Ubi Petrus

Disputations called for a fast, and being a sucker for a little physical mortification I jumped on it. The fast was to run Aug. 29-30, breaking for the Sunday on which we do not fast, then resume and run from Sep. 1-6. It was an eye-opening experience in several ways, and I thought I’d jot them down here, not to brag that I did this but for whatever amount of edification or education they may provide anyone who happens to trip across this post.

• The first two days of the fast were not all together that unusual. I normally fast on Fridays anyway so one or two days was nothing new. (This is not to brag – I started this as part of the “It started here, it ends here” Friday Fast in St. Blog’s … then I found out after several months it was supposed to be First Fridays only. At that point I was used to it and since I could use all the help I can get I just naturally continued.) You’d be amazed at how easy it is to keep yourself both distracted from and focused on your fasting once you do it a little.
• After the break from the fast on Sunday as required, I found day three to be a little harder than I’d expected. I actually got hit with hunger pains a couple of times, but they were easily dismissed by actually remembering to offer it up to God (frequently with the words “God, I have no idea how you can use this, but it’s all yours” or something to that effect) and then getting back to work.
• Somewhere between days three and four I realized just how hard it was to follow the precept of “when you fast, …”. I wanted this to be something people didn’t know about, partly because I didn’t want them to think me weird and partly because I didn’t want anyone to think me holy or some nutty thing like that. Fasting really isn’t hard, at least not for me.
• Days four and five found a little minor demon (think Wormwood, if you’re familiar – if you’re not, get familiar-you won’t regret it) whispering in my ear to cut corners. “Remember, you’re allowed two small meals, and nobody would notice anyway.” Yep, ’tis true – how could anyone notice me not fasting if nobody knew I was supposed to be in the first place? I confess, I used that wiggle room a little until I was able to kick myself in the keester and straighten out.
• Days six and seven I started to notice more consistent hunger pains. But like I said above, it’s nothing new so it wasn’t a big deal. To be honest, if I didn’t have the hunger pains I probably wouldn’t have remembered to offer anything up so they were, in themselves, a blessing.
• By day eight Wormwood had met his demise and the taunts were more Screwtape-ish. Which was just fine because by then I noticed a new feature. It genuinely hurt to eat. My body had finally adjusted to not getting its usual constant intake of food (see, I snack constantly, so there’s a world of difference between fasting and my normal intake pattern) and eating anything physically hurt more than eating nothing. At this point I’d have rather not eaten anything. I’m sure there’s a psychological definition for that, and I’m equally sure I don’t really care what it is.
• Come day nine it was a constant battle running in my head between finishing this off, wishing it weren’t going to end (remember what I said above about psychology?), and thinking I’d never make it through. Physically it was no longer a big deal – being a Saturday I was running around like crazy so distraction from hunger was no big deal. Mentally though it was a constant stream-of-consciousness flow of thoughts. Had I done enough? Had I done it right? Was it worth it? How stupid am I? Could I make it through? Am I being pompous thinking I’m important enough that this trinket actually matters?

Perhaps the most striking realization that I had around days eight and nine was that Christ called for “prayer and fasting” not just fasting. Yep, I’d spent all that time doing a half job because I hadn’t managed to do anything to crank up my prayer life for those nine days. It’s times like these that I realize you can measure my cranial thickness on a Cro-magnon scale.

All in all I have to say it was a very positive experience. Yeah, it hurt a little now and then, but so does just about anything worth doing. I can’t help but feel a loss in how little we fast as a Church as compared to centuries past – it is a practice which gives back far more than it takes, and one whose direct gifts are so desperately needed in this world.

For several days now, no probably more like a couple of weeks now, I’ve been mulling over how to write a review of Christopher West’s newest book, Heaven’s Song. Having gotten an advanced copy through Catholic Company’s reviewer program I felt the need to write a well-thought-out review even more than usual. Those who know me well know this all too easily plays into my proclivity for procrastinating. Then I read this what I hesitate to call a review. You see, it just doesn’t match anything that I read nor anything else I’ve read from Christopher West, and that is just enough to get me to actually move.

