I will pray in reparation for the sins that we Christians have committed against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. And for the Christians who prefer to serve the prince of the power of the air, the god of this world, rather than the crucified Lord of glory.
Praying in reparation is like when my colleague at work found someone's dirty dishes in the communal sink (where there is a sign saying not to do that) and quietly took care of the mess instead of walking by without seeing it. It lifts up everyone whether they notice what was done for them or not.
We have to be careful not to do it in an attitude of superiority ("I never leave my dishes around - no one has ever had to clean up after me" - in the literal sense, it's hilariously wrong because we have all been babies) but instead to be open to the sudden gift of contrition for something nearly unrelated but which the Holy Spirit has been looking for a good quiet moment to bring up (and to cut His listener to the heart - with the reassurance from Him "I still love you, and loved you still before I pointed this out.")
well, of course I am a sinner too! otherwise I wouldn't get so annoyed every time you leave one of your lovely comments attempting to nuance my extremism.
Every time I write one it is about myself though, so having offered a mild unpleasantness today for an unrelated matter I am now waiting for the other (spiritual) shoe to drop, on my head.
I agree that the terms are fraught with imprecision. In this case, though, the groups in question operate mostly in the realm of secular poltiics, where they take up the conservative position. So that makes it pretty straightforward.
Still confusing, because people have different ideas of what orthodoxy means (since I have just been reading a little bit about Pascal and Port-Royal, examples of this naturally spring to mind.)
In the context of a news article about "groups" it's usually sufficient (for my own understanding) to get as far as the names of the groups. Then I know with what nuance to read a vague adjective... they are all going to be vague, after all. I can go read their mission statements or tweets if need be.
In the context of talking about an individual or of making generalizations about individuals (as opposed to formal "we have a name and a rallying cry and will put you on our mailing list if you like" groups), what I prefer more than precision of terms is for the words to have been written with a willingness (and a real effort in the moment) to see Christ in the person being described. Whether this has happened in any particular instance is not mine to judge in an author, but just a habit of mind that I ought to try to acquire myself. This is perhaps not a helpful answer, sorry.
I have talked in the comments of the pillar a number of times about my use of the terms "conservative" and "liberal" in the realm of ecclesiastical politics and theology, and I have extensive thoughts on why, when, and how to use them.
But in this case, the equation is simple -- the groups I am discussing sef-identify as (secularly) politically conservative, or consistently endorse or advocate for politically conservative candidates in secular elections. So in this case, I'm not using conservative to describe their Catholicism, or their positions on inter-Catholic issues, but their self-identified secular political positions.
Because I've lived in the Archdiocese of San Francisco, I've been hearing about the SPI for a long time. The Church took a conciliatory attitude towards them, and they've gotten bolder. Their presence and their mockery at a baseball event is painful. The statement from +Gomez is strong, and I don't think the Catholics' group confrontation is prudent. However, I wish Catholic response could meet in the middle. Take the Mass out of the Cathedral and bring it closer to the Stadium. The SPI is a serious affront specifically to Catholicism that is condoned in the public square. Our faithful response should also be public.
I guess the concern is if things go very south and violence erupts. It could be they want to distance themselves from appearing to push for anything that could incite a violent confrontation, no matter how likely or unlikely it is to occur, and regardless of who would start it.
Yes, agree. It's a very delicate situation. The SPI are deliberately offensive, though. These aren't people living their lives and their truth, presenting their authentic selves and loving who they love. This is a group whose sole purpose is to mock our faith, and they're being rewarded for it in the public square. I think the Church needs a tailored response.
Personally, I dont think the Holy Sacrifice should be offered anywhere near studium. The Church has other prayers that.can easily be prayed. The Mass is sacred and not a protest tool. We risk giving what is holy to dogs or casting pearls before swine.
In the Greek East we call the particles of the Body of Christ, "margaritas" which means "pearls."
Holy things should be treated in a holy way.
Mass should be offered in a sacred space in normal circumstances not in a parking lot with all sorts of craziness going on.
As long as intentions are being offered, my prayer during my noon run today was that as the ralliers(rally-ers?) follow the Blessed Sacrament, the presence of Christ will bind them to limit their protest to imitation of Him and they do nothing more than op[en their arms and pray 'Father forgive them, they know not what they do.'
I'm very proud of the USCCB in this regard. I hadn't paid enough attention to this situation to realize this blasphemous event was taking place on the actual Feast day, and it was our nation's bishops conference that enlightened me. I've shared their prayer request with as many people as I can (and salted it with a challenge to concurrent fasting). May God convert these sinners, and all sinners - most especially me! - to His Son's Sacred Heart!
The bishops are cowards following in the tradition of the apostles who left Jesus in the garden. This Sin-nod of Hospitality is nothing more than a re-work of the “The Emperor’s New Clothes”--a vain ruse that everyone can see but no one, out of apostolic cowardice, will do anything about.
I will pray in reparation for the sins that we Christians have committed against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. And for the Christians who prefer to serve the prince of the power of the air, the god of this world, rather than the crucified Lord of glory.
Praying in reparation is like when my colleague at work found someone's dirty dishes in the communal sink (where there is a sign saying not to do that) and quietly took care of the mess instead of walking by without seeing it. It lifts up everyone whether they notice what was done for them or not.
