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Discernment in the Blogdom of God* essay

The following is an excerpt from an essay I submitted for the Blogging Essay Contest at WeblogToolsCollection.

I would appreciate your perspective on the essay. You can read the full version of Discernment in the Blogdom of God* at WeblogToolsCollection.

Please rate the essay using the star system at WeblogToolsCollection. The essay competition will be judged primarily on the input from readers like you.

The world of faith blogs is fascinating in its depth; and in what it, as a tool, can allow you to accomplish.

Faith blogging has unlocked the world of faith to seekers and researchers in levels unprecedented since the great efforts at Christian evangelization that occurred between the 15th and 18th century.

There are several aspects to this depth.

The Personal and Public Nature of Faith Blogging

As with any spiritual experience, the practice of blogging starts with oneself. Whether you are a recent convert, on fire for the faith, or a wizened philosopher, the message of faith in the realm of blogs most directly relates to opening yourself up —“ of sharing your personal faith journey.

Faith, at an essential level, is about fostering change. It is about self reflection, your relationship to the world, your fellow man, and to the metaphysical reality that exists beyond you and me.

The journey of faith often begins with a conversion experience. Whether one is a lifelong believer or new to faith, there is a moment at which the choice of faith, of believing, becomes real. After that moment, that conversion experience, you have to decide what you are going to do with your newfound joy.

If the choice comes down to staying where you are, being what you are, or evolving, of what Orthodox Christianity calls Theosis —“ coming into an ultimate unity with God (in a sense), the only choice is to evolve. Blogging is an effective tool in that process. It allows an opportunity to analyze where you have been and where you are going. It becomes a journal of the soul’s journey.

…

How do we live, how do we change, how to we evangelize? In the midst of all that, how do we live our faith commitment in such a way as to avoid being pulled down? Blogging offers a tool to meet those challenges. Like any tool it may be used for right or wrong purposes. If used properly, it can help you get there; it can help you in becoming a saint.

Everything Else

I guess I have a rich mind


What Color is Your Brain?


GOLD:

At work or in school: I like set routines and organized ways of doing thingsl rules and directions are a great help to me. I prefer to stay on one topic at a time. I need to know what is expected of me, and I always want to know if I am on the right track. I like subjects that are useful and traditional, such as business, accounting, history and government.

With friends: I prefer people who are careful with their money and who make plans ahead of time. I like my friends to be loyal, dependable and on time. I am serious about love and show it in many practical ways.

With family: I like stability and security and enjoy traditions and frequent celebrations. I like to spend holidays with family members, and I plan ahead for such gatherings.

Take this quiz!

Everything Else,

On respecting the Lord and the laity

Patricia Tryon of Out of the Frying Pan writes on her attendance at Mass today for the Roman Catholic Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Her comments are worth a read, especially by priests, deacons, and seminarians.

Respect for the Lord and the laity begins with preparation. Preparation sets the tone for the Holy Mass (or for any other liturgical/devotional service). Solemnity and prayerfulness are expected, after all, the clergy and laity are there to worship the Lord, not square dance.

As clergy we should be respectful of the fact that most folks do come prepared, and for us to do otherwise (and gloss over the lack of preparation – hey why not explain what happened, people will give you the benefit of the doubt) is disrespectful.

For Patricia’s full take on the issue see Today is a Holy Day of Obligation.

Everything Else

Come, and shine on those seated in darkness

O Oriens,
splendor lucis aeternae,
et sol justitiae:
veni, et illumina
sedentes in tenebris,
et umbra mortis.

O Dawn,
splendor of eternal light,
and sun of justice,
come, and shine
on those seated in darkness,
and in the shadow of death.

O Wschodzie,
Blasku światłości wieczystej
i Słońce sprawiedliwości,
przyjdź i oświeć
żyjących w mroku
i cieniu śmierci.

So we sit in darkness waiting for something to happen to us, for the light to break through. We wallow in our self imposed agony, O God, when will you set us free?

