Tuesday, March 02, 2004
The Passion
Beyond words. That's how I would describe it. It wasn't a movie. It was a cinematic meditation on the paschal mystery. Stations of the Cross, sorrowful mysteries of the Rosary, the seven last words of Christ, and the Ressurection: All powerfully woven together into a mesmerizing vision of Christ's passion as anything I had ever seen.
Of course it wasn't anti-semetic; it certainly did not entice me to blame the jews for Christ's death. When I saw the priests, led by Caiaphas, trying Jesus, I saw myself in them. Countless times I had persecuted the Truth because I wanted to believe my own delusion of the moment was the truth. I wanted my comfort more than my cross. I sentenced Christ to death.
Even if this was not the case, The film taken as a whole can't be used to justify the blood libel or the Christ-killer accusation. Jesus recalls in flashbacks how he said, "No one takes my life from me. I lay it down of my own accord." It's clear from the beginning that Christ sacrifices himself in order to cleans us of our sins. Satan, at the films beginning, attempts to persuade Jesus not to even undertake the Passion.
The violence makes the sacrifice clear. It saturated me not with revulsion but with awe. Christ endured that for me.
Anyways, these are some reflections I've had on TPOTC. I'll reflect more tomorrow.
Beyond words. That's how I would describe it. It wasn't a movie. It was a cinematic meditation on the paschal mystery. Stations of the Cross, sorrowful mysteries of the Rosary, the seven last words of Christ, and the Ressurection: All powerfully woven together into a mesmerizing vision of Christ's passion as anything I had ever seen.
Of course it wasn't anti-semetic; it certainly did not entice me to blame the jews for Christ's death. When I saw the priests, led by Caiaphas, trying Jesus, I saw myself in them. Countless times I had persecuted the Truth because I wanted to believe my own delusion of the moment was the truth. I wanted my comfort more than my cross. I sentenced Christ to death.
Even if this was not the case, The film taken as a whole can't be used to justify the blood libel or the Christ-killer accusation. Jesus recalls in flashbacks how he said, "No one takes my life from me. I lay it down of my own accord." It's clear from the beginning that Christ sacrifices himself in order to cleans us of our sins. Satan, at the films beginning, attempts to persuade Jesus not to even undertake the Passion.
The violence makes the sacrifice clear. It saturated me not with revulsion but with awe. Christ endured that for me.
Anyways, these are some reflections I've had on TPOTC. I'll reflect more tomorrow.
"Don't worry, we know what's best for you
This is what happens when societies ignore one of the core principles of Catholic social teaching. Even the Guardian gets it, for it includes this:
"'Then there is the principle of subsidiarity. That means that decisions should always be taken as close to the rock-face as possible, so if a member state is capable of regulating its own food supplements, they shouldn't be regulated by the EU unless there is a very good reason.'"
Unfortunately, even a simple search on the USCCB website for Catholic Social Teaching often includes a list of principles that doesn't include subsidiarity.
It's hard to justify a welfare state when considering subsidiarity. Could that be the reason why it didn't make the list? Perish the thought. It's not as if the authors of the USCCB's various papers on CST aren't confusing applications with principles. It's not like they're rehashing old, tired New-Deal era solutions that solve nothing and cost everything. They wouldn't do that.
BTW check out the Center for Economic and Social Justice if you want to see a viable application of CST. It's "third way" offers genuine, non-socialist solutions to poverty and disenfranchisement. First thing you'll notice once you're done there is no politician is discussing their ideas. Why do you think that is?
This is what happens when societies ignore one of the core principles of Catholic social teaching. Even the Guardian gets it, for it includes this:
"'Then there is the principle of subsidiarity. That means that decisions should always be taken as close to the rock-face as possible, so if a member state is capable of regulating its own food supplements, they shouldn't be regulated by the EU unless there is a very good reason.'"
Unfortunately, even a simple search on the USCCB website for Catholic Social Teaching often includes a list of principles that doesn't include subsidiarity.
It's hard to justify a welfare state when considering subsidiarity. Could that be the reason why it didn't make the list? Perish the thought. It's not as if the authors of the USCCB's various papers on CST aren't confusing applications with principles. It's not like they're rehashing old, tired New-Deal era solutions that solve nothing and cost everything. They wouldn't do that.