We have to be careful not to do it in an attitude of superiority ("I never leave my dishes around - no one has ever had to clean up after me" - in the literal sense, it's hilariously wrong because we have all been babies) but instead to be open to the sudden gift of contrition for something nearly unrelated but which the Holy Spirit has been looking for a good quiet moment to bring up (and to cut His listener to the heart - with the reassurance from Him "I still love you, and loved you still before I pointed this out.")
well, of course I am a sinner too! otherwise I wouldn't get so annoyed every time you leave one of your lovely comments attempting to nuance my extremism.
lol
Every time I write one it is about myself though, so having offered a mild unpleasantness today for an unrelated matter I am now waiting for the other (spiritual) shoe to drop, on my head.
Bridget, I love this explanation of prayers of reparation! 🙂
Shouldn't we state "Orthodox Catholics" instead of "Conservative Catholics"?
Well said. I prefer terminology that differentiates "cafeteria Catholics & orthodox Catholics"; much in agreement with how you described it.
I agree that the terms are fraught with imprecision. In this case, though, the groups in question operate mostly in the realm of secular poltiics, where they take up the conservative position. So that makes it pretty straightforward.
Makes perfect sense
Still confusing, because people have different ideas of what orthodoxy means (since I have just been reading a little bit about Pascal and Port-Royal, examples of this naturally spring to mind.)
That is fair. How do you prefer someone to describe the differences between serious Catholics & those who lite Catholics? I'm honestly asking.
In the context of a news article about "groups" it's usually sufficient (for my own understanding) to get as far as the names of the groups. Then I know with what nuance to read a vague adjective... they are all going to be vague, after all. I can go read their mission statements or tweets if need be.
In the context of talking about an individual or of making generalizations about individuals (as opposed to formal "we have a name and a rallying cry and will put you on our mailing list if you like" groups), what I prefer more than precision of terms is for the words to have been written with a willingness (and a real effort in the moment) to see Christ in the person being described. Whether this has happened in any particular instance is not mine to judge in an author, but just a habit of mind that I ought to try to acquire myself. This is perhaps not a helpful answer, sorry.
Thank you, makes sense, & I understand what you are saying.
Hi James.
I have talked in the comments of the pillar a number of times about my use of the terms "conservative" and "liberal" in the realm of ecclesiastical politics and theology, and I have extensive thoughts on why, when, and how to use them.
But in this case, the equation is simple -- the groups I am discussing sef-identify as (secularly) politically conservative, or consistently endorse or advocate for politically conservative candidates in secular elections. So in this case, I'm not using conservative to describe their Catholicism, or their positions on inter-Catholic issues, but their self-identified secular political positions.
Thank you for the response, the clarification, and your work at the Pillar.
Thank you for asking!
Because I've lived in the Archdiocese of San Francisco, I've been hearing about the SPI for a long time. The Church took a conciliatory attitude towards them, and they've gotten bolder. Their presence and their mockery at a baseball event is painful. The statement from +Gomez is strong, and I don't think the Catholics' group confrontation is prudent. However, I wish Catholic response could meet in the middle. Take the Mass out of the Cathedral and bring it closer to the Stadium. The SPI is a serious affront specifically to Catholicism that is condoned in the public square. Our faithful response should also be public.
I guess the concern is if things go very south and violence erupts. It could be they want to distance themselves from appearing to push for anything that could incite a violent confrontation, no matter how likely or unlikely it is to occur, and regardless of who would start it.
Yes, agree. It's a very delicate situation. The SPI are deliberately offensive, though. These aren't people living their lives and their truth, presenting their authentic selves and loving who they love. This is a group whose sole purpose is to mock our faith, and they're being rewarded for it in the public square. I think the Church needs a tailored response.
Personally, I dont think the Holy Sacrifice should be offered anywhere near studium. The Church has other prayers that.can easily be prayed. The Mass is sacred and not a protest tool. We risk giving what is holy to dogs or casting pearls before swine.
In the Greek East we call the particles of the Body of Christ, "margaritas" which means "pearls."
Holy things should be treated in a holy way.
Mass should be offered in a sacred space in normal circumstances not in a parking lot with all sorts of craziness going on.
As long as intentions are being offered, my prayer during my noon run today was that as the ralliers(rally-ers?) follow the Blessed Sacrament, the presence of Christ will bind them to limit their protest to imitation of Him and they do nothing more than op[en their arms and pray 'Father forgive them, they know not what they do.'
A beautiful idea but when mobs or rallies gather the "mob mentality" of many people is to become more emboldened.
Leave the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle and rally praying the rosaries, the Litanies.
The irreverence and blasphemy of many of us make us all weak.
I'm very proud of the USCCB in this regard. I hadn't paid enough attention to this situation to realize this blasphemous event was taking place on the actual Feast day, and it was our nation's bishops conference that enlightened me. I've shared their prayer request with as many people as I can (and salted it with a challenge to concurrent fasting). May God convert these sinners, and all sinners - most especially me! - to His Son's Sacred Heart!
Same here.
The bishops are cowards following in the tradition of the apostles who left Jesus in the garden. This Sin-nod of Hospitality is nothing more than a re-work of the “The Emperor’s New Clothes”--a vain ruse that everyone can see but no one, out of apostolic cowardice, will do anything about.