Today, I’m going to write about my favorite work by Chesterton. Some of you may guess, from my pseudonym I presume, that my favorite book is “The Man Who was Thursday;” however, you would be wrong. While I do love TMWwT, the name was chosen for more mundane reasons, I like alliteration. No, my favorite Chesterton is “Napoleon of Notting Hill.” Somehow, “Wayne’s Wisdom,” or “Quin’s curiosities” just didn’t have the same impact as “Thursday’s Trifles.”
“Napoleon of Notting Hill” was the first book by Chesterton that I read, so maybe that is why it is so dear to me. Or, maybe it is that I see myself as the common ploughman, whose brain is made up of the practical joker of Auberon Qunin, and the unflinching idealist of Adam Wayne.
The reason that this entry popped into my head is, I think, a result of researching Civilization IV, Age of Empires III, and several other strategy games that are coming out soon. It just brought to mind that line of Adam Wayne’s:
"Notting Hill is a nation.
Why should it condescend to be a mere Empire?"
This book examines the question of what is greater, an empire, or a city. It expounds on the “What have the Romans ever done for us?” argument of Monty Python fame. It, it true, that Empires do many great things, but they can never compare to the gifts of two cities, Athens and Nazareth.
"Cannot you be content with that destiny which was enough for Athens,
which was enough for Nazareth? the destiny, the humble purpose of
creating a new world. Is Athens angry because Romans and Florentines
have adopted her phraseology for expressing their own patriotism?
Is Nazareth angry because as a little village it has become
the type of all little villages out of which, as the Snobs say,
no good can come? Has Athens asked every one to wear the chlamys?
Are all followers of the Nazarene compelled to wear turbans?
No! but the soul of Athens went forth and made men drink hemlock,
and the soul of Nazareth went forth and made men consent to be crucified."
This is a big part of the book, but not all of it. The last several pages are the answer to many philosophers questions about the “meaning of life.”
" A smaller figure seemed half to rise in the dark.
"Suppose I am God," said the voice, "and suppose I made the world
in idleness. Suppose the stars, that you think eternal,
are only the idiot fireworks of an everlasting schoolboy.
Suppose the sun and the moon, to which you sing alternately,
are only the two eyes of one vast and sneering giant, opened alternately
in a never-ending wink. Suppose the trees, in my eyes, are as
foolish as enormous toad-stools. Suppose Socrates and Charlemagne
are to me only beasts, made funnier by walking on their hind legs.
Suppose I am God, and having made things, laugh at them."
"And suppose I am man," answered the other. "And suppose that I
give the answer that shatters even a laugh. Suppose I do not
laugh back at you, do not blaspheme you, do not curse you.
But suppose, standing up straight under the sky, with every power
of my being, I thank you for the fools' paradise you have made.
Suppose I praise you, with a literal pain of ecstacy,
for the jest that has brought me so terrible a joy.
If we have taken the child's games, and given them the seriousness
of a Crusade, if we have drenched your grotesque Dutch garden
with the blood of martyrs, we have turned a nursery into a temple.
I ask you, in the name of Heaven, who wins?""
I’ll leave you to dwell on that passage for a bit.
Yours in Christ,
Thursday
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Very strange test. . .
| ellipsis You scored 38% Sociability and 82% Sophistication! |
| Your life can be difficult because of your insecurities, but you should know that it isn't your fault. YOU didn't ask to be thrown in around thirty times per page in every bodice-ripper on the shelf! Those who overuse you can kiss your . . . you know. You need to learn to hold your head high and glory in your solitude. You really do have excellent, scholarly tastes. You must never forget that your friend, the period, will be there to support you at the end of every sentence where you truly belong, and, if what is left out is as important as what is said, why, then you are as vital as the alphabet! |
 |
My test tracked 2 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:
|
| Link: The Which Punctuation Mark Are You Test written by Gazda |
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
WWJD?
Just got this emailed to me:
Journal Entry: What Jesus Wouldn't Do......
Monday, October 24, 2005
What Jesus wouldn’t do….
Here are a few things I know Jesus wouldn’t do that I think we need to really hear right now.
1- The little children come running to Jesus and He says, “Peter, keep those kids at a safe distance from me because they could bring a law suit upon us and for Pete’s sake don’t hug them! They could see that is improper! Do you want to cause a scandal”?
2- A little girl who’s father just died comes running to Peter for comfort and Jesus says to Peter, “make sure you keep a foot of space between you if she needs a hug…actually just give her a handshake. We don’t want people getting the wrong idea now do we?”
