Thursday, August 16, 2007

The Assumption... What Now?


Yesterday was the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, one of my favorite days of the liturgical calendar. My favorite hymn is sung during that feast, Hail Holy Queen Enthroned Above. Ever since it was sung on "Sister Act," I've loved that song. It's an important day for all Catholics and hence a holy day of obligation. But after the Mass is over, after the sun has set, what now?

The Fest of the Assumption is a day of obligation because Mary's witness is so perfect that we, as Christians, should imitate her in our lives. We should strive to be like Mary in order to devote ourselves completely to Christ. Just as she was an instrument of God, giving birth to our Lord, so we must become instruments of God and help "give birth" to his light in the world.

Suggested Reading: True Devotion to Mary, St. Louis de Montfort

Tragedy and Peru: A Speculation

I woke up this morning and did my morning routine which involves checking the news online. “Breaking News” on most sites this morning was an earthquake in Peru that killed 337 people (thus far). The quake was followed by strong aftershocks and a tiny, 1-foot tsunami. This is a horrible tragedy for the people of Peru and my prayers are with the victims, their families and those who are suffering both directly and indirectly from this disaster.

After the initial shock wore off, I was saddened to think that this could happen on a Marian feast day, the Feast of the Assumption, but then immediately something came to mind. Peru has been in the news lately, as have many latin American countries. While Castro and Chavez seem to make headlines now and then, I’m referring more specifically about the legalization of abortion for the first time in many of these countries.

Before I continue, I’m not the type of person to say that disasters happen because people are wicked, etc. You won’t find me subscribing to the theory that the Holocaust was some form of divine punishment for the Jews having rejected Christ. That line of thinking, in my opinion, is often lacking an understanding of God as both pure justice and pure love. You also won’t find me saying that God doesn’t punish. I only have to pick up my Bible, flip to the Old Testament and read about Sodom and Gomorrah.

And so… in the spirit of throwing out theories that are based purely in speculation, I can’t help but correlate this immense disaster with the recent practice of abortion in Peruvian hospitals, as well as, the recent (2005) UN decreed legalization of the morning after pill in Peru. Also, US-funded organizations in league with the UN Population Fund are trying to legalize abortion under the guise of “women’s health.” Read about it here.

What worse way could one deny Christ and His mother than to deny the very miracle of life and motherhood? I don’t know about you, but breaking my mother’s heart is not something I want to do. In the same way, breaking Mother Mary’s heart is never something I want to do. Has Peru broken her heart?

Monday, August 06, 2007

Catholic Culture - Wow!

This is a post where we (Bryan and Jenny) share with you some really cool Catholic culture "stuff" we've come across lately. If you know of anything (music, websites, clothing, bumper stickers, news, anything!), please email us and we'll gladly include it in our next Catholic Culture posting. Here we go...

MUSIC:

Last Day - Happy Medium
I just found out about this band today (I feel out of the loop!). I love their sound (especially the song Chasing Tomorrow) and I'm definitely going to buy this album. Click here to preview the album.

They're apparently playing at the CrossRoads Catholic Music Festival in September. Click here to check out more about the festival!

Point 5 Covenant - Listen. Learn.
This band has a very urban beastie boys-like sound. I first came across these guys on YouTube in a video of them from the Catholic Underground in New York. You can preview and buy their album from PhatMass. They also have an official site, http://point5covenant.com/


GEAR:

RomanticCatholic.com
This is a great site with great shirt designs. The best part about this company though is that it's a lay ministry in Colorado. The ministry team is made up of RCIA team members, youth leaders, etc. This is a great idea and their designs are top notch.