Gone 'Til Monday ...

... to a place with limited email and computer availability. See you next week!

I'm a Mathete?

No, not a MathLETE

TO very kindly gave me a Mathetes Award which is...

A brand new award being passed out. It is the Mathetes Award, created by Dan King of Management by God to recognize those who take to heart the Great Commission and further God’s Kingdom by creating more disciples for Him. According to Dan mathetes is the Greek word for disciple.

The rules for the award, as posted by its creator are as follows:

In the spirit of this award, the rules are simple. Winners of this award must pick five other “disciples” to pass it on to. As you pass it on, I just ask that you mention and provide links for (1) this post as the originator of the award (Dan King of management by God), (2) the person that awarded it to you, and then (3) name and sites of the five that you believe are fulfilling the role of a disciple of Christ.

I have to agree with TO when she observed that choosing disciples is extremely difficult - not because there aren't many options, but because there are SO many! But here's my five in no particular order. Congratulations, and display your Mathete Award proudly ...

1. Scott Nehring at Good News Film Reviews
2. Adoro te Devote
3. Steven Riddle at Flos Carmeli
4. Penni at Martha, Martha
5. Hey Jules at Maced With Grace
   

Eat at Chili's Today ... Benefit St. Jude's Hospital

Rose and her friends are having dinner at Chili's tonight because all the profits will go to St. Jude's Hospital. Yep. 100% of all profits from the chain today go to St. Jude's Hospital.

Not a bad idea at all ...

Bleg ...

In response to this quote earlier in the week:

A young man who wishes to remain a sound atheist cannot be too careful of his reading. There are traps everywhere ... God is, if I may say it, very unscrupulous.

C.S. Lewis

This question was asked:

And what would some of those books be that a nice Catholic girl could recommend to her boyfriend, who was raised by dedicated atheists and who is letting himself be convinced by Sam Harris' and Richard Dawkins' latest books that there is no God?

Answers happily accepted in the comments box!

The Chicken Foot of Death?

I meant to bring this up earlier this week ... from the Prison Break season opener. Michael is now the one behind bars while Lincoln has to try to help break him out from the outside. Let's take a minute to pity Michael with only that back up ... Linc is great on decisive bashing in of heads but not so much a brainiac.

A nice little group is forming, an ironic one to anyone who knows the score ... the FBI agent, Teabag, Michael, and the corrupt prison guard all stuck in a South American prison so scary that the guards don't even go inside any more. As well as a little internal prisoners' government (dictatorship to be truthful) that enforces all their rules ... such as when you are given the "Chicken Foot of Death" (as we dubbed it) you must then fight to the death.

Hmmm ...

We'll see how this all goes ... they pulled it off last season with everyone out of prison. And I want to know what happened to that Hispanic prisoner on the run with his girlfriend and aunt (or mother?) stashed somewhere by the corrupt prison guard ... we never saw a thing about his story!

(not that I was looking for an excuse to post this photo again or anything ... absolutely not!)

Seeing Jesus at Prayer

I knew Jesus would go off to pray alone. You can't read the Gospels without seeing that constantly mentioned. However, it never, ever occurred to me that there were a few occasions that he had the disciples with him. What would they have learned about the nature of Jesus? What would they have learned about prayer ... and the Father ... and themselves?

Leave it to Pope Benedict to give us penetrating insights in Jesus of Nazareth. These two paragraphs are far apart and you must go read both sections about Peter's confession that Jesus is the Lord, the Son of God, (in answer to Jesus' question of who do the disciples say he is) and the Transfiguration for full clarity. Though in truth, the Pope's personal thoughts on Jesus are sufficiently deep water that I foresee reading this book many more times to fully plumb the depths.

In Luke -- and this is entirely in keeping with his portrait of the figure of Jesus -- Peter's confession is connected with a prayer event. Luke beings his account of the story with a deliberate paradox: "As he was praying alone, the disciples were with him" (Lk 9:18). The disciples are drawn into his solitude, his communion with the Father that is reserved to him alone. They are privileged to see him as the one who -- as reflected at the beginning of this book -- speaks face-to-face with the Father, person to person. They are privileged to see him in his utterly unique filial being -- at the point from which all his words, his deeds, and his powers issue. They are privileged to see what the "people" do not see, and this seeing gives rise to a recognition that goes beyond the "opinion" of the people. This seeing is the wellspring of their faith, their confession; it provides the foundation for the Church.

