March 17, 2010
As opposed to the guy who loves Irish culture, marches in parades, wears green, and gets blitzed on green beer. I see nothing wrong with the secular approach to his holiday (except the drunkenness), but I think the vast majority of revelers, at least in the Irish diaspora, have no idea why they do the admittedly fun things they do.
Although I’ve never been to Ireland and can’t comment on whether they actually remember the man in the midst of the partying, at the very least St. Patrick’s Day is a solemnity there and deserves the level of festivity associated with it. Among many of my students, you’d think that St. Patrick’s day was the Church’s most important holiday and most of them have no connection whatsoever to Ireland. Of course, neither do I and I find Irish culture fascinating (but don’t get me started on “Celtic spirituality”).
How should Catholics celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? My two cents: go to mass, thank God for the conversion of Ireland and its contribution to the world, and have a lot of fun (while being a good example).
Happy St. Patrick’s Day from all of us at Per Christum!
16 Comments | 
Liturgical Year | Tagged: Catholic, green beer, Ireland, parades, partying, St. Patrick, St. Patrick's Day | 
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Posted by Jonathan B
January 11, 2010
It’s a tad shocking to see those three together in the same header, I know. But, that’s the argument made by English professor Thomas H. Benton (pen name of William Pannapacker). He examines the traits of a cult and connects those to the way graduate schooling in the liberal arts is conducted. As he mentions, such traits could easily be found in other mainstream areas (like business), but having been in grad school and having felt an emotional crisis at not continuing I can’t completely disagree.
Benton has another great article too that highlights the harsh reality of the post-graduate school job landscape, aptly titled Graduate School in the Humanities: Just Don’t Go. Although I am using my degree, I often wonder if a theology Masters could’ve been a waste of money and even time. I enjoyed the topic, but was the debt worth the opportunity to teach high school or go onto more debt or poverty to get another degree? I used to want to pursue a PhD, but over the past few years I’ve decided to wait, maybe even indefinitely.
I should post Benton’s two articles beside my computer just in case I get wistful for my grad school days.
4 Comments | Education | Tagged: cult, Graduate School, humanities, jobs, liberal arts, not worth it, PhD, teaching, Theology, Thomas H. Benton, unemployment, William Pannapacker | Permalink
Posted by Jonathan B
January 2, 2010
Not to detract from the joys of the Christmas season, Epiphany, or Mary, Mother of God, but the secular new year is upon us along with the time for New Year’s resolutions. While we all typically resolve to accomplish much of the same stuff like losing weight or making extra money, this is also a good time to consider how we want to grow spiritually (ideally this would’ve been done around Advent, but better late than never).
I’ve decided to deepen my faith in God by the following ways:
1. Pray the Liturgy of the Hours more frequently- I love it, but am often ‘too busy.’ I’ve bought the 4 volume set and want to better utilize it.
2. Pray the rosary more frequently- See #1 (except the 4 vol. bit). The Church recognizes the countless spiritual graces that come from this devotion. I want to be a bigger part of it.
3. Spend more time before the Blessed Sacrament- Jesus has given us his presence through the Blessed Sacrament. I need to take more advantage of this gift.
What are your spiritual resolutions? Share in the comments.
2 Comments | Catholic, General | Tagged: Catholic, christian, New Years, spiritual resolutions | Permalink
Posted by Jonathan B
December 30, 2009
With a little bit of free time while I’m on Christmas break from teaching, I’ve been catching up on some light (yeah) reading, in this case George Ostrogorsky’s wonderful History of the Byzantine State. While the topic may seem dry to some, the numerous civil wars, usurpers, church controversies, and fascinating figures make it a very interesting read.
Today, I was reading about iconoclasm and how Constantine V proscribed iconography and even relics and prayers to the saints in an effort to allegedly purify the Church. Yet, he allowed images of the emperor (himself) to adorn church buildings! This took me back to my days studying the Arian controversy where I read that the Arians were happy to recognize that the Logos dwelt in the emperor just as much (if not more) as he did in Christ.
I’m not here to argue that rejection of the Church as an institution leads to an uncritical embracing of the State, but I still think that an independent Church is essential to checking the power of the government. Stalin’s question about the Pope and legions ignores the reality that people’s hearts can be won apart from military might. I sometimes just wonder if people’s hearts turn away from the Church if it’s not easier to secure them for the government. And, of course, Catholics can be shills for the government too.
A modern example would be how large numbers of Christians who would never allow an image of Christ in their midst so quickly and staunchly attach themselves to the flag. Even communities that would never allow any religious representation would be certain to have a US flag within the church building. I’m not arguing against the flag, by the way, just remarking about how odd it is that rules for religion can be so easily broken to apply to the State.
