In the Catholic faith we have so much goodness and beauty in our Scriptures and Tradition.
I'm not sure why, but recently I've run into a fair number of Catholics who have been shocked to discover that they didn't learn everything about Catholicism in their Catholic schools or being raised a Catholic.  I've heard that from adults as well as students of mine in the classroom.

For example, I informed my students about the need to refrain from receiving communion if they have committed a mortal sin and not yet gone to confession for it (you can read more about that here).  One student raised his hand and asked, "Why didn't they tell us this?"  It was a fair question and a one that clearly he was serious about because he wanted to follow what the Church teaches for his own good.



One explanation as to "why" the teachings don't come down can certainly be that we are not always ready to be taught everything at once.  Just as we teach about gravity in a basic sense in elementary school, but then we learn it in a more extensive way in middle-school, and even more about it as high schoolers.  one may ask, "Why didn't they teach me everything about gravity right away," and the response would be "You weren't able to fully understand it at a younger age.

Another explanation is that there was a time when even those who were doing the teaching of the faith either failed to communicate it or thought that there were other important subjects that took priority (which is something to be debated in another blog post).

Either way, we have quite a few Catholics who are justly concerned that they weren't taught the fullness of the faith.

Now, with that being said, we live in a day where we can get all of this information on our computers.  You may have heard of this new discovery of the "internet."


While we can justly complain about the fact that many of us were poorly catechized, complaining does not change the fact that there are a lot of things that we need to learn about our faith for us to have the greatest life possible here on earth and in heaven!

I would argue that because we live in the time of the internet, we, as Catholics, have a grave responsibility to study and discover more about our faith than any previous generation of Catholics.  "To those whom much is given, much will be expected.  "Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more." (Luke 12:48)

So with that, I want to point out a few good resources where you can learn more about your faith in many different ways:


1. ACTUALLY READ THE BIBLE!  You may have tried before, but too often, we get caught up in some of the difficult passages of the Bible.  Well, if you are going to start I'll suggest this: Read the Gospel of Luke and then Acts of the Apostles.  This teaches you about the life of Jesus followed by what the Church is about from the beginning.  If you don't have a Bible, then get it online here.

2. ACTUALLY STUDY THE BIBLE WITH THE CHURCH!  Way too many people just go with "interpreting" the Bible on their own and so often this leads to very stupid, offensive, and sinful conclusions which we can observe in our society!  An example is the Westboro Baptist "church." I'm not even going to link their pictures because it is just foolish.  But, they are using the same Bible to justify their choices as I do to condemn their actions.  So, how are we to interpret this Bible?  Well, that's where the Church comes in.  It's important to interpret the Bible in conjunction with the Sacred Tradition of the Church that has been handed down through the centuries with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Apostles, and their successors.  If we just go it alone, we will come to some faulty conclusions.  It's even interesting to note that the Church existed before the Bible did because it was the Church, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, actually put the Bible together!  You can learn more about that from this book which is only 1.99 in Kindle form!

3. RADIO! You can actually turn off Miley or Luke Bryan and turn on a Catholic radio station!  Contrary to most beliefs, your car still has the AM button and it works.  So, turn on some Catholic radio stations and you'll actually learn about your faith.  If you don't know where to find your local Catholic radio station then, check the list HERE! (amazing, this internet thing, huh?)

4. PODCASTS!  If you prefer to listen to people talk about the faith, but you can't tun in at the right time, then you can actually download your podcasts through iTunes or any other provider and get the information you need.  I will post a separate blog about podcasts, listing as many as I can, but the ones I will quickly offer her are a CatholicAnswers, Catholic Stuff You Should Know, and any from EWTN.

5. BLOGS! This is probably the most difficult because there are so many different blogs out there, that it is difficult to know which ones to trust, which ones are accurate and which ones can be trusted.  I'll be sure to have a couple posts about which ones I read and why in the near future.

6. BOOKS!  There are a lot of books out there and many people, myself included, still like to read physical books and you can get them still, believe it or not.  Like blogs, there are so many to search through that it can be intimidating.  Like the others, I'll put up a blog post about finding good books.  Until then, I'll give you this little tidbit: Ignatius.com This is probably the most trusted source for Catholic books that will teach you the truths of the faith.  They have an incredible history of fidelity to the faith and depth of their knowledge.  Very good resource.  Also, check your local Catholic books stores.  For locals here in the Twin Cities, I will promote Leaflet Missal Company in St. Paul

7. PUBLICATIONS!  There are many good Catholic periodicals that are found both in physical form and electronic form.  I subscribe to several of these and read them religiously (see what I did there).  I'll talk more about them later, but my favorite is First Things which has a strong history of intelligent writing and accuracy on Church teaching while speaking directly to the controversial elements in our society.

