Influencers

Art lives in the world.  Most of the time, society influences art.  Once in a while, someone has eyes that see, and ears to hear, and creates something that will influence society.     

The Code of Hammurabi is the first artwork that I can remember.  This was the first complete legal code written on a sculpture.  Hammurabi lived 1792-1750 BC. 

                                                                                 I also think of Guernica by Pablo Picasso.  This was an anti-war protest painting that vividly depicted the horror of war during the Franco and Nazi era.

There is also the novel Uncle Tom's Cabin, by Harriet Beecher Stowe.  Many believe that this story laid the groundwork for the American Civil War.

Recently, I was reading about the Albigensian and Cathar heresies.  They believed that mankind was basically bad.  Dominicans preached against this heresy.  All that God created is good.  Dominicans preached with words.  St. Francis wrote a poem and sang.  His way of preaching influenced more people.  Maybe, it was both ways.  Some people are influenced by speeches, sermons, and arguments.  Others by art.

Canticle of Brother Sun and Sister Moon of St. Francis of Assisi

 Most High, all-powerful, all-good Lord, All praise is Yours, all glory, all honor and all blessings. 

To you alone, Most High, do they belong, and no mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your Name.

Praised be You my Lord with all Your creatures,
especially Sir Brother Sun,
Who is the day through whom You give us light.
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor,
Of You Most High, he bears the likeness.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars,
In the heavens you have made them bright, precious and fair.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air,
And fair and stormy, all weather's moods,
by which You cherish all that You have made.

Praised be You my Lord through Sister Water,
So useful, humble, precious and pure.

Praised be You my Lord through Brother Fire,
through whom You light the night, and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.

Praised be You my Lord through our Sister,
Mother Earth
who sustains and governs us,
producing varied fruits with colored flowers and herbs.
Praise be You my Lord through those who grant pardon for love of You and bear sickness and trial.

Blessed are those who endure in peace, By You Most High, they will be crowned.

Praised be You, my Lord through Sister Death,
from whom no-one living can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin! Blessed are they She finds doing Your Will.

No second death can do them harm. Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks,
And serve Him with great humility.

How to Preach

 Robert Curtis' new Lay Dominican book, From the Devotional to Preaching is meant to help Lay Dominicans get out of the "prayer group" mode.  Way too often, the Lay Dominican Fraternities settle for meeting once a month to pray.  They seem to suffer from inertia.

Curtis' book shows them how to move from sitting back to get going. Lay Dominicans belong to the Order of Preachers.  They should be preaching and this book shows them how.  Actually, preaching opportunities abound, if only the Laity had eyes to see.  Not only are preaching opportunities presented but other books, periodicals, etc. listed. 

Courage and Will

The Courage and Will to Preach/ Lay Dominicans At The Edge of the World by Mr. Robert Curtis, O.P. is a manual for Lay Dominicans.

Lay Dominicans are ordinary people associated with the Order of Preachers.  The Order of Preachers is a religious order just like Franciscans and Jesuits.  The Order of Preachers was founded by Saint Dominic, hence they are better known as Dominicans. The lay people who follow the spirituality of Saint Dominic are called Lay Dominicans.  This book could be called a manual for Lay Dominicans.

It provides the background of the evolution of Lay Dominicans.  Also, it provides the how-to and to whom they should preach.  Mr. Curtis calls Lay Dominicans to duty.  They are drafted!

The times call for preachers just such as them. Social Doctrine, Encyclicals, Apostolic Letters, Dominican General Chapter Declarations, all offer reasons for the laity to enter today's world fray.  It's less than $ 15.  Here are the product details:

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798823130080
Publisher:	Barnes & Noble Press
Publication date:	10/12/2022
Pages:	368
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.82(d)

Here is a biography of the author, Mr. Robert Curtis, O.P.  "Robert Curtis is a life-professed lay Dominican of 30 years in the Western Province, U.S.A. He is a professor of English at a local college and is married to his wife, Maria, also a lay Dominican of 30 years, with three children, and five grandchildren. His youngest daughter, Jennifer, is also a lay Dominican. This is his 7th book on the Order along with 33 other books to his name."

