Bad Analogies

 Wow. I was just talking about this subject today.

Score one for the Lutherans who made me snicker.  Enjoy St. Patrick's Bad Analogies of the Trinity. 

h/t The B-Movie Catechism

I Am Sin

Igniter Media does it again. Great production value and it makes you stop and think for a second.


The war's real, boys.

Christos anesti! Alithos anesti!

Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!
(Traditional Greek Easter greeting) Picture of the Holy Sepulchre.

Happy Easter, all. Read more Paschal greetings worldwide.

Christendom Movie Trailer?

Some guy made a movie trailer out of his first year at Christendom College. Pretty cool actually.
h/t All Hands On Deck

Players At The Game Of People

Players At The Game Of People is a hard biting Science Fiction satire from author John Brunner. It was a novel that I read as a young man that made an impression on me - the idea was so fantastic and out there to be unique (to me). I was probably too young to read it, given the graphic nature of some of the scenes, but the idea stuck with me: what if there were beings who would give you whatever you wanted in exchange for renting out your body and mind for the experiences?

I wondered what I would think of that novel now as a grown man. The idea had been kind of gnawing at the back of my mind for a few months, so I found it used on the Internet and re-read it. My initial thoughts were: wow, I should never had read this as a kid. After the initial shock for my then teen-aged self wore off, my second thought was: too bad the graphic sex scenes got in the way of telling the story. A friend of mine described it as "intellectual pornography".

Finally, after all that I could consider the story. It ain't neat and it ain't pretty. The adult in me quickly realized the Faustian overtone of the whole book. You get whatever you want, but you basically have to sell your soul to get it, and in the end it fails to satisfy. The book is billed as a satire on the European leisure class, but it works just as well for the workaday stiffs. The idea that there are "no consequences" or "livable consequences" is shown to be resoundingly hollow. The main character realizes that his "freedom" is a prettily gilded cage, and his smug superiority is nothing more than lies and self-rationalization of the deal that he made. Calling it meditation, astral projection, aliens, science, good luck charms, communing with nature or whatever is a self-deception.

"So in the old days people would think they'd sold their soul to the powers of darkness, while nowadays they choose some alternative explanation ... The fact that the description changes doesn't alter the event."

In my estimation, that is the money quote. For us as Christians we have to realize that temptations to "success" abound in our society. Whether it is the temptation to be popular, relevant, trendy, powerful, rich, sexually gratified, educated, entertained, the best in our field, or whatever -- the only thing that matters is that we have the mind of Christ and act on it, and submit ourselves to his grace.

We must be in the world, but not of it.

Nikki And Babs Giveaway

Fellow Catholic Dads contributor, Tim Burke at Salvation Is An Adventure, is giving away a free DVD of Niki and Babs: Do and Doubts!

Tim reviewed this Christian episodic for girl teens back in July, and it was something that piqued my interest since I have 3 girls of my own. They haven't quite reached their teens just yet, but a father can't be too prepared -- and you have to snatch up all the good resources while they are available.

I have one sister and growing up it was like a different soap opera every week. In talking to my wife, it is building good relationships that is toughest for girls. Yes, they are better at it than boys, but they can also be much nastier and cliquish. So good models are key.

Tim writes:

The series of five episodes centers on Nikki, a quiet, reserved teenager who is forced to spend the summer with her loud, boisterous cousin, Babs. The interaction between the two is hilarious. Each episode involves an adventure that Nikki and Babs encounter over the course of their summer together. Each episode also take on a specific Christian theme:

1. Judgment Day: Nikki learns that judging others only leads to hurt and a feeling of guilt.
2. Idle Worship: Both Nikki and Babs learn that it is better to worship Christ than man.
3. A Difficult Thing: Babs damages the trust Nikki has in her and must make a sacrifice in order to regain that trust.
4. Y-N-V: Nikki is envious of Babs' accomplishments as they battle for the same job.
5. Vanity Share: Babs learns a lesson in vanity as she and Nikki decide whether to enter a local beauty pageant or participate in their church talent show.