BTW check out the Center for Economic and Social Justice if you want to see a viable application of CST. It's "third way" offers genuine, non-socialist solutions to poverty and disenfranchisement. First thing you'll notice once you're done there is no politician is discussing their ideas. Why do you think that is?
Preview of the endgame
'The hottest debated issues of our day in our culture surround the issue of sex: the debate about the meaning of marriage, the debate about abortion, the debate about homosexuality,' West said. 'The culture war, in the final analysis, comes down to what is the meaning of sex. ... If civilization is to survive, we must return to God's plan for the sexes'
Sex. Can't hardly talk about it in the US without upsetting somebody. It's either inherently dirty to some or completely the meaning of life to others. Today's advertizing and popular culture would collapse without it. It has been an immeasurable influence on every culture that's walked this earth. That's why the Theology of the Body is the "theological ticking time-bomb", as George Weigal puts it.
TOTB places the mystery of creation and redemption right into the heart of the most personal experience two human beings can share. It challenges us to ask: what does it truly mean to be a human person? How do we image God in our most intimate moment? How does our understanding of our own embodiedness affect the choices we make? It truly is the gospal for the most contraversial issue of our time.
For sex alone isn't the issue. The acknowledgement of reality, and our own acceptance as human persons, is what is at stake. Life itself is what is at stake. If we want to have any hope of re-converting the culture from the worship of thanatos, we need to get this right.
'The hottest debated issues of our day in our culture surround the issue of sex: the debate about the meaning of marriage, the debate about abortion, the debate about homosexuality,' West said. 'The culture war, in the final analysis, comes down to what is the meaning of sex. ... If civilization is to survive, we must return to God's plan for the sexes'
Sex. Can't hardly talk about it in the US without upsetting somebody. It's either inherently dirty to some or completely the meaning of life to others. Today's advertizing and popular culture would collapse without it. It has been an immeasurable influence on every culture that's walked this earth. That's why the Theology of the Body is the "theological ticking time-bomb", as George Weigal puts it.
TOTB places the mystery of creation and redemption right into the heart of the most personal experience two human beings can share. It challenges us to ask: what does it truly mean to be a human person? How do we image God in our most intimate moment? How does our understanding of our own embodiedness affect the choices we make? It truly is the gospal for the most contraversial issue of our time.
For sex alone isn't the issue. The acknowledgement of reality, and our own acceptance as human persons, is what is at stake. Life itself is what is at stake. If we want to have any hope of re-converting the culture from the worship of thanatos, we need to get this right.
Monday, March 01, 2004
Saw the Passion on Saturday.
Tomorrow I will blog about my response to the film. The Short version: If you haven't seen it, why are you still reading this? Go see it! Now!
Tomorrow I will blog about my response to the film. The Short version: If you haven't seen it, why are you still reading this? Go see it! Now!
More desperate dancing to Thanatos
Some just won't be satisfied until a woman, whose adulterous husband wants her to starve to death, starves to death. Keep Terry Schiavo in your prayers, and reach out any way you can. She's not safe yet! l
Some just won't be satisfied until a woman, whose adulterous husband wants her to starve to death, starves to death. Keep Terry Schiavo in your prayers, and reach out any way you can. She's not safe yet! l
America: where pro-life decals become political hotspots
The disciples of Thanatos are screaming their eyes out. Pro-life Liscense plate holders? Decals? That's state oppression! (Of course, a court can legalize the genocide of forty million unborn, but that's not oppression).
Light begins to crack the walls of this tomb.
The disciples of Thanatos are screaming their eyes out. Pro-life Liscense plate holders? Decals? That's state oppression! (Of course, a court can legalize the genocide of forty million unborn, but that's not oppression).
Light begins to crack the walls of this tomb.
Pope Wants Lent to Be a "Contest of Solidarity" With Children
There can be no greater time of the year than now to seek such solidarity as this. We all need to be the ones that speak to our societies' children Christ's own words: "Do not be afraid. I am with you."
American children need to hear this now more than ever. We must embrace our children as Christ embraces us. The scourge that is our culture of death wants nothing more than to destroy them from within. Will we let it? Or do we reach out to our children in solidarity, and say to the COD, "No More!"
