I saw the new Harry Potter movie today. Liked it. It may be the best of the series.
I have to say, this may be the best series of movies -- ever! I mean this: think of movies with sequels/prequels; they tend to be uneven. Think of the Star Wars series, or Indiana Jones, or the Godfather. The Lord of the Rings trilogy would win "best series," except it was three movies; this is four and counting. All goes to show the fluidity of a word like "best."
I won't be spoiling it for anyone to note the quasi-religious qualities of the movie. The gothic architecture, the graveyard sans crosses or angels or Madonnas, the non-chapel chapel, the candlelight, the ritual, and so forth. It's very striking to note a world in which Christianity is but a faint shadow. It certainly fits the England in which it is set, from what we hear. It reminds me of the term Flannery O'Connor used to use, of her beloved Southland: "Christ-haunted."
I don't say this to attack J.K. Rowling; as I haven't read any of her books, for all I know, the books reflect more explicit Christianity, which the moviemakers edit out. For that matter, she writes her novels as she wishes, not as I might wish.
As it is, she always gives a strong endorsement for character and virtue. She usually puts some striking wisdom on the lips of Dumbledore, and this one was no exception: "Dark days lie ahead, Harry -- and we will soon find ourselves forced to choose between what is easy, and what is right."
I seem to recall some criticism of her works, along the lines of claiming that her heroes and heroines did things the villains did -- as if to say, one couldn't tell them apart. Again--I haven't read the books, but, from the movies, I find that odd.
Monday, November 28, 2005
Can anyone explain this?
There's one sentence in this overall, strange story, that really jumps out. Rather than highlight it, let's see if it has the same effect on you as it did me.
From the Sunday Times -- Britain -- November 27, 2005:
MoD probe into naked marines’ initiation fight
By David Sanderson
AN INVESTIGATION has been launched by the Ministry of Defence after the publication of a video apparently showing a violent initiation ceremony for Royal Marine recruits.
In the film, naked marines are shown reportedly cheering as two new recruits are ordered to fight each other. The incident is said to have taken place last May at Bickleigh barracks near Plymouth, which is home to 42 Commando.
A spokesman for the ministry said: “Bullying and harassment are not widespread within the armed forces. Behaviour of this kind will not be tolerated.”
According to one commando reportedly in attendance, the man orchestrating the fight had taken 12 recruits fresh from a 32-week training course to a barbecue with about 40 other marines. Having forced them to swallow raw eggs and chunks of lard he allegedly ordered the recruits to strip naked and run around the field.
After changing into a surgeon’s outfit with mask and cap, he and another marine, dressed in a St Trinian’s schoolgirl uniform with wig and short skirt, supervised the fight. Naked marines are seen watching as the two men hit each other with large mats fixed to their arms. It is understood the most senior soldiers present were a corporal and a lance corporal.
(Credit due to Discussion about 09/11/2001, Politics and Other Explorations)
From the Sunday Times -- Britain -- November 27, 2005:
MoD probe into naked marines’ initiation fight
By David Sanderson
AN INVESTIGATION has been launched by the Ministry of Defence after the publication of a video apparently showing a violent initiation ceremony for Royal Marine recruits.
In the film, naked marines are shown reportedly cheering as two new recruits are ordered to fight each other. The incident is said to have taken place last May at Bickleigh barracks near Plymouth, which is home to 42 Commando.
A spokesman for the ministry said: “Bullying and harassment are not widespread within the armed forces. Behaviour of this kind will not be tolerated.”
According to one commando reportedly in attendance, the man orchestrating the fight had taken 12 recruits fresh from a 32-week training course to a barbecue with about 40 other marines. Having forced them to swallow raw eggs and chunks of lard he allegedly ordered the recruits to strip naked and run around the field.
After changing into a surgeon’s outfit with mask and cap, he and another marine, dressed in a St Trinian’s schoolgirl uniform with wig and short skirt, supervised the fight. Naked marines are seen watching as the two men hit each other with large mats fixed to their arms. It is understood the most senior soldiers present were a corporal and a lance corporal.
(Credit due to Discussion about 09/11/2001, Politics and Other Explorations)
Sunday, November 27, 2005
'Lord, make us turn to you' (Sunday homily)
Jesus is coming.
He came on Christmas, 20 centuries ago. He will come at the end of time. We just heard him say that. And so he says, “Watch!”
In between his coming as a child, and his final coming as Judge, he comes as a Savior and Redeemer; he comes as a Shepherd of his Flock.
Jesus comes to us constantly in our lives. He’s here now—always!
If we wonder where Jesus is, ask him to help you see.
Perhaps we want what the first reading asked for: “Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down,with the mountains quaking before you”—then we’d believe!
then we’d get our act together!
Then perhaps politicians would stop wasting tax money building their own petty kingdoms;perhaps then folks in Columbus would be concerned, not only about jobs in the big cities, but in places like Piqua, too? Then nations that sit on top of the pile would change their ways, their trade laws and trade barriers, so that poor nations of the world could prosper, too?
“Oh, that Christ would rend the heavens and come!”
Then, perhaps, our drowsing conscience would wake up: this society, the most well-off in history! And yet it has no room! No room for more life, more children, larger families; no room for unborn children who are inconvenient, who are disabled, who are imperfect.
Yet, paradoxically, we have room for a “fertility” industry, creating babies in laboratories; but no room for the “surplus embryos”—tiny human beings!—created to meet human needs, then, cast aside, unneeded: and these unborn, tiny human beings
are being destroyed—now!—as raw material for research. When you hear about “embryonic stem-cell research,” that’s what they’re talking about.
What you don’t hear is that there are alternate ways to do this very same research,
without destroying life.
Meanwhile, we do have room for an entertainment culture and businesses that sell products to us, as they congratulate our worst qualities, and mock our best values.
If you turn on the TV, or the Internet, how long before you see advertising from companies like Abercrombie, or a network like MTV; or prime-time shows, or soap operas; that despise decency; that ridicule morality?
There’s not even time to talk about some of the music that is degrading.
How do I say this? You know what Santa says: “Ho, ho, ho”? That means something very different and very ugly, when it comes to a lot of the music pitched to kids.
We have room for this massive, kid-targeting industry: bad enough these companies
pick our children’s pockets; but along the way, they steal their innocence, too.
They lie to our young people about their worth, and what their inner life is really all about.
“Oh, that Jesus would rend the heavens and come!”
No. The Lord is here already; and always.
