A lazy Sunday, finally. Workouts are done. Brunch was yummy. And now some time to relax before we head out to do a pile of shoveling. I'd better get a few thoughts off before I ignore the blog again.

1) V-Day

I forgot to post about my Valentine's Day haul earlier. Look at it! My what a thoughtful wife!

Look closer and you will see these are just some of the items I received from my students. I threw out probably another third of this amount. That's right, many letters, cards, cheap chocolates, and suckers given to me by my students. So much, er, love shown. Ironically I hate Valentine's Day (just ask Becca). To me the day is actually St. Cyril and St. Methodius Day.

All of the big to-do over Valentine's Day really just shows that the secular world feels a deep seated urge to have meaningful celebrations. The Catholic world knows how to feast and fast. The secular world, well, they're trying to make it up as they go along. The students (and parents) feel an urge to celebrate, but they don't know what or why. In the meantime, I'm the one who is given bucket loads of candy. And, of course, I'm given this candy during the season of lent. They just don't get it.

However, I did get my wife something. I sent her the following greeting:

I think she was amazed by me. Yes, I think I never cease to amaze her.

2) Onion Day

Today is the anniversary of Pope Benedict's flying off into the sunset. The scene was so surreal. There had to be an onion farm nearby. Our Pope leaving his post in order to devote the remainder of his life to prayer for the Church. Such a sad day. And despite my plea that he move to our house, he still lives in Rome.

And then, soon after, Pope Francis took over. Things haven't been going so well lately. Many silly interviews, two ridiculous family synod sessions, and numerous other events have left many in the Church wondering what will happen next. A parish priest posted this picture on his blog the other day. He said to pray for the Pope. The Pope, according to his inside sources, is getting increasingly isolated by others in the Vatican. This picture, a picture of sadness, was offered somewhat as evidence.

I don't think a picture like this is evidence of much. In truth, it weakens the point the good priest was trying to make. It could be the Pope is waiting for someone, or saying a few extra prayers, or watching a dog pee on a rug, or simply zoned out after someone's boring talk and needs to be awoken. Nevertheless, my gut tells me that all is not well in the Vatican. Why, at out last Mass we had to endure another knee-slapper of a letter from our local bishop going on about climate change (perhaps in an effort to distract from the vocation crisis here?). Pope Francis was cited for every example as to why we need to take such action as throw our money at Development and Peace. When people roll their eyes in the pew over another bishop's letter, it's one thing. But when they do so while Pope Francis is mentioned numerous times, that's another. What can I say? It's times like these, as Catholics, we really need to pray for our Holy Father.

3) Brideshead Revisited, Revisited

One of our annual lenten traditions Becca and I have is giving up TV (except on Sundays). This is a time for a little more silence in our lives, as well as more prayer and reflection. It also means more reading. I've already finished two novels. The most recent being Evelyn Waugh's Brideshead Revisited. *Spoiler Alert*

The book was tough slugging. By that I mean the flaws in the characters, characters brought to life by Waugh's talent, were simply overwhelming. All but one of the characters had significant, if not fatal, flaws. If it weren't for the amazing writing ability of Waugh, I daresay I might've put this book down. Drunkenness, abandoned families, lost faith, tyrannical family rule... it was not pleasant. And then the final 30 pages came. The grace of God, in the most intricately woven manner, started to shine through in the most unexpected ways. Funny how that happens. The book had no happy ending, and yet it had the happiest of endings. A shallow human mind would be disappointed in the book. They might even doubt that the main character, Charles Ryder, converts in the end, But a person open to the movement of God would be amazed by the ending (of course he converts!). I loved the book, though it must be read right up until the last word for ideas to fall into place. Waugh's style is so compelling that it took several days for me to shake the notion that I was living at Brideshead, or personally knew the characters.


4) Rider Gear

I was given two autographed pictures of John Chick (former Rider) by my principal the other day. John Chick was recently in Tisdale for a faith night at the local arena. Chick is a strong Catholic with eight, yes eight, kids. Anyway, my principal, who is not religious, was extremely impressed with Chick. She pointed out how in the picture of Chick with his Grey Cup rings he refused to have any picture of the rings taken unless is wedding ring was also in on the picture.