So we can all complain about the fact that we didn't learn, but we do not have an excuse in this time where so much is accessible.  We need to, as Catholics, continue our study and learning on our own.  And I guarantee that as you study more about Jesus and his teachings, you will learn to love him more and your life will become more joyful in the future and in your life here and now.

Today is the great solemnity of Pentecost.  It is one of the most important celebrations in the Church, and yet it so often passes as just another day in the life of the Church.  It typically occurs in the spring and many people are way on vacation (or holiday for those of you north of the border).

Regardless, this is a solemnity that deserves much more attention because it pertains directly to our living our Catholic faith.  The Holy Spirit was sent to the Church for the purpose of helping us to live our life as Catholics, as believers in Jesus Christ.  And so it has been proclaimed from day one of the life of the Church (as we heard in the first reading today).

Sadly, I think many Catholics take this Holy Spirit fellow for granted and simply assume that He is at work in the Church and will get us to do things if he so desires and thus I really don't need to do much to get him to "activate," it will simply happen.

However, as I was preparing for my homily, a line stood out to me in a new way.  It was the last line of the second reading where Paul writes, "...we were all given to drink of the one Spirit."  I envision a drink of water, a drink of a beverage.  The beverage is presented to the person, but it is the recipient's decision to drink or not.

I think we are at a time in the life of our Church where many times we are being presented with the drink of the one Spirit, but many times, we choose not to receive that Spirit into our lives.  Rather, we thank God for the wonderful gift of his Spirit, and then set in on a coaster next to the coffee from yesterday morning.

We need to decide to drink in this Spirit.  We need to receive this gift from God and choose to bring it into our lives, into our existence.  What we really  need to do is build a relationship with the Holy Spirit.  We need to pray to the Holy Spirit daily, building a relationship that guides our actions, our decisions, our way of living.  This may sound like a repeat of many preachers throughout the generations of Christianity, but it needs to be said again.  The Holy Spirit is a person who wants a living relationship with you, not simply a passive force in the world of nature that moves regardless of interaction.  The Holy Spirit must be someone who the Church (all the baptized believers) choose to have alive in their lives.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, "[The Holy Spirit] comes to meet us and kindles faith in us. By virtue of our Baptism, the first sacrament of the faith, the Holy Spirit in the Church communicates to us, intimately and personally, the life that originates in the Father and is offered to us in the Son." (CCC 683)

If we do not include the Holy Spirit in our daily lives, it's no surprise that we have trouble living our faith.  For Paul states, "No one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except by the Holy Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:3).  The Holy Spirit is necessary for us to live our faith.  Without Him, Paul seems to even imply that it will be impossible to live the faith.

That is why the architecture of St. Peter's Basilica has at the center of the back of the apse, an image of the Holy Spirit:

The intent behind this location of the Holy Spirit is that it is visible and gives a warm light to the body of the Church, the believers, us!  The Holy Spirit should be seen throughout the body of the Church and ought to guide the activity of the Church.  Here we have a powerful example of the life of faith spoken in the architecture.

So I encourage you to read the scripture passages about the Holy Spirit.  See what the Holy Spirit is about in scripture.  Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church about the Holy Spirit.  See what the Sacred Tradition handed down to us teaches us about the third person of the Holy Trinity.  Then, begin to pray to the Holy Spirit, drink of that one Spirit to be guided daily in loving God and loving your neighbor.

Do good. Avoid evil. Say your prayers.

I've always found a bit sorry for Thomas.  A truly great follower of Christ who diligently spread the Catholic faith to India.  However, he's most known for his moment of doubt; hence the title "Doubting Thomas."  Peter is never remembered at "Denying Peter," or John as "Faithful John" for remaining at the cross.  But this is Thomas' most famous moment.

However, in this moment, I think the Holy Spirit works in some beautiful ways.  For example, through this moment of doubt, God teaches us about doubt.  I think if we're honest, we all have moments of doubt in our faith.  It can creep in on us seemingly without warning, it can hit us in moments of pain, it can just be like a fungus that grows slowly in our hearts.  However it occurs, it's a rather common experience.  But Thomas actually expressing his doubt, and having it recorded in the Bible, God uses that to teach us two things:

First, that if we have doubt, we can still be a Saint!  Even though Thomas doubted, that didn't prevent him from following the will of God.  It was an encounter with the risen Christ that changed his life and he was able to follow the will of God to another continent to spread the Good News.  The same is true for us.  If we have doubts, that doesn't mean its the end of faith.  Rather, it means that we need to be prepared for however God wants to approach us to make the doubt evaporate.  I'm not saying Jesus will appear to you in the flesh, but perhaps Jesus is speaking to you in some other way.  Do not hang on to your doubt.  Do not cling to it, but be read to cast it off when Jesus does reach out to you.  Be open to an encounter.

