There is a new blog out there that I highly recommend to you all. It's the Ironic Catholic and he has some GREAT satire on his blog. His latest about the release of the Compendium of the Catholic Church is absolutely priceless (my favourite part is the kids dressed up as Anselm and Abelard). Do him a favour and go check it out.
http://ironiccatholic.blogspot.com/
Also, there is a blogger out there who is in need of some financial help. He's been getting help from others and is indeed looking for work, but nothing has surfaced, though he does have an interview in the near future. It's been great to see people rallying to help him out. Remember, Lent is a time for penance and almsgiving, so why not give some alms to a brother in Christ who is genuinely in need...you can go to his blog and click on the paypal link if you wish to help out.
http://awingandaprayer.blogspot.com/
-Harrison
Saturday, April 01, 2006
Deus Caritas Est - The Encyclical's Introduction
Before we enter into Part 1, Pope Benedict gives us a further basis for this encyclical as well as a general outline of his goals for this encyclical.
He begins by stating that belief in the love of God is the fundamental decision of the life of a Christian. Christianity is not an ethical choice, nor is it a lofty, fuzzy idea. That is to say, Christianity has nothing to do with emotions, nor does it have to do with the idea of right and wrong. These are aspects of Christianity, but they are not the fullest. Instead, Christianity is an encounter with the living God, and it is this personal and intimate encounter with God that life is given meaning, that life is given direction. Through Christ, the emotions and ethos of our day to day life are given that perspective. Christ is the basis for our choices, with regards to moral choices (ethics) and with regards to acting on our feelings based on the truths of Christ (emotions). Thus, the entire faith is based, first and foremost, on that encounter with Christ,
and from that encounter the basis for our feelings and our moral choices stem. These are not forced on us, but we accept them in love as our true direction in life. In short, the encounter with Christ challenges us to make a dramatic change in our life not because we are forced to, but because of our love for God.
Through these various encounters with Christ in our life, we realize that each and every encounter is based on the reception of love from God Himself. Thus, as stated earlier, God is not someone far away whom we have no access to, but instead, God brings Himself to us so that we may say yes to His love in our life and thus, as a result of this overflowing gift of love, the love of God can flow through us to our neighbour. Love, now, is no longer a commandment. To love God is not a commandment, nor is it a commandment to love our neighbour. Love is a response to a gift. By saying yes to God's love, we are responding to God's gift. We respond by loving God back, in a direct and indirect manner. We love God directly through our simple yes to Him revealed in Christ. We love Him in an indirect manner through the presence of Christ in our neighbour. By giving ourselves in love to God, He thus responds back to our act of love by drawing us nearer to Him through that deep and intimate participation in the life of grace.
This encyclical will now be split up into two parts. The first part is the more theoretical aspect. He looks at the meaning of love and builds on it up to the love which Christ shows us when His side is pierced on the Cross. This is important because it is important to have a clear idea of what the Christian meaning of love is. The second part is a more practical part. It deals with how to apply that overflowing love of Christ into our love for our neighbour through the charitable mission of the Church. Let us now delve into Part One.
He begins by stating that belief in the love of God is the fundamental decision of the life of a Christian. Christianity is not an ethical choice, nor is it a lofty, fuzzy idea. That is to say, Christianity has nothing to do with emotions, nor does it have to do with the idea of right and wrong. These are aspects of Christianity, but they are not the fullest. Instead, Christianity is an encounter with the living God, and it is this personal and intimate encounter with God that life is given meaning, that life is given direction. Through Christ, the emotions and ethos of our day to day life are given that perspective. Christ is the basis for our choices, with regards to moral choices (ethics) and with regards to acting on our feelings based on the truths of Christ (emotions). Thus, the entire faith is based, first and foremost, on that encounter with Christ,
and from that encounter the basis for our feelings and our moral choices stem. These are not forced on us, but we accept them in love as our true direction in life. In short, the encounter with Christ challenges us to make a dramatic change in our life not because we are forced to, but because of our love for God.
