Lewis quotation

Pax et bonum

Mere Christianity (C.S. Lewis)

I bought my copy of Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis February 25, 1980.

I know this because the receipt is still in the book. I bought it those four decades ago at the now defunct Village Green Book Store.

I read the book about the same time. I was on a C. S. Lewis binge back in those days.

I decided it was time finally to reread the book as one of the spiritual books I'm trying to read or reread.

Unlike the Village Green Bookstore, the ideas in the book are clearly not defunct.

And as I was reading, it hit me that they seem really familiar. I have used many of the same explanations and arguments myself over the last 40 years.

The more I read, the more I began to wonder if this book was the source of some of my own thinking, or if what he wrote clarified ideas that were forming in my mind at the time that I read the book. His method of creating common situations to help explain more complex theological points - such as his  description of a writer creating a novel to help explain how God is outside of time - is a technique I have used in my own teaching and theological discussions. Did I learn that from him? Or did he simply reinforce a tendency already in me?

I was not aware of it at the time, but I now know that his own conversion came about in part from reading G.K. Chesterton, so I began wondering if some of Lewis's ideas came from Chesterton or were clarified by reading him. Perhaps I'm just another link in a chain.

I'll finish the book in a couple of days. I'm rereading The Screwtape Letters as part of a Catholic reading group as well.

I suspect I will be rereading more Lewis when I am finished with these books.

Pax et bonum

Fleeting Fame

Having recently completed my Tony Hillerman Navajo mysteries goal, I began to consider what other mystery goals I might pursue.

I'm already nearly done with reading all the G.K. Chesterton Father Brown mysteries, so I won't count that.

Then I thought of the 21 Brother Cadfael mysteries of the Ellis Peters (the pen name of Edith Pargeter). I've already read a number of them, and always enjoyed them.

I was not ready to turn to them - I'm currently reading Don Quixote - but I thought I'd check the local library to see what Cadfael books they had and which ones I've already read.

They had none.

I know they used to have a number of the books - I'd checked them out and read them from the library in the past - but they were now all gone. I checked the online catalog. None.

What seemed likely is that they have already culled the books from their collection to make room for more new books. Pargeter died in 1995, and the last Cadfael book was published in 1994.

Admittedly, the books were good as mysteries, though certainly not classic literature. But they were still solid, entertaining works.

At one time the Cadfael books were popular, as was the character, the subject of a series of BBC programs in the 1990's starring Derek Jacobi. But that popularity was some 20 years ago. Having a medieval monk as your detective probably helped to limit the audience given contemporary tastes and anti-religious sentiments. I suspect I would find the Father Dowling mysteries also being culled.

Other local libraries still have some of the Cadfael books, so I will be able to read some of them, though I suspect locating all the ones I haven't read yet might be difficult.

But it did seem to me telling that such a prolific, award-winning writer and a series that used to be relatively popular is being discarded in that way.

So much for fame. We seek it, we cling to it, we proclaim it, then it is gone.

Is what the world says makes us famous really something worthy striving for? Yet people, metaphorically and literally sell their souls for it. Think of all the writers, musicians, actors who for the sake of success and fame focus on and perform things less than moral, and find their lives beset by destructive vices.

And then, suddenly, they are gone.

I'm reminded of Shelley's "Ozymandias"

I met a traveller from an antique land,
Who said—“Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. . . . Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk a shattered visage lies, whose frown,
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed;
And on the pedestal, these words appear:
My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.”

There are more important, more lasting goals for which to strive. Heaven and eternal life await, after all.

But even as I strive for those more eternal goals, I will still try to read more of the Cadfael books!

Pax et bonum

The Omega Man Misfires

While flipping through channels last night I came across The Omega Man, a 1971 science fiction film featuring Charlton Heston battling a plague-mutated cult in a post apocalyptic world. The movie was loosely based on a Richard Matheson novel, I Am Legend.

I had not seen the movie in decades. I recall that it had some religious overtones - the title, the famous final scene (above), and the fact that it is his blood that will save others to cite three examples. In the movie a girl also asks the hero if he is God, and there is talk of crucifixion. 

I vaguely remembered a few other parts of it, including a love scene involving the hero and the "last" woman on earth, and the death of the woman's brother. But other details were sketchy.

