There is good reform.

And there is bad reform.

Though in fairness to the bad reform, we wouldn't get pick up lines like this without the likes of Luther and Calvin...

Today many ill-informed, evil, or just plain stupid Catholics are celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. I am commemorating another day. It was ten years ago on this day I got my first true glimpse of ecumenism.

Yes, I was studying at Redeemer University College. A Calvinist-esque place where I intended on quickly finishing up my degree and getting the heck out of there. I could tell something was up leading up to October 31st. There were posters speaking of the upcoming Reformation Day. So the day hit. I more or less expected it to be the usual Halloween style day. Some people dress up. Some don't. Maybe a prof hands out candy. Whatever. But that day wasn't at all like that.

Let's just say where I grew up in late fall it is hunting season. Well at Redeemer, in my experience of Reformation Day, it was hunting season on Catholics. The Reformation was constantly brought up in class and in the hallways. Catholicism was frequently ridiculed, mocked, and sneered at. It was all very eye-opening. But what else could I expect? I was on their soil, so to speak. I sucked it up that day. I took my punches. The sin of being a Catholic. A proud Catholic.

But just as with the counter-Reformation, I doubled down the next day and counter-punched Protestant ideas all the more fiercely at class. A couple of profs appreciated this. Others definitely not. And that, I believe, is the ecumenical movement. In other words, what ecumenical movement? The fuzzy show of unity is a mask. There are differences that will never be overcome. There is bitterness that will continue. No surprises. We just deal with it. And we certainly don't celebrate it.

Yes, 500 years of Luther and his kin. A parting shot Luther: If you were saved, it was only through the merits and grace of the Catholic Church.

Now that wasn't a very ecumenical thing to say was it?

Horse Pope?

Have you heard about the latest plan for our Holy Father to release an encyclical on the environment?

No, that was not a set up line for a joke. By all accounts we are to be getting such an encyclical later this year. Obviously many people are thrilled with the topic. I just think of an article I read about Beijing, where the smog is so bad it is literally harmful to one's health to go outside to exercise. Bad stuff. Others are perplexed at the need for such an encyclical rather than writing about much more important issues such as abortion, Islam, homosexuality, and the like.

For my part, instead of an encyclical on the environment, I'd rather see one on DIY home renovations or something. You know, a paragraph or two with painting tips. Perhaps a section discussing the morality of not getting a permit to do work, and how this ties in with Aquinas' Treatise on Law. For instance, when is state regulation for installing new light fixtures too burdensome? Give me some guidance here! Of course asbestos would be a hot topic, as would contractor fraud. And is browsing online for a new tub surround permissible on a Sunday?

But that's not happening. The encyclical is to discuss the environment and, subsequently, creation. If I had to guess, I would say many protestants will be keenly interested in this upcoming work. At Redeemer, for instance, there was a growing, if not suffocating, emphasis on this earth being the exact place for the "new heaven and new earth" as promised by Scripture. Therefore, the talk was that we were to steward this earth in preparation for this final transformation. As if our actions now would affect the future of the planet for all eternity. Do I hear a Let us Build a City of God? Somehow this idea permeated every class that I took there. What a buzz phrase. But what can you expect in this creation/fall/redemption world?

Yes many are obsessed with the new heaven, new earth subject. Meanwhile, to go back to Aquinas, he simply said a new heaven and new earth must fit our glorified bodies. Not the other way around. I told this to a Redeemer professor once. He seemed to have difficulty comprehending the fact that humans, especially those in the beatific vision in heaven, are more essential to consider than whether or not the maple trees in his back yard will continue to grow when time passes away.

Ah yes, this upcoming encyclical will be a hot topic I'm sure. But to me the whole environment issue boils down to one thing: horses.

Let's face it, our problem is that horses are not picking up the slack. Once upon a time we used horses for everything. We got places. We plowed fields. We even ate them if we were hungry enough. Nowadays, horses do nothing. Not only nothing, they contribute to the problem. The carbon foot, er, hoofprint of horses is astounding. They stand in a field, never working. Some live in heated barns. They get fed hay that farmers have to plant and harvest using smelly diesel. Their water bins are heated with electricity in the winter. Even their fences now, to make sure they stay standing in place, are run by electricity. To use Thomas the Tank Engine terminology, they are not very useful.

Meanwhile people drive cars and trucks everywhere. Horses are too lazy to do it. If, by chance, a horse is used for riding. We have to drive them, in a trailer, to get to their little horse riding 4-H group. Horses used to make the earth vibrant. There was far less pollution when horses worked out in the fields some 500 years ago. Can you imagine Beijing with horses? But now, horses are not only not part of the solution, they are part of the problem. Clearly there will be no horses in heaven. Not in a new heaven and a new earth, anyway. God forbid.

     

  

And so, a word of advice for Pope Francis: if you want to write about the environment then you'll need to practice what you preach. That is, ditch the popemobile! It goes too slow anyway. Get a horse.

But will he do it?