Secondly, this passage teaches us that faith, by its very nature, does not require an earthly proof.  "Blessed are those who have not seen and still believe."  Our faith probably does look very strange to the world.  We shouldn't be surprised by this.  Rather, we should be ones who work to share the faith that we have with others we meet.  It was Bl. Theresa of Calcutta (AKA Mother Theresa) who said that evangelization is taking the Jesus that is in your heart and putting him in the heart of another.  That is how we must share the faith that we have with others.

So, in honor of today, here is a copy of the one of the best images of Doubting Thomas painted by Caravaggio (my favorite artist of al time.

Pope Francis has been one who has preached with his actions throughout his entire papacy (for as fresh as it still is).  What is important, though, is for us to listen to his words as well and at the Wednesday audience yesterday, he presented an essential element of the faith: service.

In a desire to be orthodox in our theology, it is very easy to forget about the importance of service to others in not only their spiritual needs, but their physical needs as well.  The Pontiff said,

"We must make it so that our brothers and sisters never feel alone...Our presence in solidarity to their side expresses not only with words but with the eloquence of gestures that God is close to all."

He even said something that might seem a little harsh: "A Christian refusing to serve others is pagan."  But how true this is!  Our Lord even states that to love only those who love you back is something even the pagans do.  This is not something impressive or amazing.  It take zero faith to love someone who loves you back.  (cf Matt 5:43-48).  He is only stating what our Lord stated.  We must go out of our way to love those who don't love us back; we must love those who don't know us; we must love the stranger.  This is the mark of the Christian.

I see Pope Francis living this out on a regular basis.  Just recently, on his birthday, he celebrated mass with four homeless men and then spent time at the near by orphanage.  When reading about this, I was thinking about how I celebrate my own birthday.  I often desire to be with my friends, to see a movie or have some other gathering to celebrate me.  It's not that this is an terrible desire, but couldn't this be an opportunity to celebrate my birth by doing the thing God designed me to do, care for others.

As we prepare for the celebration of the birth of Christ, it is important that we all pray about WHY Jesus was born: to serve humanity in love.  Then, when we realize this truth about Jesus, let us realize WHY each of us was born: to serve God and humanity in love.

Read more here at: http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/pope-a-christian-refusing-to-serve-others-is-pagan/

It was obvious from the previews that Elysium was going to feel quite a bit like District 9, the first movie by director Neill Blomkamp, and indeed it did.  District 9 was heavy on the social commentary and Blomkamp did not deviate far from that style.  Elysium was laced (read loaded) with social commentary covering several social issues facing our world today including immigration, resource distribution, health care and a couple others.

First, as a movie, the visuals were fantastic.  While it didn't look much different than District 9, it was still very effective.  The world Blomkamp creates is very believable.  In particular, there was a scene where Max, the protagonist, was forced to visit his "parol officer" who turned out to be an automated robot that was not much different from a drive-thru order speaker.  The acting was also well done, with the exception of the attempted accent of Jodi Foster (I suspect because she was surrounded with South Africans, their accent was rubbing off on her).  The CGI was fantastic, edited and incorporated well.  The language was quite strong, using many four-letter words (and I don't mean pray), while noting only one "JC" used.  Also, there were some very violent deaths which necessitate an "R" rating.  It was not all that different from District 9 if you saw that movie.  All-in-all, very well acted and produced.

As far as the story telling went, it was a bit heavy-handed at times with the language used, but I would say that it was effective.  Blomkamp's goal was to make the viewer a bit uncomfortable and it did.  At certain points, I found myself mentally examining the situation of the world today.  I believe that any person who sees this film will be examining many of the ideas that surround our world today.  The movie will probably start conversations about policies, laws and cultural ideas.  For a Catholic seeing this film, it would be very important to learn about the Catholic social teachings of the Church, particularly those that pertain to immigration and resources.  Many of these principles can be found in the text called "The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church."  The whole text can be found online HERE.  (It can be found in book form HERE).  This text lays out the principles of the Church as the pertain to how we ought to interact with one another.  This text is NOT an explanation of what every person or society should do in every situation.  Rather, it uses Scripture and Tradition to lay out principles that all of us must apply to the situations in which we find ourselves.  I am of the opinion that this text should be on the shelf of every Catholic along side their Bible and Catechism.  This text is very helpful in the discussions that the movie Elysium will inspire.

