"What would Raymond Brown say?"!?!

Commonweal -Between Theology & Exegesis: "This is not, however, what a substantial majority of American Catholic Bible scholars wants to hear. I venture to guess that their silent question about this book is: “What would Raymond Brown say?”" I have unexpectedly been added to a Commonweal mailing list. This was not really intentional, and can make for some scary reading. The most recent email I received was a review about the Pope's book, Jesus of Nazareth. The line above summarizes the review. It was largely dry and critical as only an academic review can be. It put me back into a world that I knew, not in theology, but in psychology. I could get my blood pounding reading issues about the structure of personality. Things that to anyone in daily life, are largely irrelevant, but were pretty important to me in my little academic world. My academic discussions centered around mental life, but often had little to say that was directly relevant to actual living. Such is the nature of the academy. The problem with this attitude in theology is that one is in danger of leaving faith out of the study of God. So we get all the academic trappings, but none of the prayer, none of the holiness. It looks like it can become a lot like the English department. With discussions of what the received view is and how something does or does not fit with that view. It puts me in the mind of the warning of St. Francis to St. Anthony "It pleases me that you teach sacred theology to the brothers, as long as in the words of the Rule you "do not extinguish the Spirit of prayer and devotion" with study of this kind." The attitude presented in the review can suck the life out of faith, and lead one down dangerous roads. Roads that lead one to criticize a pope leading and teaching his flock, because he has not kept up with the latest trends in the academy. It can take faith, and turn it into an academic battleground - trampling on the sacred in the road to academic fame (and what a low prize that). It makes a grand tempest in a teapot, appearing as nothing more than a lot of noise from the outside. The only clear message in the article is that "experts" think the Pope is wrong. Which feeds the liberal leanings of some, raises the traditional ire of others, and undermines the teaching of the faith to all. This pedantic position leads one to ask "what would Raymond Brown say" rather than "what would Christ himself say." I for one, will attend to Christ, listen to my pope and worry not about Fr. Brown.

Summorum Pontificum

What Does The Prayer Really Say?»Blog Archive » Summorum Pontificum: my intro comments and the text: "This document is about opening hearts and healing. In his explanatory letter Pope Benedict even quotes 2 Cor 6:13: “Widen your hearts!” Read Summorum Pontificum with a wide heart, and no one need fear that rights will be trampled or due authority undermined." I look forward to the positive impact this will have on the Church and on the Norvus Ordo liturgy. We need more sacred, and this provides it both directly and indirectly as the Norvus Ordo mass is reconnected to its roots. Let us thank God for this extraordinary pope. Let us pray for open hearts. Let us humbly follow where our shepherd leads. Click to go to Fr. Z's WDTPRS. He is a great resource for this issue.

Pope sends Mexico tough abortion message - Yahoo! News

Pretty reasonable article for an AP writer. Pope sends Mexico tough abortion message

Pope's Prayer Intentions for April

Vatican, Apr. 2, 2007 (CWNews.com) - The Vatican has announced the prayer intentions of Pope Benedict XVI for the month of April 2007. The Pope's general intention is: "That, allowing himself to be enlightened and guided by the Holy Spirit, every Christian may answer enthusiastically and faithfully to the universal call to sanctity." The Pope's missionary intention is: "That the number of priestly and religious vocations may grow in North America and the countries of the Pacific Ocean, in order to give an adequate answer to the pastoral and missionary needs of those populations."

Papal Message for Lent 2007

"They Shall Look on Him Whom They Have Pierced - Papal Message for Lent 2007 - Zenit News Agency Lent is here next week. Are you ready? The pope's thoughts on the upcoming lenten season is a good time to start.

Al Qaida Denounces Pope

News Flash: Al Qaida doesn't like pope and they don't like him visiting Turkey. No surprise here. That whole needing to have reason with your faith just doesn't work for fanatics. I have noticed a pattern with the use of the term "Crusader." This is used derogatorily here and elsewhere when referring to the actions of "Western" countries that Al Qaida and other Muslims militants don't like. Remember when Bush changed the name of the operation when we invaded Afghanistan? In case any don't know, the Crusades saved Western civilization from being completely over-run by the Muslims when they invaded the Eastern Roman Empire. There were sins on both sides of that war, but the purpose of the Crusade was noble - and it did save "Western" civilization. A definite good thing. Tags: Pope, Al Qaida, Turkey, Crusades

Pope: faith AND reason - that's the point!

The events this past week are somewhat frustrating. The Muslim world is up in arms because the Pope quotes a Byzantine emperor. I read the speech. The point the Pope was making was about the West and that reason cannot be divorced from Faith. The Emperor's point was that violence as part of religion is a violation or reason, and thus why he rejects Islam. The emperor's point is that faith that is counter to reason is false. The Pope was scolding the west because reason without faith is false . His point ... we need both! Where is that in the news? It's not? Hmmm. Now, one can take the quote of the emperor as saying that violence has no place as official doctrine and dogma in faith beacause it is counter to reason. And the Muslim world, in their violent reaction, is acting unreasonably. Did Catholics burn buildings at the Last Temptation of Christ movie? Was there revolt at the Da Vinci Code? Are we revolting now as Muslims burn the Pope in effigy? Are we calling for "Holy War" as nuns are gunned down and churches are burned? No. There is a lot of reaction and condemnation by the Muslim world of things they don't like from the Western world (Catholic and otherwise). This condemnation is loud, clear, and violent. However, there is only quiet (if any) condemnation of the uncivilized, violent, and godless behavior done in the name of their very religion. How can anyone beleive this is reasonable? Of course, I find it equally interesting that the amoral (often atheistic) Western media delights in fostering (even hosting) these battles. Why the coverage here? Why the search for that which will divide and undermine? They miss the point of the Pope's speech (his whole trip, in fact), but delight in controversy. Read the Pope's speech. You will find that it is not a message of hate as the media and Muslim world would have you believe. It is a message of hope and a challenge to Western thinkers that they need faith as well as reason. The Muslim world, perhaps, should also listen. Perhaps more reason is a good idea with their faith. I read the speech here http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=46474