A Knight's Walk in the Kingdom

theophilus July 17th, 2008

I came across this article of a “Theology on Tap” talk given yesterday by Archbishop Chaput of Denver at World Youth Day 2008.  The talk was exactly on point in discussing the double-life we are expected to lead as Catholics and the inherent dangers faced by our soul, our Church, and our society if we so choose such a life.

The article is reprinted below (from the Catholic News Agency) and the entire text can be found on the Archdiocese of Denver web site.  I’ve highlighted some great phrases.

Archbishop Chaput urges Sydney youth to shun ‘part-time Christianity’

• Culture
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theophilus July 16th, 2008

Today is the feast day of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, the patron saint of the Carmelites - St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Theresa de Lisieux (the “Little Flower”), St. Edith Stein, St. Simon Stock.

One of the great devotions handed down to us from the Carmelites is the Brown Scapular. 

Don’t know anything about the Brown Scapular? 

Go here . . .  Called By Name (Fr. Kyle Schnippel)

Then here . . . Da Mihi Animas (Fr. Stephen Leake)

Then here . . . Carmelite Sisters

or here . . . A Catechesis on the Brown Scapular  (h/t Terry @ Abbey Roads2)

Then here . . . Where to Buy  (the photo is the “Crusader” or “Athletes” Brown Scapular).

As the Carmelite Sisters put it:

“The scapular is not a magic charm or a free ticket into heaven, nor is it an excuse to live an immoral life.  The scapular is a visible sign that you are pledging to live a Christian life with Mary as your example.  To wear the scapular is a sign of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.  St. Claude says “because all forms of our love for the Blessed Virgin and all its various modes cannot be equally pleasing to her…I say without a moments hesitation the the Brown Scapular is the most favored of all!”  Our Lady told St. Simon Stock that she wished her children to wear the scapular, the garment she chose to signify her protection.  Mary has promised that she will obtain the graces and protections necessary for those who show their devotion to her by wearing the scapular.  She will not let her children fall into the eternal fire, but rather protect them under her mantle, the brown scapular.  By wearing the scapular, you visibly show that you desire to live a holy life, and you trust that God, through the intercession of Mary, will give you the graces you need to reach heaven.”

I have often written that we need to get back to some of the traditions that our generation has seemingly cast off or missed for one reason or another.  The more I read about the Brown Scapular, the more I am attracted to this simple sacramental devotion.  

The Brown Scapular and what it represents can help us live life the way Christ intends for us, while continually invoking the protection and help of our Blessed Mother.  It is there for us to hold onto in times of need, is a continual reminder of the divine presence guiding our lives, and is a sure-fire way to help us resist temptation.

And when we couple it with the Rosary, how can we not live life following Christ’s path for us?

• Church , Mary
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theophilus July 15th, 2008

What always intrigues me about the abortion debate is how men are relegated to the sidelines. 

We are told that a father has no rights unless he is married to the mother and that those rights only kick in after his child is born.  It is entirely up to the mother as to whether she even wants to tell the father about their baby.

But what are the consequences to the father of this point of view?  For the past thirty-something years, we’ve been led to believe that men don’t care and that, even if they did, it’s just none of their business.

But now, the question of abortion’s impact on men is starting to be addressed.

The cover story in this month’s Columbia magazine published by the Knights of Columbus discusses the issue of men and abortion.  The link is to an interview with Dr. Vincent Rue, Ph.D., who is the Director of the Institute for Pregnancy Loss. 

It’s enlightening stuff.

• Catholic Men , Culture , Family , Relationships
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theophilus July 13th, 2008

I find two gospel passages especially meaningful for how I want to live my life. 

One is Matthew 9, where Christ proclaims -

“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” 

The other is today’s gospel from Matthew 13, where Christ preaches the parable of the seeds falling in the path, on the rocks, in the thorns, and on the rich soil.  He concludes by proclaiming -

“The seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.”