This book is a review and overview of a series of Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body writings which were not given in his series of audiences on the matter. Why were they not given? It is not because they are overly indulgent or vivid in describing sensitive matter, it is because those audiences are usually populated by everyone from the elderly to young children and the Pope rightly deferred to the parents’ role as the primary educators of their children in this matter. Attention must be paid to the fact that while these writings were not given as part of the audiences they were left available in writing and can now be found in Michael Waldstein’s translation from the original Polish in Man and Woman He Created Them. I suppose calling them “secret” at this point is both a bit of salesmanship and truth as I doubt many have made their way through that tome just yet. West does not, however, just let the writings speak for themselves, he also throughout presents them in less theologically-dense terminology and in a way that can be used readily by anyone in a position to talk about these issues be it as a pastor, consellor or one giving a talk on this subject.

As much as the word “erotic” is thrown around about this book it’s very important to realize at the same time that does not mean “dirty” or “inappropriate”. Briefly glancing at the cover notes on the book and reflecting on what I’ve heard about the Song of Songs I expected this book to be difficult and uncomfortable to read because, well, there are some things people just don’t talk about in polite company. Don’t let that concern stop you though – this is decidedly not something Hugh Heffner would have on his coffee table. In reality, I was surprised at how little the actual act was discussed, and even then only with delicacy and in abstract terms. I was, honestly, waiting for some part of the book to finally cross the line and it simply didn’t come – West remained properly respectful of his subject matter throughout the book.

But let’s get to the nut of the matter – would I recommend this book to others? Absolutely – but not if they’re not ready for the Theology of the Body as a whole. To be honest, I don’t think this is the best book with which to start studying the Theology of the Body – the subject matter is just too delicate and the reader might well be put off and assume the whole series does not show a sufficient deference to human sexuality. Let’s be honest – one does not start talking about dating with a discussion on sex. For those not yet ready for the hardest part of this teaching I would recommend one of Christopher West’s other books. At the same time I would hope people don’t stop there because this book in some ways acts as a capstone to the whole TOB.

To put it simply, should you read it? Yes, a thousand times yes, but only when you’re prepared. At the same time, if you’re like me and have had to struggle with overcoming years and years of screwed up teaching on sex and sexuality be prepared for some uncomfortable reflections on your past life. I’ll admit it, the book was hard to go through sometimes – but only because it reminded me of how far I’ve had to come and how far I still have to go. Perhaps the hardest part of dealing with this book is how positively it deals with the topic of sexuality. In many ways it’s easier, even if less accurate, to deal with it as a “just don’t” subject but TOB reminds us in the most direct terms that this whole area is a gift from God. If we can restore this pure understanding of our sexuality as both gift and calling the impact on society would be simply unbelievable.

This book needs to be on the shelves of all priests, deacons, catechists and anyone who may deal with the area of human sexuality. It is an important piece in the work to recover sexuality from the tailspin into which modern culture has tried to force it and restore to it the respect which it is due as a true gift of God. Finally, I have to agree with Sister Spitfire – since, as part of the review program, I got an unbound galley copy I’ll be buying the, if you will, “real” copy as soon as my book funds allow. I can already thing of several people to whom I will be recommending or lending this book as well. The Theology of the Body is a tremendous gift to the Church and the world as a whole and this book adds to it all in dealing well and respectfully with this most important area.

This review was written as part of The Catholic Company product reviewer program. Visit Catholic Company to find more information on Heaven’s Song.

Stolen whole and entire from NLM for all five of you out there who love the Extraordinary Form and don’t read NLM:

On Sunday, September 14th, members of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest will celebrate a Solemn High Mass at Our Lady of the Angels Monastery of the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration in Hanceville, Alabama.

The conventual Mass will be broadcast live by EWTN, the Global Catholic Network, to a worldwide audience of 140 million homes, through TV, radio, and live streaming video (Internet) at www.ewtn.com.

This could well prove to be a very nice birthday present for someone I know quite well on whose birthday it falls. Hmmm, I wonder who that is?

The Holy Father’s general prayer intention for September is: “That those who, because of wars or oppressive regimes, are forced to leave their homes and country may be supported by Christians in the defence and protection of their rights.”

His mission intention is: “That, faithful to the sacrament of matrimony, every Christian family may cultivate the values of love and communion in order to be a small evangelising community, sensitive and open to the material and spiritual needs of its brothers.”

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Them are some powerful intentions. Leave it to the Pope to wrap up the whole faith in two sentences.

From the “wow, things move fast sometimes files“:

Following some discomfort experienced while exercising, Bishop McCormack consulted with his physician, who recommended a cardiac evaluation. Bishop McCormack underwent a scheduled cardiac catheterization on Friday, August 29, 2008, performed by Dr. Louis I. Fink of the New England Heart Institute at Catholic Medical Center.