Also of note, I used the last of my Christmas money/gift cards to buy a game worn Geoff Tisdale Roughrider jersey. Since Tisdale does not play with them anymore, the jersey was only $50! Usually a jersey of a player who does not play for a team anymore can be awkward. Not this. I mean, I live in Tisdale. So it works. Although Becca commented that now we can't leave Tisdale. I say sure we can. I'll just get a jersey representing every place we've lived. Hopefully we don't end up moving to  Smuts, Saskatchewan. Currently the jersey hangs in my, as Becca calls it, "man cave" (workout/book/music room).

5) There Goes the Neighbourhood

Speaking of life in Tisdale, our neighbours just put their house up for sale. Yes, this is your opportunity of a lifetime, to be the new neighbours of yours truly. I'm sure the bidding war will be fierce. Anyway, in a rather sudden turn of events, our neighbours decided to take a job in Yorkton (closer to their farm that they also help with). We'll miss them. 

Because they need to sell soon, Becca and I think the asking price is low. Almost too low. We know the house. We know they've maintained it extremely well. The wheels started turning a bit. We have enough do-re-mi to put a down payment on it. We could easily rent it out and make a couple hundred bucks a month. Maintenance wouldn't be difficult. We're literally right next door. Yes, it could work. Quite well. And then we could sell it later for a profit.

We thought about it. Two main thoughts came to mind: 1) I'm not that gutsy. I mean really, me owning two houses? Yeah right. 2) Why the heck would we hitch ourselves so closely to Tisdale? Long story short, don't expect any announcements that we purchased a second home.

6) Token Pic

John Paul is asleep. But many of you want a picture of the boys. So I popped in and took a picture of Joseph while he was playing lego. Yes, he needs a haircut, and to stop giving goofy smiles. He's wearing shorts because he did a workout with me. He actually went 20 minutes into it. Not bad.

Meanwhile John Paul sleeps. Words cannot do justice to how cute he's been lately. He's talking up a storm. Putting little sentences together, minus any articles such as "the" or "and". He now says: "Jodeph" instead of "O-Jo". What a little guy. Just growing up right in front of our eyes. But for the record, he still calls Uncle Stephen  "Me-me". I'm fine with that.


7) Lent is Lent

That's all I have for today. Hopefully your lent is going well. Thankfully we have Joseph here to keep us on the straight and narrow. The very mention of ice cream gets a loud: "Nooo! It's lent!" from him. He is also quick to point out others, such as that man who walked into DQ yesterday. "That man is going to DQ! And it's lent!"  Aren't kids great? Still though, I'll bribe the kid yet...

Oh the Humanity

Yes this blog post has to do somewhat with the Pope's latest airplane interview. I won't be offended if you choose not to read it.

You know, in thinking of the latest interview with the Pope, the confusion over contraception, Zika, nuns from Congo, and even Donald Trump, I somehow marvel at the world of Catholicism. For better or for worse, we're just so human. Remarkably human. Too human, really. I can't help but think of the character Sebastian in Evelyn Waugh's Brideshead Revisited:

"So you see we're a mixed family religiously. Brideshead and Cordelia are both fervent Catholics; he's miserable, she's bird-happy; Julia and I are half-heathen; I am happy, I rather think Julia isn't; mummy is popularly believed to be a saint and papa is excommunicated - and I wouldn't know which of them was happy. Anyway, however you look at it, happiness doesn't seem to have much to do with it, and that's all I want. ... I wish I liked Catholics more."

Some Catholics are happy. Some are not. Some are great sinners. Some are hidden saints. Through and through to be Catholic is to be unreliable, in and of oneself. What makes Catholicism great, then, is one of the few things we can rely on: The Magisterium. Imagine, through the frail humanity in Catholicism we have an assurance of faith that cannot err. The Magisterium. The Pope, and bishops in union with the Pope, teaching infallibly on faith and morals.

I've spoken before on the Magisterium, and even on the anger and confusion that the word Magisterium invoked for some of my past professors at Redeemer University College. I remember vividly being yelled at by one: "It's NOT the Magisterium!" Another took over one hour to try and explain the infallibility of Scripture without the Magisterium, all in vain. Still another, a noted Scripture scholar, talked himself into circles when trying to avoid the significance of Magisterial authority in interpreting St. Peter's teaching on grace. It was all so awkward. I cannot claim to be better than these men. But I can claim adherence to the Magisterium, which teaches clearer than anything they ever said. A Magisterium which we cannot out-argued, ignore, or improve upon.