I decided to watch it.

Pretty early on I started seeing some issues.

The movie opens with our armed hero wandering about and going into a theater to watch Woodstock - mouthing the words to show he has done this multiple times. But then he exits the theater and realizes it's almost dark and "they" will be coming out.

Wait. he's been successfully battling "them" for 2 years and he's dumb enough to forget time now?

It leads to racing through the streets, and them almost getting him. Action and drama! And he gets to shoot some mutants.

His home (below) is a fortified building. But wait: It's hemmed in by other buildings. If the mutants are so intent on getting him, could they not have jumped from the roofs of nearby buildings onto his roof, and chop through to get at him? Or set his building on fire? Or since they are constantly building bonfires to burn books and artifacts of industrial society could they have just set the nearby buildings on fire and let it spread to his and burn him out?

Our hero is later captured by the mutants. They could have just killed him, but no, they have to have a trial, a long verbal confrontation with the leader of the mutants, and then plan an elaborate public execution. Of course, that allows him to escape.

He is helped to escape by the "last" woman and a young man. He rides with the woman on a motorcycle, even though we have been given no indication he is a skilled bike rider, and he does some stuntman-like maneuvers through mutants who could easily have knocked them over, and even leaps over a car (below) landing cleanly and escaping. Right.

The dialogue is really dated, replete with early 70's slang. Probably written by some honky.

We get to the love scene, which is handled discretely. But the following morning the woman gets out of bed naked and walks across the room. The human body is beautiful and can be shown artfully, but the nudity here was gratuitous.

I switched the channels. The nude scene was the last straw, and by that point I also started to recall more of the last part of the movie and to realize how flawed and contrived it was. The ending in particular strives for profundity - ooo, I get it, he's Jesus and he is crucified to save others with his blood! - but falls far short.

Sorry Mr. Heston. You've made better movies. 

And this one had no tasty treats like Soylent Green.

Pax et bonum

Mr Rogers talks about gender

Tony Hillerman Navajo Mysteries Goal Completed

One of my goals was to read all of the Tony Hillerman Navajo mysteries featuring Lt. Leaphorn and Sgt Chee.

I just finished People of Darkness - and have now read them all:  

The Blessing Way (1970) 

Dance Hall of the Dead (1973) 

Listening Woman (1978)
People of Darkness (1980) 

The Dark Wind (1982) 

The Ghostway (1984)
Skinwalkers (1986) 

A Thief of Time (1988) 

Talking God (1989) 

Coyote Waits (1990)
Sacred Clowns (1993) 

The Fallen Man (1996) 

The First Eagle (1998)
Hunting Badger (1999) 

The Wailing Wind (2002) 

The Sinister Pig (2003)
Skeleton Man (2004) 

The Shape Shifter (2006)

Hillerman (May 27, 1925 – October 26, 2008) won all sots of honors and recognition for these mysteries, some of which were made into movies, and television series and miniseries. He was a practicing Catholic who showed respect for Navajo culture and great sensitivity to Navajo spirituality

I first discovered him back when I was a Catholic journalist and read an article about him that suggested his faith helped to create that sensitivity. 

I always enjoyed the books; he is my favorite mystery writer. I'm sorry he wrote no more in the series, though his daughter Anne did continue a series of novels with the characters. I'll have to give her books a try at some point.

Pax et bonum

Roots - Royal Relatives

Elder John Strong (1605-99), an early settler in  America (about 1635) is the ancestor of most Strongs in the United States - including me. He did have 18 children through two wives, after all.

It also turns out that he is an ancestor of the heir apparent to the British throne, Prince William, and his brother Prince Harry.

That makes the likely future King of Great Britain a distant relative!

William (and Harry) were the children of Diana, who was married to the now King Charles.

The line traces back in this way:

Diana Spencer 

Frances Ruth Burke Rosche 

Edmund Maurice Burke Rosche

Frances Eleanor Work

Ellen Wood

Eleanor Strong

Joseph Strong

Benajah Strong

Elizabeth Strong

Preserved Strong

Jedediah Strong

Elder John Strong

I trace back to Elder John Strong through Jedediah's brother Jerijah. But still, that makes Prince William a distant cousin. So is his eldest son, Prince George, second in line to the throne.  Prince Harry is also a distant cousin, but we'll ignore that!