3. Peter comes to Jesus and says, "Lord these children are beautiful. They have such innocence about them. It is so refreshing to see.” The Lord answers, “Ah yes! It is truly beautiful. There is nothing like childlike innocence. Now get them into sex ed. classes and immediately start warning them about how there are bad people who may want to molest them.” Peter replies, “But Lord shouldn’t we leave that to the parents to determine when their child is ready to hear such things?” Jesus says, “Listen Peter, if it’s good enough for the public school system it’s good enough for us! The last thing we need is another lawsuit!”
4. The Pharisees come to question Jesus and He says to his apostles, “Listen, these guys get upset easily, let's water down our message so as not to cause any conflict. Some of these guys put a ton of money into the collection basket so we don’t want to rock the boat. If they ask tough questions or do scandalous things just tell them something like “we are all loved by God” this makes them happy and keeps us safe. Whatever you do DON’T mention sin or hell!”
5. Peter comes to Jesus asking him what they should do about some of the people in the church who are elected officials who are scandalizing the church. Jesus answers “Peter, don’t be crazy! You know we can’t talk about political things! We could lose our 501c3 non profit status! Just tell them we are all loved by God and that should make everyone happy.”
6. Peter comes running frantically to Jesus and says, “My Lord! There are money changers defiling the temple what should we do?!” Jesus answers, “Take a poll and see what the people think, If they are ok with it then see if we can hit any of the money changers up for a donation. If the people are upset just tell everyone that “we are all loved by God”. Then we will just wait until it all blows over”.
7. The apostles come running to Jesus and say, "My Lord, the catholic colleges are teaching horrible things that are leading many away from the true faith!” Jesus replies, “I know, it really is a bummer I wish I could do something about it …oh well, let me know if any of the graduates from the schools would like to work in our diocese because we are in desperate need of help. They may be teaching heresy but let’s just hope they will tone it down a bit. And remember … we are all loved by God! Have a nice day!
8. Peter comes to Jesus, “My Lord, homosexual men have entered the priesthood and have been sexually abusing young men in the church! What should we do”? Jesus answers, “Listen, if we say the problem is homosexuality the media will rip us apart. Let’s call it pedophilia and that will save us from the media attack. Peter replies, “But Lord, the problem is homosexuality! The vast majority of the abuses were on teenage boys!” Jesus answers, “Again I tell you, unless you submit to the pressures of the media you will have no peace in you! So I command you, go out into the world two by two and submit!”
Again I say….these are things that Jesus wouldn’t do. We can learn a lot from Jesus…..
TO BE CONTINUED…..
This was all written by Sean Forrest, check out his website here
Yours in Christ,
Thursday
Journal Entry: What Jesus Wouldn't Do......
Monday, October 24, 2005
What Jesus wouldn’t do….
Here are a few things I know Jesus wouldn’t do that I think we need to really hear right now.
1- The little children come running to Jesus and He says, “Peter, keep those kids at a safe distance from me because they could bring a law suit upon us and for Pete’s sake don’t hug them! They could see that is improper! Do you want to cause a scandal”?
2- A little girl who’s father just died comes running to Peter for comfort and Jesus says to Peter, “make sure you keep a foot of space between you if she needs a hug…actually just give her a handshake. We don’t want people getting the wrong idea now do we?”
3. Peter comes to Jesus and says, "Lord these children are beautiful. They have such innocence about them. It is so refreshing to see.” The Lord answers, “Ah yes! It is truly beautiful. There is nothing like childlike innocence. Now get them into sex ed. classes and immediately start warning them about how there are bad people who may want to molest them.” Peter replies, “But Lord shouldn’t we leave that to the parents to determine when their child is ready to hear such things?” Jesus says, “Listen Peter, if it’s good enough for the public school system it’s good enough for us! The last thing we need is another lawsuit!”
4. The Pharisees come to question Jesus and He says to his apostles, “Listen, these guys get upset easily, let's water down our message so as not to cause any conflict. Some of these guys put a ton of money into the collection basket so we don’t want to rock the boat. If they ask tough questions or do scandalous things just tell them something like “we are all loved by God” this makes them happy and keeps us safe. Whatever you do DON’T mention sin or hell!”
5. Peter comes to Jesus asking him what they should do about some of the people in the church who are elected officials who are scandalizing the church. Jesus answers “Peter, don’t be crazy! You know we can’t talk about political things! We could lose our 501c3 non profit status! Just tell them we are all loved by God and that should make everyone happy.”
6. Peter comes running frantically to Jesus and says, “My Lord! There are money changers defiling the temple what should we do?!” Jesus answers, “Take a poll and see what the people think, If they are ok with it then see if we can hit any of the money changers up for a donation. If the people are upset just tell everyone that “we are all loved by God”. Then we will just wait until it all blows over”.
