Can’t seem to find much I think is worth blogging about in the news recently. The big hubhub of course is the book that came out about Pope Benedict XVI, the result of an extensive and informal interview he gave to a German journalist. The only thing people seem interested in reporting about it is the Pope’s comment about condoms in the context of a male prostitute and how using a condom by him may be a step toward accepting some moral responsibility. Of course, everyone is taking that to mean condom us is okay now in certain circumstances, but that is not what the Pope said. Anyone who understands moral theology will realize the Pope was commenting on not the licitness of condom use, but the development of a moral conscience. The Church doesn’t have an opinion about how to commit an intrinsically immoral act (which prostitution is).
I have been reflecting on the spiritual significance of boredom. What is God saying to us when we are in situations of boredom? Perhaps there is some equivalence of this with the desert experience of the early Fathers of the Church? Maybe, but then, I don’t thinks so if I adequately recall their writings. Boredom, though, may create enough space to accommodate God? Boredom has to be good for something, right?
Winter in Minnesota is winter in Minnesota. Unpredictable. Fall was unseasonably warm. The past few weeks have continued to be unseasonably warm and thus without snow. I want a little snow. I have a new snowblower I want to use!
I continue to marvel at the liturgy of the Eucharist. Being up close and part of the liturgical action at the altar leaves me caught up in the mystery of the sacrifice of the Mass, and the proclamation of the word, especially when I am preaching thrills me more and more. The Gospel leads me into a mysterious participation in the suffering, death and rising of Jesus at the altar later. Our Eastern brother and sisters in the Church have a beautiful understanding and experience of this in their liturgies.
On top of all this, family life is such a blessing. Kids are healthy and happy and employed. Grandfatherhood is a wonderful gift. Marriage is a continual calling forth of all that makes us more human and loving, despite failings and all.
God is good, isn’t He?
