It will not surprise my forbearing readers to know that I can get quite angry. And there are times to be angry. But I’ve been giving in to anger too much lately. And that not so much in what I post here, but in losing control of my anger and also in letting it persist. (In other words, if you think I get angry here . . . )
It’s not for nothing that scripture exhorts us not to let the sun go down on our anger. Lately, I’ve been feeling both physical and mental fatigue, and I think a lot of that comes from letting my anger eat me up and wear me down. Obama and Obamacare have provoked a lot of the anger. So have less important personal matters. And the anger to a point has been justified. But I’ve let my anger spill out well beyond the point of righteousness and self-control. And the biggest victim of that has been myself. God has been gently opening my eyes to that this Lent.
Please feel free to pray for me. Anger has been an issue for me all my life. So in addition to there now being so much about which to be outraged, I’ve long been weak about self-control in this area.
Although I doubt she tends to anger as much as me, the Anchoress recently posted some thoughts on struggling with anger.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
O. K. The Pope-bashing is getting silly.
The pope-bashing has now gotten officially silly:
With the Roman Catholic Church now supposedly responsible for every evil on the planet, it came as no surprise to read in the Jerusalem Post that the Vatican “aided” Adolf Eichmann’s escape to Argentina. This accusation is made annually by hacks eager to do their bit of pontiff-baiting, but unfortunately for them, it is complete tosh.
One would think that, with all the bizarre accusations against the Joos through the years, nay, centuries, the Jerusalem Post would know a silly conspiracy theory when it saw one. But apparently not.
Meanwhile, I have it on good authority that the Council for Foreign Relations, the Trilateral Commission, the CIA, the Illuminati, the Elders of Zion, Goldman Sachs, the Mormons – you know, all those Jewish groups – conspired with the Vatican, Dick Cheney and Bush (of course) to assassinate JFK, cause 9-11, and smuggle Obama into Hawaii immediately after his birth in Kenya.
You heard it here first.
Now, for a slightly more thoughtful look at the recent Pope-bashing, I direct you to the Anchoress. Her post is the most thoughtful and personal take on the subject I’ve read.
With the Roman Catholic Church now supposedly responsible for every evil on the planet, it came as no surprise to read in the Jerusalem Post that the Vatican “aided” Adolf Eichmann’s escape to Argentina. This accusation is made annually by hacks eager to do their bit of pontiff-baiting, but unfortunately for them, it is complete tosh.
One would think that, with all the bizarre accusations against the Joos through the years, nay, centuries, the Jerusalem Post would know a silly conspiracy theory when it saw one. But apparently not.
Meanwhile, I have it on good authority that the Council for Foreign Relations, the Trilateral Commission, the CIA, the Illuminati, the Elders of Zion, Goldman Sachs, the Mormons – you know, all those Jewish groups – conspired with the Vatican, Dick Cheney and Bush (of course) to assassinate JFK, cause 9-11, and smuggle Obama into Hawaii immediately after his birth in Kenya.
You heard it here first.
Now, for a slightly more thoughtful look at the recent Pope-bashing, I direct you to the Anchoress. Her post is the most thoughtful and personal take on the subject I’ve read.
Monday, March 29, 2010
The Creepy Bishop
Gene Robinson is not only “The Gay Bishop” he pledged not to become; now he is becoming The Creepy Bishop:
Perhaps the most interesting thing which happened during that question period was a short speech by Gene Robinson, Bishop of New Hampshire, who expressed dissatisfaction with both papers and stated that it was time to move beyond speaking simply of "GLBT" (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered) orientations: "there are so many other letters in the alphabet," he said; "there are so many other sexualities to be explored." He did not elaborate as to what those other sexualities and other letters of the alphabet might be.
Perhaps the most interesting thing which happened during that question period was a short speech by Gene Robinson, Bishop of New Hampshire, who expressed dissatisfaction with both papers and stated that it was time to move beyond speaking simply of "GLBT" (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered) orientations: "there are so many other letters in the alphabet," he said; "there are so many other sexualities to be explored." He did not elaborate as to what those other sexualities and other letters of the alphabet might be.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Sarum Palm Sunday
From Pearson’s The Sarum Missal in English, I’ve been reading the liturgy for Palm Sunday. Between the pre-procession rites, the procession, and the Mass, the service for Palm Sunday must have been quite long in late medieval England.
