Be Sealed With The Gift of the Holy Spirit

Last night was Evans's Confirmation Mass at St. Rose. He's been preparing for it for some time now (of course). Last year he attended his Religious Ed classes at St. Joe's. This year he went to weekly YRE classes at St. Rose on Monday nights. Along the way he had to memorize material and pass tests and complete hours (about 20 I think) of community service.The culmination was last night.

Cathy and I were very proud of him for all he had done to prepare and the serious approach he took to the sacrament. (In the picture you can see how serious he looks.)

When the moment of his confirmation came, he stepped forward boldly. Deacon Bassett announced his chosen name and the Monsignor said, "Ferdinand, be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit."

Evan answered a firm, "Amen".

The Monsignor embraced him saying, "Peace be with you" and Evan answered (again firmly) "And also with you."

Pictured with him in the photo on the right are his sponsor (behind him) and the back of Deacon Bassett's head. The Monsignor is somewhat hidden as a result of the angle from which I shot the photo.

Those who are familiar with the Faith may be wondering why the Monsignor administered the sacrament. After all, the Bishop is the usual Minister of Confirmation.

The answer is simple, really. We are presently Bishop-less. Bishop Neiderhauer was assigned to be an Arch-Bishop in California and the Holy See hasn't named a replacement yet. The Diocesan administrator delegated the task of confirmation to Monsignor Bonnell. So, EBC has received all of his sacraments thus far from the same priest. Pretty cool, huh?

Happy Easter

The long, solemn wait of Lent is over and we've arrived at the joyous celebration of Easter!

This year, for a change, Cathy, the lads and I didn't serve at the Easter Vigil. We did go to the Good Friday service. I was tagged to read the 'Narrator' part in the Passion. That went well. (Better than when I read at the Palm Sunday Mass and stood too early during the kneeling part of the Passion.)

This morning we attended the 8:15 a.m. which was celebrated by Fr. V. A nice Mass. Cathy and I weren't involved, but the boys were altar servers.

Shortly it's off to an Easter lunch at my parent's house.

Palm Sunday

It's Palm Sunday and tonight at Mass I'll be reading the narrator's part in the Passion reading.

This is the one time during the liturgical year that I get to read from the gospel. It's a somewhat daunting responsibility.

I'm prepared, though, and the people at St. Rose are very kind.Palm Sunday, of course, marks the beginning of Holy Week.

I pray that all who read this will find peace in their relationship to God in the coming Easter Season.

Remember You Are Dust...

...and to dust you shall return.

It's Ash Wednesday 2006...the beginning of Lent. Mass was nice (although surprisingly crowded for a 5:00 p.m. on a weeknight).

The boys had received ashes at school and CAC was home with a cold. So I went alone. I missed my family, but it was good to be at Mass.

Now begins the period of penance and preparation. I pray that your Lent is good and brings you closer to God.

Again With The Tolkein

I've spent the last month reading The Battle for Middle-Earth: Tolkien's Divine Design in The Lord of the Rings by Fleming Rutledge. (Digression -- Do you have to have an unusual name to write one of these things? First it was Stratford Caldecott and now Fleming Rutledge.)

Fleming Rutledge is an Episcopal priest who is noted for her mostly conservative views and skill as a writer. In the book she confesses to coming late to the Tolkien party, but believes that this grants her some perspective. Like Caldecott she is convinced that Tolkien imbued the trilogy with his spiritual world view. Unlike Caldecott, she parses the texts by narrative chronology instead of thematically. In other words, this is more an annotation than an examination.

Rutledge's primary thesis is that the trilogy is not a simple moral tale of good versus evil. Instead, she suggests, it is a complex examination of the ways in which evil can insinuate itself into the lives of the best and worst of people and the ways in which God can use all things to his own ends. From the outset, she rejects the idea that the trilogy is a simple "good vs. evil" story. She points out that seeing it in these terms is close to the Manichean heresy. God (the force behind all that is good) is always stronger than the evil of Sauron. God is a constant, but unnamed presence in the books.

