The "Prince of this World" is a great P.R. man, a great salesman of new hardware and software, a great electric engineer, and a great master of the media.

It is not brains or intelligence that is needed to cope with the problems with Plato and Aristotle and all of their successors to the present have failed to confront. What is needed is a readiness to undervalue the world altogether. This is only possible for a Christian... All technologies and all cultures, ancient and modern, are part of our immediate expanse. There is hope in this diversity since it creates vast new possibilities of detachment and amusement at human gullibility and self-deception. There is no harm in reminding ourselves from time to time that the "Prince of this World" is a great P.R. man, a great salesman of new hardware and software, a great electric engineer, and a great master of the media. It is his master stroke to be not only environmental but invisible for the environmental is invincibly persuasive when ignored.

Marshall McLuhan, The Medium and the Light: Reflections on Religion

This is even more relevant now than it was in McLuhan's time. And it was bad enough then.

Dish with Peacock Feather Pattern

Unknown, Dish with a Peacock Feather Pattern, about 1470 - 1500
via The J. Paul Getty Museum's open content program

And the Winner is — 1939

  Our family is working our way through Oscar winners and whichever nominees take our fancy. Also as they are available, since these early films continued to be hard to find.

This year's movies had another delightfully mixed bag ranging from drama to screwball comedy. There are some treasures in the bunch but some real duds too.

Nominees not viewed: Four Daughters or Test Pilot. They looked good but we just couldn't track them down.

WINNER

Alice, the only relatively normal member of the eccentric Sycamore family, falls in love with Tony Kirby, but his wealthy banker father and snobbish mother strongly disapprove of the match. When the two families meet things turn screwball fast.

Frank Capra's third Oscar in five years. This was vivid and lively in a way that I didn't expect. I thought this would be about the young couple but it was really about the two family patriarchs and how Jimmy Stewart's father changes. My favorite performances were from the father and the night court judge. 

 NOMINEES

Robin Hood fights nobly for justice against the evil Sir Guy of Gisbourne while striving to win the hand of the beautiful Maid Marian.

Never a huge favorite of mine but it seemed just as good a candidate as the winner with an energetic telling of a classic adventure story. But blockbusters rarely win an Oscar.

A group of French soldiers during WWI are transferred to a high-security fortress and must concoct a plan to escape beneath the watchful eye of aristocratic German officer von Rauffenstein.

This was really great and you can see how influential it was. Many times I recognized standard POW camp elements from movies done later on, such as the way they hide the dirt from the tunnel in the garden (Great Escape). This had deeper layers about class, nationalities, the cost of war, and the joy of peace. Really great. I'd pick this over the Oscar winner.

Ho hum. An Irving Berlin songbook accompanying a little bit of story. We couldn't believe this was nominated.

In 1850s Louisiana, the willfulness of a tempestuous Southern belle threatens to destroy all who care for her.

I couldn't take my eyes off Bette Davis whenever she was onscreen. And you can see Wyler's skill growing with every film. We originally watched this during our William Wyler series which was during Covid. This movie has the threat of plague everywhere and the comparisons made fascinating viewing.  

We all know this story. It is the play that eventually was turned into a musical, My Fair Lady. It was a very good movie. We hadn't realized how strongly the musical followed the screenplay, so much so that it echoed in our minds throughout the story. 

This had small things that distinguished it from the musical and recommended it. Higgins tells Pickering that Eliza has parrot-like skill in accents and that she's able to learn how to behave like a duchess with no problem. So even though he never compliments Eliza to her face, he respects her abilities. Mrs. Pearce, the housekeeper, goes to bat for Eliza to be treated more fairly. Freddy is definitely more of an idiot. Higgins is merely intrigued instead of being afraid that Eliza will be exposed at the ball. 

This was an earnest, wholesome biography of Father Flanagan's Boys Town where homeless boys were raised to be successful, well adjusted members of society. I can see why it was a feel-good selection, but it didn't age well, especially compared to the other Oscar contenders.