7. The apostles come running to Jesus and say, "My Lord, the catholic colleges are teaching horrible things that are leading many away from the true faith!” Jesus replies, “I know, it really is a bummer I wish I could do something about it …oh well, let me know if any of the graduates from the schools would like to work in our diocese because we are in desperate need of help. They may be teaching heresy but let’s just hope they will tone it down a bit. And remember … we are all loved by God! Have a nice day!
8. Peter comes to Jesus, “My Lord, homosexual men have entered the priesthood and have been sexually abusing young men in the church! What should we do”? Jesus answers, “Listen, if we say the problem is homosexuality the media will rip us apart. Let’s call it pedophilia and that will save us from the media attack. Peter replies, “But Lord, the problem is homosexuality! The vast majority of the abuses were on teenage boys!” Jesus answers, “Again I tell you, unless you submit to the pressures of the media you will have no peace in you! So I command you, go out into the world two by two and submit!”
Again I say….these are things that Jesus wouldn’t do. We can learn a lot from Jesus…..
TO BE CONTINUED…..
This was all written by Sean Forrest, check out his website here
Yours in Christ,
Thursday
Sunday, October 23, 2005
I'm on iTunes!!
My podcast is now on iTunes!! Search for me in the iTunes music store. "Thursday's Podcast" You can subscribe to my podcast, and then iTunes will automatically download new episodes. Hopefully, I will have episode 3 out by Wednesday.
Yours in Christ,
Thursday
Yours in Christ,
Thursday
Civilization IV
Hi all,
Have you listened to my podcast? Well, why not? Ya, I thought so, no good reason.
Anyways, Civilization IV comes out on Tuesday!
I can't afford the game, so I'm not buying it right away. I also can't afford to lose the time I would playing it, so I guess it's all for the best. You can see the trailer for Civ IV here: http://www.2kgames.com/civ4/trailer/civ4_640_wmv.zip.
It is well worth the look, it is narrated by Martin Sheen, and is very professional. The music is absolutely amazing. You should also visit the official site for the game here: http://www.2kgames.com/civ4/home.htm. Be sure to have your sound turned on, as the music will just blow you away. One of the cool features that Civ IV is incorporating is a clock on the game screen with an alarm. This should stop me from playing until 1 am, realizing what time it is, saying just one more turn, and then playing for another 2 hours. Well, I say it "Should," but unless the alarm has auto-save, auto-quit, and auto-shutdown, it won't do a thing. Maybe it needs the equivalent of a snooze button, the "One More Turn Button." The alarm goes off, you hit "Give me one more turn," and after that turn, it auto-saves your game, and quits the program.
The other big feature that is going to be in Civ IV is Religion! There are going to be seven religions that you can found, and build temples for. you also get the "Holy City" for any religion your civilization founds. Having the "Holy City" for a particular religion gives you gold from any other civilization that has people of that religion, along with other benefits. Are you guys thinking what I'm thinking? Yup, potential for major "Holy Wars" to liberate a "Holy City" from the hands of the impure!
Well, that's all for tonight.
Yours in Christ,
Thursday
Have you listened to my podcast? Well, why not? Ya, I thought so, no good reason.
Anyways, Civilization IV comes out on Tuesday!
I can't afford the game, so I'm not buying it right away. I also can't afford to lose the time I would playing it, so I guess it's all for the best. You can see the trailer for Civ IV here: http://www.2kgames.com/civ4/trailer/civ4_640_wmv.zip.
It is well worth the look, it is narrated by Martin Sheen, and is very professional. The music is absolutely amazing. You should also visit the official site for the game here: http://www.2kgames.com/civ4/home.htm. Be sure to have your sound turned on, as the music will just blow you away. One of the cool features that Civ IV is incorporating is a clock on the game screen with an alarm. This should stop me from playing until 1 am, realizing what time it is, saying just one more turn, and then playing for another 2 hours. Well, I say it "Should," but unless the alarm has auto-save, auto-quit, and auto-shutdown, it won't do a thing. Maybe it needs the equivalent of a snooze button, the "One More Turn Button." The alarm goes off, you hit "Give me one more turn," and after that turn, it auto-saves your game, and quits the program.
The other big feature that is going to be in Civ IV is Religion! There are going to be seven religions that you can found, and build temples for. you also get the "Holy City" for any religion your civilization founds. Having the "Holy City" for a particular religion gives you gold from any other civilization that has people of that religion, along with other benefits. Are you guys thinking what I'm thinking? Yup, potential for major "Holy Wars" to liberate a "Holy City" from the hands of the impure!
Well, that's all for tonight.
Yours in Christ,
Thursday
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Podcast 2
Well, the second episode of Thursday's Podcast is up. Grab it here: http://gkthursday.podomatic.com
This episode is devoted entirely to Chesterton, and more specifically to one paragraph in "Where All Roads Lead." I hope you like it, I've polished the style a bit, given it some more class. Let me know what you think.