Why does Our Lord delay his coming? Because he’s waiting for us!
What did we hear St. Paul say a moment ago? “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”! “…[I]n him you were enriched in every way,
with all discourse and all knowledge…so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
“He will keep you firm to the end, irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The Prophet Isaiah said, Lord, help us do and be what is right! Have mercy! And St. Paul answers: He has! He’s here—in you!
Whatever help we might want God to send, to help us change ourselves, and our world—
It’s here already! Whatever the world needs, so it can see Jesus: it’s all here, already—in us!
The power and gifts we need are here. We call them Sacraments; we call them Grace: when Jesus baptizes us; when he confirms us; when he bathes us in his mercy
in the Sacrament of Confession; when he feeds us with his own Body and Blood!
When he empowers us in our vocation in life, when he stands with us in times of sickness and crisis.
Jesus is already, in our midst, in us! How much the world believes that depends on how much you and I believe it—and live accordingly.
You and I come to this sacred moment, the Mass, not by human will, but by Divine Appointment. He brought us here, because He is here. This is the moment—right now!—
to say to him:
“Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.”
He came on Christmas, 20 centuries ago. He will come at the end of time. We just heard him say that. And so he says, “Watch!”
In between his coming as a child, and his final coming as Judge, he comes as a Savior and Redeemer; he comes as a Shepherd of his Flock.
Jesus comes to us constantly in our lives. He’s here now—always!
If we wonder where Jesus is, ask him to help you see.
Perhaps we want what the first reading asked for: “Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down,with the mountains quaking before you”—then we’d believe!
then we’d get our act together!
Then perhaps politicians would stop wasting tax money building their own petty kingdoms;perhaps then folks in Columbus would be concerned, not only about jobs in the big cities, but in places like Piqua, too? Then nations that sit on top of the pile would change their ways, their trade laws and trade barriers, so that poor nations of the world could prosper, too?
“Oh, that Christ would rend the heavens and come!”
Then, perhaps, our drowsing conscience would wake up: this society, the most well-off in history! And yet it has no room! No room for more life, more children, larger families; no room for unborn children who are inconvenient, who are disabled, who are imperfect.
Yet, paradoxically, we have room for a “fertility” industry, creating babies in laboratories; but no room for the “surplus embryos”—tiny human beings!—created to meet human needs, then, cast aside, unneeded: and these unborn, tiny human beings
are being destroyed—now!—as raw material for research. When you hear about “embryonic stem-cell research,” that’s what they’re talking about.
What you don’t hear is that there are alternate ways to do this very same research,
without destroying life.
Meanwhile, we do have room for an entertainment culture and businesses that sell products to us, as they congratulate our worst qualities, and mock our best values.
If you turn on the TV, or the Internet, how long before you see advertising from companies like Abercrombie, or a network like MTV; or prime-time shows, or soap operas; that despise decency; that ridicule morality?
There’s not even time to talk about some of the music that is degrading.
How do I say this? You know what Santa says: “Ho, ho, ho”? That means something very different and very ugly, when it comes to a lot of the music pitched to kids.
We have room for this massive, kid-targeting industry: bad enough these companies
pick our children’s pockets; but along the way, they steal their innocence, too.
They lie to our young people about their worth, and what their inner life is really all about.
“Oh, that Jesus would rend the heavens and come!”
No. The Lord is here already; and always.
Why does Our Lord delay his coming? Because he’s waiting for us!
What did we hear St. Paul say a moment ago? “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”! “…[I]n him you were enriched in every way,
with all discourse and all knowledge…so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
“He will keep you firm to the end, irreproachable on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The Prophet Isaiah said, Lord, help us do and be what is right! Have mercy! And St. Paul answers: He has! He’s here—in you!
Whatever help we might want God to send, to help us change ourselves, and our world—
It’s here already! Whatever the world needs, so it can see Jesus: it’s all here, already—in us!
The power and gifts we need are here. We call them Sacraments; we call them Grace: when Jesus baptizes us; when he confirms us; when he bathes us in his mercy
in the Sacrament of Confession; when he feeds us with his own Body and Blood!
When he empowers us in our vocation in life, when he stands with us in times of sickness and crisis.
Jesus is already, in our midst, in us! How much the world believes that depends on how much you and I believe it—and live accordingly.
You and I come to this sacred moment, the Mass, not by human will, but by Divine Appointment. He brought us here, because He is here. This is the moment—right now!—
to say to him:
“Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.”
Saturday, November 26, 2005
Veni, Domine!
The time of coming is upon us again; the time to be aware just how near our immanent-yet-supra-Cosmic Lord and Savior is, truly and always. This is the time to realize that the Eschaton is less than a hairsbreadth away. "Come, Lord Jesus, and do not delay," we pray in First Vespers--and while we are tempted to think of Christmas, the focus more is on his ultimate coming: at the end of time (which can be at any moment), or at the end of our lives -- again, at any time.
But we are called, likewise, to consider that the Eschaton -- that is, ultimate reality -- is always immanently here, although we remain unaware. The Eucharist is the "portal": the appearances of bread and wine are the barest film of temporal reality separating us from complete Reality, where the Trinity is encountered, and the Incarnate One reigns in his proper glory.
My thoughts turn to this, as I observe the Holy Father celebrate First Vespers, from St. Peter's Basilica (taped from earlier).
My prayer for my parishioners, and for you, is that Advent will be a time to nourish longing in your heart for the One who is to come.
(For those who pay attention to such things, I invite you to notice the picture of the pope above: his vestment does not seem to conform to the super-punctilious interpretations offered of "Advent purple v. Lent purple": it would seem to be the redder, Lenten purple, would it not?)
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
About that 'Gay Seminarian' Instruction
I was going to post some thoughts; then I read what Amy Wellborn wrote, and I don't have much to add. See it here.
Monday, November 21, 2005
'My top 10 greatest influences, outside of God & my family members'
Rich Leonardi "tagged" me. Ok, I'll play.
These are not in order:
1. C.S. Lewis: I began reading C.S. Lewis in my 20s, when I was a fired-up Pentecostal. It was, to quote Hugh Hefner (an unlikely person for me to quote, but fair is fair), like oxygen to a suffocating man. Not only did Lewis help cure me of my anti-Catholicism, and awaken me to the depths of Christianity beyond the power of a conversion experience -- and thus help lead me to the "checkmate" moment that brought me back to Holy Mother Church, but also, he contributed a good deal to my thinking and understanding of the Faith, on which I draw frequently to this day.