I'm chomping at the bit to find out.

Note: not everything I say should be taken seriously.

Top Ten: Redeemer Edition

I was thinking about Redeemer University College the other day, and reflecting on my time spent there. You see, my brother is about to hit the road and drive on out for his one year stint in order to get the ole (useless) B.A. I was wondering what I did with myself while I was there. I mean let's be honest, the studies aren't the most difficult. At least not counting teacher's college. From what I remember I didn't do any real work until Thanksgiving. Actually, I worked out at the gym until then (for my PED100 course, you know). Fear not! There is lots you can do while going to Redeemer! Even if you have little money. The following is a list meant for my brother. You can add to it if you wish.

Here are the top 10 things to do while at Redeemer (besides working out):


10 - Leave.
Oooh, harsh! I mean it, but in a different sense. Leave as in go on Redeemer student trips. They're great. You can sign up to go to Niagara Falls for free, or a Jays game with great seats for as little as $15 bucks. There are trips to Canada's Wonderland, and who knows where else. I kind of wish I had signed up for more of these. They're super cheap, or free, and are great outings. Especially if you aren't from Ontario and seeing these places/events is rare.


9 - Fortinos.
Watch the lobsters and fish at Fortinos. Yes, Fortinos. That giant la-ti-da Ancaster grocery store possibly owned by your friendly neighbourhood Italian mafia. You gotta hand it to the mafia, they put on a good show for poor students. C'mon people, admit it, it's cool going to a grocery store and watching the sea life. The only problem is that afterwards you have to walk all the way across the street to Food Basics to buy some affordable food!


8 - Homes and Holmes.
Go for a walk, or a drive, around snooty Ancaster. You'd be amazed at the mansions! Rich rich people. Or at least people who go into deep debt in order to keep up appearances. But that's not all! While going around, always keep your eye out for the likes of Mike Holmes. Yes, Mike Holmes. The man who fixes messed up houses. These homes go up so fast that they are wrought with problems. What better place for Holmes to do business?

7 - Upper James.
There's a street somewhat near Redeemer called Upper James. Nothing fancy. Super busy. Lots of traffic and shopping. But! But, if you go there, you'll see a Tim Hortons (or two or three) wherever you are! Go there. Hit up each Timmies at some point. I dare you.


6 - Escarpment.
I was very fortunate to live within walking distance of the Hamilton escarpment. The escarpment essentially overlooks all of Hamilton/Burlington/Oakville/Mississauga and even parts of Toronto. Breathtaking view (when there is no smog). On a clear day you can even see the CN tower. There's a little spot up there. A little rock platform. It's great in the evening. Up there with some chips, a blanket, maybe even a half glass of wine, and watching the sun leave and the city lights of southern Ontario come to life.
As a warning, though, don't go walking around the escarpment at night near the old sanatorium. Brr... that place is creepy even during the day.

5 - Pick a fight.
Perhaps it was the fact that I had to pay tens of thousands of dollars to attend Redeemer, or maybe there were some ridiculous statements that I occasionally heard, but it wasn't long before I was known at Redeemer for standing up to profs. But hey, all in the name of academics, right!? I am still friends with some of the profs I fought. Others are, or would be, friendly enough to me if I saw them. And then there is one who to this day I'm sure wouldn't look at me, wouldn't give me the time of day, wouldn't pull over to help if I was stranded in a blizzard, wouldn't pee on me if I was on fire (sorry)...
Good times.


4 - Ridernation

Wear Rider gear all the time. Rider nation is everywhere. Want to buy some Christmas supplies at the Ancaster Canadian tire?There's a full selection of Rider Christmas gear. A football at a nearby sports store? Which Rider one would you like? Although most of the people around Ancaster don't know or care about the CFL (the real fans are in lower Hamilton), Rider nation still lurks about.


3 - Adoration.
I knew my first year at Redeemer was going to be tough when I found out there was an adoration chapel within a 15 minute walk from where I lived. God basically said: "it's going to be rough, but I'm here for you." And that's how it was. How fortunate to have this chapel! It is located at the gawdy Regina Mundi parish. A big ugly circle church. But there's the chapel. I once went to pray and there was an old lady who was there as well. As I was praying I took off my jacket. And then sweater. And then I looked at the thermostat. The lady had the place at 86 degrees! Anyway, I was very fortunate to have that chapel there.


2 - Hooky for Hockey. 
Friday afternoons at the mohawk arena. There's shinny. Usually the players there are half decent. Always a good game of hockey. The only thing is, well, it might involve skipping a class or two to go play.

1 - Mass at St. Ann's.
It doesn't matter if it's Sunday morning at 9am with music by Phil Sirabura (sigh), daily at 8am, Tuesday night at 7pm, or on Saturday morning at 9am in Latin. Go to Mass there. Every day if at all possible. It'll make or break the year. Going to Redeemer can be tough, so can living in Ancaster if you're used to open fields and no busy-ness, but Mass there makes it all worth it.