... Luke is the only one of the Evangelists who begins his account by indicating the purpose of Jesus' ascent [for the Transfiguration]: He "went up on the mountain to pray" (Lk 9:28). It is in the context of Jesus' prayer that he now explains the even that the three disciples are to witness: "And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white" (Lk 9:29). The Transfiguration is a prayer event; it displays visibly what happens when Jesus talks with his Father: the profound interpenetration of his being with God, which then becomes pure light. In his oneness with the Father, Jesus is himself "light from light." The reality that he is in the deepest core of his being, which Peter tried to express in his confession -- that reality becomes perceptible to the senses at this moment: Jesus being in the light of God, his own being-light as Son.

Jesus of Nazareth by Joseph Ratzinger (a.k.a. Pope Benedict XVI)

Insanely Busy ... or Just Insane?

I guess only the people I work with can say that for sure. One thing is certain ... I'm grateful for the work, but St. Joseph interceded to a degree that I'm not sure I'll survive!

Overheard ...

A regular at our Scripture study set us all to laughing. She attended a retreat last weekend and the priest said to her, "These people are bringing self-help books to read on retreat. That's not what we're about here!"

Because I'm a Sucker for Angel Stories ...

... like those found in Joan Wester Anderson's books ... go check out the excerpts for each.

Via Salve Regina who dishes you up a nice excerpt to get started.

More Relating to That "Boot Camp" for Love

My morning's reading of Jesus of Nazareth (yes, I'm finally back to reading it) dovetails perfectly with yesterday's personal revelation. I think someone's trying to tell me something ...

Let us recall that the parable of the vine occurs in the context of Jesus' Last Supper. After the multiplication of the loaves he had spoken of the true bread from heaven that he would give, and thus he left us with a profound interpretation of the eucharistic bread that was to come. It is hard to believe that in his discourse on the vine he is not tacitly alluding to the new wine that had already been prefigured at Cana and which he now gives to us -- the wine that would flow from his Passion, from his "love to the end" (Jn 13:1). In this sense, the parable of the vine has a thoroughly eucharistic background. The parable of the fruit that Jesus brings forth: his love, which pours itself out for us on the Cross and which is the choice new wine destined for God's marriage feast with man. Thus we come to understand the full depth and grandeur of the Eucharist, even though it is not explicitly mentioned here. The Eucharist points us toward the fruit that we, as branches of the vine, can and must bear with Christ an by virtue of Christ. The fruit the Lord expects of us is love -- a love that accepts with him the mystery of the Cross, and becomes a participation in his self-giving -- and hence the true justice that prepares the world for the Kingdom of God.

Purification and fruit belong together; only by undergoing God's purifications can we bear the fruit that flows into the eucharistic mystery and so leads to the marriage feast that is the goal toward which God directs history. Fruit and lo e belong together: The true fruit is the love that has passed through the Cross, through God's purifications. "Remaining" is an essential part of all this. In verses 1-10 the word remain (in Greek menein) occurs ten times. What the Church Fathers call perseverantia -- patient steadfastness in communion with the Lord amidst all the vicissitudes of life -- is placed center stage here. Initial enthusiasm is easy. Afterward though, it is time to stand firm, even along the monotonous desert paths that we are called upon to traverse in this life -- with the patience it takes to tread evenly, a patience in which the romanticism of the initial awakening subsides, so that only the deep, pure Yes of faith remains. This is the way to produce good wine ...

Jesus of Nazareth by Joseph Ratzinger (a.k.a. Pope Benedict XVI)

About Last Weekend's Gospel Readings

The parable of the Prodigal Son is my absolute favorite parable. Period. However, I also love the preceding two parables of the lost sheep and lost coin.

If anyone is interested I have links here to previous posts from when I was studying Luke.

The Lost Sheep
The Lost Coin
The Prodigal Son

A few details about William Barclay, upon whose study the above posts are based.

Boot Camp for Love

Don't know why this stuck with me so vividly but I was listening to Fr. Dubay's series on contemplation* this morning ... he said that the whole point of life is that we are here to love. Through everything we do, whether it is fixing dinner, doing our jobs, whatever we are doing at the moment ... we are here to love.

