Sean Taylor dies

I know you're probably wondering why I'm writing about this on Discerning Sainthood, after all, Sean Taylor wasn't Catholic (that I know of). The fact is, I'm a big Redskins fan and this is definitely a day of mourning for all Redskins fans. He was one awesome football player, a joy to watch and only 24 years old. From ESPN...

"His father called and said he was with Christ and he cried and thanked me," said Sharpstein, Taylor's former lawyer. "It's a tremendously sad and unnecessary event. He was a wonderful, humble, talented young man, and had a huge life in front of him. Obviously God had other plans."

God bless his family and friends, the Skins organizations and all the players. Sean, you were a pleasure to watch and you'll be greatly, greatly missed. Please take time today to pray for his soul and his family.

Thank you.

This Little Light of Mine

". . . the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
John 1:5

Not only rich in meaning and beautiful in verse, but profound and dramatic in its implications for us as Christians, John 1:5 testifies to the gift of light found in Christ alone. He is salvation and He is the light of the world. We are called to be part of Christ's body, and to shine in this world as Christ does, to burst through the darkness of sin into which we were born.
Christians, let your light shine in this world!

A prayer:
Christ our Lord,
through you we received the gift of light at baptism,
and as you are the Light in the darkness, let us also be.
Through you and in you may we shine brightly,
And, following the way of Your servant, John the Baptist,
may we testify to the Light unceasingly.
AMEN.

Movie Review: Bella

Last night, Jenny and I were fortunate enough to see "Bella" for free with a sold out crowd. If you haven't heard about "Bella" it's an independant film directed by Alejandro Monteverde and starring Eduardo Verastegui. It's won several awards at film festivals all over the US and beyond and is quickly becoming a conservative Christian's favorite film of 2007. The movie is boasted to have a Catholic flavor and pro-life message.

After seeing the movie I can honestly say it's incredible. At the same time, is it a rallying cry for pro-lifers? No. The movie, while having a latino-Catholic flair, does not in any way, shape or form push any type of morality and religion on its audience. Is the story a pro-life stand? Only if every movie ever made where a single mother decides to have her baby is a pro-life stand.

Don't read my wrong here. The movie is fantastic. I was smiling ear to ear through every part where tears weren't building up in my eyes. I love this film and I love that it really does show the beauty of love for a child, the inner struggle of people, and the outcomes of the choices (and mistakes) that we make. All I'm saying is that nothing is shoved down your throat (which is a great thing!).

While this movie is no standard to march behind, it is an instant classic. The script is clean, funny and heart-warming. The acting is top notch and the music is superb. In other words, we (pro-life Christians) don't need this film to be a staunch pro-life banner. Sometimes we just need a good story to remind us why life is so precious.

I've heard of movie critics who have blasted this film for its "moral pushing," and I must say... "what film did you see?" Honestly, I was kind of hoping for a little moral pushing, but there was none to be had. I guess it goes to show that people with agendas (in this case, the critics), will say whatever it takes to bring something so beautiful down.

Go see this movie.

Happy All Saints Day!

A history lesson thanks to AmericanCatholic.org...

" The earliest certain observance of a feast in honor of all the saints is an early fourth-century commemoration of "all the martyrs." In the early seventh century, after successive waves of invaders plundered the catacombs, Pope Boniface IV gathered up some 28 wagonloads of bones and reinterred them beneath the Pantheon, a Roman temple dedicated to all the gods. The pope rededicated the shrine as a Christian church. According to Venerable Bede, the pope intended "that the memory of all the saints might in the future be honored in the place which had formerly been dedicated to the worship not of gods but of demons" (On the Calculation of Time).

But the rededication of the Pantheon, like the earlier commemoration of all the martyrs, occurred in May. Many Eastern Churches still honor all the saints in the spring, either during the Easter season or immediately after Pentecost.

How the Western Church came to celebrate this feast in November is a puzzle to historians. The Anglo-Saxon theologian Alcuin observed the feast on November 1 in 800, as did his friend Arno, Bishop of Salzburg. Rome finally adopted that date in the ninth century."

Bash Those Catholics

Recently I read an article on Catholic.org about Britney Spears' new album art. Apparently included in her new album are pictures of her mocking the sacrament of confession. She appears in fishnets posing in provocative ways next to a hunky priest. I can't help but agree with Deacon Keith Fournier (the author of the article and deacon at my parish church) when he says...

"...that the only acceptable discrimination in America these days is bigotry toward the Catholic Church."

It's horribly true it seems... like there's some sort of "Okay Seal" on media training sheets that instructs journalists to make sure they're sensitive to every interest group on the planet except for those Catholics.

I'm honestly at a loss for what to say anymore. It's getting harder and harder to write this blog when the world seems to be getting darker and darker. I guess we all have to finish the race and keep the faith. From Deacon...

"In the meantime, we can pray for Britney. We must also continue to stand up against the continued exploitation of the images of our Church by those who have no shame."