Tag Archives: Christianity

Investigating NFP: Preface

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Recently, all hell broke loose (At least, that’s what I call 100+ comments on a small-time blog like mine!) when one of my contributors wrote a post questioning the Church’s position on NFP. Rather than taking the more common stance that NFP puts undue burden on couples and artificial contraception should be permitted, Lightwave seemed to be suggesting that NFP is on a moral plane with certain artificial methods of birth control. I found myself siding with Lightwave, if not with the same tone or delivery, at least with similar sentiment. Neither of us could not understand how NFP does not frustrate "the procreative potential of the marriage act". Furthermore, the arguments that NFP is somehow not a contraceptive because it is natural and involves the omission of an act, rather than the commission of one, seemed spurious. In order to alleviate my ignorance, I’ve decided to find out what the learned teachers and evangelizers of NFP had to say in defense of the practice. I began with Couple to Couple League International (CCLI). They seemed as competitent in this area as any organization I could find. They are well-known and well-respected.

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Postcard from the Wilderness

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This first Sunday of Lent presents me with the opportunity to come in from the wilderness of an http-less life and blog a bit about the baptism of our children last weekend at our Parish. This I’ve done over at the Smedley Log, owned and operated by my brother-in-law Howard, long-time friend of this blog, and Godfather to said children. Get the story, complete with pictures HERE.

New St. Blog’s Drinking Game

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I think it’s about time parishoners in St. Blog’s created a new version of the St. Blog’s drinking game. The Catholic sector of the blogosphere has changed suffieciently to warrant it. Here’s my suggestion for the first new rule:

Take a drink whenever Mark Shea uses the word "agitprop". Chug if he engages in debate with pro-torture folks or Andrew Sullivan.

What new rules would you add? 🙂

Addendum 1: I forgot to mention that if the list turns out well, It’ll get posted at the Catholic Blogs and Resources page. 

Addendum 2: This meant to be fun, so don’t be mean.  Also, though some bloggers have really active and interesting comment sections, try to keep the focus on the blogger him/herself.

Remember That You Are Dust, And To Dust You Shall Return

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“Remember, man, that you are dust and to dust you shall return.”

On the first day of Lent we heard these words (adapted from Genesis 3:19) spoken as a priest dipped his thumb in ash and made the sign of the cross on our foreheads. They served as an outward sign of an inner penance and a symbol of mortality. We wore those ashes for the remainder of the day, or at least until they rubbed off. Wherever we went and whatever we did, we were witnesses to the faith. Those who saw us know that we have been baptized into the death of Jesus Christ and hope to share in His resurrection.

More people attend Ash Wednesday mass than Christmas or even Easter, the holiest day of the year. That alone is impressive, but more impressive is the fact that it’s not even a Holy Day of Obligation. We are obliged to attend Sunday mass and a handful of special occasions, but that rarely guarantees universal or even majority attendance. A recent survey found that only a third of those who identify themselves as Catholic attends mass weekly. Yet a great many of the remaining two-thirds will take time out of their work day to attend a morning or midday Ash Wednesday mass to receive ashes.

Why do people make such special efforts? Would we still attend if we didn’t have something to show for it? Are we publicly displaying our piety, real or pretended, seeking the admiration of men?

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Levity From Leviticus

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“It is the test of a good religion whether you can joke about it.” – G. K. Chesterton

Hmm…in that case…

“‘I Read Leviticus So You Don’t Have To’ is in no way, shape or form meant to be an objective analysis of the Book of Leviticus. The author is by no means a biblical scholar, and brings virtually no insight to what is, by any objective measure, a work that to be generous is open to multiple interpretations. Instead, the author selects certain elements of the book, presents them out of context, and then goes for the cheap laugh. The cheapest, cheapest possible laugh. ‘I Read Leviticus…’ is therefore clearly an abomination, if not to the Lord, then at a minimum to all right-thinking peoples everywhere. It is our sincerest hope that the author be stricken with a horrid affliction, as rapidly as possible, for it is clear that he is an asshole of the highest magnitude.”

Sounds like it might produce a chuckle or two. 😉 Head on over, and tell Bob I sent ya. (We’ve met at Pittsburgh blogfests, but he probably doesn’t remember me.)