2. Pope John Paul: not literally the only pope I'd known, when he died, but pretty close. A constant inspiration to me, before I returned to the Faith, as a Catholic layman, as a seminarian, and as a priest. A mystical encounter with Christ.
3. St. Augustine: when I read The Confessions, I knew a kindred soul.
4. St. Thomas Aquinas: where St. Augustine spoke to my heart, St. Thomas spoke to my mind, and affirmed for me not only the power of Christianity, but to the brilliance of Catholic Christianity.
5. My former boss when I worked for the National Right to Work Committee. My friend to this day -- one I see and talk to too infrequently -- taught me many wise things about many things; I am drawing on that wisdom now as a pastor.
6. An associate with whom I still do political work: one of the most brilliant -- and enjoyable -- people I've ever known.
7. Bill W.: the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous. No, I'm not an alcoholic, but alcoholism touched my life through others. Someone observed -- I can't recall who -- that the Twelve Steps are the 20th century's great contribution to spirituality. I believe that.
8. The priest who invited me to consider the priesthood: in addition to helping me come to be a priest, he also helped me on a personal level.
9. William F. Buckley: I started reading National Review in college, and under his -- and President Ronald Reagan's -- influence, I went from being a ho-hum Republican to being a Conservative.
10. St. Martin de Porres: he is my patron saint, and I am convinced his prayers and influence have been great on my life, although I cannot prove it.
Next in line:
my guardian angel
Ronald Reagan
Ayn Rand
William Shakespeare
Frank Capra
James Brooks
J.R.R. Tolkien
Now, I guess I'm supposed to "tag" someone. OK: how about Fr. Jim Tucker at Dappled Things, and the Darwins at DarwinCatholic. If they don't read this, they're off the hook.
These are not in order:
1. C.S. Lewis: I began reading C.S. Lewis in my 20s, when I was a fired-up Pentecostal. It was, to quote Hugh Hefner (an unlikely person for me to quote, but fair is fair), like oxygen to a suffocating man. Not only did Lewis help cure me of my anti-Catholicism, and awaken me to the depths of Christianity beyond the power of a conversion experience -- and thus help lead me to the "checkmate" moment that brought me back to Holy Mother Church, but also, he contributed a good deal to my thinking and understanding of the Faith, on which I draw frequently to this day.
2. Pope John Paul: not literally the only pope I'd known, when he died, but pretty close. A constant inspiration to me, before I returned to the Faith, as a Catholic layman, as a seminarian, and as a priest. A mystical encounter with Christ.
3. St. Augustine: when I read The Confessions, I knew a kindred soul.
4. St. Thomas Aquinas: where St. Augustine spoke to my heart, St. Thomas spoke to my mind, and affirmed for me not only the power of Christianity, but to the brilliance of Catholic Christianity.
5. My former boss when I worked for the National Right to Work Committee. My friend to this day -- one I see and talk to too infrequently -- taught me many wise things about many things; I am drawing on that wisdom now as a pastor.
6. An associate with whom I still do political work: one of the most brilliant -- and enjoyable -- people I've ever known.
7. Bill W.: the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous. No, I'm not an alcoholic, but alcoholism touched my life through others. Someone observed -- I can't recall who -- that the Twelve Steps are the 20th century's great contribution to spirituality. I believe that.
8. The priest who invited me to consider the priesthood: in addition to helping me come to be a priest, he also helped me on a personal level.
9. William F. Buckley: I started reading National Review in college, and under his -- and President Ronald Reagan's -- influence, I went from being a ho-hum Republican to being a Conservative.
10. St. Martin de Porres: he is my patron saint, and I am convinced his prayers and influence have been great on my life, although I cannot prove it.
Next in line:
my guardian angel
Ronald Reagan
Ayn Rand
William Shakespeare
Frank Capra
James Brooks
J.R.R. Tolkien
Now, I guess I'm supposed to "tag" someone. OK: how about Fr. Jim Tucker at Dappled Things, and the Darwins at DarwinCatholic. If they don't read this, they're off the hook.
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Christ the King Homily
Who is this Jesus?
You come to church, turn on TV,
go to the Internet, a bookstore,
and everybody
has something to say about Jesus.
Only it’s pretty confusing.
Did he really live? Or was he made up?
I heard the Church invented it all.
Who is this Jesus?
Anyway, I can live my life without Jesus.
I work, and go to school,
and deal with my friends and family.
I don’t need people pushing Jesus in my face!
I can make my own choices.
What’s wrong with me,
the way I am? I’m fine!
Oh.
Well, yeah—there is that.
I don’t know why I keep doing that.
Oh God! I don’t want
anyone to know I did that!
OK, so there’s a part of us
that’s not so good.
This is how it is.
What are you going to do?
People do rotten stuff;
they go to war and kill;
poor people suffer and die.
That’s how it is;
what are you going to do?
Change the world?
I can’t even change me!
God—are you there?
What do you say to this?
Do you care?
What are you going to do?
If I think you’re talking to me,
how do I know that’s You—
not just me, talking to myself?
Is there any hope for us, God?
If only you’d come—here—among us.
We could see you—
touch you—know you’re real.
Does being human have any meaning—
or are we just a blip?
You did come? You became human?
Just like me?
Wow—that’s pretty cool!
Wait a minute, God—
I sin all the time;
please tell me you didn’t.
Please tell me that somebody
can live a human life
without all the ugliness!
OK...so you became human,
like me;
but you lived each day
choosing what’s right.
Yeah—I bet you did get a lot of flak.
That must have been pretty hard.
I can see how some
might actually hate you:
See you as a threat.
So—they really had to shut you up,
didn’t they?
You let them kill you—
I don’t know why you did that.
You’re God—how can they kill you?
Only—you were human—
so you really did die.
For real! Wow!
Why’d you do that, God?
To pay for our sins?
You could have done it lots of other ways—
why suffer? Why die?
“Because we do”?
Yeah—I remember
when my mom died of cancer.
That was pretty rough—
for her and for all of us.
But that’s true—
she did talk a lot about your Cross, then.
I guess I’ve had some of those moments, too;
nice to know you’ve been there!
So—everything that happens to us,
happened to you?
All the ugliness? All the hatred?
All the horrors?
And you chose that?!?
God—how did you survive that?
How did that not totally mess you up?
How could you not,
just, wipe us out, instead?