If William does live to become King - presumably he will outlive King Charles - I wonder if we can snag an invite to the coronation? 

Then again, my dominant Irish/Scottish roots balk at that!

Pax et bonum

Explaining Church Religious Orders To A Protestant

At the comfort care home where I volunteer I work with a woman who is a member of one of those fundamentalists Protestant churches. She really knows little about the Catholic Church, and has asked me questions. Today the issue of different orders in the Catholic Church came up. The thought it showed the splintering of the Church

At first I explained that the orders - like the Jesuits, the Franciscans, the Carmelites, the Sisters of Saint Joseph and so on  - do not divide the Church, but rather serve it in different ways and ministries. Some teach, some run shelters and soup kitchens, some work in hospitals, some spend time praying for the sake of others, and so on.

I realized that while my explanation was true, it was not clear to her.

Then I came up with an analogy.

Imagine a company erecting a building. There would be various kinds of workers such as carpenters, plumber, electricians, and painters all pursuing their particular tasks, but all working together for their common project. I said the orders in the Church are like all those different trades working together.

I could see she got it.

Thank you Lord for that moment of inspiration. 

Pax et bonum

Dawn || Fr. Tansi Ibisi, CFR

"Brethren of the Lord" | Catholic Answers

"Brethren of the Lord" | Catholic Answers: Protestants claim that Mary did not remain a virgin her entire life, and that Jesus had brothers and sisters. Here is the Catholic response.

The Nativity On Ice

Every day as I drive to morning Mass I pass a multi-service Christian church/organization It offers Sunday services, daycare, theatrical performances, and so on. At Christmas time it also offers an elaborate Christmas celebration that includes various productions.

I have not seen any of their Christmas productions, so I have no comment about them specifically. They may be devout, joyful, and inspiring. If so, good.

What caught my eye, though, was the large sign in front of the Church promoting the Christmas shows. The sign included a quotation from our local daily newspaper.

"The Christmas Story goes Disney.”

Disney? And the Nativity???

Given the recent direction of Disney's productions, one shudders to imagine what the result would be if Disney did decide to tackle the Nativity Story.

I'm not thinking of talking animals or objects. That's actually been done by others dealing with the Nativity, and some of those efforts have been reasonably respectful and reverent.

But today's Disney would not stop there.

Imagine Mary and Joseph - both ethnically correct and quite attractive with singing and dancing skills - engaging in long, pensive monologues (with birds, camels, and sheep surrounding them). They likely would sing and dance as they decide to say "Yes." The journey to Bethlehem would include some sort of a travel song. Perhaps the donkey would have a solo.

And there's be an ominous song by Herod the Great, who, of course, would sing bass. (Herod Antipas would likely sing in a wispy tenor voice.)

I can imagine various innkeepers singing a song like "No Room."

The birth would be accompanied by an elaborate light show and choirs singing sume upbeat tune.

Meanwhile, it's likely one of the shepherds or the Magi would actually be a woman in disguise. Another one of them would possibly be gay or transgender, and be the wisecracking confidant of the woman in disguise.

There would be more songs and dances - maybe the Roman soldiers would have a whole dance routine heavy on drums.  All these songs and dances, of course, would set us up for The Nativity: The Musical on Broadway.

Eventually we'd have The Nativity on Ice.

And imagine all the merchandising opportunities. Mary and Joseph dolls. Angel dolls, Animals that will say, if you shake them or pull a string, "Alleluia."

Eventually we'd have a live action version on network television. with someone like Taylor Swift as Mary.

Given all the horrible possibilities, the local newspaper's review may have done the church a disservice.

Then again, the church did choose to include that comment in promoting their show.

I think I'll stay on the safe side and avoid their Christmas extravaganza. 

Maybe I'll stick to my parish's children's nativity play instead.  

Pax et bonum

Eucharistic Proposals to Consider

Crisis Magazine has an interesting article by Father John A. Perricone offering a "Radical Proposal for the USCCB's Eucharistic Revival."

The article outlines four proposals:

Tabernacles returned to the center of every church.
Abolish communion in the hand.
Eliminate Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Eucharist.
Reception of Holy Communion should always be kneeling.