And it’s these two passages that have me so confused today as I digest the news of Tony Snow’s passing.  He was born and raised in Cincinnati and we Queen City folks tend to always have a special place in our hearts for natives who go on to the national stage and do good. 

We have even more reason to be proud that Tony was from Cincinnati - he represented the best we have to offer and who we all should aspire to be.  He was a phenomenally productive laborer, whose seed was sown in rich soil, and who bore the ripest of fruit.

So, today I find myself doing something I really don’t do that often – I find myself questioning God’s decision. 

We need people like Tony – in our nation and our Church.   He was fighting the good fight as a patriot and a builder of Christ’s Kingdom.  He was a good and faithful servant.

Coming on the heals of Tim Russert’s death, you almost have to wonder what God is up to.  Here were two middle-age, high-profile lay Catholics who were devout, bold and public in their faith and presumably doing what God intended for them to do.  We have so very few of their kind and we need so many more.  Yet, they are gone; and I can’t see a reason why.

I know we need to trust God implicitly and without reservations.  I know there is a good reason why these good, Catholic men have been called home.  I’m just confused.

It’s now up to the rest of us to pick up the slack, find other laborers, and ensure we are bearing fruit.  There is still so much work to be done; and the work seems to be increasing every day. 

• Catholic Men , Faith , Liturgy
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theophilus July 7th, 2008

Msn. com has an article on the ten biggest mistakes we can make as parents -

1. Spoiling kids
2. Inadequate discipline
3. Failing to get involved in school
4. Praising mediocrity
5. Not giving kids enough responsibility
6. Not being a good spouse
7. Setting unreal expectations
8. Not teaching kids to fend for themselves
9. Pushing trends on kids
10. Not following through

I think I’ve been guilty of all ten at one point or another. 

Are there any other mistakes? 

How about not teaching kids about our faith and our religious culture?  How about not practicing our faith ourselves?  How about not praying with them (and I’m talking about something more than bedtime and mealtime prayers)?  How about not practicing the virtues ourselves?  How about being patient with them, especially in matters of our faith and their spiritual development?

We all make a lot of mistakes as parents.  The only perfect parents were Mary & Joseph (and even they lost Jesus for three days).  So, we need to cut ourselves some slack, look at what we do right, and try to recognize and fix the things we do wrong.  And, we need to realize that it’s never too late to start. 

God has entrusted some of his own sons and daughters to our care – just like God entrusted Jesus to Mary & Joseph.  It’s required of us to listen to God and do the very best we can with these precious souls.

• Catholic Men , Family , Role Models
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theophilus July 6th, 2008

Ah, so this explains my wife’s and my marital bliss -

“Churchgoing married couples happier, study says – Catholic News Agency

“Charlottesville, VA, Jul 5, 2008 / 08:03 pm (CNA).- A new analysis of three major national surveys claims that married couples who attend church together tend to be happier than couples who rarely or never attend services and are also less likely to divorce.

“University of Virginia sociologist W. Bradford Wilcox, using data from the General Social Survey (GSS), the National Survey of Families and Households (NSFH), and the National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG), found that married churchgoing Americans, regardless of race or religious denomination, were more likely to describe themselves as “very happy” – more so than non-churchgoing married couples, Cybercast News Service reports.

“Professor Wilcox also found that couples who regularly attend church together are less likely to divorce.

“‘Attending church only seems to help couples when they attend together,’ Wilcox told Cybercast News Service. ‘But when they do, they are significantly happier in their marriages, and they are much less likely to divorce, compared to couples who do not attend church. I would say that church attendance is a beneficial component of marriage when it is done together.’

“Wilcox said that churches supply moral norms like sexual fidelity and forgiveness while also offering family-friendly social networks to support couples through high and low points of their marriages.

“Churches, he said, provide ‘a faith that helps couples make sense of the difficulties in their lives–from unemployment to illness–that can harm their marriages.’

“‘So, in a word, the couple that prays together stays together,’ said Wilcox.

Critics of Wilcox’s study say other factors may be at work.

