Saturday, February 03, 2007
A Catholic Journey from Homosexuality
Following a link from Godspy, Melinda Selmys offers this compelling piece on homosexuality and Catholicism in the National Catholic Register.
Cardinal Dulles on what the Jesuits are all about
Matthew Fish summarizes Avery Cardinal Dulles, S.J. By the way, best wishes to Matthew as he prepares to enter the Novitiate of the New Orleans Province of the Society of Jesus.
Introduction to "The Screwtape Letters"
There are so many incredible works of C.S. Lewis that at first glance it might be hard to see why The Screwtape Letters should stand out. It doesn’t have the imagination or the prose of the Chronicles of Narnia or Out of the Silent Planet, the ability to be a foundation for apologetics like Mere Christianity, the brutal personal honesty of A Grief Observed or the wide-sweeping criticisms of society in the Abolition of Man. So why does The Screwtape Letters persist in popularity? There are several attributes that could explain this but I think the foremost one is that The Screwtape Letters challenges the reader on a personal level more than almost any other book. Many books aim their barbs at society and at others so that the reader feels comfortable laughing along with the author. Lewis however does not spare us. The personal nature of The Screwtape Letters demands that the reader abandon his comfy chair for the depths of the soul in order to see where the logic of Screwtape might be lurking. This can be painful but the result for the reader is to be lifted to a higher level and that’s a rare gift from reading a book, and it is this gift which has called so many people to The Screwtape Letters.
Because The Screwtape Letters covers such a wide variety of topics, I thought a presentation of it would either be disjointed or skip so much as to do it injustice. So I’ve decided to write up a chapter by chapter analysis of The Screwtape Letters so that I can cover the material in justice. Of course, whether or not I am capable of doing the material justice regardless of how much time I have is a matter I will leave up to you. So I hope you’ll have patience with me as we go through The Screwtape Letters.
There are a few things of note before I start the actual letters. Lewis dedicates the Letters to J.R.R. Tolkien, another famous member of the Inklings and the Catholic writer of the epic Lord of the Rings which has found incredible success and praise as one of the greatest epics of all time as well as spawning interest in the fantasy genre. This was the only book Lewis dedicated to Tolkien, though Tolkien was “lewisified” as Tolkien himself put it in Lewis’ science fiction trilogy as the philologist Ransom. After the dedication, Lewis has two quotes about mocking the devil. The interesting thing about the quotes is not the quotes themselves but the authors of them and their juxtaposition: Martin Luther and Thomas More. The great hero of the Protestant Reformation is placed side by side with St. Thomas More one of the Catholic heroes of the Counter-Reformation. This juxtaposition might be the result of Lewis trying again to dispel the denominational battle between Catholic and Protestant that dominated not only Oxford during Lewis’ life but also Lewis’ soul. It is certain that he is trying to make the point that both faiths can agree that comedy is a critical part of dealing with the devil and so Lewis justifies utilizing satire to critique many of the common mindsets that lead to sin (C.S. Lewis and the Catholic Church, Joseph Pearce, Introduction p. xi, Ignatius Press).
The book itself is told in a series of letters of advice from Screwtape, a leading tempter in the Lowerarchy, to his nephew and novice tempter, Wormwood. Wormwood never appears nor do we ever have any of his letters. What Wormwood writes back to his “affectionate uncle” can only be inferred by his uncle’s writing. We also do not encounter any of the events firsthand, so we are dependent on Screwtape’s interpretation of events. This can make it tricky, because Lewis himself warns us that it is “very unlikely that the portraits…are wholly just. There is wishful thinking in Hell as well as on Earth” (Preface). The other main character is the “patient,” that is the man Wormwood has been assigned to send to hell. The patient begins the letters as an atheist or an agnostic; it’s not clear which it is but certainly an unbeliever. There are a few other characters that are mentioned, such as the patient’s mother and girlfriend and these characters are discussed by Screwtape, but the focus remains on the patient. The timeline is unclear but much of it happens with World War II in the background as Screwtape and Wormwood discuss the potential of the war and air raids to turn the patient away from the faith. There are 31 letters in the original Screwtape Letters as well as a later piece called “Screwtape Proposes a Toast” which is aimed at education.
