I will admit that my heart sank when the story broke as well. Not an unfamiliar feeling these days. I felt a similar sensation when I read about the McFarland divorce and throughout the sex abuse scandal. To be an orthodox, practicing Catholic these days means having a thick skin and a stiff upper lip because, (to quote the novel I just finished reading) 'you ain't got nothing coming'! As a woman I wonder why so many men think with that small organ between their legs instead of the much more intricate and well developed one between their ears! Is it the thrill of getting caught? or is a live-for-the-moment kind of thing? My husband thinks its because these guys aren't busy enough. This from the guy who owns his own business, takes up side jobs, coaches soccer and teaches PSR to 6th graders as well as being a dad to his 5 youngsters and a loving friend and spouse to me. With that much on his plate he obviously doesn't have the time or energy to pursue illicit sexual adventures. Maybe Mr. Pete is right - there's no such thing as a vacuum, something will come up (excuse the pun) to fill the void. - Elena of "My Domestic Church", on the news about Deal
A commenter is concerned that Catholic resettlement will "further marginalize us from those whose souls we are charged with evangelizing". This strikes me as a very Protestant view of the Christian life. I remember hearing a Lutheran sermon in which the pastor said emphatically that the only reason we are living is to evangelize, to be a witness so that others might be saved. Since Christians are already saved, there is nothing left for them to do but "go out into the world and make disciples of all nations". This is a very dangerous idea indeed. How different is the Catholic view! We learn from the Baltimore Catechism that God made man "to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in this world, and to be happy with Him forever in the next." In other words, our first priority is to become holy and get to Heaven -- to save our own souls and those in our specific charge. - Jeff of "El Camino Real"
As preparatory introduction to the Culture of Death, [I] studied Kubler-Ross's On Death and Dying. I remember the five stages of the dying person (which along with Avogadro's number and the Gaspee incident, are the three things that have stuck with me since then). Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance. I wonder, do these stages have any parallel/relationship with the commission of mortal sin or repentence? - secret agent man on St. Parish Hall
I suppose that could be even more scandalous, especially when one considers the fact that Christ Himself refuses to let us off the hook when we excuse ourselves with "well, i didn't actually do anything." that sticky point of lust in the heart being equated with actual adultery ... boy, that one smarts. - Smock of Summa Mamas
But, really, I had no time for these higher pursuits. The Catholic aesthetic and the rapine in Sudan could wait. I wanted to know the deal on Deal. I wanted to gorge on gossip...One got a sense of the writer licking his lips with each keystroke. The Bible says that that which has been done in secret will be shouted from the rooftops, but I guess this divine duty has devolved upon the organs of the modern media. Heaven (or hell) can wait...Before running the story, the editors had to confront an obvious truth: this could at the least sorely embarrass Mr. Hudson and at the worst destroy him. And how do you suppose they resolved it? Good, that's what we're trying to do. It's not complicated. - Bill Luse of Apologia
About Rod Dreher and the "Mr. Ives' Christmas" controversy ... I enjoyed "The Power and the Glory", and even though it did contain sexual situations that probably crossed the line of good taste, these were not presented to the reader in the form of literary porn. It was gritty, sure -- but not pornographic. I don't know why it is so hard for people like Mr. Dreher to see the difference. - LeXuan, wife of Jeff Culbreath of "ECR"
Is there not some sort place I can set this cross down for a spell? Or a Walmart where I can return this particular cross?! 'Cause I know that they take exchanges without a receipt. I'd even settle for swapping for a couple of days. A fresh new set of trials and tribulations. It could be a whole new spiritual reality show, "Cross-swapped" or "Extreme Cross Makeover" I pick up your cross and you pick up mine, slap on some rouge and throw in a new appliance from Sears. Sound good? Reread Job ch. 38+. Job's answer to the Lord "Therefore I disown what I have said, and repent in dust and ashes." Second thought, I think my cross is a keeper. - SpecialK of Summa Mamas
Men learn to love the women they’re attracted to while women become attracted to the men they love. ..our dear mr. luse posts a lengthy article entitled philosophy on the rocks that has me thinking so hard my head hurts. two words in mr. luse's article immediately caught my attention: philosophy -- which was my minor in college -- and unchastity -- which was my major. - smockmomma of Summa Mama's
I admired Elisabeth. Ross's work very much. Her book was very helpful to me when my favorite uncle and grandfather died within a year of each other and I was going through tremendous grief. Since death WAS her work, I wonder if she looked at her own demise with a little more curiosity and with her researcher's eye. I wonder if all of that made the experience different for her somehow. Although I didn't agree with all of her conclusions, I admired her work with the dying and her importance in the hospice movement. - Elena of "My Domestic Church"
Why have we so demonized alcohol, anyhow? It can be misused, like so many of the other gifts that God has given us. I was at a bris a few weeks ago (long story). The mohel joked that the reason alcohol abuse is so rare among Jewish men is that the first time they taste is they are 8 days old, and that taste is followed immediately by getting circumcised. - Alicia of "Fructus Ventris"
I think I like characters like the gang in Ocean's Eleven because I have in fact met con men and thieves who had the stuff, and wistfully remember how my Old Man tried so hard, bastard though he was, to measure up to 'em. As for me and my house, my brothers and I inherited the aspiration, but seem better at the execution. Consider our chosen professions - the law, sales & marketing, and preaching. Anyone who's not a bit of a con artist will never make it in those callings. - Thomas of Endlessly Rocking
The Bill Gates of Hell Will Not Prevail -title of Jeff of "Curt Jester" post after news that Gates contributed $400,000 to the campaign backing a California ballot measure that would make billions of dollars available for human embryonic stem cell/cloning research.
'Best of all, you should be on your way about 45 minutes after the procedure.' The question is.....on your way to where? - Ellyn of Obhouse, quoting an advertisement for a new permanent birth control procedure.
I sometimes find that the Catholic Classics fail me, not because they are not good works, but because so few of them come from a time near enough to address the issues I face every day. Yes, they teach immortal principles and should be read for that reason alone. But sometimes it is good to hear a voice, like that of John Paul II who faces what I face today and who gives me some guidance as to how to deal with. For that reason, I do read a variety of spiritual works from all times, not wishing to succumb to chronological snobbery in either sense. - Steven Riddle of "Flos Carmeli"
The word "no" in a woman's mouth is the most powerful protest in the language. It's what separates the victim from the participant. - Bill Luse of Apologia
Effective today, the Catholic League has a new requirement for all future employees: all candidates must show proof of being immaculately conceived, that is, they must demonstrate that they were conceived without sin. - William Donohue, after NCR's hit piece on Deal Hudson
Angels are in heaven because they take themselves lightly. - GK Chesterton of Heaven