Yours in Christ,
Thursday
This episode is devoted entirely to Chesterton, and more specifically to one paragraph in "Where All Roads Lead." I hope you like it, I've polished the style a bit, given it some more class. Let me know what you think.
Yours in Christ,
Thursday
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Podcast {UPDATEDX2}
Well, when I started this blog, I said I might do some podcasts, and I try not to disappoint. I finally found a site that hosts files for free, so now I can put audio in blogger easily
So, drum-roll please....
Yours in Christ,
Thursday
UPDATE: I am not happy with the hosting at putfile, and I am moving to PodOmatic. When the move is complete, I will post the link. Hopfully, you will also be able to find me on the iTunes podcast directory soon.
Yours in Christ,
Thursday
UPDATE2: Here is the link to my new host: Click here to listen to 'Thursday's Podcast 1. This site allows downloading, so if you don't want to wait for the audio to stream, you can download it and listen to it at your leasure. My podcast has also been submitted to iTunes, I will post when it is available for download.
Yours in Christ,
Thursday
Monday, October 17, 2005
Not evacuated
Well, we weren't evacuated last night, so I am writing this entry from the comfort of my bed. However, the bridge is still closed to foot traffic (it's been closed to cars for a week due to construction), so all classes are canceled today. I'm not going to complain, the less mondays I have to go to class on the better.
Keep you all updated.
Yours in Christ,
Thursday
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Flood waters rising!
Here are some of the images from Bishop's University as the flood waters rise up to our very windows (well not quite, but it is about 3 feet deep and the river is way above it's normal bounds.) We are probably going to be evacuated tonight. I'm bringing my computer and an ethernet cable, and if I find an open port, I will continue to update. If I can't, I think this is a pretty good excuse for not updating.
Yours in Christ,
Thursday
What kind of snob are you?
You speak eloquently and have seemingly read every
book ever published. You are a fountain of
endless (sometimes useless) knowledge, and
never fail to impress at a party.
What people love: You can answer almost any
question people ask, and have thus been
nicknamed Jeeves.
What people hate: You constantly correct their
grammar and insult their paperbacks.
What Kind of Elitist Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
Strangely enough, that is right on.
Yours in Christ,
Thursday aka "Jeeves"
Friday, October 14, 2005
Wow, I think she's crazy!
I found this on Bettnet tonight, hope Dom doesn't mind my stealing it. This was emailed to all the Pastors in the Archdiocese of Boston:
(Start)
Dear Pastors of Boston,
Please read this letter to Bishop O’Malley. I hope you will reflect on it and decide to support Walter Cuenin and others like him. Look at how many of you there are. If you stood together for one another, no bishop could abrogate power the way O’Malley is doing in Boston.
Blessings on you,
Mary Gail Frawley-O’Dea, Ph.D.
MARY GAIL FRAWLEY-O’DEA, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist & Psychoanalyst
Speaker, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Dallas 2002
Speaker, Annual Assembly, Conference of Major Superiors of Men, 2002
2617 Cadagon Court
Charlotte, NC 28270
(704) 814-6612
[url]mgfod@aol.com[/url]
October 1, 2005
Dear Archbishop O’Malley:
It is the eve of Walter Cuenin’s reception and the march that will take place on his behalf.
I met you at the Annual Assembly of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men in Philadelphia in August 2002 where I spoke about the long-term consequences for victims of sexual abuse by priests. Interestingly that day, despite your acclaimed affinity for Franciscan garb, you were sporting clericals, complete with pectoral cross. Travel clothing perhaps.
In the three years since my speech to the bishops in Dallas and to the provincials in Philly, I have immersed myself in research and discourse about the multiple underpinnings of the Church’s sexual abuse scandal. My conclusions will be available in my forthcoming book, “Perversion of Power and Sexual Scandal in the Catholic Church.”
As the book title suggests, sir,—and as many others have opined - it has become clear that the responsibility for the sexual abuse of tens of thousands of minors, as well as the succeeding scandal, rests squarely with those least willing to shoulder it. To wit, the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church, from the Seat of Peter to chanceries throughout the world, have labored long and hard to structure a Church dedicated too much - much too much - to the preservation of their own power. It is the power born of homosocial monarchy and it is frightening. As your recent actions make clear yet again, great woe befalls sexual abuse victims/survivors, laypersons, and especially priests who, in order to follow Gospel teachings, poke at the hierarchy’s assumed power and authority.