Two parts of the rite stand out to me. First before the procession, all the palms and other greenery were blessed and exorcised.
I wonder if I should try that on my lawn. I have a few devilish weeds.
Second, at the second station of the procession, at the south of the church, “seven Choristers sing in a conspicuous place” –
Glory, laud, and honor
To Thee, Redeemer King!
To Whom the lips of children
Made sweet Hosannas ring.
Yes, the familiar hymn that opens many Palm Sunday services, including the one at my parish this morning. The choristers and the choir alternate singing the rest of the hymn.
How wonderful Palm Sunday must have been at the west front of Wells Cathedral. For the hundreds of life-sized statues that adorn the Cathedral's west front would appear to be singing, thanks to secret galleries behind the façade that housed the choir.
On Palm Sunday, the choir would take their place in the galleries, and as the procession of clergy approached, the statues of saints would appear to sing a response to the clergy's chants.
I enjoyed viewing both the statues and the secret galleries back in 2007. I can only imagine how amazing it was out on the west front lawn on Palm Sunday 1507.
Two parts of the rite stand out to me. First before the procession, all the palms and other greenery were blessed and exorcised.
I wonder if I should try that on my lawn. I have a few devilish weeds.
Second, at the second station of the procession, at the south of the church, “seven Choristers sing in a conspicuous place” –
Glory, laud, and honor
To Thee, Redeemer King!
To Whom the lips of children
Made sweet Hosannas ring.
Yes, the familiar hymn that opens many Palm Sunday services, including the one at my parish this morning. The choristers and the choir alternate singing the rest of the hymn.
How wonderful Palm Sunday must have been at the west front of Wells Cathedral. For the hundreds of life-sized statues that adorn the Cathedral's west front would appear to be singing, thanks to secret galleries behind the façade that housed the choir.
On Palm Sunday, the choir would take their place in the galleries, and as the procession of clergy approached, the statues of saints would appear to sing a response to the clergy's chants.
I enjoyed viewing both the statues and the secret galleries back in 2007. I can only imagine how amazing it was out on the west front lawn on Palm Sunday 1507.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Faking the Hate (or I told you so)
I mentioned earlier this week that a common tactic of the Left is to provoke outrage from the Right, then to use that outrage against them. “And if the Left doesn’t find some outrage from the Center/Right that is juicy enough, it will invent it.”
Well, sure enough, we’ve seen that tactic in action this week. For example, there have been claims that tea party protesters shouted racial slurs at congressmen in Washington. But although the protests were abundantly videotaped, the evidence for such is non-existent. And that even though Jesse Jackson and company certainly tried to taunt and provoke the protesters.
Now, do I assert that every tea party protester was immaculate in his conduct? Of course not. If you find any protest where that is the case, let me know.
Nevertheless, exaggerating and even inventing “hate” from the right while also ignoring it from the Left is nothing new, as Michelle Malkin reminds us.
And if our friends on the Left were really that concerned about civility in politics, then they would be more concerned about the consent of the governed necessary to civil politics.
I’m not holding my breath on that.
No, the Democrats’ real purpose in crying crocodile tears over alleged slurs and violence is to demonize those standing up against their attacks on freedom.
Well, sure enough, we’ve seen that tactic in action this week. For example, there have been claims that tea party protesters shouted racial slurs at congressmen in Washington. But although the protests were abundantly videotaped, the evidence for such is non-existent. And that even though Jesse Jackson and company certainly tried to taunt and provoke the protesters.
Now, do I assert that every tea party protester was immaculate in his conduct? Of course not. If you find any protest where that is the case, let me know.
Nevertheless, exaggerating and even inventing “hate” from the right while also ignoring it from the Left is nothing new, as Michelle Malkin reminds us.
And if our friends on the Left were really that concerned about civility in politics, then they would be more concerned about the consent of the governed necessary to civil politics.
I’m not holding my breath on that.
No, the Democrats’ real purpose in crying crocodile tears over alleged slurs and violence is to demonize those standing up against their attacks on freedom.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
++Chaput Calls Out “Catholics” Who Supported Obamacare
Archbishop Chaput has commented on the passage of the Obamacare bill he so resolutely opposed. And he calls out those “Catholics” who used the Catholic name to push Obamacare:
Fourth, self-described “Catholic” groups have done a serious disservice to justice, to the Church, and to the ethical needs of the American people by undercutting the leadership and witness of their own bishops. For groups like Catholics United, this is unsurprising. In their effect, if not in formal intent, such groups exist to advance the interests of a particular political spectrum. Nor is it newsworthy from an organization like Network, which – whatever the nature of its good work -- has rarely shown much enthusiasm for a definition of “social justice” that includes the rights of the unborn child.