A movie like this can force many people to dig in deeper into their own opinions about these ideas.  Many times we will distribute our ideas unsolicited and while being uniformed.  This can create arguments that are not terribly beneficial to us or others around us.  If you are going to enter into this type of discussion, it's important to prepare yourself...so be sure to pray before entering into this type of discussion (either alone or even with the person with whom you will chat).  That way, you will be more open to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit.

Many Catholics will have strong opinions about these topics, but it is essential that we argue from principles backed by Scripture and Tradition rather than our own political opinions or ideas.  This will helps us to promote the truths of Christ's teaching for the world AND (here's the tough part), ensure that our personal beliefs are in accord with the teachings of Christ and his Church as well.  That is where the movie can be most effective.  It is important to have our own ideas challenged from time-to-time to either solidify our own beliefs or to perhaps have them reexamined to ensure that they conform to the truth.

As a science fiction fan, this movie contained so many of the things I enjoy about the entire genre of science fiction.  I first got into science fiction through Star Trek: The Next Generation.  It is only looking back that I am able to realize that I was attracted to science fiction because it would raise questions in my mind in the areas of philosophy, sociology, and political.  I don't always agree with the ideas that the directors or writers will be pushing, but they made me think about them.  Elysium does not fail in this area.  It poses many questions, not necessarily philosophical regarding our existence, but many about sociology and political.

Should you go?  First, ask yourself if you can handle the violence and language.  If not, then stay home and enjoy a classic film like "I Confess." Is this movie a new challenge to our political and social policies, obviously not, but it can be a new way of looking at them.  If you want a good conversation starter with a friend, then definitely go, but prepare yourself by reading ahead of time.  If you want a movie that contains many of the great elements of science fiction...MUST GO!

On my usual rating system: 4/5 stars

P.S. (I will have a post about my "usual rating system" some time in the future)

Update: I should mention I don't think that the solutions to our social and political problems are easily solved.  They will take a great deal of work, sacrifice and humility by a great deal of people.  Blomkamp may be showing a "quick" solution in this movie, but I don't think even he would admit that it can be as easy or should be conducted in the way that he shows.  With that being said, I hope that people do have informed discussion about some of these topics.

Quick confession: I have never watched an episode of American Idol.  It is a very fascinating (and financially lucrative) concept.  In the tenth season of the show (2011), Abrams was a contestant who was eliminated.  Since then, he has gone on to recording two albums.  Today's selection is from his second album released earlier this year.  Take a listen:




















How can they be happy without "stuff"?  I think the words of Bl. John Paul II to the youth of the world back in 1993:

Who then can understand and satisfy our expectations? Who but the One who is the Author of Life can satisfy the expectations that he himself has placed in our hearts? He draws close to each and every one of us in order to announce a hope that will never disappoint; he who is both the way and the life: the pathway into life. Left to ourselves, we could never achieve the ends for which we have been created. Within us there is a promise which we find we are incapable of attaining. But the Son of God who came among us has given his personal assurance: "I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life" (Jn 14:6). As Saint Augustine so strikingly phrased it, Christ "wishes to create a place in which it is possible for all people to find true life". This "place" is his Body and his Spirit, in which the whole of human life, redeemed and forgiven, is renewed and made divine. The whole text can be found HERE

There has been an incredible outpouring of support for the people of Aurora, the victims, and their families.  Any words I could give would be inadequate.  I will simply repost here what has been posted by a few others whom I respect.

First, from Archbishop Aquila who was just installed 48 hours prior.



May Christ reign in our hearts now and forever.

John Mayer is probably my second favorite guitarist (the first being Mark Knopfler).  Now, I must confess that I was not a fan of John Mayer originally.  Sadly, I had only heard his music that was played on the radio.  I was under the impression that the radio music was the only work that he had done.  Later, to my surprise, I was exposed to the DVD of his live performance called "Where the Light Is."  It was on this live performance, particularly in the middle set with the John Mayer Trio where you really get to see him play the blues...and it is great!  All of the sudden, I had a new found respect for the guitar skills of John Mayer.  Very impressive.

So, I was happy to see a new studio album released, but I was fearful that it would be more the same with regard to the studio albums...and it basically is.