Lewis starts off the book by putting in a preface explaining why he’s published the letters he’s “found.” He says that “There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.” The first warning seems fairly obvious: to disbelieve in the devil is to leave ourselves open to their attack. The second one is more interesting. It might mean that we have to watch our curiosity about evil so that we do not plunge ourselves too far into its depth lest we find ourselves consumed by it. I think this would apply most to our forays into mainstream culture. Watching MTV and exposing ourselves to that kind of material does provide us with a better perspective into evil and sin but too much of it and we find ourselves neatly into the traps of Screwtape. Or perhaps the second warning refers the inclination people have to write off all their problems and sins to the devil. “The devil made me do it” denies free will and allows for the sinner to comfort himself while continuing a life of sin that ultimately leads to us becoming another tasty treat for Screwtape (that is something I had not mentioned earlier. In The Screwtape Letters the reason getting souls is so important to the tempters is that it is their source of food, but this is only discussed in passing). Either way, Lewis is driving home the point that dealing with the devil is tricky business. He later emphasizes this in his introduction to Screwtape Proposes a Toast in which explains that he for a long time refused to write again as Screwtape because though the device was easy writing,
“it was not fun, or not for long. The strain produced a spiritual cramp. The world into which I had to project myself while I spoke through Screwtape was all dust, grit, thirst, and itch. Every trace of beauty, freshness, and geniality had to be excluded. It almost smothered me before I was done. It would have smothered my readers if I had prolonged it.” (Introduction to Screwtape Proposes a Toast)
Lewis is driving home the point that we always have to be on guard against Satan and his Screwtapes. So as we begin this venture, let us be vigilant and pray that St. Michael keeps us safe. If we do that, we will be much richer for the experience.
Because The Screwtape Letters covers such a wide variety of topics, I thought a presentation of it would either be disjointed or skip so much as to do it injustice. So I’ve decided to write up a chapter by chapter analysis of The Screwtape Letters so that I can cover the material in justice. Of course, whether or not I am capable of doing the material justice regardless of how much time I have is a matter I will leave up to you. So I hope you’ll have patience with me as we go through The Screwtape Letters.
There are a few things of note before I start the actual letters. Lewis dedicates the Letters to J.R.R. Tolkien, another famous member of the Inklings and the Catholic writer of the epic Lord of the Rings which has found incredible success and praise as one of the greatest epics of all time as well as spawning interest in the fantasy genre. This was the only book Lewis dedicated to Tolkien, though Tolkien was “lewisified” as Tolkien himself put it in Lewis’ science fiction trilogy as the philologist Ransom. After the dedication, Lewis has two quotes about mocking the devil. The interesting thing about the quotes is not the quotes themselves but the authors of them and their juxtaposition: Martin Luther and Thomas More. The great hero of the Protestant Reformation is placed side by side with St. Thomas More one of the Catholic heroes of the Counter-Reformation. This juxtaposition might be the result of Lewis trying again to dispel the denominational battle between Catholic and Protestant that dominated not only Oxford during Lewis’ life but also Lewis’ soul. It is certain that he is trying to make the point that both faiths can agree that comedy is a critical part of dealing with the devil and so Lewis justifies utilizing satire to critique many of the common mindsets that lead to sin (C.S. Lewis and the Catholic Church, Joseph Pearce, Introduction p. xi, Ignatius Press).
The book itself is told in a series of letters of advice from Screwtape, a leading tempter in the Lowerarchy, to his nephew and novice tempter, Wormwood. Wormwood never appears nor do we ever have any of his letters. What Wormwood writes back to his “affectionate uncle” can only be inferred by his uncle’s writing. We also do not encounter any of the events firsthand, so we are dependent on Screwtape’s interpretation of events. This can make it tricky, because Lewis himself warns us that it is “very unlikely that the portraits…are wholly just. There is wishful thinking in Hell as well as on Earth” (Preface). The other main character is the “patient,” that is the man Wormwood has been assigned to send to hell. The patient begins the letters as an atheist or an agnostic; it’s not clear which it is but certainly an unbeliever. There are a few other characters that are mentioned, such as the patient’s mother and girlfriend and these characters are discussed by Screwtape, but the focus remains on the patient. The timeline is unclear but much of it happens with World War II in the background as Screwtape and Wormwood discuss the potential of the war and air raids to turn the patient away from the faith. There are 31 letters in the original Screwtape Letters as well as a later piece called “Screwtape Proposes a Toast” which is aimed at education.