With great hope, the Archdiocese of Boston - my childhood Church home - welcomed you. While quickly settling the pending sexual abuse lawsuits - at what turns out to have been bargain basement per victim prices - you have brought enormous pain to this old and richly traditioned Christian community. You, sir, have evidenced yourself as a Pharisee cloaked and secreted in monk’s clothing. The Pharisees, you may recall, were primarily concerned with their authority and they twisted the greatness of the Torah to suit their own lusts for power. You too, sir, have embarked on a spree of serial spiritual soul murders, wiping from your path those men and women who, truly following the Nazarene, challenged their leaders’ twisting of the Gospel. Your misogynistic refusal to wash the feet of women insulted the dignity of we the children of Eve, Sophia, Mary, and the Magdalene. Your closing of vibrant parishes without consulting the People of God involved in them bears scant resemblance to the Galilean’s devotion to and inclusion of the masses. Most egregiously anti-Christ in nature, and glaringly reminiscent of the Pharisees, however, is your exiling of priestly “friends of God and prophets (Elizabeth Johnson, theologian at Fordham, “She Who Is and Truly Our Sister.")” Is there such a log in your eye that you truly do not apprehend the meaning of your rejection of the contemporary true and courageous “other Christs” who have lifted their voices to teach you - to help you refind your way? Do you not remember that Jesus, knowing that his disciples would disavow him at his most horrific hour, loved them still and returned to them, retaining them in ministry as beloved disciples?
In Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings,” we meet Smeagol/Gollum, once a sprightly creature engaged with life. Upon finding the ring of Sauron, however, his soul became twisted and his capacity to love and be loved was lost as he became more and more enthralled by the dark draw of the ring, with its seductive promise of great power. Once, I am sure, you and your episcopal colleagues were boys who played in the sun, loved, and were loved. Your “Smeagol” humanity still can be detected in ministerial efforts that are safe and unthreatening to your authority. When challenged by Gospel voices unadorned by papal or episcopal garb, however, you become “Gollums,” obsessed with the power dangled by red hats, croziers, pectoral crosses, and newly forged, golden versions of the ring.
Almost surely, if Jesus returned today to St. Peter’s Square (or Holy Cross Cathedral), he would do so as a tattooed, multiply pierced individual wearing jeans and an old camouflage jacket. He (or she) would dine with gays and lesbians, bless the children born in test tubes, and gather unto him the sea of sexual abuse victims. He would, as he did, spend his time lifting the marginalized and powerless of today’s world while taking down the arrogant who teach with forked tongues. He (or she) would remind the modern day Pharisees - you and too, too many of your episcopal brethren - that people are more important than rules or accoutrements of power. As before, almost surely, the Swiss Guards would call the Romans to remove the disruptive truth teller from the temple. Sound familiar?
Last week at Villanova, a woman took to the microphone and told Justin Cardinal Rigali that he is a phony. Harsh truths sometimes require harsh words. You, sir, in my opinion, also are a facade of the Christ follower.
May you receive greater mercy than you have shown to others during your assaultive march through the vineyards of Massachusetts.
Very truly yours,
Mary Gail Frawley-O’Dea, Ph.D.
(End)
No this is not a joke. This really was written by this woman, and sent to all the pastors in Boston. I really don't know what to say other than that all her contact information is right there *Hint Hint*
Yours in Christ,
Thursday
(Start)
Dear Pastors of Boston,
Please read this letter to Bishop O’Malley. I hope you will reflect on it and decide to support Walter Cuenin and others like him. Look at how many of you there are. If you stood together for one another, no bishop could abrogate power the way O’Malley is doing in Boston.
Blessings on you,
Mary Gail Frawley-O’Dea, Ph.D.
MARY GAIL FRAWLEY-O’DEA, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist & Psychoanalyst
Speaker, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Dallas 2002
Speaker, Annual Assembly, Conference of Major Superiors of Men, 2002
2617 Cadagon Court
Charlotte, NC 28270
(704) 814-6612
[url]mgfod@aol.com[/url]
October 1, 2005
Dear Archbishop O’Malley:
It is the eve of Walter Cuenin’s reception and the march that will take place on his behalf.
I met you at the Annual Assembly of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men in Philadelphia in August 2002 where I spoke about the long-term consequences for victims of sexual abuse by priests. Interestingly that day, despite your acclaimed affinity for Franciscan garb, you were sporting clericals, complete with pectoral cross. Travel clothing perhaps.
In the three years since my speech to the bishops in Dallas and to the provincials in Philly, I have immersed myself in research and discourse about the multiple underpinnings of the Church’s sexual abuse scandal. My conclusions will be available in my forthcoming book, “Perversion of Power and Sexual Scandal in the Catholic Church.”