Sounds good to me! Tim says it's a great resource that he uses with his youth groups, and who am I to disbelieve him? If you're feeling generous, Tim, send a copy my way!

If you'd like a shot at a free copy, pop on over to Salvation Is An Adventure and leave him a comment. Better yet, blog or tweet on it and get two chances to win.

Reflections On The MetaGame

Sam Landstrom published his novel, MetaGame, in 2009. I read it because I'm a SciFi geek, and frankly, because it was free.

They say you should write what you know. Sam's bio says he enjoys molecular biology, programming, D&D, water sports, and snowboarding. Sam has written a novel about molecular biology, programming, D&D, and water sports. To be fair to Sam, however, there is nothing in the book about snowboarding.

The story has a fairly predictable story arc of love and redemption. Although it would be more accurate to say "purity of purpose, clarity of mind, and an altruistic intent".

As for redemption, it has a completely different meaning. The book borrows heavily from Christian symbols but imbues them with completely different and secularized meanings: angels are law enforcers, demons are those who break the Rules. Love and responsibility are divorced, actions and morality aren't even speaking to each other. Everyone is caught up in trying to score points in the Game which is the social, economic, and religious engine of this centralized economy.

God doesn't really exist in this world, but there is an OverSoul.

"[T]he OverSoul was indeed inspired by Christianity. Hardly surprising since it was the most widespread religion before The OverSoul."

"[T]he nature of the OverSoul, she is not actually a single being, but a collection of billions of agents, ourselves included.”

"Pillars of Godhead: power over life and death, effective rulership, prayer fulfillment, Omnipotent knowledge, the ability to learn.

“Because change is a constant. Even if, theoretically, a mind could be made perfect for the conditions of today, sooner or later even God would need to change.”

"The OverSoul needs human beings to teach her [using] intentions derived from love.”

“Yes, and there she mimics Christianity again—‘God is Love’—perhaps the core belief of Christianity. And although it may not yet be possible for the OverSoul to directly experience love as humanity thinks of it, she can detect such love in her subjects’ brain signature ... purity of purpose, clarity of mind, and an altruistic intent.”

There are several common fallacies and syncretisms contained in this philosophy as laid out. We will content ourselves with a short list of places and ideas that got borrowed.

• God as "she" - see Gaia/Wicca/Earth Worship
• God as a collective soul - see Ayn Rand/Durkheim/Transcendental Meditation/Indian mysticism
  
• God as evolving/perfecting - see Evolution of God/ Mormonism (Exaltation/Eternal Progression)
• Christianity (of course) - angels, demons, God, salvation, redemption, sin, atonement, sacrificial love

The book does bring up a few good questions: what is the nature of God? of reality? of love and sacrifice? of redemption and eternal life? what makes us human? What is doesn't do a good job at is answering those questions.

God is love. That part is correct. Love is "purity of purpose, clarity of mind, and an altruistic intent" -- not so much; try "Love is complete self-donation", see 1 Corinthians 13:4.

God needs to evolve, learn, and to be taught by us? Nope. Try: God is a dynamic unity of persons (Trinity), yet there is no shadow of change in Him. "All good giving and every perfect gift ⁹ is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change." James 1:17. God is the totality of existence of reality, the only necessary being - it is we who are contingent on Him.

And so on.

Conclusion: Interesting book, somewhat predictable, but falls flat in its conclusions. Religion and SciFi/Fantasy don't mix especially well due to the shallowness of the authors.

The only one who has ever pulled this off successfully is Tolkien, and to a lesser extent C.S. Lewis. My advice is read them instead.

Recollection In Life's Station

Things are starting to get exciting around here, what with the hustle and bustle of getting ready for our summer trip and my sister's wedding.

There are a million things to remember, a million more to find, and another that I'm sure to forget. It is all so ordinary and extraordinary at the same time. People still need to be fed, clothed, bathed, prayed with, tucked in bed, and tended same as always. In another several days we'll be doing the self-same things but in another house, another state.