How can you love us that much?
So you came back—after dying?
You overcame death and evil—
it didn’t overwhelm You!
There is hope!
Your body came back to life, too?
You didn’t just leave
your body behind, after that?
Wait a minute, God—
are you telling me you’re still human?
You still have flesh-and-blood,
feelings, thoughts—
just like me?
You’re going to be human forever?
That’s really awesome!
You must really believe in us, God!
I heard you left after that, God—
after you rose from the dead,
you hung around awhile—
but then you left again.
Why’d you leave?
OK—you’re in heaven, running things;
but we need you here, too—
more than ever!
Oh yeah—that power of yours!
That’s here?
You gave it to us?
Your Power—your Holy Spirit—
is in your Church, your people?
That’s why the Church goes on, despite us!
That’s how the pope can speak for you?
That’s how all those people became saints!
Wait a minute: You’re plan…
is to turn us…into YOU?
I don’t really understand that, but—WOW!
Still…Jesus:
our world…people need a lot of help!
That’s my job?
We’re supposed to change the world?
Can I have some
of that power of yours, Jesus?
Oh—baptism, OK;
Yeah, I can go to confession—
like taking a shower!
When I got confirmed—
your Holy Spirit!
And you feed us
with your Body and Blood?
You give us power in our path in life:
I could get married
and you would create
new life through me!
or I could be a priest,
or a deacon, for your People—
and I’d help create life that way!
Now that I think about it,
you really are doing a lot in the world—
only we have to look for it—
listen for your voice.
Thank you Jesus—
I’m really glad I know
who you are, now.
You come to church, turn on TV,
go to the Internet, a bookstore,
and everybody
has something to say about Jesus.
Only it’s pretty confusing.
Did he really live? Or was he made up?
I heard the Church invented it all.
Who is this Jesus?
Anyway, I can live my life without Jesus.
I work, and go to school,
and deal with my friends and family.
I don’t need people pushing Jesus in my face!
I can make my own choices.
What’s wrong with me,
the way I am? I’m fine!
Oh.
Well, yeah—there is that.
I don’t know why I keep doing that.
Oh God! I don’t want
anyone to know I did that!
OK, so there’s a part of us
that’s not so good.
This is how it is.
What are you going to do?
People do rotten stuff;
they go to war and kill;
poor people suffer and die.
That’s how it is;
what are you going to do?
Change the world?
I can’t even change me!
God—are you there?
What do you say to this?
Do you care?
What are you going to do?
If I think you’re talking to me,
how do I know that’s You—
not just me, talking to myself?
Is there any hope for us, God?
If only you’d come—here—among us.
We could see you—
touch you—know you’re real.
Does being human have any meaning—
or are we just a blip?
You did come? You became human?
Just like me?
Wow—that’s pretty cool!
Wait a minute, God—
I sin all the time;
please tell me you didn’t.
Please tell me that somebody
can live a human life
without all the ugliness!
OK...so you became human,
like me;
but you lived each day
choosing what’s right.
Yeah—I bet you did get a lot of flak.
That must have been pretty hard.
I can see how some
might actually hate you:
See you as a threat.
So—they really had to shut you up,
didn’t they?
You let them kill you—
I don’t know why you did that.
You’re God—how can they kill you?
Only—you were human—
so you really did die.
For real! Wow!
Why’d you do that, God?
To pay for our sins?
You could have done it lots of other ways—
why suffer? Why die?
“Because we do”?
Yeah—I remember
when my mom died of cancer.
That was pretty rough—
for her and for all of us.
But that’s true—
she did talk a lot about your Cross, then.
I guess I’ve had some of those moments, too;
nice to know you’ve been there!
So—everything that happens to us,
happened to you?
All the ugliness? All the hatred?
All the horrors?
And you chose that?!?
God—how did you survive that?
How did that not totally mess you up?
How could you not,
just, wipe us out, instead?
How can you love us that much?
So you came back—after dying?
You overcame death and evil—
it didn’t overwhelm You!
There is hope!
Your body came back to life, too?
You didn’t just leave
your body behind, after that?
Wait a minute, God—
are you telling me you’re still human?
You still have flesh-and-blood,
feelings, thoughts—
just like me?
You’re going to be human forever?
That’s really awesome!
You must really believe in us, God!
I heard you left after that, God—
after you rose from the dead,
you hung around awhile—
but then you left again.
Why’d you leave?
OK—you’re in heaven, running things;
but we need you here, too—
more than ever!
Oh yeah—that power of yours!
That’s here?
You gave it to us?
Your Power—your Holy Spirit—
is in your Church, your people?
That’s why the Church goes on, despite us!
That’s how the pope can speak for you?
That’s how all those people became saints!
Wait a minute: You’re plan…
is to turn us…into YOU?
I don’t really understand that, but—WOW!
Still…Jesus:
our world…people need a lot of help!
That’s my job?
We’re supposed to change the world?
Can I have some
of that power of yours, Jesus?
Oh—baptism, OK;
Yeah, I can go to confession—
like taking a shower!
When I got confirmed—
your Holy Spirit!
And you feed us
with your Body and Blood?
You give us power in our path in life:
I could get married
and you would create
new life through me!
or I could be a priest,
or a deacon, for your People—
and I’d help create life that way!
Now that I think about it,
you really are doing a lot in the world—
only we have to look for it—
listen for your voice.
Thank you Jesus—
I’m really glad I know
who you are, now.
Friday, November 18, 2005
Who watches this moronic stuff?
I have been watching "Matrix Reloaded," which is mildly diverting entertainment. But then comes ads for "Sex and the City"--and the banality of it reminds me of another popular show, "Desperate Housewives."
Who watches this stuff?
Who watches this stuff?
Good enough for Keanu Reeves...
I have to admit, I don't look as good in my cassock as Keanu Reeves...too much beer and pizza and other "Thomistic appreciation of creation" . . .
Update: here's the poster, which a poster mentions in the comments. What do you think?
Abandoning Iraq Would be Immoral
Rep. John Murtha made news this week calling for the U.S. to pull out of Iraq. The Democrats are on an all-out offensive against President Bush regarding the war: they are accusing him of lying to them and the nation about the threat from Iraq prior to the war, and challenging his management of the war.I'm no military expert, but the war seems to be going significantly better than about a year ago. This time last year, it seemed only the Kurds were allied with us; now, it appears we have the Kurds, and the Shi'ites, and a growing number of Sunnis are turning against the terrorists. Last year, we hoped we could cultivate a constituency for a democratic, rights-based government; now, it appears all three major groups are entering into the political process. Last year, the administration said the enemy were nothing more than "Ba'athist dead-enders" and that seemed dubious; this year, that explanation is actually plausible.