Lewis starts off the book by putting in a preface explaining why he’s published the letters he’s “found.” He says that “There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.” The first warning seems fairly obvious: to disbelieve in the devil is to leave ourselves open to their attack. The second one is more interesting. It might mean that we have to watch our curiosity about evil so that we do not plunge ourselves too far into its depth lest we find ourselves consumed by it. I think this would apply most to our forays into mainstream culture. Watching MTV and exposing ourselves to that kind of material does provide us with a better perspective into evil and sin but too much of it and we find ourselves neatly into the traps of Screwtape. Or perhaps the second warning refers the inclination people have to write off all their problems and sins to the devil. “The devil made me do it” denies free will and allows for the sinner to comfort himself while continuing a life of sin that ultimately leads to us becoming another tasty treat for Screwtape (that is something I had not mentioned earlier. In The Screwtape Letters the reason getting souls is so important to the tempters is that it is their source of food, but this is only discussed in passing). Either way, Lewis is driving home the point that dealing with the devil is tricky business. He later emphasizes this in his introduction to Screwtape Proposes a Toast in which explains that he for a long time refused to write again as Screwtape because though the device was easy writing,
“it was not fun, or not for long. The strain produced a spiritual cramp. The world into which I had to project myself while I spoke through Screwtape was all dust, grit, thirst, and itch. Every trace of beauty, freshness, and geniality had to be excluded. It almost smothered me before I was done. It would have smothered my readers if I had prolonged it.” (Introduction to Screwtape Proposes a Toast)
Lewis is driving home the point that we always have to be on guard against Satan and his Screwtapes. So as we begin this venture, let us be vigilant and pray that St. Michael keeps us safe. If we do that, we will be much richer for the experience.
Friday, February 02, 2007
Screwtape Movie!
I found this first on Mark Shea's blog, Catholic and Enjoying It!, but that's pretty predictable, considering how many things worth finding are found first by Mark Shea. The Screwtape Letters has a targeted 2008 release. Let's keep our fingers crossed that this really comes to pass.
A Letter from Father Brendan Gibson, C.R.S.J.
Dear Toby,
Praised Be Jesus Christ
Now and forever
Amen !
May the good Lord Bless you and I thank you for all that you have done to help spread the Catholic faith. When I was speaking at your Parousian group I was trying to remember some music and now I remember what it was that I was trying to mention. Check out a c.d. called CHORAL MOODS. It is really wonderful. You can check this web site for it,
www.classicalmus.com
It's has two discs of a total of 40 pieces of music. On this c.d. you have to listen to the AGNUS DEI by Barber, it's what I was trying to point out for you. Check out the REQUIEM by Faure, this too will help give an idea of what I was trying to say about music and restoring the sacred by using what the Church has in its treasury of sacred music. What is you address, I told my superior about your group and he was really impressed by what I kept telling him. He told me to send some stuff for you and your group.
Again I thank you very much for all that you have and still do, and thank you for the privilege of speaking to you and your group. I was nervous and was hoping not to say the wrong thing or speaking as if I knew all that there is to know. I will keep in touch.
May the love and the devotion that you have for our Blessed Mother Mary and for St. Joseph lead you to an ever more perfect love for our Lord Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.
Sincerely Yours in Christ Jesus,
Fr. Brendan Gibson, C.R.S.J.
Praised Be Jesus Christ
Now and forever
Amen !
May the good Lord Bless you and I thank you for all that you have done to help spread the Catholic faith. When I was speaking at your Parousian group I was trying to remember some music and now I remember what it was that I was trying to mention. Check out a c.d. called CHORAL MOODS. It is really wonderful. You can check this web site for it,
www.classicalmus.com
It's has two discs of a total of 40 pieces of music. On this c.d. you have to listen to the AGNUS DEI by Barber, it's what I was trying to point out for you. Check out the REQUIEM by Faure, this too will help give an idea of what I was trying to say about music and restoring the sacred by using what the Church has in its treasury of sacred music. What is you address, I told my superior about your group and he was really impressed by what I kept telling him. He told me to send some stuff for you and your group.