3 Comments | Catholic, General | Tagged: Church, Constantine V, George Ostrogorsky, History of the Byzantine State, iconoclasm, state | Permalink
Posted by Jonathan B
December 26, 2009
In secular society, the Christmas season, which generally runs from Halloween to December 25th is winding down. The parties are over, the radio stations have generally stopped playing Christmas music and the trees and decorations are on their way down. Only a few traditional Catholics and Anglicans keep the old custom of putting everything up on Christmas Eve. As much as I love the holiday songs, the decorations, and other secular activities, society gets the chronology all wrong, leaving out Ordinary Time and Advent.
Yet, for Catholics and other liturgical Christians, the fun is just getting started. We have the 12 days of Christmas (kind of, thanks to various bishops conferences), feasts of Holy Family, Epiphany, Mary Mother of God, and the baptism of our Lord. And, this doesn’t include the lesser feasts of Holy Innocents, St. John, and St. Stephen. And, the Christmas festivities have traditionally lasted until Candlemas (Feb. 2nd).
So, our liturgical and holiday fun is just starting, which is actually a pretty good way to avoid the post-holiday letdown that many people experience. We get to transition back to ordinary time and it’ll be Lent before we know it!
Merry Christmas!
1 Comment | Catholic, General | Tagged: Advent, candlemas, Christmas season, Holidays, 12 days of Christmas, Epiphany, Mary Mother of God, Holy Family, Liturgical Year, secular Christmas | Permalink
Posted by Jonathan B
December 7, 2009
Uganda is currently proposing a law to make homosexual behavior punishable by life in prison or the death penalty. It has received some support from American evangelicals, but should, I believe, be firmly rejected. Although this blog is quite strong in its support of magisterial Catholic sexual teaching and will continue to be, there’s a huge difference between upholding traditional sexual morality and calling violators to repentance and allowing the State kill those who fail. I would say more, but I think John Mark Reynolds at First Things does a much better job.
Please read his entire essay.
4 Comments | Morality and Moral Issues | Tagged: Catholic, death penalty, Evangelical, Homosexuality, prison, Uganda | Permalink
Posted by Jonathan B
November 28, 2009
As Catholics, it’s easy to get swept up into the secular Christmas culture. And, to be honest, there’s nothing wrong, in my opinion, with that. I love looking at lights, trimming the tree, and doing a whole host of holiday activities, even if in November!
Yet, as Catholics, we know there is a different path that we’re also called to take in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Our experience of Advent, through prayer and mass, point to what a great hope we have in Jesus, the hope he’s given us through his Incarnation and the hope we have that he will come again.
Advent should ultimately be a time of reflection and prayer, where we get closer to God as we wait for the coming of Jesus Christ. When we consider how long the great heroes of Israel waited for the coming of Lord, putting aside a few weeks of reflection isn’t really much. But, even that is difficult when the world around us started celebrating Christmas before Advent even begins!
I’m not arguing that we need to refuse to celebrate Christmas until midnight mass on Christmas eve, but admittedly, it’s a challenge to remain engaged in the waiting in the midst of parties, lights, decorations, and family functions.
But, it’s a challenge we must accept because Advent is a wonderful time to grow more deeply in our faith and learn to wait for the coming of Christ, in the world and in our lives.
Leave a Comment » | Liturgical Year | Tagged: Advent, Catholic, Christmas, culture, decorations, waiting | Permalink
Posted by Jonathan B
November 23, 2009
The Pope recently met with artists at the Sistine Chapel to talk with them about their trade, especially in relation to the Church. He focused on a few aspects:
- Their work should be spiritual, because contemporary beauty was often “illusory and deceitful”
- He wanted to “renew the Church’s friendship with art
- Beauty … can become a path toward the transcendent, toward the ultimate Mystery, toward God
- “Faith takes nothing away from your genius or art. On the contrary, it exalts them and nourishes them.”
All incredible words of wisdom from a Pontiff who understands the relationship of art to the transcendent. Over 250 guests attended out of 500 or so invitations. Such notables as Andrea Bocelli, F. Murray Abraham, Ennio Morricone were present. Imagine getting invited!
I find it especially troubling how the Church that gave us such amazing medieval and Renaissance art, sculpture, and architecture, has to renew its friendship with art. Of course, I suspect that the friendship was broken, not by the Church, but by the modern and post-modern trends in art that attempt(ed) to elevate the human spirit beyond the need for God.
I want to pursue the relationship between the Church and the artistic tradition in more detail when I have free time. That the Pope has already renewed the conversation is timely.