Through these various encounters with Christ in our life, we realize that each and every encounter is based on the reception of love from God Himself. Thus, as stated earlier, God is not someone far away whom we have no access to, but instead, God brings Himself to us so that we may say yes to His love in our life and thus, as a result of this overflowing gift of love, the love of God can flow through us to our neighbour. Love, now, is no longer a commandment. To love God is not a commandment, nor is it a commandment to love our neighbour. Love is a response to a gift. By saying yes to God's love, we are responding to God's gift. We respond by loving God back, in a direct and indirect manner. We love God directly through our simple yes to Him revealed in Christ. We love Him in an indirect manner through the presence of Christ in our neighbour. By giving ourselves in love to God, He thus responds back to our act of love by drawing us nearer to Him through that deep and intimate participation in the life of grace.
This encyclical will now be split up into two parts. The first part is the more theoretical aspect. He looks at the meaning of love and builds on it up to the love which Christ shows us when His side is pierced on the Cross. This is important because it is important to have a clear idea of what the Christian meaning of love is. The second part is a more practical part. It deals with how to apply that overflowing love of Christ into our love for our neighbour through the charitable mission of the Church. Let us now delve into Part One.
Tridentine Mass Universalized?
The rumours are flying around the blogsphere in the wee hours of the morning. Apparently BXVI has approved the universal use of the Tridentine Mass. If this is the case, the local Bishop will no longer have to give permission to priests to celebrate the Mass of the the Pope St Pius X Missal.
This is, apparently (and no suprise), that this is part of BXVI's attempt to bring into communion the SSPX. It will be interesting to see what their reaction to this is, if indeed the Pope has approved the missal for universal use.
Thanks to Amy Welborn at Open Book for the info on this.
-Harrison
This is, apparently (and no suprise), that this is part of BXVI's attempt to bring into communion the SSPX. It will be interesting to see what their reaction to this is, if indeed the Pope has approved the missal for universal use.
Thanks to Amy Welborn at Open Book for the info on this.
-Harrison
Friday, March 31, 2006
An Introduction to Deus Caritas Est
Here is the beginning of my series on the Pope's encyclical "Deus Caritas Est". I hope you enjoy it!
“God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him”(1 John 4:16). This is how Pope Benedict XVI begins his encyclical Deus Caritas Est, which is Latin for God is Love. Through this outpouring of love that God has showered on us, we have come to experience in a deep, personal, and intimate way what love is and thus who God is. We come to experience God as a person. God comes down to us and gives Himself to us in an act of perfect love which is shown most perfectly in Christ's death on the Cross. Thus, through this personal experience of God, we come to see that God loves us out of His Divine Personhood. We see that God is not some Divine Object, that God is some Thing far away and impossible for us to reach. Instead, God is the Divine Subject, some One close to us, who we can interact with in a deep, personal, intimate, and mystical way.
This is the basis for the encyclical of Pope Benedict. He talks about many things in this encyclical. It is beautiful, deep, and even poetic. We are truly blessed to have a Pope with such a deep knowledge and faith, and yet is able to express these things in a way that is accessible for everyone. I hope this series of posts will bring across to you many of the points that are made in this encyclical. I hope that this not so brief overview will give you the starting point to coming to a deeper understanding of this encyclical so that it can help you come to a deeper understanding of our common faith in Christ as well as a deeper understanding of how we as Christians are supposed to express the love of God to the world through our charitable activities.
There are many themes in this encyclical that I would like to point out ahead of time in order to keep your ears open for them as we go into depths of Christian love. The pope is a true renaissance man, someone who incorporates all forms of culture into this encyclical. He has a wide range of influences and backgrounds which pop up in the encyclical, including: Philosophy, Mysticism, Poetry, Theology of the Body, Natural Law, Faith and Reason, Humanism, and Politics. Perhaps the most important aspect of this encyclical is this; it is a sacramental encyclical. He really drives home the sacramental reality of Christianity.
Now, Sacrament has many meanings. The standard definition is that a Sacrament is an outward sign of an inward grace given by God totally, freely, and undeservedly. However, there is also a deeper meaning to Sacramental reality which is built into this encyclical and it is rooted in John Paul the Great's Theology of the Body. In that he describes the sacramental reality of Christianity as that deep and intimate participation in the inner life of the Trinity. Every time we participate in the Sacraments, we are participating in one form or another in the inner life of the Trinity, which is a Communion of Love. It is this very Communion of Love which the Pope speaks of, as well as that outward sign of an interior grace given to us by God. Keep your ears open for these two views of a Sacrament to pop up. And so, without further ado, let us delve into the depths of God's love together.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Deus Caritas Est
This Monday coming up I will be doing a talk on Deus Caritas Est, God is Love, the first encyclical by Pope Benedict XVI. I got a chance to FINALLY read it today in its entirety, I had no homework that could be done at work so I read that instead (and some Medieval Philosophy a la St Augustine).