Catholic and Protestant Preaching

 

This picture is by Georg Pencz.  He was a sixteenth century engraver, painter and printmaker.  Here he is depicting the styles of Protestant and Catholic preachers.  Note that the Protestant Preacher on the left is holding a Bible in his hand.  The Catholic preacher isn't holding anything.

This time in history, most of the people couldn't read, so the Protestant Preacher is reading it to them and I assume explaining his interpretation of it.  I also assume that the Catholic Preacher is preaching during the Mass, which means that the scriptures have already been read, and he is giving a homily.

The Protestant Preacher relies on the Bible, alone.  The Catholic Preacher also relies on the Bible, but also Catholic Magisterium, the Catechism, history, sacraments, and over two thousand years of history (at that time over one thousand years).

• Title: Protestant and Catholic Preaching, Broadsheet
• Creator: Georg Pencz
• Date Created: 1529
• Physical Dimensions: 16.4 × 37.9 cm
• Technique and Material: Woodcut and letterpress
• Provenance: Old inventory, acquired prior to 1877
• Museum: Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Kupferstichkabinett
• Inv.-No.: 643–7
• ISIL-No.: DE-MUS-018511
• External Link: 
  http://www.smb.museum/museen-und-einrichtungen/kupferstichkabinett/home.html
• Copyright: Photo © Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Kupferstichkabinett/ Dietmar Katz; Text © Renaissance and Reformation: German Art in the Age of Dürer and Cranach, A Cooperation of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, and the Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen München, Catalogue of the Exhibition at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Nov 20, 2016 – March 26, 2017, Munich: Prestel, 2016; cat. no. 32 / Michael Roth
• Catalogue: 
  https://prestelpublishing.randomhouse.de/book/Renaissance-and-Reformation/Stephanie-Buck/Prestel-com/e504919.rhd
• Artist Dates: c. 1500–1550 Leipzig or Breslau (Wrocław)
• Artist Biography: The painter, printmaker, and journeyman in Dürer’s workshop was expelled from Nuremberg, along with the Beham brothers, as “godless” in 1525, but in 1532 he was appointed municipal painter there. His sometimes Titianesque portraits and his ceiling paintings reminiscent of the frescoes in the Palazzo del Te in Mantua suggest that Pencz traveled to Italy. Having been appointed court painter by Albrecht of Prussia, he died en route to Königsberg.

What is Preaching

                Matthew 28: 19-20 Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Holy Spirit, teaching them all that I have commanded you.  And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.

                CCC 132 Therefore, the study of the sacred page’ should be the very soul of sacred theology.  The ministry of the Word, too—pastoral preaching, catechetics, and all forms of Christian instruction…

 St. Dominic requested that his friars be dedicated specifically for preaching, hence their name, “friars preachers.” They are not monks, who do not preach, nor are they diocesan priests, who are pastors.  Friars Preachers are centered on proclaiming the Word of God.
                Jesus Christ asked His apostles to spread His Word.  The Apostles passed the preaching charism on to their successors, the bishops.  Today, the bishops entrust the preaching of the Word, not only to priests but also to those trained to preach, are given a solid faith formation and are dedicated to God’s truth.

                Today’s communication offers different modes of the ministry of the Word.  It’s not just speaking at a pulpit.  The written word is an effective communication tool.  One may write books, poetry, and even blogs.   Editorial cartoons are used, too.  There is an internet newsletter, eLumen, in St. Joseph’s province where one of our Lay Brothers exhibits his work.  Here you see where Mr. Jordi Perez, O.P.,  confronts the sexual abuse scandal  in art and words.

In music we can be lifted to a higher plane of transcendence with music from composers like Charles Gounod’s  famous Ave Maria.  Current music has many Christian artists. 

Art work was once the best preaching method for the common man, hence stained glass windows.  We have sculpture, architecture, and painting.  Isn’t the same true for today?

One thing that is and was true for all kinds of preaching.  Preaching has the power to bring about change. 