As proof she quotes parts of the text such as the following offered by Gandalf to Frodo:

"There was more than one power at work, Frodo. The Ring was trying to get back to its master... It abandoned Gollum. Only to be picked up by the most unlikely person imaginable: Bilbo from the Shire!Behind that there was something else at work, beyond any design of the Ring-maker [Sauron]. I can put it no plainer than by saying that Bilbo was meant to find the Ring, and not by its maker. In which case you were also meant to have it."

She goes on to note examples of passive voice in the text and times when characters are aided by an unseen presence.

At the same time, Rutledge argues that God acts through the just and can turn the actions of the unjust to his purpose. The ultimate example of this is that Gollum snatched the ring at the last moment when Frodo was no longer able to resist its power and had determined to keep it for himself.Rutledge also makes much of the transformations in the story...Theoden's dual transformation from king to corrupted and back to king again, Pippin's transformation of adolescent to young leader, Aragorn's predestined transformation into the King of Gondor. The text abounds in transformations. Indeed, even the most vile of characters are given a chance at redemption -- but those who had given themselves over to Sauron were unable to accept the grace which would grant them new lives.

The book raises and wrestles with the question of pre-destination and free will. True freedom, in her view, is the freedom to follow God's will. All other exercise of freedom is false freedom and ultimately leads to slavery. (An argument that I think Jonah would have found most persuasive.)

Rutledge also talks frequently about logizomai -- which she interprets to mean "impute" or to "call forth by naming". Often the wiser characters (Gandalf, Aragorn, etc.) would name a lesser character as being brave or noble. Rutledge argues that this "calling forth" brought out the nobility in those characters.

Another strong theme was the notion that the most dangerous temptation is the temptation to do good. Boromir wasn't tempted to evil (although evil would have been the result if he had gained the ring). He was tempted by the good he believed he could do if he possessed the ring. Similarly, the temptations which are most dangerous to us are the ones which dress themselves in the guise of righteousness.

In the final analysis, the book was good but tended to run on a bit by the end. The structure of the book lends itself to this because Rutledge builds her case by pointing out each of the narrative examples as it occurs. Still, it gave me much to think about and the time I spent with it was time well invested.

Recommended Reading

The Lord of the Rings is of course a fundamentally religious and Catholic
work; unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision. That is
why I have not put in, or have cut out, practically all references to anything
like "religion," to cult or practices, in the imaginary world. For the
religious element is absorbed into the story and the symbolism.--J.R.R.
TolkienLetters 142

This is a story that tells us things we need to know. It cannot
be taken in all at once. It is one of those that we have to grow into;
stories that deal with the way the world is made, and the way the self is
made. These stories are like dreams, but dreams that can be shared by an
entire culture; wholesome dreams that restore a balance to the psyche by turning
our energies and our thoughts toward truth; dreams that resemble an oasis in the
desert. Reading them can be a meditation.--Stratford Caldecott
The Power of the Ring: The Spiritual Vision Behind the Lord of the
Rings

Caldecott's book is an interesting thematic/literary analysis of Tolkien's trilogy. He starts by establishing that Tolkien was a Catholic of deep convictions. In fact, Tolkien was orphaned at twelve and raised to maturity by a priest. More interestingly, Tolkien's mother converted to Catholicism before her death and was effectively disinherited by her family. Tolkien himself believed that she had died of poverty.

Not surprisingly, death is one of the common themes in the trilogy and Caldecott goes to great lengths to explore death and Tolkien's spiritual relationship to it. He also investigates the many ways in which Tolkien's theology shines through his work both consciously and unconsciously. In particular, there is a fascinating passage which compares Galadriel to the Madonna.

If you have the time and inclination, this is a book worth reading. The points are a bit strained at times, but the ideas underlying the book are fascinating.

Christmas Wrap Up

(ED: Excerpted from another of my blogs.)

The nicest part of the holiday, though, was our Christmas Eve. We all attended the 5:00 p.m. Mass. My wife was a Eucharistic Minister, both boys were altar servers, and I served as Lector. The Mass was crowded, but comfortable.

Merry Christmas!

The anticipation of Advent is nearly done. In a few hours, in union with Christians around the world, we'll be celebrating the Nativity of Christ.

Wishing you a Happy Holiday surrounded by friends, family, and good food!

Merry Christmas

Second Week of Advent

Here we are in the Second Week of Advent. Christmas is rushing towards us with frightening speed and our preparations are keeping pace, but just.