Now it isn't as if I haven't heard that before ... what is it the Catechism says ... something like we are here to know, love, and serve God on in this world and to be with him in the next.

Somehow that comment of Fr. Dubay's combined with the vision of Odd Thomas's girlfriend, Stormy. Odd isn't sure what awaits ghosts beyond this world but his girlfriend, Stormy, has a vision of an army of souls on some great mission in the next world. She calls this life "boot camp" and tells him that it is intended to toughen us up to serve in that army.

I had this sudden mind's eye view of this world as our boot camp to learn love. In all that we do, no matter the circumstances, we are here to learn to love as perfectly as possible. Because that is what we will do in the next life ... God is love and if we are to be with him then it makes sense that the lessons we learn here have love as the main subject.

As I said, a no-brainer for most everyone but it lit up my brain for the morning.

*Generously provided by EWTN last month; can be found at Into the Deep for downloading. This month's special downloads are from Fr. Pacwa about the prophets. Also highly recommended.

Interesting Questions for Roman Catholics

Over at Internet Monk. He's a good guy who consistently defends our status as Christians to those who would claim otherwise ... go help him out with some answers.

And While I'm Busy Being Outraged* ...

... let's toss in a little outrage for this silliness.

For three years it has been a simple way for hospital visitors to make a difference while they wait.

Patients and relatives - indeed anyone handy with a pair of needles - have been asked to knit a small square to be turned into blankets for local charities.

But that was until the health and safety brigade heard what was going on.

Although no one has so much as nicked a finger as a result of the scheme at Congleton War Memorial Hospital in Cheshire, officials have decided the knitting needles are too sharp to be used safely.

Instead, anyone looking to while away a few minutes must ask permission at the hospital's reception before being handed the supposedly hazardous equipment. ...

I know that England invented the nanny but they don't need to take on the role for everyone, thanks. (Though that's just as bad as what is being proposed in L.A.)

Thanks to Class Factotum for this one.

* source of my original outrage ...

Now That's Good Reading

I have been very remiss in not posting book reviews lately. Wanting to writing something complete and worthy of these books, I've been holding off until I had time to do them justice. I am just so darned busy that I think I'd better do something incomplete to point you in the direction of these finds ...

TERRITORY by Emma Bull
If I hadn't read this recommendation from Maureen at Aliens in This World, I'd surely have scoffed at the premise. Set in Tombstone, Arizona, when the Earps and Clantons and inexorably heading toward that famous showdown at the OK Corral, Emma Bull tosses in some sorcery into the mix as an underlying source of tension. Told from the point of view of typesetter Mildred Benjamin and drifter Jesse Fox, this story puts a new twist on the Western genre. As odd as the combination of Western and magic sounds, Bull has a subtle touch that reminds me of Connie Willis or Barbara Hambly at their best. Strong on personality and sense of place, Bull tosses us into the action in midstream so we have to pick up what's going on from the characters' mind which just makes it all the more intriguing. Highly recommended.

AURALIA'S COLORS by Jeffrey Overstreet
Another one that's difficult to explain, this was a complete surprise. A queen is jealous of the other three great Houses of the land. She convinces the king that to make their House they must collect all art, and indeed everything containing color, to themselves. The people are relegated to giving up their treasures and wearing only whites, grays, and browns, with badges of honor for their sacrifices being the only color in their lives. An orphan girl, found as an infant in the wilderness by outlaws, has a talent for crafting colors that do more than look beautiful. This innate talent unsettles the imposed order and sets in train a violent change for the king and his people.

There is no way I can adequately describe this book except to say that what sounds like most outrageous fantasy is actually grounded in the underlying hard reality of those "truths" recognized by all great storytellers. I am loathe to say too much for fear of deriving readers of the pleasure of discovering these underlying themes for themselves. I read this book in three days because every time I picked it up I simply could not put it down.

Author Jeffrey Overstreet gives credit to many recognized great authors for being his inspiration but I think it is fair to say that this is not derivative. He has crafted something completely new that shows us those old realities of which we all need to be reminded through art. Probably my highest tribute is to say that this book can be enjoyed by everyone, whether simply lovers of fiction or those who look for, as Overstreet says, "a glimmer of his [the Great Artist] glory in these pages." I eagerly look forward to the next installment of this trilogy.