“‘Some studies have reported a correlation between church attendance and successful marriages,’ Tom Flynn, editor of the secular humanist magazine Free Inquiry said to Cybercast News Service. ‘That may reflect the fact that males who are settled in their lives and are highly socialized are both more likely to succeed in their marriages and more likely to attend church.’

‘Flynn said other studies suggesting a link between church membership and better health or a longer life could also mask other factors.

“’Once again, it may mean that folks who have their lives together tend to avoid substance abuse, practice good health habits, and go to church,’ he said.

‘A 2001 Barna Research Poll showed that individuals who describe themselves as ‘born again’ were just as, if not more, likely to divorce than other Christians and non-Christians.

“‘A few studies have shown that seculars who do marry have a better track record at staying married than members of Southern Baptists and other conservative denominations,’ Flynn said. ‘Those seculars who bother to marry may be marrying more successful than very traditional, male-authoritarian Christians.’

“Wilcox responded by claiming that men and women with an active church life ‘do look different in the marital realm.’

“’At least in the marriage arena, faith alone doesn’t work,’ Wilcox said. ‘You’ve got to combine faith and works to enjoy a happy and stable marriage. You need the consistent message, the accountability, and the support a church community can provide to really benefit from religious faith.’

I love how Mr. Flynn tries to twist the studies around.  According to him, going to church doesn’t produce good married folks; it’s good married folks who go to church anyway.

These secularists just don’t get it.  I have a relatively happy marriage, because despite all of our ups and downs, my wife and I truly believe and are reminded each and every Sunday morning that our union is predestined by God and his gift to us.  Our covenant sworn on our wedding day is part of his covenant with us, his people.  His call to us has its foundation in those children of his whom he has entrusted to us as their parents.

My wife and I will love each other and remain committed to each other, not just because we truly love each other and are totally committed to each other, but also because we know deep down in our souls, we are part of God’s plan for each other and our children.

And when we forget this simple proposition, we are reminded each and every Sunday when we ask for mercy and forgiveness, look around us at all of the families like our’s, and exchange the sign of peace with each other. 

And then we walk up the aisle and partake of the consecrated host.  It is truly then when we are joined with Christ and remember why we are joined with each other.

• Catholic Men , Church , Eucharist , Family , Marriage , Mercy & Forgiveness , Relationships
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theophilus July 5th, 2008

Our parish has started saying a novena prayer for the November elections.  As elections matter and the government is involved in every aspect of our lives, it’s probably a good idea for us to call upon God and the intercession of Mary, America’s patron saint, to ensure we pick the best leaders.

Here’s the prayer, which is a variation of the Nine Month Novena to Our Lady of America -

“Mary, Refuge of Holy love, intercede for our country with your Immaculately-Conceived Heart during the upcoming elections.  Since you are the Ever-Virgin Mary and Mother of the true God, obtain for us from the Blessed Trinity a president and other elected political leaders who will help the United States become a country of great purity and high morality.

“Sweet Blessed Mother, intercede for us that our next president will support life for each individual at every stage, uphold family life, and influence other countries throughout the world to love God above all else and neighbor as self, to serve Him, and to live for Him alone.  Time and again you have given us your gracious assistance, and thus we humbly and gratefully acknowledge you as our Patron.

“Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee and all those who do not have recourse to thee!

“May our Eternal Father shine His Light upon our country and the whole world.  Amen.”

Let us also remember that we decide our leaders.  So, we are praying for ourselves and our fellow Americans.  We are praying that not only will we actually vote, but that we will also vote for the best leaders in accordance with God’s will for our nation.  

After all, we are ”one nation under God” and it is “In God We Trust.” 

• Mary , Prayer , U.S.A.
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theophilus July 4th, 2008

In my very humble opinion, I believe it is the duty of every American to read the Declaration of Independence on Independence Day.  Not only is it the founding document of our nation, it sets forth the birthright of every member of the human race, every child of God, no matter where they are born in the world.

