Advent Waiting

I've been reflecting all day on how hectic life is. We all need to slow down and be a little patient. In my homily, I've been talking about an image I saw of a door opening for "Black Friday" the day after Thanksgiving where we try fill our life up with all kinds of bargains. As the doors opened, the people rushed in and one man fell full sprawl on the ground and no one helped pick him up. They were all too busy getting their deals to stop and help another.

In the rush of this new church year, we must always look deep within ourselves and ask if we are ready for the coming of our savior. God won't care if you don't get that DVD player. God will care if we didn't love our neighbor.

Wasn't this easier in seminary?

I'm having trouble researching my project on religious freedom. I don't have a great library like the one St. Paul Seminary Had. I have found a few things that are helping but I may have to continue working on this when the students get back. I'll keep working, though, and make the final determination about that on Sunday. I also can't narrow down my topic. I need an advisor of some kind. This is hard work!

Homosexuality, the vatican, and celibacy

For the past two months, in various press circles, people have been "breaking the story" about a document that may or may not be released this Tuesday, one week from today. I've been hearing that it's going to come out "in the near future" for the last two months. I'm still waiting...

At first, it was reported that the document was going to ban all homosexuals from priesthood. Fear, dread, anger, discrimination, and all kinds of other feelings came out. Then, nothing happened. No document. Suddenly, a couple weeks later, the media changed its mind. The document was going to ban PRACTICING homosexuals and people involved in the homosexual agenda. A man needs to be celibate for three years before he is admitted to seminary and shouldn't advocate policies that are contrary to catholic teaching. (i.e. gay marriage, open homosexual lifestyle, etc.)

In the next few days, the people that hate the church are going to offer their opinions. Expect to especially hear from gay rights advocates (or, as I call them, "anti-family advocates"), pro-married clergy (or "anti-celibacy") advocates, and pro-women's ordination advocates to have a particular conniption fit in the next week. But, all along, remember that NO ONE KNOWS WHAT THIS DOCUMENT SAYS!!!! There was a rumor that it connected the sexual abuse crisis to homosexuality but no one knows that for sure. What they hate is celibacy. When you hear a commentator the media puts up to debate this issue yet again, they will bring up celibacy. Be forwarned because they will probably get priests to do the speaking.

Remember something as they are speaking: a real practicing celibate, which is the majority of priests, sisters, and brothers, are not sexual abusers, are happier and live longer than other people, and are called to live that life by God. Then, shut off the TV, Radio, or computer and go do something productive.

The Man in Black

I went to see the movie "Walk the Line" last night. It was very dark because it highlighted the tough times that Johnny Cash went through with drugs and alcohol. My favorite scene was when June Carter's father chased off Whalen Jennings (who was delivering drugs for Johnny) with a shotgun.

Here's what I learned: Johnny Cash never stood up for himself and never took any credit for anything until June made him. I'm still pondering this because it's more profound than a simple "stand up for yourself" message. It's about accountability and standing up for what is right instead of going through life as though you are affected by countless other uncontrolable variables.

I also learned that June Carter wrote the song "Ring of Fire."

Religious Freedom

Since I know work in a college setting, one of the things that has been brought back into my consciousness is the fact that students really do work here...and they work hard. I think that I'd blocked writing papers from my mind and the hard work that goes into that process. The students are on break right now for a week so I'm thinking that I'm going to do a project. I'm going to write an academic paper. And, considering the fact that I keep running into this whole religious freedom thing, I think I'll write it about the role of religious freedom in the catholic church.

I have no delusions of grandeur. I'm not writing something that will be worth publishing. But, it's my hope that, one week from today, prior to the seven o'clock mass, I will publish my findings on religious freedom on this blog so that any readers that do sit and read this thing can give me some of the same criticism that my students get.

I'll keep you posted throughout the week.