This is why the latest Papal interview stings so much. Or rather the predictable effects of the interview. In it we see a weakening of what is understood as the Magisterium. Following this latest airplane interview the Catholic blogosphere has been a buzz. One minute I have a popular priest friend on facebook declaring the Pope still to be Catholic. The next we have a philosophy professor claiming that what the Pope said is consistent with Church teaching, if understood in the proper context. This was then posted to facebook, with several "likes" and "comments" to follow. Not to be outdone, John Allen of the Crux started spouting his bizarre spin on the Pope's words, complete with his silence-is-consent-on-all-matters-in-the-world theory. Dr. Janet Smith also chimed in. The usual solid Smith did a great job, I thought, but slipped up on the whole Congo nuns-contraception myth, as well as the morality behind such an allegation. But that's ok, because more facebook friends trumpeted her words as being the words of truth and life, to the pleasing "likes" of many. Then it was more Allen, some Ed Peters, Kaczor, and finally, with much relief, Fr. Z. Lord only knows what Shea and Fisher had to say on it. For some reason I am reminded of Dr. Phil and Oprah when I think of them. All in all, it was yet another bizarre week. A totally unnecessary distraction from the discipline of lent. Yet, as premised earlier, Catholics are extremely human and so we act in extremely human ways. Fallen human ways.

But, more seriously, this past week was a tragic lessening of the understanding of the Magisterium. What we are seeing is people looking to others for clarity on Church teaching. Looking to that priest on facebook. That philosophy professor we don't really know. Or that popular (yet angry) scripture scholar/blogger. We are looking to others. We are seeking affirmation, clarity, or even what appeals most to us, in the words of others. This is entirely backwards. It should be that the words, examples, metaphors, and false urban-legend citations of others should be clarified by the Pope. Not the other way around.

"It's NOT the Magisterium!" was once yelled at me. As I see the confusion, once again, from the unclear words from our Holy Father in an airplane interview all I can say is: It IS the Magisterium. It is the Magisterium which has the truth. To the point that, ironically, sometimes we must ignore a Papal interview in order to continue our devotion to the Magisterium. Or at least ignore the statements of others seeking to clarify the Pope. Or better yet, go read, or re-read, Humanae Vitae for ourselves to be guided by clear, edited, Magisterial teaching.

Yes, it is ironic that I am spouting an opinion against seeing too much in people's opinions. However, what I am really saying is that we have a very Protestant situation on our hands. We are seeking others to clarify truth, and then we mull it over personally. Humans that we are. And that is dangerous.

Oh, and happy Feast of the Chair of St. Peter.

May St. Peter help guide and strengthen our Holy Father.

Think Fast

It is well known my love and admiration for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. It is equally well known, in this household anyway, of my abhorrence and repulsion for fasting. And so, I am torn, simply filled with discord, to be writing on Benedict's 2009 Lenten message on fasting (found here). It is like seeing former Roughrider star Weston Dressler now wearing a *spit* Winnipeg Blue Bomber jersey. Alas, when our one time Papa speaks, I must listen.

But why? Why fast? Food is so good. God made food. God made us need food to live. Food. Glorious food. Let's pause and look at this plate of food for a moment. 

How majestic. How uplifting. Truly a demonstration for the existence of God.

I recall vividly my two young boys, er, every day. You see, they wake up generally happy. However, if they do not get food in their belly within 20 minutes the world starts to fall apart. No pain or anguish can compare. Finally, buoyed by a hearty bowl of oatmeal, perhaps not completely cooked due to dire time constraints, these boys seek survival until their 10am snack. The snack must attempt to tide the boys over until lunch. Yes, each and every meal or snack for the day is often preceded by a meltdown. I think this daily drab experience is the reason Hobbes coined his phrase: "The life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short." Clearly food is important. Especially to young children who somehow remind me of the gas guzzling Hummer. But as adults, we seek a deeper meaning for the deprivation of food.

Benedict writes: "We might wonder what value and meaning there is for us Christians in depriving ourselves of something that in itself is good and useful for our bodily sustenance. The Sacred Scriptures and the entire Christian tradition teach that fasting is a great help to avoid sin and all that leads to it. For this reason, the history of salvation is replete with occasions that invite fasting."

We fast to avoid sin. My little Joseph and John Paul don't sin. Hard as that is to believe. But I do. Fasting helps fight the fallen pull towards sin. To willingly give up a good that our bodies need is to, in a certain way, master our own bodies: the flesh. Look, to avoid sin takes grace. But it also takes will power. If confronted with the choice to watch a bad TV show, or instead work on one's homework, one must will the good to avoid the fomes of sin. Fasting builds up will power. It is spiritual training. Rocky Balboa was unable to beat Clubber Lang in Rocky III until he first was able to sacrifice and train properly. So too do our spiritual battles require proper training... And maybe an awesome theme song as well. Yes, a theme song would be great too.