I just have to say, it is an amazing beautiful encyclical. And so, because of my upcoming talk, there will be several posts over the next week or two. I will adapt the presentation to be more reader friendly, but it will more or less be what I present on Monday night. This way I can update my blog more often without really having to write stuff up extensively from readings and such.
I've got my outline already, so expect about 10 - 12 posts at least (if those are too long, then expect even more), all on the encyclical.
There is a lot in this encyclical. He talks about the mystical aspect of the Eucharist (a man after my own heart), philosophy, theology of the body, charitable works, and a wack load of other stuff. So stay tuned for a little series on Deus Caritas Est. I'm excited to talk about such a wonderful piece of theology.
Oh, and please continue to pray, through the intercession of St Joseph the Worker, that I find employment sooner rather then later if it be according to the will of God. I will have sent out about 25 resumes this week alone, which brings the total to about 120 jobs that I have applied for, and I have gotten absolutely nothing, and I need a job to pay off the student loans so that I can pursue my hopeful goal of testing out my vocation in the Seminary. So please, pray for God's will to be done with regards to my job situation through the intercession of St Joseph the Worker.
-Harrison
I just have to say, it is an amazing beautiful encyclical. And so, because of my upcoming talk, there will be several posts over the next week or two. I will adapt the presentation to be more reader friendly, but it will more or less be what I present on Monday night. This way I can update my blog more often without really having to write stuff up extensively from readings and such.
I've got my outline already, so expect about 10 - 12 posts at least (if those are too long, then expect even more), all on the encyclical.
There is a lot in this encyclical. He talks about the mystical aspect of the Eucharist (a man after my own heart), philosophy, theology of the body, charitable works, and a wack load of other stuff. So stay tuned for a little series on Deus Caritas Est. I'm excited to talk about such a wonderful piece of theology.
Oh, and please continue to pray, through the intercession of St Joseph the Worker, that I find employment sooner rather then later if it be according to the will of God. I will have sent out about 25 resumes this week alone, which brings the total to about 120 jobs that I have applied for, and I have gotten absolutely nothing, and I need a job to pay off the student loans so that I can pursue my hopeful goal of testing out my vocation in the Seminary. So please, pray for God's will to be done with regards to my job situation through the intercession of St Joseph the Worker.
-Harrison
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
I'm Alive!
Sorry for the utter lack of posting these past few weeks. First I was sick and now I am in the midst of many many papers. Here is what I'm writing on.
History in Byzantine Art - I discuss the Christ's role in both the rise and fall of iconoclasm as a precursor in the paper. I then use the event of iconoclasm as a central point to discuss the continuity of the depictions of Christ from both the Early Byzantine Period through to the Middle Byzantine Period. I got to see some very amazing icons and mosaics while studying this, and I very much want to go to Sicily now because of all the beautiful Churches that are decorated with amazing icons.
Medieval Intellectual History - I will be arguing that the Sermons of Meister Eckhart had a profound influence on the cultural advancement of the laity with regards to the mystical side of the faith. I will argue that his sermons had a great effect with proof of the condemnations from the Bull of John XXII "In Agro Dominico" - In the Field of the Lord. Because of the possibility of easily misinterpreting what Eckhart had to say, it can be seen as to why certain statements of his were condemned as heretical or have the possibility of heresy. There are many interesting things I am finding out about the whole Eckhart situation, and will find out more as I finish writing the paper tonight, as it is due tomorrow morning.
Philosophy of Language - Truth - This paper will focus on William of Ockham's Theory of Supposition and how it is perhaps the most air tight correspondance theory out there. I will use Ockham's correspondance theory of truth as an answer to Frege's threefold arguments against the correspondance theory of truth. Man those medievals sure knew how to write. Ockham has so much detail, I mean, there is a very substantial difference between the words "truth" and "true", something many people wouldn't even think of considering. This paper is due on the 7th, I have much research material set aside for this, I simply need to write it. The medievals make me very excited when it comes to Philosophy.
On top of these papers I have the following:
Next Monday I will be giving a talk on the Pope's first encyclical Deus Caritas Est. So this weekend will be spent reading it and preparing the talk. I am very excited as this gives me the opportunity to actually read the encyclical, something school has been preventing me from doing all semester. I have about 40 minutes to talk on it, which will be great, it'll give me a great chance to really discuss the major themes of love in the encyclical.