By the way, Overstreet is a film critic for Christianity Today and one whose vision in viewing movies I trust implicitly. His nonfiction Through a Screen Darkly is highly recommended also.

THE MYSTERY OF HARRY POTTER by Nancy Brown
The best tribute I can give this book is to say that I don't need to be convinced that it is ok for kids to read Harry Potter ... and yet I read the entire book, with interest. I originally picked it up thinking that I could look it over with a mind to recommending it to friends that are wary, as are many Christians, of the magic found in the stories.

Brown has many sensible recommendations to ease parents' fears and to help them evaluate whether the books and motives are right for their children. Perhaps the greatest accomplishment is that she has written a passionate defense of the necessity of fantasy for both children and adults. It is that depth that makes this book much more than a single subject "Harry Potter" book. Moreover, she manages to go beyond quoting the "usual suspects" of C.S. Lewis and G.K. Chesterton. She has done her homework. For those who are leery of Harry Potter and his gung-ho supporters, I must add that Brown comes from the stance of one who was equally leery and forbade her children the books ... until she began investigating them, which in itself is an interesting and instructive tale.

Easy to read, this book is also a bit addictive as I kept picking it up after long absences due to the distraction of other books. I thought I would only glance through it, and then would find myself sucked in to read yet more. Highly recommended even if you don't have any problems with the Harry Potter books.

A CATHOLIC BOOK OF HOURS AND OTHER DEVOTIONS by William Storey
This is a wonderful little handbook that should make life easier for those who wish to pray the office of the hours or would like a resource for other devotions such as the Eucharist, Holy Name of Jesus, Sacred Blood of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the Seven Joys and Seven Sorrows of Mary. There are some introductory sections but these are succinct and the book is mostly devoted to the prayers in text that is large enough to be read in dim light (which can be especially helpful during Adoration or in other such situations). My one problem with this book is that Storey seems to assume everyone automatically knows what the "five hours" of prayer are. He refers constantly to them but never says what they are. Or if he does, it is impossible to find them as I have scoured the book looking. At any rate, that is a minor problem compared to the resource that this book is and I recommend it.

THE GENIUS OF JOHN PAUL II: The Great Pope's Moral Wisdom by Richard A. Spinello
This is a comprehensive look at Pope John Paul II's moral vision set against the moral relativism of the modern world. This is a dense book, which is why it has taken me a very long time to work my way through it. However, it is well worth if for anyone who wants to better understand just how well the late pope's views stand up to criticisms of prominent dissenters. More than anything we are reminded that JPII's continual focus on the dignity of the human person is the basis for not only his writings but, at the most basic level, it is also a reflection of the basis of our Catholic faith. This book deserves a much more in-depth review. As I said, I have put off writing and finally posted this because I just can't make the time I need to do it justice. Read Jeff Miller's Amazon review for a more thorough treatment of the book. Highly recommended.

Not That I Want to Say That American Workmanship Has Gone to Hell in a Handbasket ...

... but I really am faced with unavoidable evidence of that very thing. Within the last year our 1-1/2 year old Kenmore dishwasher stopped having a real dryer cycle ... rather than pay for the repairs we have simply decided to live with it. Not that big of a deal although very annoying in an almost new appliance.

Now, within the last week:

• Our 10-year-old washer's bearings have burned out and would take $1,600 to fix (yes, you read that right ... Maytag, hang your head in shame!)
• Our Maytag dryer now won't turn off so that we have to set a timer to go stop the clothes from being frizzled
• Yesterday, our 2-year-old Kenmore refrigerator's compressor suddenly gave out ... and Sears (Sears!) can't get a repairman available until Wednesday! Not that I mind camping and cooking out of a cooler but I like to plan it so that I don't have things like lettuce and shrimp to deal with ... and not in my own kitchen, thanks.

This all just goes to support the GE repairman who came about a month ago to repair our 1982 oven. He looked at it and shook his head and said, "They don't make them like this any more. This is good solid workmanship."

From 1982? That is not what I'd look at as a time representing the bastion of good, solid American workmanship ... but we now have the evidence to prove it scattered all over our house.