And we should reflect as to whether our founding fathers look at our nation and our world today and are still proud and pleased to have pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor for this great ideal now entrusted to our times.  But most importantly, we should reflect as to whether that ”Divine Providence” which they so relied on is pleased with the nation and world that we have built.  

Below is the Declaration of Independence.  I’ve omitted the long list of grievances to make it a shorter read.  On this Independence Day, we should read it and really contemplate whether we are on the right track. 

And above all, let’s really celebrate being Americans.  There has never been a nation and a people like our’s; a nation and a people built upon the ideals of freedom, liberty and opportunity for each individual.  So, let’s pledge to continue to build what President Reagan referred to as this “Shining City on the Hill” entrusted to us from God.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

“The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

“When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.–Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

. . .

“In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

“Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

“We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”

• U.S.A.
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theophilus July 3rd, 2008

I love history, especially trying to learn how we got to where we are at from where we were.  One thing that puzzles me is how we got to our current culture, especially considering that it was considered the counter-culture forty years ago. 

So, how did the counter-culture become the culture?  And what should we do about it, especially those of us who are concerned about the children and the cultural environment in which they are growing up?

In his newsletter this month, Matthew Kelly is on point -

“The most cursory and elementary examination of our culture along the lines of the hopes and dreams we have for our families quickly reveals that our current culture and any authentic vision of family are massively at odds with each other. But what are we willing to do about it?

“Most parents say they would do whatever was necessary to help their child grow free and strong and succeed. But are you willing to be countercultural? This is the question it all hangs upon.

“By being countercultural I mean being willing to step away from the culture whenever it does not help you and your family to become a-better-version-of-yourselves. People who are countercultural are often ridiculed. This can be difficult, but it can also be clarifying and can help both children and parents to develop character. And the truth is, if enough people choose a countercultural lifestyle, they will create a new culture. That is the only way a new culture will be born. If enough people stop going to movies that are filled with violence and foul language, the powers that be will start making more movies that support you in your quest to become your best self. This is true across all industries. The markets will go where there is demand.

“It is abundantly clear what the fruits of our current culture are. We must decide if this is what we want for our children, our families, and ourselves. If we want a different result, then we must take a different approach. If we want a radically different result, then we need a radically different approach. And I assure you, this will require more courage and inner fortitude on the part of parents than it will from our children. It is hard to be a leader, and make no mistake, your role as a parent is a leadership role.”

And maybe that’s the answer.  We have to create a counter-culture and say “no” to the prevailing culture.  Soon enough, the counter-culture will become the culture. 

Oh, and just so I don’t create any misunderstanding – I’m not talking about returning to the ’50s.  What I am talking about is creating a culture that is conducive to raising a family.  The ideal culture has the best of today’s, mixed with the best of yesterday’s, mixed with the best of tomorrow’s.

Who knows, we might even get to a point where our children will live in a much safer world; where they are allowed to be children and not forced to grow up before their time.

• Culture , U.S.A.
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theophilus July 2nd, 2008

Today’s gospel (Matthew 8) has the townfolk asking Christ to leave their town. What was his offense? He cast the demons out of two men, redirected them into a herd of pigs, and then the pigs ran into the sea.

The people of the town were afraid at what they witnessed. They couldn’t comprehend so they did the natural thing – they turned away from what they did not understand or did not want to accept.

How many times do we ask Christ to leave our lives? How many instances throughout our day do we want to hide from him; pretend that he doesn’t exist in our lives?

But, the kicker is that he is always with us; in our every thought, word and deed. We cannot ask him to leave our lives because he has promised our Father in heaven that he will not lose any entrusted to him.

All it takes is for us to be aware of him throughout our day; to turn to him in times of trouble and of joy; to believe in him and follow his path no matter where it leads; to accept our Father’s will as our own.

Christ will always be with us; but we cannot make the mistake of asking him to leave our lives. Not only can he not leave our lives; but even if he could, how horrid would our lives be if we tried to go it alone?

• Jesus , Liturgy
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