As the book title suggests, sir,—and as many others have opined - it has become clear that the responsibility for the sexual abuse of tens of thousands of minors, as well as the succeeding scandal, rests squarely with those least willing to shoulder it. To wit, the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church, from the Seat of Peter to chanceries throughout the world, have labored long and hard to structure a Church dedicated too much - much too much - to the preservation of their own power. It is the power born of homosocial monarchy and it is frightening. As your recent actions make clear yet again, great woe befalls sexual abuse victims/survivors, laypersons, and especially priests who, in order to follow Gospel teachings, poke at the hierarchy’s assumed power and authority.
With great hope, the Archdiocese of Boston - my childhood Church home - welcomed you. While quickly settling the pending sexual abuse lawsuits - at what turns out to have been bargain basement per victim prices - you have brought enormous pain to this old and richly traditioned Christian community. You, sir, have evidenced yourself as a Pharisee cloaked and secreted in monk’s clothing. The Pharisees, you may recall, were primarily concerned with their authority and they twisted the greatness of the Torah to suit their own lusts for power. You too, sir, have embarked on a spree of serial spiritual soul murders, wiping from your path those men and women who, truly following the Nazarene, challenged their leaders’ twisting of the Gospel. Your misogynistic refusal to wash the feet of women insulted the dignity of we the children of Eve, Sophia, Mary, and the Magdalene. Your closing of vibrant parishes without consulting the People of God involved in them bears scant resemblance to the Galilean’s devotion to and inclusion of the masses. Most egregiously anti-Christ in nature, and glaringly reminiscent of the Pharisees, however, is your exiling of priestly “friends of God and prophets (Elizabeth Johnson, theologian at Fordham, “She Who Is and Truly Our Sister.")” Is there such a log in your eye that you truly do not apprehend the meaning of your rejection of the contemporary true and courageous “other Christs” who have lifted their voices to teach you - to help you refind your way? Do you not remember that Jesus, knowing that his disciples would disavow him at his most horrific hour, loved them still and returned to them, retaining them in ministry as beloved disciples?
In Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings,” we meet Smeagol/Gollum, once a sprightly creature engaged with life. Upon finding the ring of Sauron, however, his soul became twisted and his capacity to love and be loved was lost as he became more and more enthralled by the dark draw of the ring, with its seductive promise of great power. Once, I am sure, you and your episcopal colleagues were boys who played in the sun, loved, and were loved. Your “Smeagol” humanity still can be detected in ministerial efforts that are safe and unthreatening to your authority. When challenged by Gospel voices unadorned by papal or episcopal garb, however, you become “Gollums,” obsessed with the power dangled by red hats, croziers, pectoral crosses, and newly forged, golden versions of the ring.
Almost surely, if Jesus returned today to St. Peter’s Square (or Holy Cross Cathedral), he would do so as a tattooed, multiply pierced individual wearing jeans and an old camouflage jacket. He (or she) would dine with gays and lesbians, bless the children born in test tubes, and gather unto him the sea of sexual abuse victims. He would, as he did, spend his time lifting the marginalized and powerless of today’s world while taking down the arrogant who teach with forked tongues. He (or she) would remind the modern day Pharisees - you and too, too many of your episcopal brethren - that people are more important than rules or accoutrements of power. As before, almost surely, the Swiss Guards would call the Romans to remove the disruptive truth teller from the temple. Sound familiar?
Last week at Villanova, a woman took to the microphone and told Justin Cardinal Rigali that he is a phony. Harsh truths sometimes require harsh words. You, sir, in my opinion, also are a facade of the Christ follower.
May you receive greater mercy than you have shown to others during your assaultive march through the vineyards of Massachusetts.
Very truly yours,
Mary Gail Frawley-O’Dea, Ph.D.
(End)
No this is not a joke. This really was written by this woman, and sent to all the pastors in Boston. I really don't know what to say other than that all her contact information is right there *Hint Hint*
Yours in Christ,
Thursday
Plato Group
I went to Plato Group today. Plato Group is the coolest group ever invented! It is a gathering of Philosophers, Theologian, Classicist, and me the token Scientist discussing Plato’s Republic. I only add a point every now an then, being fairly new to Plato, but there are wonderful discussions. The format is pretty much one person reads aloud the passages for the session and then people bring up anything that caught their eye. It’s great, as we have Classicists who can read the Republic in the Ancient Greek as we go along, and tell us if that clever word play that we connected to something in a previous book is in the original, or put in by the translator. All I can really say about Plato Group is that is one of the highlights of my week, and well worth the hike up the steep hill to get to it.
Yours in Christ,
Thursday
Yours in Christ,
Thursday
Richard III
Well, I went home for Columbus Day (Canadian Thanksgiving.) and saw Serenity. It is an incredible movie. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a movie to go see. Joss Whedon does his usual brilliant job of writing and directing. Enough on that for right now, don’t want to let any spoilers slip out.