However, there was one song whose title immediately caught my attention: Love is a Verb



Love is a verb
It ain't a thing
It's not something you own
It's not something you scream

When you show me love
I don't need your words
Yeah love ain't a thing
Love is a verb
Love ain't a thing
Love is a verb

Love ain't a crutch
It ain't an excuse
No you can't get through love
On just a pile of I-O-Us

Love ain't a drug
Despite what you've heard
Yeah love ain't a thing
Love is a verb
Love ain't a thing
Love is a verb

So you gotta show, show, show me
Show, show, show me
Show, show, show me
That love is a verb

You gotta show, show, show me
Show, show, show me
Show, show, show me
That love is a verb

Love ain't a thing
Love is a verb

And so you have one of the most impressive realizations of a deeper meaning of love by one of the secular artists of the day.  To begin, the title alone is a statement of truth.  Love must be in action.  It not a noun as we often express it today, a feeling or an emotion.  Instead, it is an action that a subject must perform.

So Mayer explains in the song that love is not something that is expressed with words or even something that you "own."  Very powerful.  I especially like the line that it isn't even "I-O-Us."  Very important for us to know and realize.  Love is something that must be put into action.  I think we have all experienced someone telling us that they "love" us, but their actions show us something different.  And, I would guess that if we are honest, we have told people that we "love" them, but have not put that into action.  Our actions expressed something much different than what we spoke with our lips.  Thanks be to God, however, there have been so many people throughout our lives that have actually loved.  One of those who comes to mind is, of course, Blessed Theresa of Calcutta (AKA Mother Theresa).  She was one who used her words very sparingly, yet the whole world knew that they were loved by this humble woman, most especially the poorest of the poor.



Love is something that must be lived out.  It is not an option for the Christian.  As a mater of fact, "love" or "charity" is one of the three Theological Virtues.  We must love others as Christians.  This takes many different forms for the Christian.  Of course, we love the world by serving.  The Catholic Church has an ancient tradition of service: schools, hospitals, care centers, universities to name a few.  However, Christian love does not end with the visible/physical service, but extends to the spiritual as well.  In truth, we can love others by praying for them.  Jesus Christ himself informs us that we are to pray for others, ESPECIALLY our enemies.  An essential element of our love for others...an incredibly difficult act for us to perform, but perform it we must.

Pope Benedict spoke of this reality when he wrote his first encyclical entitled Deus Caritas Est (God is Love).  Benedict spoke about the truth of love and how God is the one who defines the fullness of the expression of love and we are able to participate and model this love in our lives.

I was also smiling when I heard the line "despite what you heard."  I suspect that John Mayer is responding to the multitude of songs produced that speak of love in a very limited and reduced sense, limiting it to a feeling or an emotion.  He seems to be responding to the whole music industry that constantly uses the word, but has no idea of the true beauty.  This causes our world to have a horrifically warped understanding of true love.

Finally, Mayer seems to realize that he not only needs to live love, but that he has been made to give and receive love.  "Show me" he repeats.  He is realizing that he will only find his fulfillment in both giving love and receiving love.

Back to that live concert "Where the Light Is," there was a segment in between songs where Mayer takes a couple moments to speak to the audience.  He talks about his road to discovering love on a much deeper level.  He says that he has tried a lot of things to be happy, but he has been left empty.  He says that he did a lot of things for himself.  Pay attention to the crowd's reaction and then how Mayer responds to them.  Very revealing.  He even says that he is not talking about "roman candle, firework, hollywood, hot-pink love.  I mean an, I-got-your-back-love."  He draws a distinction between romantic love and the type of love that will sacrifice for another.



I can not endorse all of Mayer's music, but I really do think that he is on the right path with his lyrics form these songs.  I truly believe that the younger generations in our nation have had all of the worldly pleasure put at their disposal, and it has not fulfilled them.  As a result, the younger generation is desiring a true experience of self-sacrificing love.  That is why I believe that they will eventually find the one who gives definition to true love, and that is Jesus Christ!



So, for your listening pleasure, here John Mayer playing with BB King:




P.S.

Now, lest you think that John Mayer is the first musician to realize the truth that love is a verb, there was one group in the early 1990's who sung about it.  The Christian group DC TALK! If you don't know DC Talk, be sure to link and learn.  They were probably the most influential Christian group from 1990-2000 and pushed Christian music to actually have quality music to accompany the quality lyrics.

Listen and experience nostalgia with DC Talk's rendition of Love is a Verb (if you don't know the 90's, you'll probably just laugh)


(Preview: DC Talk next week)