'theological passive,' more will be given, what he has will be taken away)."
(Footnote 5, Matthew 13:12)
I'm a bit reassured by the assertion that "God gives further understanding to one who accepts the revealed mystery." It's also common sense, I think: further understanding about anything is difficult, if not impossible, unless a person first accepts the subject's basic principles.

Imagine trying to understand the care and training of horses, without accepting the idea that horses exist. Which is a really bad example, in this context. Moving on.

The "final condemnation" in footnote 8, Matthew 8:11, brings up one of the two options I have. At the end of all things, I'll either be in Heaven: or Hell.

Hell, Briefly

I've run into odd notions about Hell, including beliefs that:
  • Hell
    • Doesn't exist
    • Shouldn't exist
  • God sends people to Hell for enjoying life
    • Which is 'obviously'
      • A bad thing
      • A good thing
      • 'Proof' that God doesn't exist
Then there's what we see in the movies, and that's another topic.

I've learned that Hell really exists; that it's big drawback is an eternal separation from God; that "God predestines no one to go to hell;" and that a person can decide to turn away from God. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1033-1037) Which brings up free will (Catechism, 1730), and more topics.

Remember: I've got the authority of "some guy with a blog:" and I strongly recommend that you follow those links and read more about what the Church says.

"God-Given Talents and Mission," and Responsibility

Here's what reminded me of Matthew 24:14-30:
"Pope Benedict: Do not waste your God-given talents and mission"
David Kerr, CNA (Catholic News Agency) (November 13, 2011)

"Pope Benedict XVI used his Sunday Angelus address Nov. 13 to remind people that God has given everybody both talents and a mission in life.

" 'God calls all men to life and bestows him with talents, while entrusting him with a mission to accomplish,' said the Pope from the window of his apostolic palace to the crowds gathered below in St. Peter's Square.

" 'It would be foolish to think that these gifts are due to us, just as our failing to use them would be a dereliction of the goal of our very existence.'..."
'Believing in Jesus,' without paying attention to what He taught, and doing something about it, never made much sense to me. In a way, it's no wonder that I converted to Catholicism. And that's another topic.

Faith and Works

I put together a quick list of points about faith, works, and getting a grip, back in August:
  • Work as in "faith and works"
    • It's important
      (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1368)
  • "Productive" work that's closer to the 'work ethic'
    • It's important, too
    • So is getting paid
    • Or showing a profit, after paying your employees and suppliers
      (Catechism, 2426-2429)
      • Which can lead to conflict
        (Catechism, 2430-2436)
        • [But 'nobody said this was going to be easy.']
  • Not Working(First posted August 1, 2011)
All that stuff about faith and works sounds like, well, like a lot of work. Aside from knowing that it's 'the right thing to do,' I've got incentives to make good use of what God gave me.

There are short-term incentives, like a paycheck or recognition for a job well-done. In the long term, though, the stakes are much higher.

'Fire and Brimstone,' No: Getting a Grip, Yes

I've yet to meet a Catholic equivalent of the bombastic 'fire and brimstone' preacher: or a parishioner who kept focusing on what 'those sinners' would be facing. On the other hand, with over a billion Catholics living today: I'm pretty sure that you could find someone like that.

Christianity is a religion of hope. But we're also supposed to behave as if what we do matters:
"...Pope Benedict said the passage should remind everybody of the 'transience of earthy existence,' given that 'our final destiny' and 'meaning of life' is 'death followed by Final Judgment.'

"The third servant lost sight of this, he said, and 'behaved as if his master would not to return, as if there was not a day when he would ask him to account for his activities.' To refuse to use our gifts or from embarking on our mission 'would be a dereliction of the purpose of their (our talents') existence.'

"Given that the apostle St. Paul reminds us that the Lord will call us to account 'like a thief in the night,' the Pope advised that we should live 'in an attitude of watchfulness,' waiting for the second coming of Christ 'in the constant memory of his first coming.'..."
(CNA)
Wait a minute! The Pope talking about the "second coming of Christ?!"

I've posted about the Last Judgment, parousia, and all that, before: and those are other topics.

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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.