The Digital Continent

In the recent Dominican General Chapter, held in Bologna, came the term "Digital Continent."  Since the Dominicans are the Order of Preachers, the Master is giving instructions to the Dominican family to go out and preach to the Digital Continent.  From the Acts: 

The digital continent, comprising more than three billion persons connected to the internet in the world represents the new “continent of mission” for the Church, and more particularly for us Dominicans, whose mission is the devotion to the total evangelization of the Word of God. “This information explosion provides twenty-first century Dominicans with a new pulpit, allowing us to bring the Gospel to people often beyond our reach, as well as advancing causes, such as justice and peace, which are rooted in our foundational charism”.

Of course, I'm on board and have been ever since I've had internet access.  I love social media.  I have found many Lay Dominicans that I would have never met, were it not for social media.  I have met over 5000 (Facebook limit), new friends.  I have reconnected with former friends.  I  have exchanged many ideas and learned many new things.  I love learning on You Tube.  I watch the videos from Bishop Barron, Boston College and Providence College.  I thank God for this.

My own efforts in the Digital Continent:

The One True Faith Blog
eLumen (Internet Lay Dominican newsletter)
Facebook:
     Give Faith A Chance
     Worldwide Fellowship of Lay Dominicans
     Dominicans
     Fr. Jean-Joseph Lataste
     Dominican Litany of Saints

Preaching in the Digital Continent

Preaching in the Digital Continent I just love this essay from Fraternities OP. And I hope this blog does witness, not by bombarding the internet with religion, but with my life pointing to Jesus.

Love Before You Preach

I'm reading a lesson Pere Lataste was teaching to his student brothers.  He was their Novice Master.

The Lord ordered

us to do what he himself did;

he began loving before teaching

about it. He gave us the greatest

proof of his friendship he could by

having died for us. We have to love

each other, because we are brothers.

We have to love each other, because

we are members of the same

body. Brothers in Adam, brothers

in Jesus Christ2, members of one

body, which is humanity, the one

humanity regenerated in Jesus

Christ, our head. We have to love

even more deeply due to the close

bounds that unite us. It is neither

the hazard of birth nor the hazard

of the same country that makes

us brothers, but the choice of God

and our own choice.

Of course you can teach or preach without that love.  That's what 99% of them do.  But it's this empathetic love that makes you one of the best.  Love the people.  Open yourself up to them.  Is that so hard?

Preach It!

 

How many times have you heard, “Preach always, and sometimes use words.”; meaning your life, or actions should do your preaching.  I've always thought what an easy cop-out, lazy excuse that is.  Lots of people live virtuous lives, and they're not religious at all.  Maybe they're the opposite.  Yet, they do good works.

Clearly, to me at least, it is not enough for us to live righteously.  We must assign words to what we are living.  If we don't, no one will know why we are doing what we are doing. 

Don't you cry out in surprise, when you're surprised?  Don't you exclaim awe, when you see an awesome sight?  Don't you express disgust, when you are repulsed?  When you're in love, aren't you bursting to announce it?  When you're in pain, don't you groan and moan; even if you don’t, the expression on your face screams pain.

Through the verbal expressing of ourselves (preaching), we concretize what was assumed.  Our preaching nails it down—loudly.  You must proclaim what your actions are trying to convey.

Lectoring Teaches Self-knowledge

Being a "lector" has taught me 10 things I didn't know about myself.  

• I have an accent.  In reading "harden not your hearts," a person from New Jersey told me that I have a Boston accent.  Imagine.  New Jersey?
• I need to use a microphone.  My voice is low and soft.  Elderly can't hear me, even if I shout.  The pitch of my voice is too low, for them.  
• Too many people come late.  I think some people think the Mass time means leave your house at that time.  It scares me to announce what Sunday this is, and then when I go to read the First Reading--WHOA!  Where did all the people come from? 
• Check out the Prayers of the Faithful with the names in the bulletin.  Sometimes mistakes have been made.  
• Occasionally, I'm drafted to be an altar server, too.  Pay attention.
• Breath control.  Silence is powerful, knowing when to use it is even more so.
• When I make a mistake, it's a blessing.  I need to be humble.
• Dealing with doubt.  Like mistakes, God is keeping me humble.  I have to look at it as a grace.
• Being close to the "action", is a great privilege.  My prayer is more intense.
• I've become closer to St. Dominic, the founder of the Order of Preachers.  Praying for his intercession before reading is a great focusing tool.                                                                                                                                    St. Dominic open hearts and minds to hear and accept the Words, I proclaim.  