Again I thank you very much for all that you have and still do, and thank you for the privilege of speaking to you and your group. I was nervous and was hoping not to say the wrong thing or speaking as if I knew all that there is to know. I will keep in touch.
May the love and the devotion that you have for our Blessed Mother Mary and for St. Joseph lead you to an ever more perfect love for our Lord Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.
Sincerely Yours in Christ Jesus,
Fr. Brendan Gibson, C.R.S.J.
Defending the Pro-Life position on Stem Cell Research
As usual, Emily's latest column has sparked some debate on the boards of the Reveille's website. Once again, if you have the time to post we'd appreciate it. There are actually two boards on the Reveille's website devoted to embryonic stem cell research as Emily's columns was published as part of a side by side with a pro-stem cell column If you can't respond take a moment to read some of the replies. I would especially point you to two posters. Our very own Ryan Hallford has some very good theological and moral points that he raises while a poster named Carl Giffin lays forth an incredibly well-done scientific angle on the problem that manages to be both well-informed and understandable to scientific laymen. In the interests of full disclosure, Carl also happens to be my best friend but I think you'll all agree with me that his posts are excellent additions to the debate.
Board of Comments for Emily Byers' article
Board for the pro-stem cell research column
Board of Comments for Emily Byers' article
Board for the pro-stem cell research column
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Emily Byers on Stem Cell Research
This week's column by Parousian Emily Byers in the Daily Reveille discusses the need for stem cell research amidst alternate menthods of research as well as the numerous ethical problems.
Emily Byers on Stem Cell Research
Emily Byers on Stem Cell Research
Courage and Grace: My Experience with the Parousians
As many of you may know, I came down to LA from way up north to pursue graduate studies in political philosophy. I came from a small, orthodox, Catholic college where studying the relationship between faith and reason is an everyday occurrence, that is to say what the Parousians do here at LSU is my educational background. When I came to Baton Rouge to start graduate school, I was struck with something I always knew existed, but never really dealt with in an academic setting: people who despise Catholics.
For the first year of grad school, I struggled with despair, doubts, and uncertainty about my choice to be pursuing a degree. Why in the world was I still in school? Why didn’t I just get a real job and make money? Why did I need to further my education? Did I really want to pursue an academic career, when the whole environment was just plagued with a whole bunch of relativists anyway? Was I even good enough and smart enough to make it? Surely not. These were my constant struggles, and by the end of my first year I seriously considered leaving grad school and the world of the academy for good.
But for some reason (which I can only attribute to God’s grace, perhaps mediated through the magnificent sisters of the Missionaries of Charity with whom I had spent time this past summer), I decided to stay at LSU. I figured I would at least try teaching, and at the very least earn my Masters. I was sure that after that, I would go and find a real job somewhere making real money.
But then something changed. The first week of school or so, I was talking with a certain political science professor. We were discussing apologetics and helping converts to understand the faith. He asked me if I had heard of a new campus group called the Parousians. I mentioned I had not, and so he sent me an email with one Toby Danna’s contact information. Right away, I met Toby, and all of the sudden I found that I had a group of four very fine Parousian students in the class I was teaching that semester.
I learned so much from those students that semester. At first, I was apprehensive. Did I want my students to know my religious beliefs? How would that affect their perception of the materials I was teaching? Though I began my teaching experience by trying to be ostensibly very quiet about my religious beliefs, I recognized that my attempts to do so were unnecessary and ultimately silly. (All anyone actually needed to do was look at my syllabus to see my Catholicity oozing off the black ink.) But I lacked the courage to evangelize openly inside and even outside the classroom, and I lacked the wisdom to know how to do it in a proper way. However, the friendships I was beginning to forge with people such as Toby, Caleb, Emily, Philip, Juliette, Amanda, Katie, Kim, Michael, Monique – to name a few – began to teach me what I needed to do.