A young, idealistic, newly qualified Scottish doctor attempts to cure miner's lung but his attempts are thwarted. When a friend shows him how to make a lucrative practice from rich hypochondriacs, it will take a great shock to show him what the truth of being a doctor really is.

A medium pick of all those viewed, this was a melodrama about the meaning of life being greater than acquiring wealth. I did love Robert Donat and Rosalind Russell in the main roles.

=======

All the Oscar viewing is here.

Optional Memorial: Saint Augustine Zhao Rong and his 119 companions

“St. Augustine Zhao Rong”
Artist and Date are unknown. Via Memorial Bench.

Christianity arrived in China by way of Syria in the 600s. Depending on China's relations with the outside world, Christianity over the centuries was free to grow or was forced to operate secretly.

The 120 martyrs in this group died between 1648 and 1930. Most of them (eighty-seven) were born in China and were children, parents, catechists or laborers, ranging from nine years of age to seventy-two. This group includes four Chinese diocesan priests.

The thirty-three foreign-born martyrs were mostly priests or women religious, especially from the Order of Preachers, the Paris Foreign Mission Society, the Friars Minor, Jesuits, Salesians and Franciscan Missionaries of Mary.

Augustine Zhao Rong was a Chinese soldier who accompanied Bishop John Gabriel Taurin Dufresse (Paris Foreign Mission Society) to his martyrdom in Beijing. Augustine was baptized and not long after was ordained as a diocesan priest. He was martyred in 1815.

Beatified in groups at various times, these 120 martyrs were canonized in Rome on October 1, 2000. ...

The fact that this considerable number of Chinese lay faithful offered their lives for Christ together with the missionaries who had proclaimed the Gospel to them and had been so devoted to them is evidence of the depth of the link that faith in Christ establishes. It gathers into a single family people of various races and cultures, strongly uniting them not for political motives but in virtue of a religion that preaches love, brotherhood, peace and justice.

Catholic Culture

I am not sure why but I have always been fascinated by the witness of these brave Catholics in China. Perhaps it is because I've always been interested in China anyway and so these saints naturally draw my attention. Their witness is just as important today as when they were martyred.

You may read more about the individual martyrs.

One of them who recently came to my attention is St. Mark Ji Tianxiang. He was highly respected until he treated himself for an illness with opium and became addicted. Sounds just like the morphine problem after WWII or today's opioid addiction crisis, doesn't it? As he continually struggled with his addiction, his confessor gradually became convinced that the repeated confessions meant that Tianxiang wasn't really trying. So he was banned from the sacraments ... for 30 years. But Tianxiang never turned away from the Church, instead praying that he could become a martyr. His entire family was martyred during the Boxer Rebellion.

Ji begged his captors to kill him last so that none of his family would have to die alone. He stood beside all nine of them as they were beheaded.

That is a beautiful bit of selflessness that I hope I would have the courage to emulate. Read his story here.

Kerrville Flood Relief Through the St. Vincent de Paul Society

I am a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. I planned on beginning to share with readers how it has thrown me out of my comfort zone in a way that has deepened my faith. 

However, this morning I received an email from the Dallas Council about how we can help our neighbors who have suffered so much from the flash flooding.

This comes first.

The Kerrville Conference is in the thick of it, helping with clothing, food, and more. You can donate here.

The council's statement is moving and inspiring. I include it below:

We stand in awe of the power of nature. We stand in horror of the devastation wrought by the flash floods in Central Texas on July 4.

We cannot stand on the sidelines and do nothing.

We do not have the skills and tools to make a real difference in the recovery effort. We can still make a difference.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Conference at Notre Dame Parish in Kerrville is taking the lead in helping residents and visitors with food, clothing and other necessities.

You can join in helping them serve their neighbors in need by making a contribution to the Notre Dame Conference by clicking here.

...

And just as importantly, we pray with those affected by the flash flooding. We pray for the safety of those who survived, we pray for those who perished, and we hold the grieving families in our hearts that God’s loving heart will fill them with consolation at this time of unimaginable loss.

Our Lady's Bug

 We were watching the British show Taskmaster and suddenly the participants began talking about "ladybirds." From my copious British mystery reading I knew they meant "ladybugs" but no one else in the family did. So, when we looked it up we found a wonderful etymology.