Video Preaching Against HHS Mandate

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xiDAeIkEX9E" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

It's short.  Watch and see and hear.

Define Social Justice

There are different definitions of social justice. Take criminal justice, for instance. The criminal justice system executes the laws and punishes those who violate them. This is one kind of justice, but is not complete, for it does not evaluate whether or not those laws are in fact ethical, and does not interest itself with whether structures outside of the law are ethical. Of course I'm looking at this through Catholic lenses. I know that the only true justice will be in the after life, but I propose that any definition of social justice include:

1. Life from birth to death must be preserved because humans are made in the image of God.
2. We must take care of each other--all humans.
3. Resources are given for everyone to use.

The implementation of these three principles is what we have to figure out.

Preaching

Today, July 21, is a Memorial of Saint Lawrence of Brindisi.  In this morning's Readings is a sermon by him.  Besides saying that "...without faith it is impossible to please God."  St. Lawrence gives some profound thoughts about preaching as an apostolic duty.

And faith is not conceived unless the word of God is preached.  Faith comes through hearing, and what is heard is the word of Christ.  The preaching of the word of God, then, is necessary for the spiritual life, just as the planting of seed is necessary for bodily life.


Preaching, therefore, is a duty that is apostolic, angelic, Christian, divine.  ...  It is the source of faith, hope, charity, all virtues, all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, all the beatitudes of the Gospel, all good works, all the rewards of life, all the glory of paradise: Welcome the word that has taken root in you, with its power to save you.


All this wisdom from the seventeenth century holds true today.  St. Lawrence was the minister general of the Capuchins and is a Doctor of the Church.  Preaching is also giving witness to the word of God.  Living according to the word is preaching.  But that's not enough, that would certainly be a cop out, to be satisfied with just  living a good life.  Having an apostolate would be preaching personified, e.i., prison ministry, singing, writing, teaching religious ed, etc.  Let us pray for more preachers.

Preaching

The USCCB has agreed to look into and prepare a document on preaching.  The target date is November 2012.  The paper will look into homilies, specifically.  It sounds like a lively debate ensued over whether or not homilies should include catechesis.  Some say, (and I've been told myself) that homilies are not the place for adult catechesis.  But today's Catholics are so poorly formed in the truths of their Faith, where else will they hear it?  The homily is the only shot some get.

Order of Preachers -- Fr. Timothy Radcliffe

I have a friend who told me that years ago he and his wife would go to have an abortion on Saturday, and go to Mass afterwards, because they didn't know it was wrong.  They received First Eucharist and Confirmation together, so their religion formation ended at age 8.  They never heard the word "abortion" in a homily.

Come to think of it, I've rarely heard the word mention.  I don't think I've ever had a homily on any of the hot buttons that Catholic should be concerned with: abortion, capital punishment, homosexuality, contraception, social justice, etc.

The best homily I ever heard was by Fr. John Currie to my "cloistered brothers."  I still remember it and I don't think I'll ever forget it because there were few women in the congregation, so the homily was directed at the men.  Father told it like it was.  He was right in their face.  I'll never forget it because I was so embarrassed I felt my neck redden.  Father talked about pornography.  

The Pastor's Lament

If I express myself on a subject, I'm trying to run things.

If I'm silent, I'm dumb or have lost interest.

If I'm often at my office (preparing sermons or studying), why don't I get out and learn what's going on.

If I'm out when they call, why am I not tending to business, or studying for a sermon.

If I'm not at home at night, I'm out having a good time.

If I'm home, I'm neglecting important outside contacts and activities.

If I don't agree with people, I'm bullheaded.

If I do agree, I don't have any ideas of my own.

If I don't do what I'm asked, I'm a poor pastor.

If I do agree, well, that's what I'm paid for.

If I give someone a short answer, I'm "too big for my britches."

If I attempt to explain the pros and cons of an issue, I'm a know it all.