We forget that He set us free already. We are free to choose Him, an easy choice if you consider the alternatives. We are free to enter into union with Him, every day at the altar; a great gift and blessing.

But still we sit and cry out, expecting the quick fix and the black and white answer. It won’t come, because our questions are not worthy of consideration. Rather what we need to do is allow the light of the new Dawn to shine in us, to set ourselves aside, and to work in truth, to struggle —“ fighting the good fight, and by doing so we will succeed —“ eternal life, eternal light.

Everything Else

You open, and no one shuts

O Clavis David,
et sceptrum domus Israí«l,
qui aperis, et nemo claudit,
claudis, et nemo aperuit:
veni, et educ vinctum
de domo carceris,
sedentem in tenebris,
et umbra mortis.

O Key of David,
and scepter of the house of Israel,
you open, and no one shuts,
you shut, and no one opens:
come, and lead the prisoner
from jail,
seated in darkness
and in the shadow of death.

O Kluczu Dawida
i Berło domu Izraela,
Ty który otwierasz a nikt zamknąć nie zdoła,
zamykasz a nikt nie otworzy,
przyjdź i wyprowadź
z więzienia
człowieka pogrążonego
w cieniu śmierci.

Definitely not literal! How many times do we seek the easy answer, the black and white definition; the answer to our longing, but on our terms?

The Lord asks us to come and follow Him. He opens the narrow path for us, and He can even allow the rich man to pass through the eye of the needle.

But, we see no easy answer because we cannot let go of our complexity.

Come follow me is quite easy, but it means leaving ourselves behind. He opens the way —“ for He is the way. He will, by His grace, close the door to our self-centered desires, our prison, because as we fall into His arms, arms of love, we will never desire anything other.

He is the key, the gate, and the door.

Lord, help us enter into the sheepfold through You. Lord, be our shepherd.

Everything Else, ,

FSU on-line course in Hispanic Marketing Communication

A gentleman I had some exchanges with as part of my work with Polonia Global Fund, Felipe Korzenny, Ph.D. (blog) is the Professor and Director of the Center for Hispanic Marketing Communication at Florida State University.

He advises that Florida State University will be offering an online course in Hispanic Marketing Communication. To wit:

Tallahassee, Florida — Beginning in January 2007, an online course in Hispanic Marketing Communication will be offered by the Florida State University Center for Hispanic Marketing Communication. The center, headed by Dr. Felipe Korzenny, is pioneering education in Hispanic Marketing in the US.

Dr. Korzenny states —we are proud to satisfy the demand of many marketers in US industry that have requested an online course in Hispanic Marketing Communication. This is the first online offering of its kind and will make the content of our on-campus courses available to anyone in the world with an interest in the subject.—

The course is available to anyone interested and is particularly recommended for professionals currently addressing the Hispanic market, or those who would like to start a Hispanic marketing initiative. The online course is also available to Florida State University students not currently residing in the Tallahassee campus.

The course duration is of fifteen weeks (classes begin January 8 and end April 20) and includes topics such as language use, Hispanic cultural insights for marketing, and case studies relating to Hispanic marketing. The course will also address research and marketing strategies.

A certificate of completion will be issued to all who satisfactorily complete the course, and eligible students can receive three hours of undergraduate/continuing education credit.

Dr. Korzenny notes that those interested should apply immediately as registration is limited. To apply contact Ashley Smith, telephone: 850-644-8004.

About the Center for Hispanic Marketing Communication

The U.S. Hispanic marketing industry has experienced dynamic growth and a consequent need for trained professionals. Most advertising, public relations agencies, and marketing organizations encounter difficulties filling their Hispanic marketing positions. It is for these reasons that Dr. Felipe Korzenny founded the Center for the Study of Hispanic Marketing Communication at Florida State University in 2004. Currently, the Center is the first of its kind in the U.S. Recognizing the immediate need for professionals trained in Hispanic Marketing Communication, the Center has developed the following main goals, which are to:

  • Train students to serve the Hispanic marketing industry,
  • Train professionals who currently serve the Hispanic public in the U.S.,
  • Conduct relevant research to further the understanding of the Hispanic market, and
  • Serve as a source of knowledge about the Hispanic Market for industry professionals.
Everything Else

Set us free, put it off no longer

O Radix Jesse,
qui stas in signum populorum,
super quem continebunt reges os suum,
quem gentes deprecabuntur:
veni ad liberandum nos,
jam noli tardare

O Root of Jesse,
who stand as a sign for the people,
kings stand silent in your presence,
whom the nations will worship:
come to set us free,
put it off no longer.