We have a choice. As always.
There can be no greater time of the year than now to seek such solidarity as this. We all need to be the ones that speak to our societies' children Christ's own words: "Do not be afraid. I am with you."
American children need to hear this now more than ever. We must embrace our children as Christ embraces us. The scourge that is our culture of death wants nothing more than to destroy them from within. Will we let it? Or do we reach out to our children in solidarity, and say to the COD, "No More!"
We have a choice. As always.
Tuesday, January 27, 2004
Just in case we forget now!
It's heartening to review this in light of Bishop Burke's stand, Archbishop O'Malley's remarks and other encouraging signs of shepard epiphanies. This being an election year and all that!
It's heartening to review this in light of Bishop Burke's stand, Archbishop O'Malley's remarks and other encouraging signs of shepard epiphanies. This being an election year and all that!
Monday, January 26, 2004
"We led this search to find the truth, not to find the weapons."
Justin Katz, via instapundit, responds to David Kay's public comments, now that the report is in. I'm pleased that solid evidence exists to verify what many already knew: Bush did not lie about WMDs. What remains troubling is that US intelligence, particularly the CIA, has failed again. This is no way to fight islamo-facists and any others who may engage us in the War on Terror. The administration needs to address this situation immediately.
Justin Katz, via instapundit, responds to David Kay's public comments, now that the report is in. I'm pleased that solid evidence exists to verify what many already knew: Bush did not lie about WMDs. What remains troubling is that US intelligence, particularly the CIA, has failed again. This is no way to fight islamo-facists and any others who may engage us in the War on Terror. The administration needs to address this situation immediately.
Cloud-smothered night sky
Stillness, a held breath, waiting
For Artic cascades
Stillness, a held breath, waiting
For Artic cascades
Saturday, January 24, 2004
Pioneer Press | 01/23/2004 | Support for a Shepard builds!
More Shepard epiphanies!
An ad campaign by an anti-abortion group is praising the La Crosse bishop's stand against Catholic politicians who support abortion.
The American Life League used its ad campaign, called "The Way of La Crosse," to mark the 31st anniversary Thursday of the Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion and to support La Crosse Bishop Raymond Burke.
"We believe the long march to end legalized abortion will end only when every bishop in every diocese joins Bishop Burke on the path provided by Christ and His Church," reads a full-page ad in the Washington Times.
via CT weblog
More Shepard epiphanies!
An ad campaign by an anti-abortion group is praising the La Crosse bishop's stand against Catholic politicians who support abortion.
The American Life League used its ad campaign, called "The Way of La Crosse," to mark the 31st anniversary Thursday of the Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion and to support La Crosse Bishop Raymond Burke.
"We believe the long march to end legalized abortion will end only when every bishop in every diocese joins Bishop Burke on the path provided by Christ and His Church," reads a full-page ad in the Washington Times.
via CT weblog
Powell: It's 'Open Question' Whether Iraq Had WMD
Note the interesting contrast between the "fact" and the quote, which is the source:
Secretary of State Colin Powell said on Saturday it was an "open question" whether stocks of weapons of mass destruction would be found in Iraq
Reuters' "fact"
"'The open question is how many stocks they had, if any, and if they had any, where did they go. And if they didn't have any, then why wasn't that known beforehand?' Powell said to reporters as he flew to Tbilisi to attend Sunday's inauguration of Georgian President-elect Mikhail Saakashvili."
The actual quote by Secretary Powell
Isn't the e version of old media wonderful?
However, Powell's position still leaves me shaking my head. Weren't WMDs possibly going to fall into the hands of Al Quida? And if not, why were we the people told they were? No, I don't believe we were lied to. It's troubling that those who do believe Bush lied now have more "evidence" to support such counter-productive nonsense.
Note the interesting contrast between the "fact" and the quote, which is the source:
Secretary of State Colin Powell said on Saturday it was an "open question" whether stocks of weapons of mass destruction would be found in Iraq
Reuters' "fact"
"'The open question is how many stocks they had, if any, and if they had any, where did they go. And if they didn't have any, then why wasn't that known beforehand?' Powell said to reporters as he flew to Tbilisi to attend Sunday's inauguration of Georgian President-elect Mikhail Saakashvili."
