Courtesy of the rather startling news of his retirement, the question of the expected fourth encyclical from Pope Benedict XVI has only recently appeared in a few Catholic blogs and news sources.
As it was not expected for a while, now that he is retiring, there is doubt whether we will see this fourth proposed encyclical.
Maybe we will. Maybe it just is not one that we will see in print. Maybe this encyclical is a living one.
Perhaps, this great treatise on faith, is not one that scholars will have a text to pour over for centuries to come. Perhaps instead, this testimony to the call to faith will be a lived example.
The Pope lives in tension between an extraordinarily public life and incredibly well-protected secrecy. The mysteriousness, real and imagined of what goes on in the closed doors and back rooms of the Vatican leads to many speculations and novels of varying degrees of quality. Yet the Pope is one of the most recognized individuals in the world. His words whether spoken, written, or even tweeted become the source of debate, adoration, animosity, and completely dissected.
There is much that we do not know of the Pope's resignation. For every bit of information we learn, there is likely an encyclopedia's worth of knowledge we are unaware of in regards to this historic move.
Perhaps Pope Benedict is using this final, shocking and humble act to show us his fourth teaching - faith.
Maybe he is challenging the Church to a renewed faith. Through the inevitable examination that the Cardinals will make in conclave and the overwhelming discussion of Catholics and non-Catholics the world over we can come to have fruitful discussions of the essence of our faith and the call to live that faith in our lives and the world.
Maybe he is challenging us to live lives of humble faith. In a world that will encourages you to shout, "I can do anything you can do better!" we have a Pope saying, "Enough." He is admitting that he has reached his limit. He is saying that for the greater good, he needs to step back.
No matter what the Pope may wish for us to see in his retirement, one thing we can assure ourselves. It is an act of faith. Faith that he is doing his best to follow God. Faith that the Church will discern a new leader. Faith that the Spirit will guide the Cardinals in the conclave, the faithful in their prayers, and the world on its journey. Faith that the Son walks with him into this new phase of life just as he walks with each of us on our sometimes rocky and troubled ways. Faith that the Father holds us all, the Pope, the Church, the believers, the unbelievers, in the palm of his most loving hand.
Showing posts with label Current Events. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Current Events. Show all posts
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Thursday, December 6, 2012
When A Geek Geeks Out
A few months ago, based off of some discussions and the fact that we have The Hobbit opening this month, I decided we'd do a series for the young adult ministry on "Faith & Fantasy: Lewis, Chesterton, & Tolkien."
My not-so-well-hidden-geek is completely geeking out.
Not only do I get to spend weeks (five to be exact) talking about, discussing, and reflecting upon my favorite authors, but I get to do real research. For while I am quite familiar with their writings, I wanted to see what was out there for analysis on a deeper level. Enter my deep and abiding love for research (and this is a fair use of the word love).
Utilizing the wonders of the library system, I am getting books sent to me from college libraries across the state and have a stack of books on my table at home that if they fell they could squish my dog. For her safety I have moved them closer to the center of the table.
I often wonder if Martha and Mary had a third sister, maybe Margaret. She was the nerdy one. She's not mentioned because she was off with her nose in a scroll (her dad taught her to read, even though that was not an accomplishment for your average 1st century young lady). I've got a whole mental story about her and her sisters. Maybe I'll write it some day for you.
These do all come together in my mind. For you see, Tolkien, Lewis & Chesterton all remind us of one very important but over looked aspect of our humanity and faith - imagination. We can get so caught up in the reality of life, of the business of living, the work of God, that we forget the creativity. We forget to imagine. If we are to have childlike faith, isn't one of the most consistent characteristics of children their creativity?
While I am enjoying challenging myself with the research and writing of a new series, I am rejoicing in the challenge being issued to live creatively. Since starting this project I am spending more time in my own art and creative writing and those are good places to be.
How's your imagination?
My not-so-well-hidden-geek is completely geeking out.
Not only do I get to spend weeks (five to be exact) talking about, discussing, and reflecting upon my favorite authors, but I get to do real research. For while I am quite familiar with their writings, I wanted to see what was out there for analysis on a deeper level. Enter my deep and abiding love for research (and this is a fair use of the word love).
Utilizing the wonders of the library system, I am getting books sent to me from college libraries across the state and have a stack of books on my table at home that if they fell they could squish my dog. For her safety I have moved them closer to the center of the table.
I often wonder if Martha and Mary had a third sister, maybe Margaret. She was the nerdy one. She's not mentioned because she was off with her nose in a scroll (her dad taught her to read, even though that was not an accomplishment for your average 1st century young lady). I've got a whole mental story about her and her sisters. Maybe I'll write it some day for you.