O Korzeniu Jessego,
który się wznosisz jako znak dla narodów,
przed Tobą zamilkną królowie,
a ludy będą się modlić do Ciebie,
przyjdź nas wyzwolić
już dłużej nie zwlekaj.

A shoot shall spout from the stump of Jesse’s tree. From a nation of no account, in human terms, the Savior shall come to us. From what appears to be a dead nation, a shoot of new life, Life that will redeem all life.

God comes to us in ways and forms that are unexpected. He came to Moses in the burning bush, He wrestled with Jacob, He came in a whisper to Elijah, and as a child in a manger among the outcasts.

Jesus the enigma, the God-man whose depths we barely plumb, can only be met in worship, the collective action of a community committed to Him.

Worship is our stance —“ arguments about kneeling, standing, prostrating notwithstanding. We, king or pauper, can do nothing more or less than worship God our Father, the Son our King, and the Spirit our life. It is the only response we can make. Our words are but senseless groaning before the throne of the King of kings. But he deigns to hear us, to love us, to incorporate us, and to free us.

Come Lord Jesus, put it off no longer. We are waiting.

Everything Else, ,

Tackling the gift of celibacy

Fr. Dennis Tamburello, a Franciscan priest and Professor of Religious Studies at Siena College in Loudonville NY writes a blog, Friar at large, for the Albany Times Union (by the way, they use Word Press).

In today’s post, Take celibacy . . . please! he tackles the issue of celibacy as understood by the R.C. Church in a very even handed way. He completely avoids posturing on the issue. His thoughts are worth a read.

As a PNCC member and clergyman I agree with him.

Celibacy is a grace that is given, but not one that can be demanded. The R.C. Church cannot demand that God bestow that grace on an individual.

Father Tamburello’s points regarding issues of cost and dealing with some of the problems inherent in marriages are worth noting, but it is also worth noting that the PNCC and Orthodoxy have worked through these issues quite well. The R.C. Church is working through them in its dealings with married deacons. They are not show stoppers.

As previously noted in the blog, the PNCC studied and debated the issue of celibacy over the course of at least three synods. The exact issues discussed in Fr. Tamburello’s post were debated and resolved. As the Young Fogey points out from time to time and as I will apply to celibacy: All can, some should, none must.

Also notice the two comments immediately following the post. Typical absolutism of the extremes.

The first response is typical R.C. triumphalism; the we’re always right point of view. The commentator refuses to acknowledge the fact that Jesus, the Apostles, and the Fathers chose married men. Did Jesus make a mistake? Hmmm.

The second response tries to combine Biblical inerrancy with a political agenda. The writer misses the fact that the Catholic Church (The R.C., Orthodox, Oriental, and PNCC Churches) base their beliefs on Scripture and Tradition. Perhaps the commentator works for the IRS? As an accountant/auditor I know very well that unless an item is specifically excluded from income it is income. In the same vein perhaps the commentator believes that unless it is specifically mentioned in the Bible as right or wrong, it’s OK.

All that being said, abrogating mandatory celibacy is not the magic fix some envision. Ask your local old school protestant clergy person – they have a dearth of vocations as well. For an extreme example look at the Episcopal Church – you can be and do anything, and belief in Jesus is optional (they tend to like Gaia). They are dying off faster than the Dodo.

On the same topic, Catholic Online has a reprint of a story from CISA about African priests and seminarians who are being encouraged to join a Church (looks like vagantes) based on their take on celibacy. See: Anti-celibacy sect wooing Kenyan Catholic priests, ex-seminarians.

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