With all that, I really don't know; but things do seem to be moving in a good direction now; yet members of Congress are now turning against the war. "Time to pull out!"
One of the more loathsome arguments for this is to point to the American war dead. That's not a moral argument, but a political one. Every lost American life is something to grieve; but no moreso than the loss of Iraqi lives.
The war, once begun, must be resolved the right way--bringing peace and justice to Iraq. This country launched this war--rightly or wrongly--and it is this country's moral obligation to stay committed until Iraq is stable and able to stand on its own. If that means more casualties for our armed forces, then that is the consequence of our national policy, and demanded by national honor.
In case anyone wants to make insinuations: I have never voted for President George W. Bush (I voted third-party); I did not agree with his decision to launch this war.
But we're at war now, and the people of Iraq are depending on us.
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Why not fight for Oil?
While visiting National Review Online, I read a review of the current film Jarhead--and the cliche argument pops up: "We shouldn't fight a war for oil!"
To which I respond: why not?
Now, I'd rather not have war for any reason. But wars come. Why is it so awful to fight for oil?
Let us consider: what would happen if a head of state withheld a big chunk of the world's oil from the market? Answer? A lot of human suffering. A lot of awful things would happen.
In the old (American) West, water was often a scare resource, and people fought over control and/or access to it. Rationally -- in such a situation -- if people are going to fight over anything, fighting over having water makes a lot of sense. Put it another way: if someone stands between you and water, your choices are fight . . . or die.
Oil, like it or not, has a similar role to play in the world economy. If someone actually threatens the supply of oil, the choices are nearly the same: fight -- or die.
Now -- it happens to be rather unlikely that anyone, sitting on a lot of oil, would refuse to sell it. My point was that oil matters. A great deal.
Yet, following upon that last thought, let us recall the world situation in 1990. Saddam Hussein seized control of Kuwait, and was in a position -- if he chose -- to seize the Saudi oil fields. In a stroke, Saddam could have controlled something like 60% of the world's oil sources.
Yes, he would have sold his oil. We would have had oil to buy. But consider: what would the next chapter have been? If a U.S.-led coalition had not ejected Saddam from Kuwait, and he did invade Saudi Arabia, would that coalition have ejected him from there? Or acquisced? How do you suppose this plays out? Do you get a good feeling contemplating that alternate history? (He was pursuing biological and nuclear weapons; and he used chemical weapons freely.)
None of us knows what that alternate reality would be. But is it really so unreasonable for us to think it would have been significantly worse than what did happen? If the thought of that alternate reality chills you, then why is fighting to prevent that so unthinkable?
To which I respond: why not?
Now, I'd rather not have war for any reason. But wars come. Why is it so awful to fight for oil?
Let us consider: what would happen if a head of state withheld a big chunk of the world's oil from the market? Answer? A lot of human suffering. A lot of awful things would happen.
In the old (American) West, water was often a scare resource, and people fought over control and/or access to it. Rationally -- in such a situation -- if people are going to fight over anything, fighting over having water makes a lot of sense. Put it another way: if someone stands between you and water, your choices are fight . . . or die.
Oil, like it or not, has a similar role to play in the world economy. If someone actually threatens the supply of oil, the choices are nearly the same: fight -- or die.
Now -- it happens to be rather unlikely that anyone, sitting on a lot of oil, would refuse to sell it. My point was that oil matters. A great deal.
Yet, following upon that last thought, let us recall the world situation in 1990. Saddam Hussein seized control of Kuwait, and was in a position -- if he chose -- to seize the Saudi oil fields. In a stroke, Saddam could have controlled something like 60% of the world's oil sources.
Yes, he would have sold his oil. We would have had oil to buy. But consider: what would the next chapter have been? If a U.S.-led coalition had not ejected Saddam from Kuwait, and he did invade Saudi Arabia, would that coalition have ejected him from there? Or acquisced? How do you suppose this plays out? Do you get a good feeling contemplating that alternate history? (He was pursuing biological and nuclear weapons; and he used chemical weapons freely.)
None of us knows what that alternate reality would be. But is it really so unreasonable for us to think it would have been significantly worse than what did happen? If the thought of that alternate reality chills you, then why is fighting to prevent that so unthinkable?
Monday, November 14, 2005
Good-Bad Monday Night Television
I'm watching one of my favorite movies: "Dude, Where's My Car?" Go ahead -- have at me.
Sunday, November 13, 2005
The turn of the tide
Watching "The Wizard of Oz," I can't help noticing both the quality, and the optimism, of the production. The dialogue is effortlessly, casually, scintillating. This wasn't supposed to be a high-brow production; yet the scripting is first-rate, economical, clever and humorous.
The movie reflects, also, an optimism about the future, and a confidence about the culture that it represented. It is produced by a society that -- without any aggression or threat -- believed itself to be humane, sophisticated and accomplished. It looked forward to the future to come.
The film is utterly unapologetic about advocating virtue and opposing vice. No falderall about "respecting alternate points of view" -- it believes virtue is something everyone wants to acquire -- and should!
There is an innocence about the film: the filmmaker feels no need to depict sexual tension between, say, the Tin-Man and Dorothy -- or, for that matter, the Lion!
Here's what I think: I believe our American culture was on a rising trajectory, until the 60s -- then it hit the skids. We've had some upticks since then; we've had some good moments in music, a few bright spots in literature, and our film industry is still capable of great things (and awful things) -- but I think our culture, as a whole, reflecting the society -- has not yet gotten back to where it was.
I may simply be reflexively nostalgic. I may be wrong. I am not fatalistic -- I don't buy the "inexorable decline" way of thinking -- I have no idea what lies ahead (I veer between optimism and pessimism and am not insightful enough to know which is more probable).
But I do find old movies an eye-opener. Do you?
The movie reflects, also, an optimism about the future, and a confidence about the culture that it represented. It is produced by a society that -- without any aggression or threat -- believed itself to be humane, sophisticated and accomplished. It looked forward to the future to come.
The film is utterly unapologetic about advocating virtue and opposing vice. No falderall about "respecting alternate points of view" -- it believes virtue is something everyone wants to acquire -- and should!
