10 Misconceptions of Catholicism!

Most of what people react to when hearing about Catholicism is not the actual teachings and dogmas of the faith, but misconceptions that are rampant in our culture. I would even bet (if I were a betting man!) that people who leave the Church leave it for their misconceptions of the Faith. This is why a well formed faithful in the apostolate is urgently needed if there is to be any fruit harvested in our evangelistic efforts. Catch the article here.

Blessings on a beautiful Monday!

Scorning the Shame

The picture above shows Christ at Golgotha scorning the shame that was heeped on him, the derision, the ridicule, the pain, the fear, the death. He did not hesitate to suffer this on our behalf, and yet, as so often the case, Christians succomb to the shame imposed by the world. Why is this?

The next several days, I'd like to share some of my musings that I hope will inspire us when faced with evanglism opportunities, to do as Jesus did and scorn the shame and abuse heaped on us and take it up and wear it with pride. To do this will require some heart reformation.

One of the most important yet neglected ideas, and therefore, activities in the Church is the idea and calling of Mission. Somehow, modern Catholicism has made it possible for the Catholic to cross off evangelism as an option to pursue. In fact, ask the average Catholic what part they play in the New Evangelization, and you will more than likely get a "deer in the headlights"look.
This vocational amnesia has been an undiagnosed and untreated condition for several decades which had it's cure in a papal document of Pope Paul VI called Evangelii Nuntiandi, or "The Apostolate of the Laity." I'm going to be taking some time in the next few days to show how Catholic it is to spread the Gospel by using our lips.

Here's what the Holy Father says regarding our mission as Christians:

The Church was founded for the purpose of spreading the kingdom of Christ throughout the earth for the glory of God the Father, to enable all men to share in His saving redemption,(1) and that through them the whole world might enter into a relationship with Christ. All activity of the Mystical Body directed to the attainment of this goal is called the apostolate, which the Church carries on in various ways through all her members. For the Christian vocation by its very nature is also a vocation to the apostolate.

The Church's identity, its essence is mission. And because of this, we, who are baptized, share in this mission. The Holy Father continues in the importance of this mission to the Church's and individual Christian's identity:

Indeed, the organic union in this body and the structure of the members are so compact that the member who fails to make his proper contribution to the development of the Church must be said to be useful neither to the Church nor to himself.

The source of this idea is not the Holy Father himself, but Christ. Once again, Pope Paul VI:

The laity derive the right and duty to the apostolate from their union with Christ the head; incorporated into Christ's Mystical Body through Baptism and strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit through Confirmation, they are assigned to the apostolate by the Lord Himself. They are consecrated for the royal priesthood and the holy people (cf. 1 Peter 2:4-10) not only that they may offer spiritual sacrifices in everything they do but also that they may witness to Christ throughout the world. The sacraments, however, especially the most holy Eucharist, communicate and nourish that charity which is the soul of the entire apostolate.

It is mission that is the glue for all the doctrines and teachings of the Church. When mission is skipped over, the pursuit of Christ in the devotional life or theological studies devolves into a pursuit of self-absorbed spirituality. The Eucharist is no longer the spiritual manna of Christ to aid us in the journey, it becomes a spiritual commodity that is sought and gained for personal growth and development. Yes, the vices can invade and infect our dispositions in receiving Christ.

Only in seeing the essence of mission in the Church and in our lives here on earth does all the sacraments and spiritual activity in the Church make sense and have continuity with each other. Once again, the Holy Father:

One engages in the apostolate through the faith, hope, and charity which the Holy Spirit diffuses in the hearts of all members of the Church. Indeed, by the precept of charity, which is the Lord's greatest commandment, all the faithful are impelled to promote the glory of God through the coming of His kingdom and to obtain eternal life for all men-that they may know the only true God and Him whom He sent, Jesus Christ (cf. John 17:3). On all Christians therefore is laid the preeminent responsibility of working to make the divine message of salvation known and accepted by all men throughout the world.

The true test of our love and faithfulness to God is if and how we are engaged in the New Evangelization. Do we shrink from sharing with others in word the life of Christ when the situation calls for it? Do we hide our affiliation to Jesus in order to avoid discussing Him with others? Fear not, loved ones, for the life of mission is built into the life that Christ gives us...the grace that he pours into us. Stayed tuned for more of the same tomorrow...

Kings in Disguise

Yes, two blog posts in a row in one day!!!! A 2009 record!!