I have a final exam on the last day of classes for History in Byzantine Art. It's only worth 15%, it just sucks how it's on the same day my Phil of Truth 4000 - 5000 word paper is due, but oh well.
I also have 16 jobs I have to apply for over the next couple of days. I'm praying that I get one soon because it is really interfering with school and studying. It takes a lot of work to costumize 16 resumes for 16 different jobs.
Anyways, that's it from over here from now. I promise that I'll be able to start posting much more again come the end of classes, for my exam period is very spread out and thus I will have some spare time for once :).
God bless!
Harrison
History in Byzantine Art - I discuss the Christ's role in both the rise and fall of iconoclasm as a precursor in the paper. I then use the event of iconoclasm as a central point to discuss the continuity of the depictions of Christ from both the Early Byzantine Period through to the Middle Byzantine Period. I got to see some very amazing icons and mosaics while studying this, and I very much want to go to Sicily now because of all the beautiful Churches that are decorated with amazing icons.
Medieval Intellectual History - I will be arguing that the Sermons of Meister Eckhart had a profound influence on the cultural advancement of the laity with regards to the mystical side of the faith. I will argue that his sermons had a great effect with proof of the condemnations from the Bull of John XXII "In Agro Dominico" - In the Field of the Lord. Because of the possibility of easily misinterpreting what Eckhart had to say, it can be seen as to why certain statements of his were condemned as heretical or have the possibility of heresy. There are many interesting things I am finding out about the whole Eckhart situation, and will find out more as I finish writing the paper tonight, as it is due tomorrow morning.
Philosophy of Language - Truth - This paper will focus on William of Ockham's Theory of Supposition and how it is perhaps the most air tight correspondance theory out there. I will use Ockham's correspondance theory of truth as an answer to Frege's threefold arguments against the correspondance theory of truth. Man those medievals sure knew how to write. Ockham has so much detail, I mean, there is a very substantial difference between the words "truth" and "true", something many people wouldn't even think of considering. This paper is due on the 7th, I have much research material set aside for this, I simply need to write it. The medievals make me very excited when it comes to Philosophy.
On top of these papers I have the following:
Next Monday I will be giving a talk on the Pope's first encyclical Deus Caritas Est. So this weekend will be spent reading it and preparing the talk. I am very excited as this gives me the opportunity to actually read the encyclical, something school has been preventing me from doing all semester. I have about 40 minutes to talk on it, which will be great, it'll give me a great chance to really discuss the major themes of love in the encyclical.
I have a final exam on the last day of classes for History in Byzantine Art. It's only worth 15%, it just sucks how it's on the same day my Phil of Truth 4000 - 5000 word paper is due, but oh well.
I also have 16 jobs I have to apply for over the next couple of days. I'm praying that I get one soon because it is really interfering with school and studying. It takes a lot of work to costumize 16 resumes for 16 different jobs.
Anyways, that's it from over here from now. I promise that I'll be able to start posting much more again come the end of classes, for my exam period is very spread out and thus I will have some spare time for once :).
God bless!
Harrison
Saturday, March 18, 2006
The Amish Are Online?
Well....I'm still sick and can't sleep, so I'm taking a moment to catch up in the world and some how stumbled across this...
http://www.amishtables.com/
The amish are selling their stuff ONLINE!! Weird....
-Harrison
http://www.amishtables.com/
The amish are selling their stuff ONLINE!! Weird....
-Harrison
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Pope news
So I've been sick since Monday...which has made life interesting. I hope I get better soon, because it is really taking away from homework time, not to mention that I need to catch up on all that I've been missing at school. Because I'm not feeling so well, I only have a couple of things to say.
The Pope's first general audience on the mystery of the union between Christ and the Church. It should be very interesting and I am very excited. Here is the shortened english version (only the Italians get the full length version).
The Pope's first general audience on the mystery of the union between Christ and the Church. It should be very interesting and I am very excited. Here is the shortened english version (only the Italians get the full length version).