But the actions of the Catholic Health Association (CHA) in providing a deliberate public counter-message to the bishops were both surprising and profoundly disappointing; and also genuinely damaging. In the crucial final days of debate on health-care legislation, CHA lobbyists worked directly against the efforts of the American bishops in their approach to members of Congress. The bad law we now likely face, we owe in part to the efforts of the Catholic Health Association and similar “Catholic” organizations.
That, particularly his use of scare quotes, is hard stuff coming from an archbishop. But it is appropriate. To use the name of one’s church to attack freedom and disregard the sanctity of life, and that against the clear council of that church’s leaders, is beyond inexcusable.
Fourth, self-described “Catholic” groups have done a serious disservice to justice, to the Church, and to the ethical needs of the American people by undercutting the leadership and witness of their own bishops. For groups like Catholics United, this is unsurprising. In their effect, if not in formal intent, such groups exist to advance the interests of a particular political spectrum. Nor is it newsworthy from an organization like Network, which – whatever the nature of its good work -- has rarely shown much enthusiasm for a definition of “social justice” that includes the rights of the unborn child.
But the actions of the Catholic Health Association (CHA) in providing a deliberate public counter-message to the bishops were both surprising and profoundly disappointing; and also genuinely damaging. In the crucial final days of debate on health-care legislation, CHA lobbyists worked directly against the efforts of the American bishops in their approach to members of Congress. The bad law we now likely face, we owe in part to the efforts of the Catholic Health Association and similar “Catholic” organizations.
That, particularly his use of scare quotes, is hard stuff coming from an archbishop. But it is appropriate. To use the name of one’s church to attack freedom and disregard the sanctity of life, and that against the clear council of that church’s leaders, is beyond inexcusable.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Sarum Lent
Lately, I’ve been perusing Pearson’s The Sarum Missal in English. And I’m impressed that the Sarum Rite had propers, graduals, etc. for each and every day in Lent. I intend to use that for my Lent daily offices next year.
I should add that I will use the Sarum Rite selectively. For while Sarum is a wonderful source of our Book of Common Prayer, it was also in great need of reform.
For example, today’s collect for Wednesday in Passion Week is excellent:
Enlighten, O God of mercy, the hearts of Thy faithful people by this holy fast; and, seeing Thou hast given them an hearty desire to pray, graciously give ear unto their supplications. Through etc.
But before that came yesterday’s:
May our fast, O Lord, we beseech Thee, be acceptable to Thee; that purifying us from sin it may make us worthy of Thy grace, and procure us everlasting recovery. Through etc.
Sorry, Sarum, but nothing we can do can make us worthy of God’s grace. And to pray so practically contradicts what grace is, God’s unmerited love and favor, not to mention it is incredibly presumptuous. And to pray that fasting can somehow “procure us everlasting recovery”?
Like I said, reform was needful.
But there are still treasures in Sarum useful for Lent. Just don’t think a holy Lent can procure everlasting life.
It is Good Friday and Easter that does that.
I should add that I will use the Sarum Rite selectively. For while Sarum is a wonderful source of our Book of Common Prayer, it was also in great need of reform.
For example, today’s collect for Wednesday in Passion Week is excellent:
Enlighten, O God of mercy, the hearts of Thy faithful people by this holy fast; and, seeing Thou hast given them an hearty desire to pray, graciously give ear unto their supplications. Through etc.
But before that came yesterday’s:
May our fast, O Lord, we beseech Thee, be acceptable to Thee; that purifying us from sin it may make us worthy of Thy grace, and procure us everlasting recovery. Through etc.
Sorry, Sarum, but nothing we can do can make us worthy of God’s grace. And to pray so practically contradicts what grace is, God’s unmerited love and favor, not to mention it is incredibly presumptuous. And to pray that fasting can somehow “procure us everlasting recovery”?
Like I said, reform was needful.
But there are still treasures in Sarum useful for Lent. Just don’t think a holy Lent can procure everlasting life.
It is Good Friday and Easter that does that.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)