Speaking of *that* issue, things are heating up even more among the Primates of the Anglican Communion. Thanks to titusonenine for bringing the following Daily Telegraph story to my attention.

Whatever you think of the Anglican Primate of Nigeria, he is making it dern clear that a committee issuing nice words will not do in keeping the Anglican Communion together.

(How do you like my mix of Texan and English?)

The collect (a type of prayer) for today, the first Sunday in Lent:

Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be
tempted by Satan; Come quickly to help us who are assaulted
by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of
each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through
Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

And the Gospel reading for today is Luke 4:1-13, the temptation of Christ.

These remind us that there is a difference between temptation and sin. Jesus was tempted as we are (and in some ways much more), yet without sin.

I think sometimes we lay false guilt on ourselves and on others not because of sin, but simply because of temptation. But temptation is not sin, nor an occasion for guilt. Instead, if we resist temptation, that is cause to be glad. For to resist temptation is Christ-like.

And, yes, I think that is important to remember when discussing *that* issue.

On the front page of most U. S. newspapers this morning is the latest report on past clerical sexual abuse of children and youth in the Catholic Church. The numbers are outrageous. As the report says, the bishops are without excuse.

I was going to write a lengthy piece here, but I’m at a loss just what to write. It’s not only the gross negligence of bishops and seminaries that’s disturbing. It’s not only the pain the victims went through and often still are going through. It’s the poisoning of the environment for both leaders and kids in youth and children’s ministry that troubles me. That keeps on harming kids and ministry to them.

I don’t like even talking about this. That’s all I’m going to post for now.

The other day, Bishop Gene Robinson trotted out that tired line of equating gay liberation with the civil rights struggle.

It didn't go over very well.

Michael Eisner’s days as chairman of Disney may be numbered. Large shareholders have finally had enough of him. Heck, I almost wish I owned Disney shares so I could help vote him and his board out. But Disney shares have been money losers for a while, so…

Eisner has dragged Disney down in both finances and content. That’s not to mention Gay Days at Disneyworld and the like. The only thing bad about canning Eisner is his butt-kissing board has voted him golden parachutes – heck, diamond-encrusted golden parachutes. It’s ridiculous. He not only has looted the company; he has guaranteed himself future piles of loot.

I would boot the little sleaze out and take away all his benefits. Let the slime sue. Then, in open court, all would get to see what a sorry corporate lowlife he’s been.

Once he’s fired, there will be a good position ready for him anyway -- with “The Family.�

John Kerry has made a pronouncement about The Passion.

After reading this, I was tempted to call Kerry a poofy-haired weasel or a Massachusetts masoliberal. But I refuse to give in to those temptations. It’s Lent, you know.

I watched The Passion last night. My youth group rented out, and filled, two screenings.

There’s been any number of reviews, so I won’t add yet another. But the review in First Things has it right: “it certainly is the best movie ever made about Jesus Christ.�

But even after all I had read about the movie, I was surprised at the response of the audience, including me. I expected lots of crying, loud crying. I expected to cry. But I didn’t. And I heard almost no audible crying. I thought at least the teenage girls would be wailing, but no. The most noticeable response? Silence.

As the lights went up in the theater after the movie and almost everyone was leaving, I looked around to see if there was someone I should go talk to. (I’m one of the leaders for the youth group.) Up in the back row, I saw three guys still sitting, all football player types. The oldest of them had his head in his hands. I walked up and sat with them. They weren’t saying a word, and I wasn’t either. Two of them eventually left, leaving the oldest, a high school Senior I’ve known since he was in 4th grade.

He was clearly deeply moved, pained. I sat there quiet with him. I didn’t want to interrupt his thoughts. I felt it best to just be there for him.

We were there a while after all the others had left. After the cleaning crew came in, we finally got up and slowly walked out. Still, neither of us said a word. Finally, in the lobby, I simply invited him to get ahold of me if he wanted to talk sometime. And that was all we said the whole time.

The Passion makes words woefully inadequate. Afterwards, although the devotion of my heart is strengthened, the words of my prayers are weak. They have always been weak, of course. Now the depths of His Passion expose my frail words as nothing else can. We do not know how to pray… What can one say in light of what Christ willingly went through for us?

What language shall I borrow to thank Thee, dearest friend?. . .
O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
Bernard of Clairvaux, 1153