I keep thinking that there is something "else" I need to be doing, something more momentous. But my station in life is right where I am: I work to make a living, I lead my family spiritually, pray, study, I support my wife, help raise the kids, provide both love and discipline, and keep up the property. This and a thousand mundane things are what makes up the day to day; this is where I'm supposed to find my sanctity.

Scripture says that people will be buying and selling, marrying and giving in marriage right up until the Judgment Day, so this is nothing very alarming.

There is a story about a Saint whose name I can't remember. It was the hour for recreation, and one monk asked the Saint what he would do if Jesus appeared to them at that moment. "I would continue playing my game.", was the answer. The Saint knew that he was doing precisely what was required of him at that time, having already prayed, studied, and worked. He was recollected.

So if we have done what was asked of us according to our station in life, we also have nothing to fear.

Timeless: The Robe

Today I played "20 Questions" with the Nodlings.

I brought them a treat but they had to guess what it was. Between Wynken, Blynken, and Nod-girl they narrowed it down to: fun, a movie, old, Not Rated, in color, religious, and a Bible story.

I'd say they did pretty good for never having heard of The Robe.

Sure, it's dated, the acting is overblown, and the effects are bad by today's standards. But it's still one of the great Catholic Movies we had when growing up. Made in 1953, it was always shown on network television around Easter during the 70s and 80s. Now they don't do that anymore -- they always choose something sacrilegious instead it seems.



I love this kind of movie because it is not ashamed to be what it is: unabashedly Christian.

"The Robe, on the other hand, is a great story, with a sincere effort to communicate a commitment to integrity, whatever the cost." [IMDB]

Some days it's hard to tell aspects of The Robe apart from Ben Hur and The Spear, but it's a great movie nonetheless. What all these stories have in common is that they have a message worth repeating: repentance, forgiveness, conversion, hope, redemption -- it's all available, and now.

It's not dated, it's timeless.

Firing The Neighbor: Part 2

So to recap, I put up a fence and then my neighbor painted it without asking me first. Shocking and a little bit strange, I know.

I am a firm believer in property rights - mine, to be specific. I get a little bent out of shape when I see people encroaching on my land (or my view). The former I have a right to, the latter merely an expectation.

So I made it clear that I expected her to pay to have it fixed; she claimed she couldn't afford it. (So why was she wasting paint on my fence? She apparently thought she was being "neighborly".)

"Look", I said, "you have clearly made a mistake. We all make mistakes. The important part is what you do about it. I have no wish to call the police, make a complaint, and sue you for the money, but I can. I'm sure you don't want that either, so let's make a deal."

"You buy me new pickets and rails. I'll try to sand the paint off the posts with my belt sander (yay, power tools!) and rebuild the fence. Your job is to get the paint off of my house, both siding and concrete. If this doesn't work, then I'm hiring someone to do it and you're paying for it."

"Deal?" Deal.

She had written us a note and put it on our doorstep asking us not to be "mad". I'm not happy, I told her, but I'm not mad. You make it right and then we'll be squared up; if not, then I'll be mad. Our religion tells us to be forgiving, but also to make up for our offenses.

So instead of fixing my shed door, ramp, and tractor I instead rebuilt the fence. And other than pulling some muscles in my back, every thing is mostly OK. Not great, but OK; I definitely wouldn't hire me to do this professionally.

I used this as an opportunity to show a little mercy while still insisting upon righting the wrongs. I also used it as a lesson for the Nodlings on how to resolve disputes and apply some Christian values at the same time. I was firm but I never raised my voice or called my neighbor nasty names. We solved the problem in the most economical manner and I donated all the sweat equity.

How many times must I forgive my neighbor? Seventy times seven, which means a whole lot. Some day I may be in need of the same.

What if Worship were like an NBA Game?

What if Worship were like an NBA Game?
h/t The Ironic Catholic



Remember, you can't take yourself too seriously.