My students showed me that the tremendous hunger for Truth, which I had assumed was disappearing from universities, was still present and growing. I was so impressed by these young people; their passionate zeal for true wisdom gave me hope and encouragement to continue to pursue my education. I began to realize that being in the academy is my vocation.
Even though sometimes I still struggle (and I certainly do not always know the proper ways to evangelize), I find that as I increase my participation with the Parousians, I am able to find the courage and the hope I need to be successful in my education. Instead of doubt, I have become more apt to recognize the tremendous graces God has given to me. Having the opportunity to become active with the Parousians has helped me to continuously recognize the reality of Christ’s love for the world, and it has paved the way for me to answer John Paul II’s call for all of us: "I ask that you never despair, never grow weary, never become discouraged; that the roots from which we grow are never severed; that you keep your faith despite your weaknesses, that you always seek strength in Him; that you never lose that freedom of spirit for which He has liberated man; that you never spurn that love. . . expressed by the Cross, without which human life has no roots and no meaning."
For the first year of grad school, I struggled with despair, doubts, and uncertainty about my choice to be pursuing a degree. Why in the world was I still in school? Why didn’t I just get a real job and make money? Why did I need to further my education? Did I really want to pursue an academic career, when the whole environment was just plagued with a whole bunch of relativists anyway? Was I even good enough and smart enough to make it? Surely not. These were my constant struggles, and by the end of my first year I seriously considered leaving grad school and the world of the academy for good.
But for some reason (which I can only attribute to God’s grace, perhaps mediated through the magnificent sisters of the Missionaries of Charity with whom I had spent time this past summer), I decided to stay at LSU. I figured I would at least try teaching, and at the very least earn my Masters. I was sure that after that, I would go and find a real job somewhere making real money.
But then something changed. The first week of school or so, I was talking with a certain political science professor. We were discussing apologetics and helping converts to understand the faith. He asked me if I had heard of a new campus group called the Parousians. I mentioned I had not, and so he sent me an email with one Toby Danna’s contact information. Right away, I met Toby, and all of the sudden I found that I had a group of four very fine Parousian students in the class I was teaching that semester.
I learned so much from those students that semester. At first, I was apprehensive. Did I want my students to know my religious beliefs? How would that affect their perception of the materials I was teaching? Though I began my teaching experience by trying to be ostensibly very quiet about my religious beliefs, I recognized that my attempts to do so were unnecessary and ultimately silly. (All anyone actually needed to do was look at my syllabus to see my Catholicity oozing off the black ink.) But I lacked the courage to evangelize openly inside and even outside the classroom, and I lacked the wisdom to know how to do it in a proper way. However, the friendships I was beginning to forge with people such as Toby, Caleb, Emily, Philip, Juliette, Amanda, Katie, Kim, Michael, Monique – to name a few – began to teach me what I needed to do.
My students showed me that the tremendous hunger for Truth, which I had assumed was disappearing from universities, was still present and growing. I was so impressed by these young people; their passionate zeal for true wisdom gave me hope and encouragement to continue to pursue my education. I began to realize that being in the academy is my vocation.
Even though sometimes I still struggle (and I certainly do not always know the proper ways to evangelize), I find that as I increase my participation with the Parousians, I am able to find the courage and the hope I need to be successful in my education. Instead of doubt, I have become more apt to recognize the tremendous graces God has given to me. Having the opportunity to become active with the Parousians has helped me to continuously recognize the reality of Christ’s love for the world, and it has paved the way for me to answer John Paul II’s call for all of us: "I ask that you never despair, never grow weary, never become discouraged; that the roots from which we grow are never severed; that you keep your faith despite your weaknesses, that you always seek strength in Him; that you never lose that freedom of spirit for which He has liberated man; that you never spurn that love. . . expressed by the Cross, without which human life has no roots and no meaning."
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
A Long December Ago
From Founding Parousian Katie Culotta:
A long December ago, a very dear friend of mine asked me what I thought of his idea. He had said many other ideas in the past and shared them assuredly. Though I barely knew him, he would challenge me as if I did. One vivid memory I have is when he insisted that I take a course on Flannery O’ Connor, “If you like finding grace among the grotesque, you will love Ms. O’Connor”. I remember the conversation we had which pointed me to now one of my favorite writers; it was about my city.