There is an innocence about the film: the filmmaker feels no need to depict sexual tension between, say, the Tin-Man and Dorothy -- or, for that matter, the Lion!
Here's what I think: I believe our American culture was on a rising trajectory, until the 60s -- then it hit the skids. We've had some upticks since then; we've had some good moments in music, a few bright spots in literature, and our film industry is still capable of great things (and awful things) -- but I think our culture, as a whole, reflecting the society -- has not yet gotten back to where it was.
I may simply be reflexively nostalgic. I may be wrong. I am not fatalistic -- I don't buy the "inexorable decline" way of thinking -- I have no idea what lies ahead (I veer between optimism and pessimism and am not insightful enough to know which is more probable).
But I do find old movies an eye-opener. Do you?
Good Sunday Night Television
I chanced upon "The Wizard of Oz" just now on WGN. I haven't watched this movie for awhile, as I watched it, I don't know how many times, when I was a boy (to all you younger bloggers -- there was a day when all we had was five, or even four channels! Egad!)
What a masterpiece!
What a masterpiece!
Bad Sunday Night Television
I thought I missed "The West Wing," due to an organizational meeting with parents and young people to begin laying the foundation for our youth ministry. (Our new youth minister did a great job. I hired him.) Ah, but it turns out "West Wing" was pre-empted by "Penn & Teller" -- as talented as they are, they hate God and love to show off their hate, so . . . I am not sorry to miss them.
Oh joy! -- I made it home in time for part two of "Catagory 7: the End of the World."
It's not quite as bad (hence good) as last week, but still pretty bad. Let's review...
Some thugs, hired by a flaked-out flunky of a televangelist, kidnap a bunch of kids. The kids see the face of one of the thugs, so they decide to waste them all. So they chase them around. They capture one of them (one of the girls! Girls can never run in TV shows -- they always get caught, because instead of running, they stand still and scream uncontrollably). Now, in case you forgot, their plan was to...kill them all. So what do they do with the girl? They drag her off and lock her in a closet. Naturally.
Tornadoes appear all over Washington -- we get to see the White House turned into splinters. The villain, naturally, gets sucked up into the vortex and disappears. (Yay!)
We never see the President; but a Senator -- a Senator! seems to be the only one running things. Along with some computer nerds in some warehouse somewhere. They tell the Senator -- we have to turn off all the power! He says (I kid you not): "our best option is to call the Department of Energy"! Hahahahahaha!
Now, it really gets good. Folks are driving all over town, while the worst storm in the history of the world is hitting. They're talking on their cell phones!!! Everything is being destroyed, right and left -- but not the cellular towers!
A couple of the computer nerds drive off to southeast Washington. To cut off the power. (Turns out the storms are caused by too much heat, generated by too much power-generation. Nasty global warming!) So if only they can sabotage a substation...they can save Washington D.C.!
Now . . . think about this: the worst storm in history -- and the whole city's power stays on the whole time!--unless our heroes (and heroines) go turn off the power!!!
Wow! I hope the Emmy nominating committee was watching this!
P.S. Doggone computer nerds actually saved Washington! I was really looking forward to total destruction!!! What a gyp!
Oh joy! -- I made it home in time for part two of "Catagory 7: the End of the World."
It's not quite as bad (hence good) as last week, but still pretty bad. Let's review...
Some thugs, hired by a flaked-out flunky of a televangelist, kidnap a bunch of kids. The kids see the face of one of the thugs, so they decide to waste them all. So they chase them around. They capture one of them (one of the girls! Girls can never run in TV shows -- they always get caught, because instead of running, they stand still and scream uncontrollably). Now, in case you forgot, their plan was to...kill them all. So what do they do with the girl? They drag her off and lock her in a closet. Naturally.
Tornadoes appear all over Washington -- we get to see the White House turned into splinters. The villain, naturally, gets sucked up into the vortex and disappears. (Yay!)
We never see the President; but a Senator -- a Senator! seems to be the only one running things. Along with some computer nerds in some warehouse somewhere. They tell the Senator -- we have to turn off all the power! He says (I kid you not): "our best option is to call the Department of Energy"! Hahahahahaha!
Now, it really gets good. Folks are driving all over town, while the worst storm in the history of the world is hitting. They're talking on their cell phones!!! Everything is being destroyed, right and left -- but not the cellular towers!
A couple of the computer nerds drive off to southeast Washington. To cut off the power. (Turns out the storms are caused by too much heat, generated by too much power-generation. Nasty global warming!) So if only they can sabotage a substation...they can save Washington D.C.!
Now . . . think about this: the worst storm in history -- and the whole city's power stays on the whole time!--unless our heroes (and heroines) go turn off the power!!!
Wow! I hope the Emmy nominating committee was watching this!
P.S. Doggone computer nerds actually saved Washington! I was really looking forward to total destruction!!! What a gyp!
Saturday, November 12, 2005
Will you pass the test? (Sunday homily)
Who here is in school, now?
Any grade?
OK—who here was ever in school,
once upon a time?
Let’s see if you agree with me:
One of the most dread,
stomach-churning experiences
you can have is the mother of all nightmares:
The test, the quiz, you aren’t ready for!
Maybe it’s that dirty trick, “the pop quiz”;
Or it could be the test
you just totally forgot about—
you know that awful feeling—
maybe it hits you as you walk into class.
Or maybe it’s the test
you we’re going to study for,
Friday afternoon…make that Saturday morning…
okay, Saturday night; then, after Mass,
Okay, after the football game…
then you stay up late—
and you fall asleep! Oops!
It’s an awful feeling, isn’t it?
Our Scriptures talk about passing the test:
The first reading
describes wives who “pass the test”;
St. Paul talks about being “sober and alert”
for the test when Jesus returns
at the end of time;
and the Gospel describes the test itself.
So—if all this talk of tests
is making you feel awful…
Relax! I’ve got Good News!
Good News: are you ready?
Everyone here can pass the test!
Isn’t that Good News?
So, don’t be afraid of “the test.”
You can pass it—everyone can!
Yes, the test can come at any moment:
So St. Paul says, the Lord will come
like a thief at night”—like a “pop quiz”!
So what’s the test? How do we pass it?
For that, we look at the Gospel.
Now, I want to pause,
and correct a mistaken assumption
about this Gospel story.
Here it is:
When the Gospel talks about “talents”—
it doesn’t mean what you may think it means.
It’s referring to money!