The actual quote by Secretary Powell
Isn't the e version of old media wonderful?
However, Powell's position still leaves me shaking my head. Weren't WMDs possibly going to fall into the hands of Al Quida? And if not, why were we the people told they were? No, I don't believe we were lied to. It's troubling that those who do believe Bush lied now have more "evidence" to support such counter-productive nonsense.
Awakened again
My name, cried out in the dark
From the Heart of Light
My name, cried out in the dark
From the Heart of Light
Tuesday, November 18, 2003
Mark presents divergent views on Iraq
.Eve Tushnet has more updates
From the standpoint of Just War Theory, I find Mark from minute particulars has made the more convincing case. I'd love to believe that the administration pursued Iraq more because of a link between Al Quida and Saddam, but the main thrust of justification for the war was to act before Saddam had nuclear capability.
Does this mean no good has come from the war. Absolutely not! The butcher has been driven into hiding, Iraqis are more free than they've been in decades and democracy may actually take hold. However, none of this makes the war, strictly speaking, a just war. To the extent that we cooperate with God's grace, good has come out of this. Thank God!
As I've said before, we need to remain until we've secured the peace. To back out now would be a disgraceful act of depraved irresponsibility. We've overthrown Saddam; we're now responsible for the establishment of order
.Eve Tushnet has more updates
From the standpoint of Just War Theory, I find Mark from minute particulars has made the more convincing case. I'd love to believe that the administration pursued Iraq more because of a link between Al Quida and Saddam, but the main thrust of justification for the war was to act before Saddam had nuclear capability.
Does this mean no good has come from the war. Absolutely not! The butcher has been driven into hiding, Iraqis are more free than they've been in decades and democracy may actually take hold. However, none of this makes the war, strictly speaking, a just war. To the extent that we cooperate with God's grace, good has come out of this. Thank God!
As I've said before, we need to remain until we've secured the peace. To back out now would be a disgraceful act of depraved irresponsibility. We've overthrown Saddam; we're now responsible for the establishment of order
Friday, November 14, 2003
(Possible saints in strange places!
The resistance continues. I'm behind the curb on this, I know. Thanks to Mark Shea for the heads-up.
The resistance continues. I'm behind the curb on this, I know. Thanks to Mark Shea for the heads-up.
Resistance to the Death Collective
Main Street America understands. Voices like this help me to breath easier. The culture of death has not killed us all, yet.
Main Street America understands. Voices like this help me to breath easier. The culture of death has not killed us all, yet.
Tribals dare to speak out
The nerve of these colonials. They're preaching to us? We know what Scripture really means.
As the ship slowly sinks, so the band played on...
The nerve of these colonials. They're preaching to us? We know what Scripture really means.
As the ship slowly sinks, so the band played on...
Collectivists move to Assimilate!
This quote is precious:
We cannot go back to the Middle Ages," said a spokesman for a gay rights union, shortly before couples of all gender combinations started kissing.
Mira told me the other day about how she found gay classifieds in the personals of our local newspaper. Stopping men from kissing on TV will role back the clock to times medieval? How much hyperbole can one movement stuff into a soundbite?
This quote is precious:
We cannot go back to the Middle Ages," said a spokesman for a gay rights union, shortly before couples of all gender combinations started kissing.
Mira told me the other day about how she found gay classifieds in the personals of our local newspaper. Stopping men from kissing on TV will role back the clock to times medieval? How much hyperbole can one movement stuff into a soundbite?
Au contraire: Catholic dogmas teach respect, love
A catholic woman who understands! This is the witness we need to finally exorcise the manichean devil from our Church, and the pop culture distortion that passes for understanding of the Faith.
A catholic woman who understands! This is the witness we need to finally exorcise the manichean devil from our Church, and the pop culture distortion that passes for understanding of the Faith.
A Shepard Stands!
Michele Curay-Cramer knew that when she let her name appear in an abortion-rights advertisement in a local newspaper she might get fired from her teaching job at an all-girls Roman Catholic high school.
Sure enough - she was. Now she's suing the school, the Diocese of Wilmington and Bishop Michael Saltarelli.
Curay-Cramer, who was fired from Ursuline Academy in January, claims she was let go on Saltarelli's orders - after she refused to recant her views supporting abortion rights.