Based on the results of this procedure, and at the recommendation of his physicians, Bishop McCormack elected to have coronary artery bypass surgery. The surgery was performed by Dr. Benjamin M. Westbrook of Cardiothoracic Surgical Associates at Catholic Medical Center at 2:00 p.m. Friday.

Bishop McCormack is now recovering at Catholic Medical Center and is expected to be released from the hospital within the next few days.

I know many have had and continue to have issues with many things in Bishop McCormack’s past, but it is the Catholic thing to do to pray for him now as he recovers from this surgery. At just over 73 I have to imagine, even with all the medical advances in this type of surgery in recent years, this is going to be quite a strain. May this experience help him grow closer to Christ and help him to become an even better shepherd. Mother Mary, pray for him!

You get to pray the Benedictus, where Zechariah’s lips are opened after nine months of silence and a beautiful prayer of praise and thanksgiving pour forth at the birth of his son on the very day the Church celebrates that very John the Baptist’s beheading. It is impossible to miss the amazing and simultaneous contrast and coherence between the two events. To then pray, “[y]ou my child shall be called the prophet of the Most High, for you shall go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins” and to contemplate how that prophetic work, and indeed how nearly all of the prophets met their end, is simply sublime. If you haven’t started to pray the Breviary, now is a beautiful time to start.

…when in the initial paperwork is included the reminder that “[w]e will be going to Mass every Wednesday this year.” That’s the kind of information you just can’t see enough. Sure, it’s not daily, but the beauty of it is that it means you no longer have kids who go to the school and go through Sacrament and/or religion classes and don’t go to Mass because their parents won’t bother to take them. Yet another step in recovering the damage associated with nearly losing an entire generation. Deo gratias!

In counterpoint to the sour and dour of the last post …

My wife and I were laying in bed this morning telling each other that we really needed to get up, using our black lab as an excuse not to when my six-year-old daughter walked in. She usually tries to climb in bed and snuggle for a few minutes before we get up and moving for the day so we didn’t think anything of it.

Until we hear her address the dog with “the Lord be with you”. As we attempted to stifle impressed chuckles she proceeded to instruct him in the proper way to make the sign of the Cross. Now, St. Francis loved animals so maybe this is her inner Poor Clare coming out, but I don’t know. If nothing else, it reminds me how different her life is growing up knowing God and His Church from my life at her age without any of that.

I’ve often, to myself anyway, bemoaned the fact that nothing “interesting” ever seems to happen. I always see other people with stories of assisting at Mass with a Cardinal from the Vatican, or people helping to restore a church to beauty or having people approach them out of the blue to ask something about the Church. It’s the last one that really gets me for some reason – nobody ever seems to talk about anything religion-related even anywhere near me – it’s almost like I have a warning sign hanging aorund my neck or something. Or so I thought.

Thanks to a very crazy schedule I took my son to his Karate class tonight, not when we normally go. I sat there for the most of class watching him and scanning through the latest edition of First Things. Then I realized the people in front of me were talking about going to church and what a relationship with Jesus meant to them and the like. Just hearing that at all put a smile on my face since public shows of religion are, as I’ve said, pretty rare around here. Then I heard one of them say “I can’t believe they call him ‘Holy Father’ – don’t they know nobody is holy but God the Father?” My face, needless to say, dropped.

It didn’t stop there. I couldn’t catch the whole of the conversation because I was trying to be subtle and not be too obvious that they’d piqued my attention. Suffice it to say other classic and now-classic anti-Catholic statements were made including the usual trope about priestly celibacy which necessarily led to and revolved around the sex abuse scandal. I was, to say the least, no longer excited to hear this conversation. But I just couldn’t decide – was this the time to drop my nickel into this conversation or was it sufficiently inappropriate to butt in? Do I stand up and defend Holy Mother Church or do I suffer the indignity of having to hear their poorly informed slander and pray for their enlightenment?

What did I do in the end? I choked. Yup, dropped the ball straight on the floor. I let myself hide behind indecision and wound up doing neither. What really hurts about is that, simply, I know better. Do I pray now for their enlightenment? Absolutely, and a chance to be the one to bring that enlightenment about if it be God’s will. But I also know why God hasn’t dropped that type of discussion in my lap until now – I’ve just been not ready for it. Am I ready for it now? I don’t know, but I do know that the pain of listening to people slam Holy Mother Church unopposed is something I don’t want to have to go through again. Sometimes God gives us “put up or shut up” moments. I only hope I choose the right one if this comes to me again.