Image by Jonathan Bennett from Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, Euclid, OH. To order prints or download high resolution images, click here
1 Comment | Art and Architecture | Tagged: Andrea Bocelli, Architecture, art, artists, Ennio Morricone, F. Murray Abraham, gathering, Pope Benedict XVI, Sistine chapel | Permalink
Posted by Jonathan B
November 16, 2009
Divine Providence, the recognition that God guides the world for good according to his plan, is an essential teaching within Catholicism and we may be seeing it in action. For months, the Church of England has wrestled with the issue of female bishops, specifically how that community could implement them without causing an exodus of Anglo-Catholics and certain evangelicals. Various plans were suggested, including having male bishops oversee those who could not in good conscience accept female bishops.
Now, however, a key committee advising General Synod (the governing body that guides CofE policy) has recommended that women bishops have complete control over their dioceses with no special guarantees for traditionalists. Essentially, Anglo-Catholics are being told, you must submit to this revisionist agenda or face the wrath of your bishop! Granted, the committee recognizes that individual bishops could allow charitable arrangements, but most of the first female bishops are likely to be activist types who will be in no mood for “backward” Anglo-Catholics.
So, where does Divine Providence fit in? As the CofE prepares to exclude some of its members, essentially telling them to get lost, the Pope has just created a very generous process to bring Anglo-Catholics to the Catholic Church while letting them keep a good deal of their identity. I find it amusing that the liberal, supposedly inclusive Church of England is throwing people out while the supposedly big bad conservative Pope is welcoming them in. My how stereotypes (and mission statements) can be deceiving!
6 Comments | Catholic, General | Tagged: Anglo-Catholics, Church of England, inclusiveness, liberals, Pope, traditionalists, Vatican, women bishops | Permalink
Posted by Jonathan B
October 26, 2009
Once again, Pope Benedict has demonstrated why he has been chosen at this particular time to lead the Church. In this case, it’s with regard to the welcoming of Anglicans to the Catholic fold with an unparalleled generosity. It’s a generosity that confounds all of the people who feared that his pontificate would be angry and reactionary.
The Pope has laid out quite an inclusive and broad welcome to those in strained communion (SSPX) and those outside of formal communion (Anglicans) with the Catholic Church. The terms have been opposed at times by many powerful forces (like diocesan bishops, Catholic liberal intelligentsia), but ultimately the Pope erred on the side of, well, Catholicism, which is universal. He didn’t do this by selling out Catholic teaching, but rather made converting as easy as is humanly possible in order to bring back those who may be feeling the prompting of the Spirit to be enter into communion with the See of Peter.
The Pope’s attitude is so refreshingly positive and loving. Many online Catholics see defective Anglican orders, the Pope sees a rich theological and liturgical tradition. Converts say just let them do what the rest of us did; the Pope recognizes the difficulty in making the leap for huge numbers of Anglicans. Many say these SSPX people and conservative Anglicans are too this that or the other (usually nutty, anti-whatever); Pope Benedict says, the Church is big enough for them and they have a lot to contribute.
As online voices of Catholicism, many of us need to step back and reflect on what the Pope has done. It isn’t just his reaching out to Anglicans, which most conservative bloggers would agree with. Rather, it’s the spirit in which he’s done it: holding fast to Catholic traditions while showing utmost generosity and kindness to human beings in the process. It’s a model we all should emulate.
Image by Jonathan Bennett from St. Helen Catholic Church, Newbury, OH. To order prints or download high resolution images, click here
1 Comment | Catholic, General | Tagged: Anglican, Catholicism, Generosity, Pope Benedict, SSPX | Permalink
Posted by Jonathan B
October 14, 2009
My latest on Ancient and Future Catholics:
Many Protestants ask Catholics: why do Catholics pray to Mary and other Saints? Why do Catholics give Mary honor? Do Catholics worship Mary? Catholics are not alone in this either: Orthodox Christians and many Anglicans pray to Mary also. I’m going to approach this in two ways. First, I want to look at the general practice of praying to others and honoring them. Then, I want to address whether or not it’s appropriate to pray to Mary, someone who is deceased.
Is it ok to pray to other people? Most Christians would probably answer in the negative. The response would be: we pray to God and that’s it. However, Catholics and Orthodox operate under the more broad definition of “pray,” which means to entreat or request. Although the term is largely used of God today, we still have remnants of this usage when it was used with others, e.g. “pray tell.” So, by praying to Mary, we are simply entreating her or asking her for something. What are we asking? Two things, actually.
First, we are asking her to pray for us. We are asking Mary’s intercession before God. Most Christians would have no problem with asking someone else to pray for them. We do it all the time when we pray for others or when someone says “keep me in your prayers.” The Bible (and even our daily experience) is filled with examples of members of the Hebrew or Christian communities praying on behalf of others.