Let's see. She takes a teaching job at a Catholic all-girls high School. She allows her name to "appear in an abortion-rights advertisement", and then sues her former employer after she is dismissed. I love this country!
Of course, it's all ok. After all, she's a 'a practicing Catholic who described herself as both "pro-life" and "pro-choice."'
Can old media come up with a more contradictory description? What, exactly, is a "practicing" Catholic who is 'pro-life' and 'pro-choice'? What does such a Catholic practice? And if this catholic is indeed 'pro-life', then what choice does this catholic see?
Thankfully, She clarifies herself:
"You can believe that a woman has a right to choose, and you can also believe that abortion should be the last possible option"
Sure. You can murder your child after you've considered every other option. That doesn't make you a practicing Catholic, unless your practice is apostacy.
So many self-hating catholics, so little time.
Michele Curay-Cramer knew that when she let her name appear in an abortion-rights advertisement in a local newspaper she might get fired from her teaching job at an all-girls Roman Catholic high school.
Sure enough - she was. Now she's suing the school, the Diocese of Wilmington and Bishop Michael Saltarelli.
Curay-Cramer, who was fired from Ursuline Academy in January, claims she was let go on Saltarelli's orders - after she refused to recant her views supporting abortion rights.
Let's see. She takes a teaching job at a Catholic all-girls high School. She allows her name to "appear in an abortion-rights advertisement", and then sues her former employer after she is dismissed. I love this country!
Of course, it's all ok. After all, she's a 'a practicing Catholic who described herself as both "pro-life" and "pro-choice."'
Can old media come up with a more contradictory description? What, exactly, is a "practicing" Catholic who is 'pro-life' and 'pro-choice'? What does such a Catholic practice? And if this catholic is indeed 'pro-life', then what choice does this catholic see?
Thankfully, She clarifies herself:
"You can believe that a woman has a right to choose, and you can also believe that abortion should be the last possible option"
Sure. You can murder your child after you've considered every other option. That doesn't make you a practicing Catholic, unless your practice is apostacy.
So many self-hating catholics, so little time.
Ecumenism at work!
In Britain, Margaret Thatcher "received the highest honour awarded by the Catholic Church as she was invested into an ancient sacred order at Westminster Cathedral."
In the USA, CBS tries to air a character assasination, er, um, film of Ronald Reagan.
In Britain, Margaret Thatcher "received the highest honour awarded by the Catholic Church as she was invested into an ancient sacred order at Westminster Cathedral."
In the USA, CBS tries to air a character assasination, er, um, film of Ronald Reagan.
Really, Axis of Evil is so over the top
Another state sponser of terrorism tries to develop nuclear weapons, and Western Europe...wants to send a "strongly worded message."
What's interesting is which nation is not mentioned: Russia. No position, so far?
Another state sponser of terrorism tries to develop nuclear weapons, and Western Europe...wants to send a "strongly worded message."
What's interesting is which nation is not mentioned: Russia. No position, so far?
anti-global collectivist or local-state libertarian?
You decide. Personally, I've had it with the '68er foaming fanatics. Witness the debacles anti-globalists called "protests" in Seatlle, Italy and Quebec. However, some of her points deserve some thought, particularly in light of certain FCC regulations and Supreme Court Decisions:
''We don't like corporate globalization, which threatens to turn us into one globalized glob of homogenized sameness,'' says Wallach, "This is not about trade. It has to do with conforming your domestic laws with the rules . . . about who can own and control domestic services and investment and expenditure of tax dollars and how governments can regulate those industries.''
Sounds like a pitch for subsidiarity to me.
You decide. Personally, I've had it with the '68er foaming fanatics. Witness the debacles anti-globalists called "protests" in Seatlle, Italy and Quebec. However, some of her points deserve some thought, particularly in light of certain FCC regulations and Supreme Court Decisions:
''We don't like corporate globalization, which threatens to turn us into one globalized glob of homogenized sameness,'' says Wallach, "This is not about trade. It has to do with conforming your domestic laws with the rules . . . about who can own and control domestic services and investment and expenditure of tax dollars and how governments can regulate those industries.''
Sounds like a pitch for subsidiarity to me.
