Forget my last post: one of my favorite contributors to First Things has put all my thoughts into words better than I ever could have. Enjoy.
The Drama of Hallowmas by Sally Thomas
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Halloween
So shoot me, I like Halloween. In college my "power encounter" professor (its like an evangelical Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher) told me it was unhealthy to like such a demonized day and fellow classmates told me I was "playing with fire" to recognize the 31st at all. Really?
Yesterday afternoon Lucy and I took a walk down town to buy a pie pumpkin. It was dreary outside, just a little cold. Birds picked morsels out of people's dead gardens, leaves sat heaped up in piles by the curb, the air felt colder than it had before. The earth dies, in part, during the Fall. We can talk about the happy circle of life all we want: there is something a little spooky about walking around on a gloomy afternoon in autumn seeing this kind of decay.
Halloween is the eve of All Saints Day. In the church it is a time to remember the saints and those we love who have passed on. We pray for the dead, for a quick journey through purgatory. Now I don't think gore and guts are the way to memorialize the day when we meditate on death. And of course it shouldn't be done fatalistically-- all meditation should be performed with some expectation of our redemption and resurrection. But refusing to take the time on Halloween-- or All Hallows Eve, or Hell-oween or whatever you want to call it-- to think about the inevitable reality of dying seems flippant. And since we do celebrate Christ's victory over death and the joy of those who are with Him now, the candy and costumes are just fine by me too.
Yesterday afternoon Lucy and I took a walk down town to buy a pie pumpkin. It was dreary outside, just a little cold. Birds picked morsels out of people's dead gardens, leaves sat heaped up in piles by the curb, the air felt colder than it had before. The earth dies, in part, during the Fall. We can talk about the happy circle of life all we want: there is something a little spooky about walking around on a gloomy afternoon in autumn seeing this kind of decay.
Halloween is the eve of All Saints Day. In the church it is a time to remember the saints and those we love who have passed on. We pray for the dead, for a quick journey through purgatory. Now I don't think gore and guts are the way to memorialize the day when we meditate on death. And of course it shouldn't be done fatalistically-- all meditation should be performed with some expectation of our redemption and resurrection. But refusing to take the time on Halloween-- or All Hallows Eve, or Hell-oween or whatever you want to call it-- to think about the inevitable reality of dying seems flippant. And since we do celebrate Christ's victory over death and the joy of those who are with Him now, the candy and costumes are just fine by me too.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Trip to DC
We had a great time in DC. The trip out was smooth sailing-- Lucy was a trooper, there were few cars on the road, and we made it there in record time. We took a wrong turn at the hotel and ended up downtown rather than in Virginia where we were staying, but it afforded us a quick drive-through tour of the Capitol's landmarks. With a little room service, baths, and TV in bed we felt plenty refreshed.
The next day was horribly rainy and cold (for us, anyway). Still, Lucy and I made it to the Museum of Natural History and the Museum of American History while Alan was at his conference. Lucy loved the gemstones, the dinosaur bones, and the animal dioramas; the first ladies' dresses, Kermit, and the Hope Diamond were a little less thrilling for her. We turned in early, thoroughly soaked and chilled to the bone.
Sunday was Lucy's birthday. Before my parents came in for a visit we went to the national shrine. What a beautiful church! All the art work I saw is another post in itself. The mass was beautiful as well and it was neat to see so many Catholics from all over the country meeting there to worship.
After my parents arrived and Alan got back from his meetings we partied! Lucy opened her presents, we ate tasty Japanese food, and stayed up late drinking cider and eating apple donuts. I think Lucy enjoyed herself at her makeshift party.
I'm glad we went. After we booked the trip I thought it was a mistake, that maybe we should have sent Alan on his own. But why should he get to travel while we stay at home? I like this arrangement much better: he goes to hear a lecture, me and kids traipse around the city!
The next day was horribly rainy and cold (for us, anyway). Still, Lucy and I made it to the Museum of Natural History and the Museum of American History while Alan was at his conference. Lucy loved the gemstones, the dinosaur bones, and the animal dioramas; the first ladies' dresses, Kermit, and the Hope Diamond were a little less thrilling for her. We turned in early, thoroughly soaked and chilled to the bone.
Sunday was Lucy's birthday. Before my parents came in for a visit we went to the national shrine. What a beautiful church! All the art work I saw is another post in itself. The mass was beautiful as well and it was neat to see so many Catholics from all over the country meeting there to worship.
After my parents arrived and Alan got back from his meetings we partied! Lucy opened her presents, we ate tasty Japanese food, and stayed up late drinking cider and eating apple donuts. I think Lucy enjoyed herself at her makeshift party.