Further, fasting disposes us to Christ. Indeed, Benedict states: "Denying material food, which nourishes our body, nurtures an interior disposition to listen to Christ and be fed by His saving word. Through fasting and praying, we allow Him to come and satisfy the deepest hunger that we experience in the depths of our being: the hunger and thirst for God."  Feel the pain of hunger? Great! We must hunger for God! That perhaps isn't the most consoling thought on a Good Friday when I'm rolling around on the floor in starvation-induced agony... and it's only 9am. But digging deeper, looking into the inner desire of the soul, yes we must develop a hunger for Christ.

And how can we leave Christ out of fasting? He not only is the One we must desire, but He even shows us the way. Soak in these words of Benedict:

  "In the New Testament, Jesus brings to light the profound motive for fasting, condemning the attitude of the Pharisees, who scrupulously observed the prescriptions of the law, but whose hearts were far from God. True fasting, as the divine Master repeats elsewhere, is rather to do the will of the Heavenly Father, who “sees in secret, and will reward you”  (Mt 6,18). He Himself sets the example, answering Satan, at the end of the forty days spent in the desert that “man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Mt 4,4). The true fast is thus directed to eating the “true food,” which is to do the Father’s will (cf. Jn 4,34)."

Can you imagine people fasting in order to appear better than others? Surely there must be easier ways? Lift weights? Get a haircut? Buy a fancy new camel? Nope, the Pharisees fasted, and fasted fruitlessly (pardon the pun). Of course, the real reason was to appear spiritually superior to others. Even the greatest acts of self-denial, when done without love, leave us literally feeling empty. Love must be proven with sacrifice. Sacrifice must be fueled by love. The final word from Benedict explains this:

"By freely embracing an act of self-denial for the sake of another, we make a statement that our brother or sister in need is not a stranger. It is precisely to keep alive this welcoming and attentive attitude towards our brothers and sisters that I encourage the parishes and every other community to intensify in Lent the custom of private and communal fasts, joined to the reading of the Word of God, prayer and almsgiving."

Fasting is not selfish. It actually bonds people together in love. This is difficult to believe when one's stomach is eating itself up, yet clearly it does. If someone says: "I'll pray for you" to another person, that's good. If someone prays for someone and fasts for their needs, as Benedict says, the person in need is no longer a stranger but a brother or sister.

I'll conclude with one of my favourite St. Padre Pio stories. Padre Pio had been going through a difficult time and was to be consoled by being made a plate of his favourite pasta. He rather excitedly sat in front of his plate, said his grace, and then looked at it with gusto. Padre Pio then paused thoughtfully, then looked up to the brothers nearby and said something like: "Let's make some poor person happy tonight." His beautiful consoling plate of food was given to someone in need.

There is no mistaking it. Fasting is crucial. Thank you Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI for the timely reminder.

And yes, I am starving after having written this post.

Laundro-man

I walked into the living room after a little nap with John Paul on the weekend to find Joseph eager to tell me of his newest skill. 

"I folded all the laundry for you, Mom!"

And there it was, folded and sorted in neat little piles in a semi-circle on the rug.

Prior to this, we taught him how to match socks and fold little cloths or towels, but  he did neither regularly nor very well. And here he was folding a whole load of laundry, all by himself, all at his own whim!

I didn't refold anything (minus Dan's shirts and dressy pants), despite a few inside-out shirts. 

He was so proud: "Now  you don't have to fold laundry anymore, Mom!"

And so am I.

This little boy. He's not so little anymore and he's full of surprises. 

One day he'll laboriously design and colour cards and pictures for us, complete pages in his preschool books, and eagerly learn new letters from the alphabet; he'll read stories to John Paul, sort and clean up toys, and set the table for supper; he'll make his own bed, get himself dressed for the day, and wash his little brother up after breakfast. He takes such pride in his work and beams when he's praised.

Yet, the next day he can be a regular little nuisance. He's still a little boy and we're constantly reminding Joseph about playing safely, not beating up his brother, and not breaking down in tears if he doesn't get his way (of course, this usually means he's hungry and/or tired). 

It's exciting and scary to watch him grow up.

But when he goes and folds all the laundry... man, my heart just soars!