For a long time now people have talked about the city of New Orleans in all its misery, renewal, impurity, purification, magic, charm, culture, confusion, chaos and the list could go on. But now that something large, monumental, and devastating has happened to this city, it has a new light. People acknowledge it as different now because it has potential to grow and come back strong. Nevertheless, it is that great city and all its representation of good and evil that led me to come to have a great respect for the founder of the Parousians. He wanted to see the grace among the grotesque.
The Parousians are a group of men and women with one goal in mind: to bring the truth of Christ, through beauty and goodness, to all who walk on or near the campus of Louisiana State University.
I say near because right beyond the north gates of campus lies the first meeting place of this idea. Although it was not Walker Percy’s Waffle house, the location was convenient, cozy, and had many available chairs in the back courtyard area which sometimes makes you feel like you are in a café in Paris.
There were only about eight people at that first meeting, and I don’t remember exactly what we discussed. But, I do know that I left feeling very hopeful about this idea. It made sense that college students who are seeking to build the kingdom should come together and share their thoughts about theology, philosophy, encyclicals, and the depth of our sacramental belief.
I cannot say that I attended enough Sunday night meetings to write about the detailed advances the Parousians made in their many lectures and gatherings. I do know, however, that a transformation took place. The campus, without even knowing it, was flooded with a new spirit. Although it may have only been visible in a few small corners, it had purpose and direction. This spirit is in the souls of every member of the Parousians, they are determined and ready.
In only a year the group has already spread to other campuses in both Lafayette and Florida. The members are growing, the talks are improving, the nightly rosaries are prayed, and before you know it, L.S.U. will not know what hit them.
For a long time now people have talked about L.S.U. They have talked about its athletics, campus, parking, chancellor, Greek life, diversity, renovation, partying, lakes… and the list could go on. But now something has happened…something beautiful. A group has joined together in prayer and truth to discover how to embrace their vocation. They have audaciously moved through the campus to share the wisdom they have learned. They are graciously inviting more and more students to join, and before you know it, people will have something new to talk about at L.S.U. They will talk about the Parousians.
A long December ago, a very dear friend of mine asked me what I thought of his idea. He had said many other ideas in the past and shared them assuredly. Though I barely knew him, he would challenge me as if I did. One vivid memory I have is when he insisted that I take a course on Flannery O’ Connor, “If you like finding grace among the grotesque, you will love Ms. O’Connor”. I remember the conversation we had which pointed me to now one of my favorite writers; it was about my city.
For a long time now people have talked about the city of New Orleans in all its misery, renewal, impurity, purification, magic, charm, culture, confusion, chaos and the list could go on. But now that something large, monumental, and devastating has happened to this city, it has a new light. People acknowledge it as different now because it has potential to grow and come back strong. Nevertheless, it is that great city and all its representation of good and evil that led me to come to have a great respect for the founder of the Parousians. He wanted to see the grace among the grotesque.
The Parousians are a group of men and women with one goal in mind: to bring the truth of Christ, through beauty and goodness, to all who walk on or near the campus of Louisiana State University.
I say near because right beyond the north gates of campus lies the first meeting place of this idea. Although it was not Walker Percy’s Waffle house, the location was convenient, cozy, and had many available chairs in the back courtyard area which sometimes makes you feel like you are in a café in Paris.
There were only about eight people at that first meeting, and I don’t remember exactly what we discussed. But, I do know that I left feeling very hopeful about this idea. It made sense that college students who are seeking to build the kingdom should come together and share their thoughts about theology, philosophy, encyclicals, and the depth of our sacramental belief.
I cannot say that I attended enough Sunday night meetings to write about the detailed advances the Parousians made in their many lectures and gatherings. I do know, however, that a transformation took place. The campus, without even knowing it, was flooded with a new spirit. Although it may have only been visible in a few small corners, it had purpose and direction. This spirit is in the souls of every member of the Parousians, they are determined and ready.