I'm glad we went. After we booked the trip I thought it was a mistake, that maybe we should have sent Alan on his own. But why should he get to travel while we stay at home? I like this arrangement much better: he goes to hear a lecture, me and kids traipse around the city!
Friday, October 9, 2009
Speak Up
I know, I know, who needs another earful of my opinions? But sometimes speaking up pays off. This summer I came across an article on contraception and religion at About.com. There was a rather disparaging remark in the essay about contraception and Catholics, stating the Church only permits sex when pregnancy may result. Anyone familiar with NFP as approved by the church knows this isn't true.
So I emailed the author and asked her to change it. And she did! She kindly replaced her statement with mention of the unitive and procreative aspects of sex with regards to the ban on contraception, so on and so forth. It may not seem like a big deal, but I was happy to lessen the load of internet misinformation rather than adding to it for once :)
Lesson of the day: say something. You'd be surprised how willing many folks are to listen. Sorry to say that running my mouth has gotten me a lot this past year: coupons, rebates, a chance to copy edit for a certain political up-start (I won't say who!). I even got to slam Oprah a little in "First Things"-- what could be better!?
So I emailed the author and asked her to change it. And she did! She kindly replaced her statement with mention of the unitive and procreative aspects of sex with regards to the ban on contraception, so on and so forth. It may not seem like a big deal, but I was happy to lessen the load of internet misinformation rather than adding to it for once :)
Lesson of the day: say something. You'd be surprised how willing many folks are to listen. Sorry to say that running my mouth has gotten me a lot this past year: coupons, rebates, a chance to copy edit for a certain political up-start (I won't say who!). I even got to slam Oprah a little in "First Things"-- what could be better!?
"The only tired I was, was tired of giving in." -Rosa Parks
"Americans are so enamored of equality, they would rather be equal in slavery than unequal in freedom." -Alexi de Tocqueville
"Americans are so enamored of equality, they would rather be equal in slavery than unequal in freedom." -Alexi de Tocqueville
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Madison Greene, where are you?
I know the answer to this question: one of the only indie bands I've ever loved disbanded years ago to form other groups that I'm not so crazy about. The lead singer had a clear, soft voice and the accompanying percussion was easy to listen to. Anyhow, in college I was particularly fond of a song from Madison Greene that I don't know the title to. The lyrics are almost incomprehensible but I've typed them up as I hear them here just for fun:
And this could be my hardest break
A little time, a little cold
I see you in the landscape of my heart
And maybe there where the mirror breaks
Life could have more reflection
Would I feel so many worlds away?
And could we laugh some time?
There are no changes today
(Maybe there are reasons today we don’t laugh)
And there are no changes today
And practice works for quite a while
Maybe I could find it out
Find it out when I step out of time
And someone said you died for me
You took a dive, years ago
And I want to believe that its not just a fairytale
And could we talk some time?
There are no changes today
(Maybe there are reasons we find we don’t talk)
And there are no changes today
This could be the kindest word
Anyone has ever heard
And its all, its all just a season away
Or this could be the longest wait
Maybe all eternity
If I, if I can stand
If I can stand
There are no seeds in the ground
Maybe if we talked a while then
Maybe if we laughed a while
If I, if I can stand
If I can stand
If you are a fan of the band, know the name of this song, or can add a correction to my lyrics, please leave a comment. I always thought this song was, for all its vagueness, a good portrayal of the expectations, doubts, and hopes of the journey towards Jesus, that God-man who often seems ragged, wild, and motioning for us to turn (to quote O'Connor yet again).
And this could be my hardest break
A little time, a little cold
I see you in the landscape of my heart
And maybe there where the mirror breaks
Life could have more reflection
Would I feel so many worlds away?
And could we laugh some time?
There are no changes today
(Maybe there are reasons today we don’t laugh)
And there are no changes today
And practice works for quite a while
Maybe I could find it out
Find it out when I step out of time
And someone said you died for me
You took a dive, years ago
And I want to believe that its not just a fairytale
And could we talk some time?
There are no changes today
(Maybe there are reasons we find we don’t talk)
And there are no changes today
This could be the kindest word
Anyone has ever heard
And its all, its all just a season away
Or this could be the longest wait
Maybe all eternity
If I, if I can stand
If I can stand
There are no seeds in the ground
Maybe if we talked a while then
Maybe if we laughed a while
If I, if I can stand
If I can stand
If you are a fan of the band, know the name of this song, or can add a correction to my lyrics, please leave a comment. I always thought this song was, for all its vagueness, a good portrayal of the expectations, doubts, and hopes of the journey towards Jesus, that God-man who often seems ragged, wild, and motioning for us to turn (to quote O'Connor yet again).
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