Spouting off… and other random thoughts.
Benedict condemned no one.
Benedict XVI mentioned gay marriage in a recent message on peace. Many in media are focusing upon his so-called condemnation of global warming fear mongers. He didn’t condemn anyone - he simply is asking for reason to prevail and recommending prudence, urging people to avoid politicising the subject and arriving at hasty conclusions which could do more to harm humanity. But as I stated, he also mentioned gay marriage - okay, same-sex marriage if that is more PC for you:
His message, “The Human Family, A Community of Peace,” also spelled out the Roman Catholic Church’s opposition to gay marriage, saying that any weakening of the traditional family was “an objective obstacle on the road to peace.” - Reuters
I find it interesting that the dissident Catholics, who labor in vain to change Church teaching on SSA issues, while assailing the pope as being out of touch with modern science, are also major players in the peace and justice movement. Of course, Benedict XI’s statement saying the movement for same-sex marriage is “an objective obstacle on the road to peace,” will be roundly mocked by the same people who oppose - to use their words - the papalism and the imperialism of the Catholic church.
Transferring relics.
This is a dumb story. People are upset that the Capuchins have plans to move St. Pio’s relics to the new audience-hall style church that has been built adjacent to the friary in San Giovanni Rotondo. I’m convinced it is only because they hate the architecture of the new church.
Followers of St Padre Pio, Italy’s best loved saint, are up in arms over a plan to move his relics from the crypt of the church where he is buried in southern Italy to a nearby modern church designed by the Italian architect Renzo Piano.
A Padre Pio website run by Francesco Traversi, a Turin lawyer, said “Padre Pio must not be touched”. Mr Traversi said he had written to Pope Benedict XVI to say that to exhume the remains of a saint would amount to “sacrilege”. The transfer of the remains requires the permission of the Holy See. - Times
The relics of the saints have been transferred for centuries, while the action was often marked as a feast day, as well as being an occasion for the increase of miracles, as the relics were in transition. People protest way too much. Get a grip.
The next President of the United States.
Americans love firsts - so the next President will be either a black man or a woman. The religious arguments going on with the Republican candidates will never get any of them elected.
My father’s son…
I was talking to a friend the other day about dads and sons. Growing up, my friend told me he never wanted to be like his dad, he didn’t like his dad - his dad was cruel. I shared some memories about my own father. I told him I didn’t want to turn out like my dad either, my dad was cruel too. I recalled how when my dad was with his friends, if I would speak or ask questions, he reacted with contempt and hostility and told me to shut up. He would display such scorn towards me, that I left his presence in fear. Later on, he sometimes would look at me and say, “I don’t want you to turn out like your dad.” I didn’t want to either. Inevitably, we are all our father’s sons - the effects remain.
Talkin’ old monks…
“Keep company with yourself and look to yourself every day and hour, every minute, that your image be ever gracious. See, here you have passed by a small child, passed by in anger, with a foul word, with a wrathful soul; you perhaps did not notice the child. but he saw you, and your unsightly and impious image has remained in his defenseless heart. You did not know it, but you may thereby have planted a bad seed in him, and it may grow, and all because you did not restrain yourself before the child, because you did not nurture in yourself a heedful, active love.”- Fr. Zosima, Talks and homilies, The Brothers Karamazov.
So, what can I say?
Well it’s time I moved off
But it’s been great just listening to you
And I might even see you next time I’m passing through
You’re right there’s so much going on
No one seems to want to know
So keep well, keep well old friend
And have another drink on me
Just ignore all the others you got your memories
You got your memories… - Talking Old Soldiers, Elton John
[Photo: Old Staretz. Thanks to The Crescat.]