Not ability! Money!
A “talent” was a unit of money,
perhaps $1,000 in today’s terms.
So we could translate it:
To one, he gave $5,000,
to another, $2,000, to another, $1,000.
Now: the Lord’s “test” was not,
how much money did you earn;
it’s not really about money at all!
The money—the $5,000, $2,000, $1,000—
stands for something else:
something everyone gets some of—
and that’s FAITH.
So the test is not about ability,
or how much you have,
versus you, or you, or you;
All that matters is whether you do anything!
What matters is whether you use—
you “spend”—those “faith-dollars,”
or whether you bury your faith
and never act on it.
And that’s why everyone can pass the Lord’s test.
That doesn’t mean everyone will pass;
We could stand before the Lord,
and hear those awful words—
“you wicked, lazy servant!”—
because we buried the faith
Christ put into our hearts.
Sometimes we put off acting on faith;
we let someone else in our family do it for us.
We find excuses—“someone else got more”—
or, “I was afraid.”
You may not believe you have much faith:
maybe you didn’t even get $1,000.
Maybe you got $100; $10; $1—maybe only a penny!
Whatever faith you do have—
and everyone gets some—
Spend it! Put it out there—
and watch it grow!
The “worthy wife” in the first reading
passes the test because she acts on her faith:
she makes a difference in her own home,
and in the lives of the poor and needy.
That passage is a symbol of us, the Church—
we, the Church, are the Bride of Christ—
and Christ, the Bridegroom,
entrusts his Heart to his Church!
Here he is: in this church, always here:
The Eucharist is the Heart
of his Body, the Church!
He doesn’t ask us to be smart
and explain his mystery;
he doesn’t ask us to pay
cash-money for his gifts;
He asks only faith!
Our second-graders are preparing
for their first communion;
and while they will learn things
along the way,
what Jesus asks of them
is not knowledge—head-faith,
but heart-faith: desire—longing!
So—2nd graders—
don’t worry about what you know;
focus on that longing—
that hunger and thirst for Jesus!
“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”—because it was left unused.
So when the Lord comes—
and he can come at any time—
he won’t ask us what we know;
how much money we have;
how smart or talented we are.
He’ll say: I gave you faith;
maybe it was only a single spark.
What did you do with it?
That’s the only test
we ever have to pass with the Lord.
Any grade?
OK—who here was ever in school,
once upon a time?
Let’s see if you agree with me:
One of the most dread,
stomach-churning experiences
you can have is the mother of all nightmares:
The test, the quiz, you aren’t ready for!
Maybe it’s that dirty trick, “the pop quiz”;
Or it could be the test
you just totally forgot about—
you know that awful feeling—
maybe it hits you as you walk into class.
Or maybe it’s the test
you we’re going to study for,
Friday afternoon…make that Saturday morning…
okay, Saturday night; then, after Mass,
Okay, after the football game…
then you stay up late—
and you fall asleep! Oops!
It’s an awful feeling, isn’t it?
Our Scriptures talk about passing the test:
The first reading
describes wives who “pass the test”;
St. Paul talks about being “sober and alert”
for the test when Jesus returns
at the end of time;
and the Gospel describes the test itself.
So—if all this talk of tests
is making you feel awful…
Relax! I’ve got Good News!
Good News: are you ready?
Everyone here can pass the test!
Isn’t that Good News?
So, don’t be afraid of “the test.”
You can pass it—everyone can!
Yes, the test can come at any moment:
So St. Paul says, the Lord will come
like a thief at night”—like a “pop quiz”!
So what’s the test? How do we pass it?
For that, we look at the Gospel.
Now, I want to pause,
and correct a mistaken assumption
about this Gospel story.
Here it is:
When the Gospel talks about “talents”—
it doesn’t mean what you may think it means.
It’s referring to money!
Not ability! Money!
A “talent” was a unit of money,
perhaps $1,000 in today’s terms.
So we could translate it:
To one, he gave $5,000,
to another, $2,000, to another, $1,000.
Now: the Lord’s “test” was not,
how much money did you earn;
it’s not really about money at all!
The money—the $5,000, $2,000, $1,000—
stands for something else:
something everyone gets some of—
and that’s FAITH.
So the test is not about ability,
or how much you have,
versus you, or you, or you;
All that matters is whether you do anything!
What matters is whether you use—
you “spend”—those “faith-dollars,”
or whether you bury your faith
and never act on it.
And that’s why everyone can pass the Lord’s test.
That doesn’t mean everyone will pass;
We could stand before the Lord,
and hear those awful words—
“you wicked, lazy servant!”—
because we buried the faith
Christ put into our hearts.
Sometimes we put off acting on faith;
we let someone else in our family do it for us.
We find excuses—“someone else got more”—
or, “I was afraid.”
You may not believe you have much faith:
maybe you didn’t even get $1,000.
Maybe you got $100; $10; $1—maybe only a penny!
Whatever faith you do have—
and everyone gets some—
Spend it! Put it out there—
and watch it grow!
The “worthy wife” in the first reading
passes the test because she acts on her faith:
she makes a difference in her own home,
and in the lives of the poor and needy.
That passage is a symbol of us, the Church—
we, the Church, are the Bride of Christ—
and Christ, the Bridegroom,
entrusts his Heart to his Church!
Here he is: in this church, always here:
The Eucharist is the Heart
of his Body, the Church!
He doesn’t ask us to be smart
and explain his mystery;
he doesn’t ask us to pay
cash-money for his gifts;
He asks only faith!
Our second-graders are preparing
for their first communion;
and while they will learn things
along the way,
what Jesus asks of them
is not knowledge—head-faith,
but heart-faith: desire—longing!
So—2nd graders—
don’t worry about what you know;
focus on that longing—
that hunger and thirst for Jesus!
“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”—because it was left unused.
So when the Lord comes—
and he can come at any time—
he won’t ask us what we know;
how much money we have;
how smart or talented we are.
He’ll say: I gave you faith;
maybe it was only a single spark.
What did you do with it?
That’s the only test
we ever have to pass with the Lord.
What do we expect of our priests?
I visited Rich Leonardi's blog, Ten Reasons, yesterday and today, and read his post -- and the comments that followed -- concerning plans being made in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati to deal with an expected shortfall of priests in the next few years.
I made a few comments there; but some thoughts arose I decided to post here.
A lot of assumptions about dealing with this problem -- and it is real -- should be examined openly. And they basically come down to:
Just what do we expect from a parish priest? What do others expect from him?