If I'm well dressed, I'm a big shot.

If I'm not, I'm a poor representative of my office.

If I'm on the job a short time, I'm inexperienced.

If I've been there a long time, It's time for a change.

h/t to my Lutheran friends

eLumen

I've been thinking about what I posted, yesterday.  I don't mean whether or not I have more virtual friends, than real.  I'm thinking about the Pope's message for World Communication Day.  I'm examining how I communicate.  That line of thinking brought me to the newsletter I am blessed to edit, eLumen.  eLumen is the newsletter sent out for the Lay Fraternities of Saint Dominic, in the eastern US (Province of Saint Joseph).  And I came to realize that eLumen does all that the Pope recommends.  Do you think he reads eLumen?

Pope Benedict XVI's  message is entitled, Truth, Proclamation, and the Authenticity of Life in the Digital Age.  You can find the entire text on the Vatican Archive Site: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/communications/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20110124_45th-world-communications-day_en.html

B16 encourages Catholics to get involved in the internet. ( Are not we Dominicans encouraged to stay alert to the times in order to preach the Good News?)  Throughout the entire message, the Pope highlights the tremendous potential of the internet, its benefits and risks.  An example of one benefit would be the way eLumen gives witness, in the life of Christian internet newsletters.  B16  asks all Catholics to use this new technology and take what is good from it. 

I would like then to invite Christians, confidently and with an informed and responsible creativity, to join the network of relationships which the digital era has made possible. This is not simply to satisfy the desire to be present, but because this network is an integral part of human life. The web is contributing to the development of new and more complex intellectual and spiritual horizons, new forms of shared awareness. In this field too we are called to proclaim our faith that Christ is God, the Saviour of humanity and of history, the one in whom all things find their fulfilment (cf. Eph 1:10). The proclamation of the Gospel requires a communication which is at once respectful and sensitive, which stimulates the heart and moves the conscience; one which reflects the example of the risen Jesus when he joined the disciples on the way to Emmaus (cf. Lk 24:13-35). By his approach to them, his dialogue with them, his way of gently drawing forth what was in their heart, they were led gradually to an understanding of the mystery.

eLumen has brought the Lay Fraternities of Saint Dominic, and its many friends, into a new phase of Dominican life – the digital phase.  eLumen allows us to come together in an “e-chapter,” where we share our thoughts and prayers, and communicate along the lines expressed in the Holy Father’s message. 

Kinda makes me proud.  

Preaching =Whooping

Being Roman Catholic, worship to me means participating in the Mass.  That's the best, the epitome, the greatest, nonpareil, most highest, (Got the idea, yet?) worship, there can ever be.  How could any human beat transubstantiation?  

But I pray many different ways.  I love Lectio Divina.  Although, I am known to drift off when centering.  I pray the Rosary, daily, because that's part of the Rule.  I love going on retreats.  I can't pray in tongues, but I love when the babel joins into one voice--like at the Consecration.  I can't sing very well, and St. Augustine said that singing is worth double the prayer, so I do it.  I love praying in community, antiphonally.  I pray memorized prayers.  Of course, all day, I prompted to pray ejaculations. I love charismatic spontaneity.  And of course, I love to be with "my cloistered brothers" when they pray.  You can just sense their emotion, and community support, and love.  For sure, Jesus is there among them.

And!  I also love "whooping."  Whooping is preaching with rhythm, vocal emotion, heart, body, and soul.  Black ministers are known for it.  This YOU Tube Video is Rev. Tellis Chapman whooping.  CNN had a feature on Whooping.  There "whooping" is defined as a synergy between the pastor and the congregation.  And it certainly is.  But all preaching is.  Whooping pastors use chant, melody, and response preaching to reach their parishioners, in their unique style of preaching.

Can only black ministers "whoop?"  Some say "yes," because they think you have to have lived the poor, suffering life, that growing up black molds you into.  But the Rev. Paula White is a successful white "whooper."

Personally, I don't think it's a skin color prerogative. I think it's living the poor suffering life.  You have to have suffered.  Much like singing the "blues".  You have to have a soul molded in suffering.  Simpatico.