The common English name ladybird originated in Britain where the insects became known as "Our Lady's birds". Mary ("Our Lady") was often depicted wearing a red cloak in early art, and the seven spots of the species Coccinella septempunctata (the most common in Europe) were said to represent her seven joys and seven sorrows. In the United States, the name was popularly adapted to ladybug. ...  Names in some other countries may be similar; for example, in Germany they are known as Marienkäfer meaning 'Marybeetle' or 'ladybeetle'. — Wikipedia

I love the idea that back in the day a ladybug would have made people think, however briefly, of Mary. Whenever I see a ladybug I'm going to think about Mary.

 

Ladybird flying over cyclamen, 1690s

Portrait of Raminou the Cat

Suzanne Valadon, Portrait of Raminou the Cat
via French Painters

Prayers for the Victims of the Guadalupe River Flooding

As most people know, a flash flood of epic proportions swept away everything in its path. At this point, 80 people have died, including young girls from Camp Mystic. We have been praying for everyone affected, especially the souls of the dead and their families.

Find tangible ways to help.

Heavenly Father, we lift up the people of Kerrville, Texas, — and of everywhere the flood has touched — who have been affected by the devastating floods. We pray for their safety, comfort, and healing during this difficult time. May your love and grace be with them as they face loss and uncertainty.

Grant strength to the first responders and volunteers working to help those in need, and may your peace reign in the hearts of all who are hurting.

In Jesus' name, Amen

Dynamic Dachshund

Giacomo Balla, Dynamism of a Dog on its Leash, 1912
via Arts and Everyday Living

You've seen this here before and you doubtless will again. I love it so much.

Well Said: The Path

What you're missing is that the path itself changes you.

Julien Smith

I think this is one that we all know, deep down, but we all have to ponder it for ourselves. We never actually stop to consider the path and what changes we are agreeing to when we set ourselves upon it.

Fourth of July Number 1

Fourth of July Number 1, Florine Stettheimer

Happy Independence Day

July Fourth is the birthday of our nation. I believed as a boy, and believe even more today, that it is the birthday of the greatest nation on earth. ...

In recent years, however, I’ve come to think of that day as more than just the birthday of a nation. It also commemorates the only true philosophical revolution in all history.

Oh, there have been revolutions before and since ours. But those revolutions simply exchanged one set of rules for another. Ours was a revolution that changed the very concept of government.

Let the Fourth of July always be a reminder that here in this land, for the first time, it was decided that man is born with certain God-given rights; that government is only a convenience created and managed by the people, with no powers of its own except those voluntarily granted to it by the people.

We sometimes forget that great truth, and we never should.

Happy Fourth of July.

President Ronald Reagan, What July Fourth Means to Me, 1981

Hats off!
Along the street there comes
A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums,
A flash of color beneath the sky:
Hats off!
The flag is passing by!

Blue and crimson and white it shines,
Over the steel-tipped, ordered lines.
Hats off!
The colors before us fly;
But more than the flag is passing by.

Sea-fights and land-fights, grim and great,
Fought to make and to save the State;
Weary marches and sinking ships;
Cheers of victory on dying lips;

Days of plenty and years of peace,
March of a strong land's swift increase:
Equal justice, right and law,
Stately honor and reverent awe;

Sign of a nation, great and strong,
To ward her people from foreign wrong;
Pride and glory and honor, all
Live in the colors to stand or fall.

Hats off!
Along the street there comes
A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums,
And loyal hearts are beating high:
Hats off!
The flag is passing by!

(Henry Holcomb Bennett)

Childe Hassam, The Fourth of July, 1916

Feast Day: St. Thomas, Apostle

We know just how to celebrate this feast day, having come to know much more about the adopted land where St. Thomas carried the gospel and died — India! Yes, when the Portuguese landed in the 1600s and wanted to tell the southern Indians about the Faith, they were told, "Yes, we already know. St. Thomas the Apostle was here. Have one of his trademark crosses!"