Remember the 1970s when you figured you'd take your American car back to the shop several times after you bought it so they could get it to run right? Obviously, the appliance makers are in that same trough of lackluster workmanship. I really don't want to have to have two of everything so that when one is broken you can fall back on the second. It's one thing if I had a Jaguar ... but sheez.

C'mon America, where's your pride?

A Bleg for Julie from Sotto, Sotto ...

...but can you think of any Catholic bloggers who live in Nashville?

We might be (gasp) moving there, should my husband get a job offer in the next few weeks. Finding a good parish with a school is the first thing I'd like to do if that happens...then we can think about where to live.

If you've got any scoop on the place go let her know!

Mother Teresa, Stephen Colbert and Fr. Martin

All together in this this clip ... ok, Mother Teresa is only there in spirit ... absolutely hilarious, needless to say.

Responses to Certain Questions ... Concerning Artificial Nutrition and Hydration

CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH

RESPONSES TO CERTAIN QUESTIONS

OF THE UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS

CONCERNING ARTIFICIAL NUTRITION AND HYDRATION

First question: Is the administration of food and water (whether by natural or artificial means) to a patient in a "vegetative state" morally obligatory except when they cannot be assimilated by the patient’s body or cannot be administered to the patient without causing significant physical discomfort?

Response: Yes. The administration of food and water even by artificial means is, in principle, an ordinary and proportionate means of preserving life. It is therefore obligatory to the extent to which, and for as long as, it is shown to accomplish its proper finality, which is the hydration and nourishment of the patient. In this way suffering and death by starvation and dehydration are prevented.

Second question: When nutrition and hydration are being supplied by artificial means to a patient in a "permanent vegetative state", may they be discontinued when competent physicians judge with moral certainty that the patient will never recover consciousness?

Response: No. A patient in a "permanent vegetative state" is a person with fundamental human dignity and must, therefore, receive ordinary and proportionate care which includes, in principle, the administration of water and food even by artificial means.

* * *

The Supreme Pontiff Benedict XVI, at the Audience granted to the undersigned Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, approved these Responses, adopted in the Ordinary Session of the Congregation, and ordered their publication.

Rome, from the Offices of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, August 1, 2007.

Here is the original.

The Curt Jester has many more links to related writing, including to a lengthy commentary by the CDF on this subject.

"Back of the Bus" Christians? No Way.

In the past couple of weeks I have encountered both Protestant friends and strangers who feel that the Catholic emphasis on the Church as the full depository of Christ's revelation is a put down, that Catholics consider them "back of the bus" Christians, that their prayers mean nothing.

Plainly put, this is against Church teachings, as stated in the Catechism, specifically from paragraph 817 on in this section (yes, I realize that is most of the section ... read it anyway).

Sadly, the way that some people put forward the Church as the "One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church" is quite often uncharitable and argumentative to say the least. It is one thing to state and explain the truth, but quite another to rub it in someone's face like a bully with a handful of mud.

Red Neck Woman mirrors my own feelings, indeed my own condition, shockingly accurately. Certainly, in her conversion story, she states my stance much better than I could (I have added emphasis below.) The Church is not something to be flourished at others triumphantly. It is a gift that we wish to share, because everyone deserves something so wonderful as what we have found.

Here's the bit that pertains to this subject. However, her conversion story is well worth reading in its own right so click over there and do so.

I still am uncharitable, arrogant, and have an appalling lack of humility and it is only by the immense Grace of God that I am only slightly less so now than then. I want it clearly understood that I believe that the Fullness of Faith rests in the Catholic Church and that all of God's faithful children belong in the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. He has lead me home to the shelter of His Church and given me the gift of the Magisterium and the Sacraments and by His merciful kindness I will persevere to the end and continue to grow in holiness. That does not mean however, that I consider myself a better Christian than any of my Protestant brothers and sisters. They are my brothers and sisters in Christ and I am frequently and regularly humbled by their holiness. I am know without a doubt that there are many of my Protestant brothers and sisters who are better and holier Christians than I am and when you compensate for my lack of humility I am certain that the number is even higher than I acknowledge but just as I am a better Christian because of my submission to the Fullness of Faith in the Catholic Church they could be better too. I fervently pray for complete unity among all Christians and I believe that is only possible within the Roman Catholic Church.