In only a year the group has already spread to other campuses in both Lafayette and Florida. The members are growing, the talks are improving, the nightly rosaries are prayed, and before you know it, L.S.U. will not know what hit them.
For a long time now people have talked about L.S.U. They have talked about its athletics, campus, parking, chancellor, Greek life, diversity, renovation, partying, lakes… and the list could go on. But now something has happened…something beautiful. A group has joined together in prayer and truth to discover how to embrace their vocation. They have audaciously moved through the campus to share the wisdom they have learned. They are graciously inviting more and more students to join, and before you know it, people will have something new to talk about at L.S.U. They will talk about the Parousians.
Time for the Parousia? Not quite...
This preacher says he's Jesus... and people are buying it!
This is precisely why it's so important for us to follow Christ in simplicity and poverty. If today's Christians better understood gospel frugality, perhaps they wouldn't be tempted to follow false prophets who lead such extravagant lifestyles.
Mark Shea links this article as well, with an admonition to the 100,000 followers of "Jesus Christ Man."
This is precisely why it's so important for us to follow Christ in simplicity and poverty. If today's Christians better understood gospel frugality, perhaps they wouldn't be tempted to follow false prophets who lead such extravagant lifestyles.
Mark Shea links this article as well, with an admonition to the 100,000 followers of "Jesus Christ Man."
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Is God Using the Chicago Bears Mascot to Make People Laugh?
Jason Yurechko is a Catholic who thinks he's on a mission from God. He dresses up as Bears superfan Bill Swerski or Blues Brother Jake, frolicking with Staley the Bear. His mission from God is to make people laugh. This Parousian has to question if God is really the author of this mission. After all, one leading Catholic commentator called Colbert has pointed out, bears are not just killing machines. Bears are godless killing machines without a soul that feast on the blood of the Saints.
Of course, this does not mean Yurechko is not a channel of grace that God uses. His situation is similar to many Flannery O'Connor characters. In violent, offensive, grotesque, and sinful situations (like being on the Bears sideline), a little light of grace (good humor in this case) shines through.
Of course, this does not mean Yurechko is not a channel of grace that God uses. His situation is similar to many Flannery O'Connor characters. In violent, offensive, grotesque, and sinful situations (like being on the Bears sideline), a little light of grace (good humor in this case) shines through.
One Year at a Time
Last spring semester I transferred to LSU in the middle of my fourth year of college. Planning only to bide time, graduate, and move onward, I never anticipated getting involved with a group. Yet, I stumbled into a community of students with vision and vigor seeking to satisfy a starving society through the sanctification of minds.
A year later we approach the one year anniversary of the Parousians. With momentum, imagination, and growth we endeavor to continue our mission. Coming from humble beginnings and holding on with meek means, only merciful grace can explain how our mission grew in spite of our own shortcomings.
In January of 2006 at a party hosted by Emily Byers and her roommates I was introduced to Toby Danna. Perplexed at the strange demeanor of this individual and his rampant raging ramblings of starting a group of Catholic intellectuals concerned with the culture, I reluctantly agreed to attend the first meeting at Highland Coffees. From that meeting of eight we continue to gather. Toby’s persistent spirit has consistently helped motivate and direct our group towards a healthy diversity of members with a powerful unity of purpose. As of today our ramblings have transformed into a common bond and scope: a Catholic literary and philosophical society geared towards discerning the relationship of faith and culture guided by reason and revelation.
At some points last spring semester, the common vision was hard for us to sustain and sometimes attendance declined. Meetings sometimes went longer then they should and growing pains surrounded the development of our perception of the group. At times I suffered from cynical ponderings and skepticism over our work and chances for success.
Then this school year we hit the ground running. More students took responsibility, each bringing unique gifts and perspectives. My confidence in the group has been solidified by the exceptional and dynamic students. The richness of the Parousians relies on the contribution of our members. As we commemorate our first year, may the Parousians persist in humility and seek constant re-creation in God’s image through daily grace and in those who would unite with us.
Forget EWTN or Your Diocesan Channel
Ask your local cable company to carry the Holy Whapping Television Network. Honestly, I cannot remember the last time I laughed so hard at anything on the Catholic blogosphere.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