I don’t know why, but I’ve decided to write about my favorite English King today. My favorite is Shakespeare’s evil uncle, Richard III. I think I know why I decided to write about him. I was back in my room at home, and I saw my postcard of his portrait from the National Portrait Gallery in London. It is a truly striking painting, very lifelike, and brilliantly executed. If you ever have a chance, stop by and pay it a visit. I believe it is on the third floor, but don’t hold me to that. Here’s a picture of the painting that I found:
This doesn't due the original justice.
I can’t write a short defense of Richard, there are simply too many allegations against his character to sum up why they are all false. Well, maybe not. All of the allegations date from after Richard’s reign, when history was being written by the Tudors. The Tudors needed to legitimize their claim to the throne (tenuous at best), and vilified Richard immensely. I recommend reading “Daughter of Time” by Josephine Tey, to anyone who likes a good mystery and learning the truth (that should be most Chesterton fans.) This book exonerates Richard much more fully than I ever could.
Yours in Christ,
Thursday
I don’t know why, but I’ve decided to write about my favorite English King today. My favorite is Shakespeare’s evil uncle, Richard III. I think I know why I decided to write about him. I was back in my room at home, and I saw my postcard of his portrait from the National Portrait Gallery in London. It is a truly striking painting, very lifelike, and brilliantly executed. If you ever have a chance, stop by and pay it a visit. I believe it is on the third floor, but don’t hold me to that. Here’s a picture of the painting that I found:
I can’t write a short defense of Richard, there are simply too many allegations against his character to sum up why they are all false. Well, maybe not. All of the allegations date from after Richard’s reign, when history was being written by the Tudors. The Tudors needed to legitimize their claim to the throne (tenuous at best), and vilified Richard immensely. I recommend reading “Daughter of Time” by Josephine Tey, to anyone who likes a good mystery and learning the truth (that should be most Chesterton fans.) This book exonerates Richard much more fully than I ever could.
Yours in Christ,
Thursday
Sorry again
Sorry for not updating for awhile. I have been quite busy with classes this week. I have been working on an update, but I'm not satisfied with it yet. Hopefully I can post it this afternoon, but if it's not done, I will post something else.
Yours in Christ,
Thursday
Yours in Christ,
Thursday
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Why I fight the Radical Traditionalists.
Is the civil war between conservative Catholics in line with the Magestirium of the Church and those conservative Catholics not in line with the Magestirium really the most important fight we should be engaged in? What about the fight between conservative Catholics and liberal “Catholics?” Isn’t that fight more pressing? Or what about the fight between the Church and all the other Christian denominations? Shouldn’t we hurl ourselves into that breach first? Or, for the sake of argument, what about all the non-Christian religions, shouldn’t we be steadfast in our endeavors there? I’m on a roll here, so what about Theism Vs. Atheism, isn’t that fight more important than this little squabble among siblings. My answer is that our numbers are too small for all of those later fights.
Satan’s greatest tactic is divide and conquer. For all of the latter fights, we must have won the earlier ones. This becomes most evident when dealing with the last fight, Theism Vs. Atheism. If you don’t believe me, merely bring up Pascal’s Wager with an atheist, and you’ll see what I mean. I should have added one more fight to the list, Objective Truth Vs. Subjective truth. It comes at the very end, for there are some Atheists who acknowledge objective truth, but deny the Truth of God.
Tactically speaking, we cannot fight with a divided frontline. Imagine this scenario: During the American Civil War, Canada declared war on both the North and the South, and invaded. The North now has to fight on two fronts, while the South faces stronger attacks on its Northern front. How would each side do? I don’t know, but I can’t imagine that we would give our best possible showing on all fronts. Now let’s dissect that scenario. The South is the Radical Traditionalists, the North is the conservative Catholics bound to the Magestirium, and Canada is the liberal “Catholics.” This analogy can go even further. The Rad Trads are fighting is only one direction, they have only one front, much like our fictional South. Those faithful to the Magestirium must fight on two fronts, against the waves coming from the Right with the Rad Trads, and those coming from the Left with the Liberals; this is like our fictional North fighting the forces from the South and from Canada. And the liberals want both those who support the Magestirium, and the Rad Trads to “get out of the “dark ages,”” like our Canadian invaders, seeing everyone to the south as an enemy.
Can’t you see that it is better for the North to entrench at 44’40” and hold the line until the rebellion in the South can be quelled? It is the same in our real fight. We should not give an inch in our fight with the left, but neither should we undertake a campaign of conquest while we leave our rear flank wide open. You may ask why we shouldn’t shore up our Southern flank, and push ahead in our fight against the left. There are two reasons against doing this. First, there is another enemy beyond the Catholicism of the left, and that is Protestantism, and another enemy after them, et cetera. Second, if we leave the Rad Trads, they will be a constant thorn in our side.