So Indian cooking will be enjoyed in his honor. Possibly we'll watch an Indian movie, maybe set in South India since that is where a lot of Christians live.

I posted this in years past and have added some words from Pope Gregory the Great this year. Otherwise, I cannot improve on the basics it presents for my reflection and celebration of this apostle who spoke so forthrightly and acknowledged Truth as soon as he found it.

The Incredulity of Saint Thomas by Caravaggio.
Via Wikipedia.

Gospel JN 20:24-29

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve,
was not with them when Jesus came.
So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”
But Thomas said to them,
“Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands
and put my finger into the nailmarks
and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
Now a week later his disciples were again inside
and Thomas was with them.
Jesus came, although the doors were locked,
and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.”
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands,
and bring your hand and put it into my side,
and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”
Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me?
Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

I became very attached to Thomas when reading A Doubter's Novena: Nine Steps to Trust with the Apostle Thomas. It's a little book that packs a big punch and I have read it three times. This is not because I especially needed a novena for doubting but because I was so fascinated by Thomas's story as told by tradition. Also, truth to tell, I could relate to many of Thomas's other various traits. Stubborn. A bit gloomy. You know ... the whole package!

And yet, Thomas's early insistence on proof made him one of the first witnesses for Christ. Ultimately he did marvelous things for God as he learned to trust and step out in faith. May we all do the same.

Here is the collect for today:

Grant, almighty God, that we may glory in the Feast of the blessed Apostle Thomas, so that we may always be sustained by his intercession and, believing, may have life in the name of Jesus Christ your Son, whom Thomas acknowledged as the Lord. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Here is an excerpt from a truly wonderful homily by Pope Gregory the Great, featured in the readings from the Liturgy of the Hours. I especially love when he says, "Do you really believe that it was by chance that this chosen disciple was absent, then came and heard, heard and doubted, doubted and touched, touched and believed? It was not by chance but in God’s providence. ... The disbelief of Thomas has done more for our faith than the faith of the other disciples." It never occurred to me that God had a hand in Thomas's actions, especially after the many homilies I've heard which guess at his character and reasons for not being present the first time around. As someone who is hard-headed in the same way that Thomas is, I hope that my own stubbornness will be used for God's glory.

From a homily on the Gospels by Saint Gregory the Great, pope
(Hom. 26, 7-9: PL 76, 1201-1202)

My Lord and my God

Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. He was the only disciple absent; on his return he heard what had happened but refused to believe it. The Lord came a second time; he offered his side for the disbelieving disciple to touch, held out his hands, and showing the scars of his wounds, healed the wound of his disbelief.

Dearly beloved, what do you see in these events? Do you really believe that it was by chance that this chosen disciple was absent, then came and heard, heard and doubted, doubted and touched, touched and believed? It was not by chance but in God’s providence. In a marvelous way God’s mercy arranged that the disbelieving disciple, in touching the wounds of his master’s body, should heal our wounds of disbelief. The disbelief of Thomas has done more for our faith than the faith of the other disciples. As he touches Christ and is won over to belief, every doubt is cast aside and our faith is strengthened. So the disciple who doubted, then felt Christ’s wounds, becomes a witness to the reality of the resurrection.

Touching Christ, he cried out: My Lord and my God. Jesus said to him: Because you have seen me, Thomas, you have believed. Paul said: Faith is the guarantee of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen. It is clear, then, that faith is the proof of what can not be seen. What is seen gives knowledge, not faith. When Thomas saw and touched, why was he told: You have believed because you have seen me? Because what he saw and what he believed were different things. God cannot be seen by mortal man. Thomas saw a human being, whom he acknowledged to be God, and said: My Lord and my God. Seeing, he believed; looking at one who was true man, he cried out that this was God, the God he could not see.

What follows is reason for great joy: Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed. There is here a particular reference to ourselves; we hold in our hearts one we have not seen in the flesh. We are included in these words, but only if we follow up our faith with good works. The true believer practices what he believes. But of those who pay only lip service to faith, Paul has this to say: They profess to know God, but they deny him in their works. Therefore James says: Faith without works is dead.

St. Thomas, pray for us.