These do all come together in my mind. For you see, Tolkien, Lewis & Chesterton all remind us of one very important but over looked aspect of our humanity and faith - imagination. We can get so caught up in the reality of life, of the business of living, the work of God, that we forget the creativity. We forget to imagine. If we are to have childlike faith, isn't one of the most consistent characteristics of children their creativity?
While I am enjoying challenging myself with the research and writing of a new series, I am rejoicing in the challenge being issued to live creatively. Since starting this project I am spending more time in my own art and creative writing and those are good places to be.
How's your imagination?
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Purple-ing
In all honesty this idea is a train of thought several people started with on a friend's Facebook page.
During the election cycle, beginning in the primaries even, we hear so much of red states and blue states that we seem to be living in some alternate Seusian-nation.
As youth ministers, we are well versed in the "No Purple-ing Rule." It seems our nation's politics, commentary, and government is too. For us in the youth ministry realm, we use this to refer to the idea that boys are blue and girls are red and there is no mixing of the two in rooms, or other 'unsuitable' behavior at whatever event we happen to be involved with at that time.
In politics, government and commentary these days, we seem to want to preserve the same separation However, just as we pull together the feminine and masculine identities, perspectives, and values to have holistic engaging, effective events and ministries, so to do we need to pull together the red and the blue in order to have a holistic, engaging, effective government.
So perhaps we can set aside our victory dances or tears of loss. Perhaps we can focus on what has to get done in this country for all the "uns" that Cardinal Dolan so eloquently brought to light at the Al Smith Dinner. Perhaps we can focus on effective help for the victims of Sandy and even more effective preparations for any future natural disasters. Perhaps we can focus on all the things we have in common instead of picking apart all the things we disagree on.
Because maybe, just maybe, we could do great things with just a little more purple-ing.
During the election cycle, beginning in the primaries even, we hear so much of red states and blue states that we seem to be living in some alternate Seusian-nation.
As youth ministers, we are well versed in the "No Purple-ing Rule." It seems our nation's politics, commentary, and government is too. For us in the youth ministry realm, we use this to refer to the idea that boys are blue and girls are red and there is no mixing of the two in rooms, or other 'unsuitable' behavior at whatever event we happen to be involved with at that time.
In politics, government and commentary these days, we seem to want to preserve the same separation However, just as we pull together the feminine and masculine identities, perspectives, and values to have holistic engaging, effective events and ministries, so to do we need to pull together the red and the blue in order to have a holistic, engaging, effective government.
So perhaps we can set aside our victory dances or tears of loss. Perhaps we can focus on what has to get done in this country for all the "uns" that Cardinal Dolan so eloquently brought to light at the Al Smith Dinner. Perhaps we can focus on effective help for the victims of Sandy and even more effective preparations for any future natural disasters. Perhaps we can focus on all the things we have in common instead of picking apart all the things we disagree on.
Because maybe, just maybe, we could do great things with just a little more purple-ing.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Hunger Games and Holy Week
With the world still buzzing about The Hunger Games I have a few more thoughts.
As I continue to think about the story (film & book) it haunts me. I am finding articles and reflections that I file into a folder for the book club discussion we will be having later this month. And I keep reflecting.
Yes the story is violent. Yes, there is an oppressive and depressive mood that permeates the story. Yes, there are many things that as pieces you can point to and be valid in your objections.
But there is more.
What I find wonderful at the very first glance is the female heroes offered to the youth. In much the same way that I love that the teens in my youth group love the British TV show, Doctor Who, I find comfort in their seeing Katniss as a role model. Oh, just like every other teen girl she struggles with her identity, her role in life, her understanding of relationships. Unlike other recent teen novel heroines, she has inner strength, she is intelligent, she fights for what she loves and believes in. She does not passively sit by while life happens to her; she shapes the world around her in a proactive and thoughtful manner.
Perhaps it takes more thought than the teens initially give the film, but the violence itself is a point of consideration. While there is violence, the book does not extol the virtues of that violence. Rather, like the soldiers or those who have lived in violent situations attest, it offers a view of the devastation, chaos, and irrational nature of violence. The story uses violence to challenge our view on violence as entertainment or a means to an end. It questions whether that end justifies the means. Few who read the story or see the film could argue that the conclusion is anything other than a disavowal of violence.
In fact, all the acts of rebellion that are mentioned are those that Gandhi or Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would have happily embraced. The silence of District 12 after Katniss volunteers. The bread from Rue's district. The flowers for Rue. The power of love to over throw the violent, calculating system. Far from idealizing or promoting violence, The Hunger Games, offers a view where peaceful resistance, silence, and love become earth shattering acts of rebellion.