I was going to expand my analogy, having Polar Bears represent the Protestants, Russians the non-Christian religions, and Southern Asia as the Atheists, and Africa as the Relativists; but I decided it would just get to cumbersome. I also didn’t like the idea of staging an invasion over the North Pole. Nonetheless, you get the idea, we have an acre of bickering opponents on one side, and a crack rifle company on the other. It is always best to deal with any insurrections before advancing on an opposing army of superior numbers.
As Always,
Yours in Christ,
Thursday
Update:
This post brought to you by the wonders of Caffeine and Divine Revelation. Stayed up late studying, and just as I finished, this essay just came into my head. Seeing as I'm never one to ignore those sudden inspirations, I decided to write it down while it was still fresh in my mind.
Again,
Yours in Christ,
Thursday
Satan’s greatest tactic is divide and conquer. For all of the latter fights, we must have won the earlier ones. This becomes most evident when dealing with the last fight, Theism Vs. Atheism. If you don’t believe me, merely bring up Pascal’s Wager with an atheist, and you’ll see what I mean. I should have added one more fight to the list, Objective Truth Vs. Subjective truth. It comes at the very end, for there are some Atheists who acknowledge objective truth, but deny the Truth of God.
Tactically speaking, we cannot fight with a divided frontline. Imagine this scenario: During the American Civil War, Canada declared war on both the North and the South, and invaded. The North now has to fight on two fronts, while the South faces stronger attacks on its Northern front. How would each side do? I don’t know, but I can’t imagine that we would give our best possible showing on all fronts. Now let’s dissect that scenario. The South is the Radical Traditionalists, the North is the conservative Catholics bound to the Magestirium, and Canada is the liberal “Catholics.” This analogy can go even further. The Rad Trads are fighting is only one direction, they have only one front, much like our fictional South. Those faithful to the Magestirium must fight on two fronts, against the waves coming from the Right with the Rad Trads, and those coming from the Left with the Liberals; this is like our fictional North fighting the forces from the South and from Canada. And the liberals want both those who support the Magestirium, and the Rad Trads to “get out of the “dark ages,”” like our Canadian invaders, seeing everyone to the south as an enemy.
Can’t you see that it is better for the North to entrench at 44’40” and hold the line until the rebellion in the South can be quelled? It is the same in our real fight. We should not give an inch in our fight with the left, but neither should we undertake a campaign of conquest while we leave our rear flank wide open. You may ask why we shouldn’t shore up our Southern flank, and push ahead in our fight against the left. There are two reasons against doing this. First, there is another enemy beyond the Catholicism of the left, and that is Protestantism, and another enemy after them, et cetera. Second, if we leave the Rad Trads, they will be a constant thorn in our side.
I was going to expand my analogy, having Polar Bears represent the Protestants, Russians the non-Christian religions, and Southern Asia as the Atheists, and Africa as the Relativists; but I decided it would just get to cumbersome. I also didn’t like the idea of staging an invasion over the North Pole. Nonetheless, you get the idea, we have an acre of bickering opponents on one side, and a crack rifle company on the other. It is always best to deal with any insurrections before advancing on an opposing army of superior numbers.
As Always,
Yours in Christ,
Thursday
Update:
This post brought to you by the wonders of Caffeine and Divine Revelation. Stayed up late studying, and just as I finished, this essay just came into my head. Seeing as I'm never one to ignore those sudden inspirations, I decided to write it down while it was still fresh in my mind.
Again,
Yours in Christ,
Thursday
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Shining
Hi all, sorry for the lack of updates. I still haven't seen Serenity, I will post a review when I do. I found this link on Bettnet, and you all should check it out, it's Hilarious.
A bit of background: There was a contest for post-production artists. You had to submit a 90 sec. trailer made from scenes from a movie. Sounds easy? The trailer had to completely change the genre of the film. This trailer is the winner. He made a trailer for the next feel good movie of the season "Shining." Care to guess which film he re-cut? You guessed it, The Shining.
Oh, one more rule, the picture can not be edited, on the sound. Enjoy!
Yours in Christ,
Thursday
EDIT: forgot to add, you need quicktime to view the movie. If you don't already have it you can (and should) download it here.
A bit of background: There was a contest for post-production artists. You had to submit a 90 sec. trailer made from scenes from a movie. Sounds easy? The trailer had to completely change the genre of the film. This trailer is the winner. He made a trailer for the next feel good movie of the season "Shining." Care to guess which film he re-cut? You guessed it, The Shining.
Oh, one more rule, the picture can not be edited, on the sound. Enjoy!
Yours in Christ,
Thursday
EDIT: forgot to add, you need quicktime to view the movie. If you don't already have it you can (and should) download it here.
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