Advent is a time of preparation, reflection and penance. Not really a time for celebration. Accordingly, we generally don't put up our decorations until just before Christmas.

We do put our the Advent Wreath, of course. Each night we light the appropriate candles and share a family scripture reading and devotional moment. We also have an Advent Calendar which is a Nativity Scene. The figures are all magnetic and each day we add a new figure to the metal backdrop.There are two other "decorations" that go up early.

Cathy puts up her Department 56 Nativity and I put out my Christmas Village.

In keeping with Tradition, CAC doesn't put the Holy Family in the Nativity until Christmas. So, in a way, this too becomes an Advent symbol -- a place prepared for the coming Christ child.

CAC started collecting pieces about four years ago when the first piece caught her eye and I bought it for her. Over the years, she's been gifted with new pieces until the village has reached its present size. The good folks at Dept. 56 seem to be less than enthused about continuing this particular line, so our version of Bethlehem is probably as big as it will ever be.

My village, on the other hand, is ever changing. It started back in '00 when I went to Lowe's and and found that they had their village pieces on sale for 50% off. (It was only a couple of weeks before Christmas.) I started with a lighthouse, a church, the Parson's house, a coffee shop, a hotel, train station and a flower shop. Each year I've added two or three buildings, but the buildings are selected because they have some connection to us.We have a lot of nautically-themed items -- boat shops, sailing academies, seaside resorts...you get the idea. We also have a bookstore (with an acting studio on the second floor), an English pub, a Shakespeare-themed inn, and a tea shop.

Part of the fun of the village is recreating it in different ways each year. I typically use between eight and ten buildings and each year the village is unique. This year (as you can see from the pictures above) I chose to go with a landlocked village. It was a departure, but I'm happy with the results.

Sometime during the week before Christmas, the rest of the decorations will go up.

Good Reading

For your consideration, I give you:

Epic by John Eldredge is a thin tome which casts the Christian life in heroic terms. It's more an inspirational book than a serious treatment of the subject, but it does raise some intriguing ideas.

Looking for God in Harry Potter is written by a classics scholar who is (I believe) also a member of the Greek Orthodox church. With amazing care, he builds the case that Rowling has intentionally filled her books with Christian imagery. After reading the book, I am pursuaded and any who worries that the books are an un-Christian influence should read Granger's book (and, of course, Rowling's books) before passing judgement.

Finally, this isn't a book, but I found the following on-line articles interesting. Both deal with a Jesuit who is also a Ph.D. Enjoy!

• Catholic Belief and Extraterrestrial Life
• By Design

Welcome Pope Benedict XVI

The Cardinals met and, in a very short conclave, elected Cardinal Ratzinger as our next Pope.

By all accounts, Pope Benedict is a man of great intellectual gifts and committment to the core teachings of the Church. Monsignor Bonnell (my pastor) says that we are all in good hands. I think he's probably right.

If you'd like to get some insight into Pope Benedict, you can read the homily he delivered at his inaguration Mass.

In Pace Requiscat Frater

Earlier today Pope John Paul II, the leader of my Faith, passed from this life into the next. I am a convert to the Catholic church and so John Paul II was the only Pope I've ever had.

I am sorry to see him go, but I am also happy for him. He lived his life well, advanced the Faith, refused to compromise on the truth, reached out to people of other faiths, and (in the end) showed us how to accept earthly suffering and die well.

The Saturday Mass at St. Rose was especially well attended. None of us (CAC, the boys, nor myself) were scheduled to serve. At the last moment I was asked to be the lector. I count it an honor. The readings were particularly appropriate -- especially the reading from First Peter.

I pray for his Holiness as he enters his eternal reward. I pray for the Church as the Cardinals meet to identify the new Pope. And I pray for all believers (of any faith) that we all might be inspired by the life of John Paul II.

First Steps

It's the second week of Lent. As part of my Lenten observance I've putting pursuing a project I've meant to pursue for a number of years. Let me explain.

I serve as a Lector at St. Rose of Lima Parish in Layton, Utah. That means I get to read from the Old Testament and Epistle at Mass. (Please note that the linked article is historical and -- at least in my experience -- the modern Lector is defined as "the person we can get to volunteer".)