Superficial Preaching

Msgr. Pope at Holy Comforter-St. Cyprian in DC wants to know what you think of Catholic preaching. The basic problem: 7 minutes.

He links an excerpt of a sermon by Fr. Bill Casey talking about superficial preaching.


There is nothing like a little zeal, sound theology, and a dynamic speaking style to really hook the listener. People are hungry for some meat in a sermon, stop feeding them thin gruel. I know that Jesus loves me -- so what? Challenge me, inspire me, show me how, make me care. Feed both heart and mind.

I can listen to a whole hour of a Scott Hahn lecture and not grow bored. I can listen to 10 minutes of pablum from the pulpit and have trouble keeping my eyes open. Converts from Evangelical traditions are breathing some new life into the Catholic Church at the pulpit. Many former Protestant ministers are coming over to the Catholic Church. I have no problem with the Evangelical style as long as it is informed by good doctrine.

Good preaching comes from a great prayer life, I'm convinced. In the book The Light and the Glory by Peter Marshall and David Manuel, the authors tell of a Protestant pastor who knew he was a terrible preacher and so prayed and fasted 10 hours a day while preparing his homilies. As a result hard men wept and clung to the foundations of the church to avoid being dragged to Hell.

That's some preaching.

Enabling Greatness

Alexandre Bilodeau. Susan Boyle. Maddy Curtis. These are a few names from over the last year or so of people who have inspired us.

Alexandre Bilodeau with his brother, Frederic who has Cerebral Palsy, during the men's moguls final in the FIS World Cup event at Mont Gabriel in 2006. Bilodeau won the gold medal. (Francois Roy/Canadian Press)

Athlete. Singer. Aspirant. Is it these qualities which move us to admiration or stir our emotions so strongly? Lots of people compete, sing, and aspire. Is it because they have overcome adversity, because they are the underdogs? We do like those things, but lots of people do that, too.

Or is it because these people radiate a love that is bigger than themselves, one that is perhaps purer, nobler, or more selfless? I think that is closer to the mark.







These inspirational people love and strive, and they inspire us to rise to that next level of selflessness, make us want to be like them. That is their greatness -- because that is the greatness of Christ. There was an old, homely looking woman from Calcutta, dirt poor and spending her life's energy on tending to society's rejects who inspired the world: Mother Teresa.

And it is the undervalued, disabled, and unwanted people whom they serve who make these people great. Because their love is focused outward and not inward - that is what makes them so attractive to us. When we read about people who inordinately love themselves we call them selfish, self-absorbed, and arrogant.

No, it is the "lesser" people who have made these people into heroes -- and quite possibly, they never would have been great without them. That is the gift that disabled persons, especially mentally disabled persons, bring to us. Yes, they are disabled: their meanness is disabled; their cynicism is disabled; greed, ambition, lust -- all disabled.

I bristle when people try to argue that their "quality of life" will be poor or "not worth living". This is a specious argument which is hiding their own selfish motive: they don't wish to be inconvenienced. Disabled people have something that we lack: they will most likely reach more of their complete potential than we will; they will most likely be happier than we will because they are simpler. Sophistication, by contrast, is traditionally counted among the sins of pride.

So instead of despising the lowly, or trying rid our society of the sick or disabled by force, we should view their presence as a gift -- an opportunity to be great.

So our family has its Muse: a little boy with Down Syndrome called Nub. God decided that we should have a shot at greatness.

If We Were Amenable

The television is not on that much in our house, but when it is, it is almost always on the WETA Kids station so the Nodlings can watch Martha Speaks, an animated show about a dog who can talk because she ate alphabet soup.

SO ... when I randomly turned the television on late the other night, there was a kids show on about the history of Mexico. At first I was a bit perturbed because it was showing the Aztecs and their demon mother goddess which I thought was a bit much for children (although they did not show the human sacrifice these gods required).