More…
Image by Jonathan Bennett from Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, Euclid, OH. To order prints or download high resolution images, click here
2 Comments | Catholic, General, Mary, Blessed Virgin, Saints and Sainthood | Tagged: Catholic, Communion of Saints, Orthodox, prayers to the saints, Protestants, Virgin Mary, why | Permalink
Posted by Jonathan B
October 8, 2009
The Telegraph is reporting that the Queen is unhappy with the recent craziness in the Anglican Communion and is a behind the scenes supporter of traditionalist movements. This should not come as a surprise for many reasons. The article also mentions that she has grown very sympathetic to Catholicism.
None of this really counts as news since many, many Anglicans are unhappy with the direction of the communion and find Catholicism a nice alternative. However, also like many disaffected Anglicans, this does not mean that the Queen is on the verge of converting. If Tony Blair’s conversion had potential to be messy, imagine the Queen! Still, it would be an amazing event to see the Queen of England formally become Catholic in my lifetime. The first Elizabeth had an opportunity to reconcile England with Rome, but didn’t take it. It would be excellent if another Elizabeth did.
2 Comments | Anglican and Episcopal, Catholic, General | Tagged: Anglican, Catholic, English monarchy, Queen Elizabeth II, traditionalist | Permalink
Posted by Jonathan B
October 7, 2009
Back in 1966 Time Magazine courted controversy with their “God is Dead” cover. It seemed, at least to modernist theologians, that it was possible to create Christianity without God or at least a religion without him. Those were heady days for the progressives, hoping to create a faith that could be embraced by “sensible” people. The result is a bunch of nonsensical theo-babble that has absolutely no value to the common person but keeps theologians and academics busy and gainfully employed.
The man who gave us the “God is dead” cover and article, John T. Elson died last month. I wish his soul eternal rest. But, in spite of his attention grabbing cover and the theologians who based their academic careers on it, God and his traditional religion are very much alive. The death of God movement on the other hand is well, pretty dated, aging, and maybe even…dead.
Image by Jonathan Bennett from Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, Euclid, OH. To order prints or download high resolution images, click here
Leave a Comment » | Mainline Protestant | Tagged: God is Dead, John Elson, modernism, Theology, Time Magazine | Permalink
Posted by Jonathan B
October 5, 2009
The other day I took out my family to go shopping and since I do most of that online, I took photos at a local shrine. Since the family needed (?) three hours, I also went to have coffee and process my photos on the computer. I went to a coffeehouse run by Christians, but not specifically a Christian place, or so they advertised.
It was a good experience until I heard the man I presumed to be the owner talking to another woman. He explained that saying something over and over again has no effect on the will of God. Basically, we only have to say it once. And, he used the “Hail Mary” prayer as an example and how Catholics can repeat it all they want, but it doesn’t change the mind of God. He also told the lady that while he didn’t believe the end was coming in 2012, he did believe all the evidence pointed to it being very soon. The whole conversation took me back to my college days when I was struggling with evangelicalism.
I wanted to focus on the complaint about repeating words and phrases. Does it change God’s mind? In a human perception kind of sense, who knows? In terms of the divine plan, no. Certainly some Catholics would take that approach, but then again so would many Protestants, just with many different prayers and actions.
What this guy didn’t understand, I think, is ritual, and the honor it gives to God and his holy ones, and its value for us. Sure, saying one, or fifty, or one million Hail Marys may not change God’s mind, but it goes a long way towards changing ours, and blessing our hearts in the process. He saw prayer primarily in terms of asking; I see it primarily as worship and communication with God.
I really liked the coffeehouse itself, but it’s sad that it became a venue for bad or misinformed theology. But, little did he know that I had just been to a shrine honoring Mary as Our Lady of Lourdes and was processing photos of her right at one of his tables. Fortunately for him, I judged the place on the coffee and the wifi (both excellent), not the theology.
Image by Jonathan Bennett from Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, Euclid, OH. To order prints or download high resolution images, click here.
4 Comments | Catholic, General | Tagged: Christian coffeehouse, Evangelicalism, hail mary, Prayer | Permalink
Posted by Jonathan B
September 18, 2009
Bart Stupak, a Catholic, and one of the only true pro-life Democrats these days, has stood up to Obama and other Democrats about including abortion in the health care bill. In fact, he is working so that not one cent is put towards the killing of innocent children in the name of government healthcare. He’s even called Obama out for saying the plan will not cover abortion by saying “it’s just not true.”
I’m happy to see that at least one Democrat has the guts to challenge the president on this crucial issue. I dislike the health care bill for lots of reasons, but the fact that abortion is almost certain to be covered should be a complete deal breaker for any Catholic .
Source
4 Comments | Catholic, General | Permalink
Posted by Jonathan B
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