In coming weeks, our catechesis will focus on the mystery of Christ and the Church. Jesus willed to found his Church upon the Apostles, and it is through their witness that we continue to encounter him. The mission of the Apostles must be seen in the context of the mystery of communion of God’s People, spanning both the old and the new Covenant. Jesus’s entire ministry took place against the backdrop of Israel’s faith and hope, and was aimed at gathering into one the eschatological People of God. Far from a purely individualistic summons to conversion, his mission was directed to the establishment of the community of the new and eternal Covenant. Jesus’ conscious decision to choose the Twelve Apostles was a prophetic sign announcing the eschatological renewal of the twelve tribes of Israel, the dawn of salvation and the fulfilment of God’s promises. In the person of the Apostles, charged with the celebration of the Eucharist and the forgiveness of sins, the Church has been made the sign and instrument of the Kingdom of God in our midst. Christ can never be separated from the Church; through the Church he remains ever present in his people, and in a special way in the successors of the Apostles.
Secondly, again to do with the Pope. is that there are rumors that he is writing his first social encyclical. It is "pretty soon" considering the fact that Deus Caritas Est just came out. However, he had wanted to retire and write books before being elected Pope, so I expect that we may receive many great teachings from him. The title of the encyclical is reportedly "Labori Domini" - The Work of the Lord. Looking forward to it.
Well, that's it for now, I need to get some more rest.
-Harrison
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Good news!!
After all this job applying I finally at least got an interview out of it. Apparently I'm doing pretty good, because this has only been going on for 2 weeks, while most people say it takes them months just to get an interview let alone a job. God is good, it gives me hope that applying for worthwhile jobs is actually worth it. I was talking to a friend tonight who said it took him 8 months to get a job, and only had 2 interviews during that time...It's been 2 weeks and I already have an interview...this is a good sign.
I will admit, applying for jobs is no fun task. It takes at least 30 minutes to go through the daily job postings from various companies and government departments. Then you have to customize each and every cover letter in accordance with the position. It ends up taking at least 2 hours a day. Anyways, as long as it pays off in the end then I will have been glad to have done it.
So, my interview is at 3:00pm on Tuesday. If you could please pray for me that would be great. Obviously they see some sort of potential in me for giving me a call. Thankfully, I got my resume into them through a contact of mine, which means the person I sent the resume to would actually read it and not just skip over it.
Here's hoping.
Still busy, once I have a job settled in I will have a bit more free time and will be able to post a bit more often. I may get some Theology of the Body in tomorrow.
-Harrison
I will admit, applying for jobs is no fun task. It takes at least 30 minutes to go through the daily job postings from various companies and government departments. Then you have to customize each and every cover letter in accordance with the position. It ends up taking at least 2 hours a day. Anyways, as long as it pays off in the end then I will have been glad to have done it.
So, my interview is at 3:00pm on Tuesday. If you could please pray for me that would be great. Obviously they see some sort of potential in me for giving me a call. Thankfully, I got my resume into them through a contact of mine, which means the person I sent the resume to would actually read it and not just skip over it.
Here's hoping.
Still busy, once I have a job settled in I will have a bit more free time and will be able to post a bit more often. I may get some Theology of the Body in tomorrow.
-Harrison
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Amateur Catholic (and other loose ends)
You're looking at a member of the Amateur Catholic B-Team. Great stuff, go check it out. They even have an Amateur Jesuit, talk about a contradiction in terms!!
http://amateurcatholic.blogspot.com/
I've been wanting to post every day, but, frankly, it's just not happening at this time of year. It being Lent, and lots of school, time gets busy, but I may be able to get something up tonight.
To add to that, I have to apply like crazy for jobs. I'm available to begin work on April 12th, so I am getting my butt in gear for getting a job. What with massive student loans and wanting them paid off fast, one has to apply quite often to a LOT of jobs in the hopes of getting one. Please pray for me on this, it takes at least 2 hours a day for applying and I'm praying that God will guide me to the job He wants me to get.
I bought Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire today, I'm very excited to say the least, though I don't know when I'll have the time to watch it.
And last but not least, never EVER buy an iPod from The Source by Circuit City! I purchased an iPod from them, and it broke, but I got a warranty from them. Well, I send it in to get fixed. It's been almost 2 months now. So I go in today and the manager is there. He tells me that it says it came in and that he doesn't see any iPod in the back. I'm shocked, and a bit angry. He says to come back in on Friday and talk to Steve (the guy who handled this), and then if it's still not traceable, then we will discuss things further. I better get an iPod one way or the other on Friday because this is ridiculous, so yes, never shop there.
-Harrison
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