Against Perpetuating Mischaracterizations
Channeling John Adams… During a recent conversation with two dear friends and colleagues of mine, both referred to the New Testament “outlaw”, Barabbas, in the usual disparaging manner, a manner that I think perpetuates a simplistic, incomplete, and therefore inaccurate representation of an historic figure. Other Biblical figures have suffered similar fates, such as the Apostle Thomas (“the doubter”), Mary of Magdala (“the prostitute”), and, yes, even Pontius Pilate and Judas Iscariot. I object to
To Be, Or Not To Be, “Saint” Dorothy Day
Servant of God, Dorothy Day Scorned for her sexual libertinism and its consequences, branded a Communist, Socialist and anti-patriotic pacifist, Dorothy Day’s cause for canonization has roiled the waters of the Catholic world. So, how can her opponents justify this vitriol if they also pray to, say, Augustine of Hippo, Mary of Egypt, Angela of Foligno, Blessed Bartolo, St Peter (the Betrayer) and many others? And can we reconcile her cause for sainthood with the
Arguing Upward
Underneath my 1974 high school senior yearbook photo I wrote the following caption, “Fear is the enemy, trust is the armor!”, after hearing that expression by Shaolin Temple Master Po to his student Kwai Chang Caine during an episode of the popular television series “Kung Fu.” My photo is very forgettable, but that phrase has stayed with me for almost fifty years. I loved that program, as I had great interest in martial arts and
Praying for Ourselves and for Others
“Man Praying” Vincent Van Gogh (1883) *************************************** And slowly answer’d Arthur from the barge: “And God fulfils Himself in many ways, May He within Himself make pure! but thou, If thou shouldst never see my face again, Pray for my soul. More things are wrought by prayer Than this world dreams of. Wherefore, let thy voice Rise like a fountain for me night and day. For what are men better than sheep or goats That
Advent: He’s Coming! Christmas: He’s Here!
“Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years“ so Luke the physician/evangelist tells us early in his Gospel. I wonder what the good doctor thought about Elizabeth’s inability to have children? Or did my use of “inability” unfairly blame her rather than Zechariah? After all, she isn’t the first “barren” woman described in the Bible (think of Sarah, Abraham’s wife). Perhaps no one bore any responsibility. Did Luke have the not-uncommon thought at that