There is much to consider. At a time when we in the Catholic Church look to the Lord's Last Supper, his voluntary sacrifice to save us all, and the hope we have in his great, all-encompassing love, we can see how The Hunger Games will be far from anathema to our beliefs.
As I continue to think about the story (film & book) it haunts me. I am finding articles and reflections that I file into a folder for the book club discussion we will be having later this month. And I keep reflecting.
Yes the story is violent. Yes, there is an oppressive and depressive mood that permeates the story. Yes, there are many things that as pieces you can point to and be valid in your objections.
But there is more.
What I find wonderful at the very first glance is the female heroes offered to the youth. In much the same way that I love that the teens in my youth group love the British TV show, Doctor Who, I find comfort in their seeing Katniss as a role model. Oh, just like every other teen girl she struggles with her identity, her role in life, her understanding of relationships. Unlike other recent teen novel heroines, she has inner strength, she is intelligent, she fights for what she loves and believes in. She does not passively sit by while life happens to her; she shapes the world around her in a proactive and thoughtful manner.
Perhaps it takes more thought than the teens initially give the film, but the violence itself is a point of consideration. While there is violence, the book does not extol the virtues of that violence. Rather, like the soldiers or those who have lived in violent situations attest, it offers a view of the devastation, chaos, and irrational nature of violence. The story uses violence to challenge our view on violence as entertainment or a means to an end. It questions whether that end justifies the means. Few who read the story or see the film could argue that the conclusion is anything other than a disavowal of violence.
In fact, all the acts of rebellion that are mentioned are those that Gandhi or Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would have happily embraced. The silence of District 12 after Katniss volunteers. The bread from Rue's district. The flowers for Rue. The power of love to over throw the violent, calculating system. Far from idealizing or promoting violence, The Hunger Games, offers a view where peaceful resistance, silence, and love become earth shattering acts of rebellion.
There is much to consider. At a time when we in the Catholic Church look to the Lord's Last Supper, his voluntary sacrifice to save us all, and the hope we have in his great, all-encompassing love, we can see how The Hunger Games will be far from anathema to our beliefs.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
The World Will Be Watching
You may have heard of this slightly anticipated film, The Hunger Games, is opening this weekend. A significant portion of the youth group here will likely be falling asleep in their Friday classes as they are heading to the midnight showing.
Now, I am not that crazy, especially as I am still getting over a very nasty bug and have the Michigan Catholic Young Adult Conference Friday and Saturday. However, I will be going to see it on Monday afternoon (me, Imax, and a tub of popcorn - it's a date).
The books offer countless points for discussion. Accordingly, it didn't take much for the teens to convince me of the need to use the trilogy as the texts for the April, May, and June book club discussions.
For those that love history and want to draw parallels to the Roman Empire and Christ's teaching you can compare Panem to Rome. The Games to the Coliseum. The pull of the worldly illusion to the call to love of Christ.
For those that wish to focus on relationships (afterall, we work with teens), you can spend hours discussing the main characters as friends, families, strangers who become surrogate sisters, strangers who support, strangers who destroy, and strangers who become enemies.
For those that have a social justice bent, there is plenty to examine through the lens of Catholic Social teaching. The value of life, the idea of Common Good, preferential option for the poor, rights of workers.
There is just so much. I hope that the movies end up being well enough done that we can use them in youth ministry. While there are the issues of violence to address, I believe The Hunger Games trilogy offer some unique opportunities of discussion and reflection with the youth.
Now, I am not that crazy, especially as I am still getting over a very nasty bug and have the Michigan Catholic Young Adult Conference Friday and Saturday. However, I will be going to see it on Monday afternoon (me, Imax, and a tub of popcorn - it's a date).
The books offer countless points for discussion. Accordingly, it didn't take much for the teens to convince me of the need to use the trilogy as the texts for the April, May, and June book club discussions.
For those that love history and want to draw parallels to the Roman Empire and Christ's teaching you can compare Panem to Rome. The Games to the Coliseum. The pull of the worldly illusion to the call to love of Christ.
For those that wish to focus on relationships (afterall, we work with teens), you can spend hours discussing the main characters as friends, families, strangers who become surrogate sisters, strangers who support, strangers who destroy, and strangers who become enemies.
For those that have a social justice bent, there is plenty to examine through the lens of Catholic Social teaching. The value of life, the idea of Common Good, preferential option for the poor, rights of workers.
There is just so much. I hope that the movies end up being well enough done that we can use them in youth ministry. While there are the issues of violence to address, I believe The Hunger Games trilogy offer some unique opportunities of discussion and reflection with the youth.
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