But it quickly moved on to the story of Juan Diego and the miraculous appearance of the Virgin of Guadalupe (again they did not mention she ended the human sacrifice of infants in Mexico). I was surprised that they would deign to show religion and specifically Christianity in a positive light on television and a kids' show. Perhaps because it was under the aegis of "Mexican history and culture" it was allowable.

Now imagine if our own culture was so amenable.

L'Angelus Rocks

It's bright, it's fresh. Mmm, that's good: Ca c'est bon.

L'Angelus opened up Season 2 of Catholic Underground Chicago with a topnotch performance that blew the audience away. They combine the best of Louisiana's music traditions: cajun fiddle tunes for the dance crowd, saxophone driven swamp-pop, and New Orleans influenced R&B. http://langelus.info

FOCUS: It's Personal

Here's the point and no mistake: the Gospel is personal.

God made us personally. Jesus suffered and died most horribly and personally. He redeems us personally. No amount of theology or facts or laws or media blitz can take the place of a one-on-one encounter. That is why I'm big on FOCUS.

FOCUS, the Fellowship of Catholic University Students, is a national campus outreach that meets college students where they are and invites them to examine the meaning and purpose of their lives. Through large group outreach, Bible studies and one on one mentoring.

This is where people's hearts and minds are won or lost: in the one-on-one. And especially in college is where young people are most vulnerable to outside influences. For example, college aged women have the most abortions. Colleges have traditionally been hotbeds for radicalization. Kids are experimenting, trying new things, testing limits, rebelling against the known, etc.

But college kids also have the most potential; they have all the physical capabilities of adults but have not yet developed the mental or emotional maturity to fully control those powers. This is where they need a mentor most; where they can benefit from a good influence and do amazing things. This is also where they can be won for Jesus. But it takes the personal touch.

Orlando, Fla., Jan 6, 2010 / 05:06 pm (CNA).- More than 3,500 students attended the Fellowship of Catholic University Student's (FOCUS) biannual conference last week in Orlando, Florida. The success of the event caused the group's president, Curtis Martin, to describe it as “packed with memorable moments.”

The five day 'Made for More' conference took place Dec 30 through Jan 3 and included a wide range of speakers such as Fr. Benedict Groschel, Matthew Kelly and Dr. Ted Sri, as well as performers Matt Maher, Matthew West and Tim Hawkins. Students also had the opportunity to celebrate the New Year together and participate in Mass and Confession.

“Each year one of the most dramatic events is our time of Eucharistic Adoration and Confession,” Martin told CNA. “If you have never seen thousands of young people fall to their knees (and some completely prostrate themselves) before Jesus Christ veiled under the appearance of mere bread, it is an amazing experience.”

“For several hours the students sat in silent prayer,” Martin recounted. “During the event, lines began to form so that these young leaders could make a Sacramental Confession, some for the first time since their First Confession.”

Recalling past FOCUS conferences, Martin said, “Two years ago after a similar experience in Grapevine, Texas, a priest that I had never met asked me how things were going and I responded, 'They seem to be going really well.' To which he replied, 'You will never know how well things are going, because you can not hear Confessions, this is the single most impressive experience of my priesthood!'”

In describing the work of FOCUS, Martin explained that “The basic message is this: The Catholic faith works. We are not doing anything special, we are simply inviting young people to know Christ personally and to follow Him in the Church He founded, where they find the fullness of truth and grace.”

Those Crazy Christians

It is said that Jesus must have been either crazy or what he said he was: the Son of God.

It also takes a crazy kind of strength to forgive one's attackers. Although the charism of infallibility doesn't extend to the Pope's personal sanctity, we have been blessed to have great exemplars of the faith in both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI.

John Paul II forgave his attacker, Mehmet Ali Agca, the man who shot him during an assassination attempt. Now, in a lesser event, Pope Benedict has shown his "benevolence" towards a mentally disturbed woman, Susanna Maiolo, who knocked him down during Christmas Mass at St Peter's Basilica on Christmas Eve (her 2nd attempt!)

[Guardian] The pope's personal aide has visited the woman who jumped over a barrier and knocked the pontiff down in St Peter's Basilica on Christmas Eve, a Vatican spokesman said.