Well, now that my celebration is over, I want to point you to an article from the Mary Victrix website entitled, Kings in Disguise, which examines the character of "Aragorn" in his Lord of the Rings Trilogy. He compares Tolkien's idea of knighthood and kingship to the blockbuster movie made by Peter Jackson. There are tremendous differences.

I am also going through the Trilogy again for the third time and finding that many of the characters in Tolkien have been diminished by Jackson so that the story fits a modern blockbuster formula.

1. According to Jackson, Aragorn is definitely diminished as a hesitant leader who is trying to find himself and is trying to overcome the sins of his forebears, whereas Tolkien sees him as a powerful king in deliberate disguise to protect and defend the Shire and Middle Earth from it's foes. He is unsung and often despised, but uses this humiliation to cover his true mission. He also has the shards of Narsil remade into Anduril just prior to the Fellowship of Nine leaves Rivendell, not as Jackson places it, with a kick in Aragorn's pants by Elrond.

2. King Theoden of Rohan in the movie is an emotional and anxious king who is reluctant to face the enemy head on, running to Helm's Deep. Aragorn is the one who leads the final assault and inspires Theoden and the Rohirrim to follow. In Tolkien, it's actually Theoden who leads the final charge with Aragorn at his side.

3. Treebeard is also diminished in Jackson as a slow ancient treeherder that is unaware, self-absorbed and unwilling to fight against Isengard and Sauroman. In Tolkien, Treebeard is slow, but is VERY aware and even rallies the Ents to War. There is no cunning manipulation by Merry to get Treebeard to fight.

4. Jackson misses the poetic nature of the titanic struggle that is occurring between Sauron and Middle Earth. There is a depth of meaning that doesn't come through, the role and mystery of Providence, that seems to guide everything and yet allows for freewill of the other characters. There is a real danger of complete annihilation of Middle Earth, and yet, the nature of evil is not superior to the good. Jackson does a superb job in trying to make the battles come to life and capture their size and scope.

5. Finally, I don't think there is enough weight placed on Gandalf as the one who is integral to the entire epic. Plus, Jackson has the Nazgul King destroy Gandalf's staff, which is entirely against Tolkien. Gandalf has superior powers to the Nazgul; they could never have destroyed his staff as Jackson depicted. The transformation of Gandalf the Grey to Gandalf the White is critical to the Trilogy. Jackson's version creates tension in the viewer, but then begs the question, "If the Nazgul have so much power over Gandalf, and subsequently, over the Elf Kings and Queens, then why doesn't he obliterate Middle Earth? Jackson leaves a bit too much to chance, which heightens the tension; Tolkien increases the tension through the mystery that comes from the interaction of Providence and freewill in creation.

All in all, I'm enjoying my third read of LOTR. I've already read the Silmarilion, and The Hobbit, which helps the reading of LOTR. Check out the Mary Victrix article and let me know what you think.

Five Months is Long Enough!!!

Hey everyone!

Well, I put off blogging long enough. I've been looking for work and it's been consuming my time quite a bit. Sorry for the lapse. Here's what's in store for the next several days:

1. I have some great ideas concerning Catholic Male Spirituality that I have been absorbing from a website called Mary Victrix, a website that deals with True Chivalry. Many great articles and links. You'll have plenty of information to absorb.

2. I have some thoughts that I'd like to share in a few days regarding parish revitalization and evangelization that I hope is not only encouraging, but inspiring as well.

3. I also have some political observations, but I'm less inclined toward politics, since I can get so exasperated. Our hope is in Christ, not politicians. Thanks be to God!

4. Also, I'm gearing up for the fall and it's once again time for "The Four Pillars of Faith!" I'd like to present the course again, once things settle down for me.

All in all, I'm glad I'm back in the saddle. Come along, partners! We gotta trail to blaze.

Archbishop Chaput Warns of False "Abortion Reduction Strategies"

An excellent CNA article here covers Archbishop's statements made at a recent Ireland Pro-Life Conference. One major eye-opening statement in what needs to be done to advance the Pro-Life movement is our willingness to be martyrs, to "pay the ultimate price." Sobering and necessary.

How Much Does God Love You?

One particular band I love is "Casting Crowns". Below is a song "Who am I?" which puts the love of God in perspective. Though we are nothing in comparison to the glory and majesty of God, with our tendency to sin, we are loved greatly, deeply, completely and infinitely. We are loved as much as God is love. Simply awesome. Enjoy and worship our Christ, Lord and Friend where you are.

Check it Out!!!

Hey, Frs. Joel and Benjamin Sember have a blogsite worth looking at. Check it out here.