The bishops' revival was prompted in part because of evidence - in particular a 2020 Pew Research Study - that showed a majority of Catholics no longer believing in the Real Presence. So they launched the revival which is supposed to culminate in a 2024 Eucharistic Congress.

As a veteran Catholic reporter, and someone who has been active in the Church of decades, their response strikes me as more of the same. I don't have high hopes for the effort.

Neither. apparently, does Father Perricone. Hence his proposals.

I have mixed feelings about his proposals.

Moving the Tabernacles to the center? Absolutely. I've seen too many churches where it was moved off to the side or even into a separate chapel. My own church, under a previous pastor, chose the off-to-the-side placement. Under our new pastor, it is being moved back to center of the sanctuary this very week. Alleluia!

Eliminate Extraordinary Ministers? Yes, unless there are unusual circumstances, such as a very large crowd and not enough priests and deacons available, or if the priest is physically limited in some way. In my own parish, we almost always have a priest and a deacon at every Sunday Mass, and they could handle the couple of hundred people attending. Yes, it might mean that Mass will be a few minutes longer, but so what? 

Abolish Communion in the hand? To be honest, I don't have a problem with Communion in the hand if it is done reverently. And there are times of flu outbreaks, for example, where it seems prudent. Yes, people should have the option to receive on the tongue, and to do so without facing some sort of disapproval. But I don't believe it should be the only way. I do believe we need more catechesis about Communion in the hand to make sure it is indeed done reverently.

Kneeling? Again, I have no problem with it as an option. But for many people kneeling is physically difficult. Having altar rails helped them, but, unfortunately, the altar rails were removed from many churches, and newer churches did not have them. There would be all sorts of practical and financial problems if we tried to reinstall them. In my own church, the sacristy was redesigned years ago to extend out, making it difficult to reinstall rails or to design ways to accommodate traffic flow.

Still, Father has made some  interesting proposals. And we do need to do more to restore belief in and reverence for the Eucharist.

More than a "revival" and a "congress." 

Pax et bonum

All In All, Never Mind

It suddenly hit me the other day that I've actually had a pretty interesting life. I started compiling a list of things that have happened to me and that I have done.

But it quickly became obvious that it was an egotistical exercise. I was boasting. 

What has happened has happened. I have much for which to thank the Lord.

But now is now. I need to focus on what is happening, not what happened.

So ,,, never mind.

Pax et bonum

The Broons

Pax et bonum

The Catechism in Whenever

Father Mike Schmitz has just completed a series of podcasts in which he led people through the Bible in a year.

I haven't watched any of them, not really a daily podcast person, but I have seen some of his other broadcasts on religious, moral, and social issues, and I always liked them. I even used to show some of them to my students.

He is now doing the Catechism of the Catholic Church in a Year. Wow.

I have read the Catechism in bits and pieces as I needed guidance on issues such as sin, the death penalty, and abortion, but I have not read the entire Catechism.

Father Mike has inspired me.

No, I am not going to view his podcasts each day. I have, however, begun to read the Catechism, and wil do so daily. It will likely take more than a year, but it will be a good addition to my resolution to increase my spiritual reading.

Pax et bonum

Naughty Boy

Once a week I volunteer at a local chapel/shrine. I take out the garbage, sweep the chapel, oversee the small gift shop. There's also plenty of time to pray and read.

Today I noticed that shelving unit where people can drop off periodicals - various religious magazines, newspapers, and newsletters - that other people can take for free was really untidy. I decided to organize the periodicals.

As I sorted, I found a number of issues of America magazine and National Catholic Reporter. Both of them regularly contain questionable content. They feature writers and articles that oppose church teachings or policies on issues like abortion, homosexuality, women's ordination, and more.

I put those issues aside, then tossed them into the recycling box.

I don't want others to be led astray!

Pax et bonum

It Begins

A new year begins. I've kept up with my resolutions so far! 

I did get suspended from Twitter a couple of days ago. I probably offended someone with my pro-like comments. I do admit some were pretty pointed - probably not in keeping with a good Catholic or a good Franciscan. If they let me back on - it seems to be a short-term suspension - I may just delete my page anyway. Too many temptations. And too much time wasted.

Pax et bonum