Benedict XVI asked his secretary, Monsignor Georg Gaenswein, to call on 25-year-old Susanna Maiolo "to show his interest and benevolence", the Reverend Federico Lombardi said.

Our Lord taught us to pray "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us". If that's crazy like a Christian, then the world needs more of it.

Merry Christmas

From the Nodlings and all of us here at WBN, Merry Christmas.

He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and became man.

[CCC] 457 The Word became flesh for us in order to save us by reconciling us with God, who "loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins": "the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world", and "he was revealed to take away sins":⁷⁰

Sick, our nature demanded to be healed; fallen, to be raised up; dead, to rise again. We had lost the possession of the good; it was necessary for it to be given back to us. Closed in the darkness, it was necessary to bring us the light; captives, we awaited a Savior; prisoners, help; slaves, a liberator. Are these things minor or insignificant? Did they not move God to descend to human nature and visit it, since humanity was in so miserable and unhappy a state?⁷¹

458 The Word became flesh so that thus we might know God's love: "In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him."⁷² "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."⁷³

459 The Word became flesh to be our model of holiness: "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me." "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me."⁷⁴ On the mountain of the Transfiguration, the Father commands: "Listen to him!"⁷⁵ Jesus is the model for the Beatitudes and the norm of the new law: "Love one another as I have loved you."⁷⁶ This love implies an effective offering of oneself, after his example.⁷⁷

460 The Word became flesh to make us "partakers of the divine nature":⁷⁸ "For this is why the Word became man, and the Son of God became the Son of man: so that man, by entering into communion with the Word and thus receiving divine sonship, might become a son of God."⁷⁹ "For the Son of God became man so that we might become God."⁸⁰ "The only-begotten Son of God, wanting to make us sharers in his divinity, assumed our nature, so that he, made man, might make men gods."⁸¹

Merry Christmas.

Phillip Allen: When I Became A Man

Interesting and powerful statement from a young man; this is the first I've seen of him. There are many who could benefit from these words:

When I Became a Man spoken word video. To challenge and inspire men to put the games away, and be the powerful men of God he's called us to be. Follow me as I follow Christ.

Real People, Real Care

The whole health care debate is so raucous that it leaves a bad taste in your mouth. No matter what side you come down on, we can all agree that there is much to dislike. Which is all the more reason to slow down and look at things afresh.

The role of government in this case should not be to take over our responsibilities to take care of ourselves, our families, and one another, but rather to enable the atmosphere, the laws, and incentives that can make that happen. Too many times, people just want the government to "take care of things" for them. This does not engender proper respect for persons, personal accountability, and love for neighbor. What is does promote is a culture of dependency, entitlement, and hostility over higher taxes when the inevitable waste and corruption set in.


Every third Thursday or so, Martha's Table comes to designated spots in Washington DC downtown and feeds the hungry. The Martha's Table mission statement reads:

Martha’s Table’s mission is to help at-risk children, youth, families and individuals in our community improve their lives by providing educational programs, food, clothing, and enrichment opportunities.

Martha's table has a dozen permanent staff and a whole host of people volunteering to feed, clothe, and teach those in need. These are people who are putting their faith in action; these are the kind of programs and ministries that transform people's lives. I can't even think of a government program that was actually transformative on a personal level.

The best part is there are thousands of groups and organizations like Martha's Table that take care of people in their own communities. There is no one-size-fits-all. That is the beauty of it -- it meets the actual needs of actual people and there are real people doing it.

There is no government mandated program for which you get to fill out bureaucratic forms, no rammed down your throat entitlement. The role of good government is to incentivize the private sector into providing more options, make it easier to give and make a difference, through laws and tax credits, not to dictate what the options are. That way we become better citizens and better people by helping one another instead of waiting for "the government" to do it.

Unfortunately, the government is good at taking great ideas and ruining them. That's why they shouldn't be allowed to run anything much beyond the national defense.