Some may think the priest doesn't have that much to do from Sunday to Sunday; because that's all they expect of him, is Sunday Mass.
Some see no reason a priest shouldn't celebrate Mass four, five, six, or more times on a Sunday, "if that's what it takes." A friend says, repeatedly: "that's what you do"--as if that's all there is to it.
Some actually do begrudge a priest having time to himself, time to recreate, as if he's being selfish.
When I was in the seminary, I remember a weekend we had a group of men visiting for a retreat (I'll be vague about the details to protect those involved). It was Friday night, around 9 or 10 PM. I was in the student lounge, watching TV -- yes, I was indeed relaxing.
One of the men in the group came in, sat down nearby. We chatted briefly. An initial comment from him: "it must be nice." The meaning was unmistakable: too much leisure.
And I've encountered that attitude several times, as a priest. The folks who object to me sleeping late on days when I can, don't have any comment about the nights when I'm in the hospital till 4 AM.
And it's not just the duration, but the intensity--some of the things you deal with can be terribly draining: such as having two people, dying, in two different cities, one 30 miles away, one 80, both begging for you to come; meanwhile, you have needs in your own parish to attend to, including a parishioner who is dying.
(This happened to me recently. I ended up having a funeral in my own parish, and one in Cincinnati, several days apart. Meanwhile, the person dying in Dayton seems to have recovered. I spent a good deal of time on the phone, trying to assess. I spent a good deal of time second-guessing, agonizing, and bathing it all in prayer.
Meanwhile, I have any number of needs in the parish that won't go away, while I'm trying to be a priest for these other folks.)
Another aspect I'd cite -- in the way of expectations -- is that sometimes folks don't understand why the priest can't just "drop everything" when they stop by. Sometimes, I do indeed drop everything, either because the need is obvious, or simply because I want to be generous.
But that means some things wait on my desk, unattended to, such as:
* vocations promotions (I have ideas yet to implement)
* server training
* a weekly Bible study I want to start
* organizing my office (I'm still working out of boxes).
* fundraising (our parish has a tight budget)
* long-term planning
* scheduling evenings to meet with extraordinary ministers of holy communion, readers, servers, sacristans, etc., to encourage and thank them, and to provide some further liturgical and theological formation
* thank you letters to any number of folks for any number of kindnesses, either to me, or the parish
I don't paint this picture to complain, or to elicit sympathy; only to give folks, who make assessments of priests "from the outside," an opportunity to consider their priests' situation more from his perspective.
We all hear complaints about priests who say "no" to this or that request. Perhaps some of this gives insight into why they might do that.
I feel a great privilege and am awed to experience Christ acting, mysteriously, through my ministry. I realize such events drive me where I need to be: on my knees in prayer.
But let me share something St. Charles Borromeo said -- it appeared in the Office of Readings last week:
"Are you in charge of a parish? If so, do not neglect the parish of your own soul, do not give yourself to others so completely that you have nothing left for yourself. You have to be mindful of your people without being forgetful of yourself."
I'm not complaining; I love my priesthood. But do you want to help priests? Try being understanding. Give 'em a break.
I made a few comments there; but some thoughts arose I decided to post here.
A lot of assumptions about dealing with this problem -- and it is real -- should be examined openly. And they basically come down to:
Just what do we expect from a parish priest? What do others expect from him?
Some may think the priest doesn't have that much to do from Sunday to Sunday; because that's all they expect of him, is Sunday Mass.
Some see no reason a priest shouldn't celebrate Mass four, five, six, or more times on a Sunday, "if that's what it takes." A friend says, repeatedly: "that's what you do"--as if that's all there is to it.
Some actually do begrudge a priest having time to himself, time to recreate, as if he's being selfish.
When I was in the seminary, I remember a weekend we had a group of men visiting for a retreat (I'll be vague about the details to protect those involved). It was Friday night, around 9 or 10 PM. I was in the student lounge, watching TV -- yes, I was indeed relaxing.
One of the men in the group came in, sat down nearby. We chatted briefly. An initial comment from him: "it must be nice." The meaning was unmistakable: too much leisure.
And I've encountered that attitude several times, as a priest. The folks who object to me sleeping late on days when I can, don't have any comment about the nights when I'm in the hospital till 4 AM.
And it's not just the duration, but the intensity--some of the things you deal with can be terribly draining: such as having two people, dying, in two different cities, one 30 miles away, one 80, both begging for you to come; meanwhile, you have needs in your own parish to attend to, including a parishioner who is dying.
(This happened to me recently. I ended up having a funeral in my own parish, and one in Cincinnati, several days apart. Meanwhile, the person dying in Dayton seems to have recovered. I spent a good deal of time on the phone, trying to assess. I spent a good deal of time second-guessing, agonizing, and bathing it all in prayer.
Meanwhile, I have any number of needs in the parish that won't go away, while I'm trying to be a priest for these other folks.)
Another aspect I'd cite -- in the way of expectations -- is that sometimes folks don't understand why the priest can't just "drop everything" when they stop by. Sometimes, I do indeed drop everything, either because the need is obvious, or simply because I want to be generous.
But that means some things wait on my desk, unattended to, such as:
* vocations promotions (I have ideas yet to implement)
* server training
* a weekly Bible study I want to start
* organizing my office (I'm still working out of boxes).
* fundraising (our parish has a tight budget)
* long-term planning
* scheduling evenings to meet with extraordinary ministers of holy communion, readers, servers, sacristans, etc., to encourage and thank them, and to provide some further liturgical and theological formation
* thank you letters to any number of folks for any number of kindnesses, either to me, or the parish
I don't paint this picture to complain, or to elicit sympathy; only to give folks, who make assessments of priests "from the outside," an opportunity to consider their priests' situation more from his perspective.
We all hear complaints about priests who say "no" to this or that request. Perhaps some of this gives insight into why they might do that.
I feel a great privilege and am awed to experience Christ acting, mysteriously, through my ministry. I realize such events drive me where I need to be: on my knees in prayer.
But let me share something St. Charles Borromeo said -- it appeared in the Office of Readings last week:
"Are you in charge of a parish? If so, do not neglect the parish of your own soul, do not give yourself to others so completely that you have nothing left for yourself. You have to be mindful of your people without being forgetful of yourself."
I'm not complaining; I love my priesthood. But do you want to help priests? Try being understanding. Give 'em a break.
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