One dear woman from the parish has often asked me to record the scriptures. This request sets me at war with myself. I try to remember that being a Lector is about sharing God's word -- not about me. My constant paryer when I serve at a Mass is "Lord, let them hear your words and not my voice."At the same time I must confess (ha!) that I get an ego boost from reading.

Yet I do read reasonably well. God has granted me some Grace to read.

I'm still not sure about whether or not I should record anything, but for my Lenten observance I've decided to assemble a script. Using the Hero's Journey as a model, I'm assembling a script of the Journey of Christ. For copyright reasons, I'll use the KJV. My goal is to have a completed script by Easter.

Will I record it? I don't know.

The script is the first step in my own journey...in the words of the Hero's Journey, it's a threshold crossing.

A Study in Contrasts

Saturday, August 21, 2004 was a study in contrasts for me and I decided to note it down here for future consideration.

I woke too early to get out of bed and disturb the rest of the household, so I switched on the TV and started perusing the satellite channels. Six a.m. turns out to be primtime for “Sponsored Programming” (otherwise known as infomercials).

(Aside: My spellchecker didn’t even blink at the word “infomercials”. What does that say about America?)

I happened upon a broadcast of the film “The Fountainhead”. It’s based on the novel by Ayn Rand. Ayn was the creator of the school of thought called “enlightened self-interest” and her philosophy has an awful lot of adherents. In fact, a foundation created in her name sponsors an annual essay contest for high school students that offers pretty substantial cash prizes.

All that I really know about Ayn Rand I learned from NPR and Matt Ruff’s terrific novel “The Public Works Trilogy”. I do remember that "Atlas Shrugged" must have been required reading in some lit class at my high school. For a while, it seemed as if everyone was carrying a copy -- even people who weren’t normally seen with books.

The whole point of enlightened self-interest seems to be that an individual’s primary responsibility is to themselves and their own good. Rand maintains that humanity moves ahead through the dedicated, selfish efforts of extraordinary individuals. “The Fountainhead” advances this point through speeches delivered by Gary Cooper in the character of architect Howard Roarke. Juicy little tidbits like “I swear by my life, and my love of it, that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine” and “I am a man who does not exist for others”. In the film, Roarke dynamites a construction project based on his designs. He’s inspired to violence by the fact that the builders have the temerity to change HIS plans. The creation is his and no one should have the right to change it. So he destroys it.

In time he is arrested and taken to trial where he chooses (being the superior man) to represent himself. He makes a lengthy and impassioned speech about how he should be exonerated because he’s the superior man. And, golly gee, the jury lets him off.

When I was younger, I would have been very attracted to that philosophy. There’s real seduction in the belief that it is right and necessary to act solely in one’s own interests. In many ways, I wonder how much of American culture has been shaped by Rand’s writings.

I got to see the other end of the scale at the end of the day.

The readings at Mass on that Saturday evening dealt with humility. I’ll reproduce the last two of them here from the USCCB web-site.

Reading II Heb 12:5-7, 11-13

Brothers and sisters,You have forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as children:"My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lordor lose heart when reproved by him;for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines;he scourges every son he acknowledges."Endure your trials as "discipline";God treats you as sons. For what "son" is there whom his father does not discipline?At the time,all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain,yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousnessto those who are trained by it.

So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. Make straight paths for your feet,that what is lame may not be disjointed but healed.

Gospel Lk 13:22-30

Jesus passed through towns and villages,teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him,"Lord, will only a few people be saved?" He answered them,"Strive to enter through the narrow gate,for many, I tell you, will attempt to enterbut will not be strong enough. After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying,'Lord, open the door for us.'

He will say to you in reply,'I do not know where you are from.'

And you will say,'We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.'Then he will say to you,'I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!'And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacoband all the prophets in the kingdom of Godand you yourselves cast out.

And people will come from the east and the westand from the north and the southand will recline at table in the kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last."

Fr. Van Bergen preached on the need for humility and on how important it was that we Christians serve other people. He cited examples of service in the parish and in the world beyond the narthex doors. It provided a fascinating counterpoint to that morning’s viewing.

So, is there a point to all of this?

The obvious one, I suppose. Serve others. Do good.

But these two messages book-ended my day and I usually take such contrasts as a sign that the lesson is one I'm meant to heed.