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Monthly Archives: September 2015
On My Bookshelf: Theology of Christian Marriage III
In the first chapter of Walter Kasper’s Theology of Christian Marriage, a few things struck me. In looking at “the human values of marriage,” he looks at the Augustine’s emphasis on the three “goods” of marriage (descendants, mutual love and … Continue reading
Laudato Si 108: Of Technology and Power
The encyclical letter Laudato Si is available here on the Vatican website. More on the paradigm of technology: 108. The idea of promoting a different cultural paradigm and employing technology as a mere instrument is nowadays inconceivable. The technological paradigm … Continue reading
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Laudato Si 107: The Technology Model
The encyclical letter Laudato Si is available here on the Vatican website. The science & tech model, to the exclusion of other considerations has been shown not good for either the environment or for human culture: 107. It can be … Continue reading
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Open Thread: Post 12000
A few words on this site. When I posted the Psalm 119 piece I wrote up last week, I hadn’t realized it would be one short of a milestone. And since I thought I nice round number deserved a notice … Continue reading
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Reconciliation Lectionary: Psalm 119:1, 10-13, 15-16
The massive 119th Psalm, a poetic treatise on the Law–perhaps even a love song to it–offers up verse one as an antiphon: Happy are they who follow the law of the Lord. … and six select verses from the Beth section arranged … Continue reading
Laudato Si 106: The Globalization Of The Technocratic Paradigm
The encyclical letter Laudato Si is available here on the Vatican website. Section II of Chapter Three looks at “The Globalization Of The Technocratic Paradigm.” Pope Francis is concerned that this paradigm has brushed aside considerations of other ways. 106. … Continue reading
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Family Fail
Did a conference break out at Pope Francis’s appearance in Philadelphia? A mixed review is here. In addition to the criticisms mentioned, no workshop on adoption. Big miss. The perspective of family is easy when one is a fertile parent. … Continue reading
“What About You?”
I liked Pope Francis’s homiletic exploration of the call and response of one of my country’s great saints. It’s a question for the whole vector of the disciple’s life. (Pope Leo) asked her pointedly: “What about you? What are you … Continue reading
On My Bookshelf: Theology of Christian Marriage II
In the introduction to his Theology of Christian Marriage, Walter Kasper cites the “very close connection between the order of creation and the order of redemption in marriage.” My paraphrase would be that the former is how God made us, and … Continue reading
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Laudato Si 105: Does Power Equal Progress?
The encyclical letter Laudato Si is available here on the Vatican website. 105. There is a tendency to believe that every increase in power means “an increase of ‘progress’ itself”, an advance in “security, usefulness, welfare and vigor; …an assimilation … Continue reading
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Staff Liner
Cleaning out the music room at my new parish, I found something I hadn’t seen in years. There are no blackboards left in the building; the parish converted to white and dry-erase markers years ago. Anybody still using these?
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On My Bookshelf: Theology of Christian Marriage
To keep informed on the upcoming synod, I’ve been reading Walter Kasper’s Theology of Christian Marriage. It’s been on my literal bookshelf for many years, but until this year I had never cracked it. In the introduction, the author relates … Continue reading
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Laudato Si 104: The Power of Technology
The encyclical letter Laudato Si is available here on the Vatican website. What’s the saying? With great power comes great responsibility? 104. Yet it must also be recognized that nuclear energy, biotechnology, information technology, knowledge of our DNA, and many … Continue reading
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Reconciliation Lectionary: Matthew 25:31-46
“What must we do?” Think about the possible verb substitutions for must: could, should, would. When the Lord addressed his disciples he didn’t use auxiliary verbs. He related a future–not quite a parable. Call it science fiction, or whatever, but recognize … Continue reading
The Impulse of Discernment
I remember that British politician who stepped down from Parliament after an Ignatian retreat. Did John Boehner have a similar moment? Pope Francis did speak of the fractiousness of politics yesterday. Mr Boehner had a good enough seat to look … Continue reading
Catholic Sensibility 