Beauty, Art, and Social Networking

I mentioned before about my desire to bring a greater sense of vision and mission to my online presence. Now that I am in break from classes it is really starting to come together. I won't go into details just yet, other than to say I am finally discovering the intersection of art and technology and hopefully in a more disciplined and mission-oriented way preparing to unleash the inner artist in me. I will write more in a few days or weeks when I have a clearer sense of precisely what this means, but it feels good to have this moving in a positive, organized fashion. I would ask that you might keep this in prayer, if you don't mind :)

The Wisdom of the Jews

Several centuries ago, the Pope decreed that all the Jews had to convert to Catholicism or leave Italy. There was a huge outcry from the Jewish community, so the Pope offered a deal.

He'd have a religious debate with the leader of the Jewish community. If the Jews won, they could stay in Italy; if the Pope won, they'd have to convert or leave.

The Jewish people met and picked an aged and wise rabbi to represent them in the debate. However, as the Rabbi spoke no Italian, and the Pope spoke no Yiddish, they agreed that it would be a 'silent' debate.

On the chosen day the Pope and Rabbi sat opposite each other.

The Pope raised his hand and showed three fingers.
The Rabbi looked back and raised one finger.

Next, the Pope waved his finger around his head.
The Rabbi pointed to the ground where he sat.

The Pope brought out a communion wafer and a chalice of wine.
The Rabbi pulled out an apple.

With that, the Pope stood up and declared himself beaten and said that the Rabbi was too clever. The Jews could stay in Italy.

Later the cardinals met with the Pope and asked him what had happened.
The Pope said, 'First I held up three fingers to represent the Trinity. He responded by holding up a single finger to remind me there is still only One God common to both our beliefs.
Then I waved my finger around my head to show him that God was all around us. He responded by pointing to the ground to show that God was also right here with us.
'I pulled out the wine and wafer to show that God absolves us of all our sins. He pulled out an apple to remind me of the original sin.
He bested me at every move, and I could not continue.'

Meanwhile, the Jewish community gathered to ask the Rabbi how he'd won.
'I haven't a clue' the Rabbi said. 'First, he told me that we had three days to get out of Italy, so I gave him the finger.
Then he told me that the whole country would be cleared of Jews and I told him that we were staying right here.'
'And then what?' asked a woman.
'Who knows?' said the Rabbi. 'He took out his lunch so I took out mine.'

Jimmy Fallon and Catholic Liturgy

An interesting interview with Jimmy Fallon about his Catholic faith, particularly what he says about the way the modern Mass has developed into something so unrecognizable to Catholic tradition:

http://www.sacatholic.com/2011/12/05/catholicism-jimmy-fallon-wanted-to-be-a-priest/

Positive Campaigning and the Future of Political Discourse

There are few politicians in recent memory who evoke more visceral reactions than Newt Gingrich. He's been around forever, and love him or hate him, people tend to have strong reactions to him.

In all the analyses of his person and his candidacy going on right now, looking at "Good Newt vs. Bad Newt," looking at his troubled marital past and his contentious relationship even with his own party members during his time in the House, I think what is often being overlooked is how this campaign fits into a greater narrative of redemption in his own life. There are few who know him - whether favorably or unfavorably - who I have heard speak of his conversion to the Catholic faith who doubt its sincerity. That doesn't mean they necessarily forgive him for all that led to his marriage to his current and third wife, but no one seems to doubt that her influence on him has, perhaps ironically, led to an authentic conversion of faith. Furthermore, it is difficult to watch him on the campaign trail and not notice that he genuinely seems happy, seems to be enjoying himself, and seems really to believe in what he is doing.

None of this is to suggest that suddenly he is a brand new person whose character flaws have suddenly disappeared. He can be bombastic and filled with an inflated sense of self-importance, no doubt. But what has struck me about his campaign so far, and I think potentially what presents the greatest opportunity for positive effect he can have on our political future, is the overwhelmingly positive tone and demeanor he has maintained throughout these past months. He has rarely attacked his fellow Republicans, but instead sought to portray a voice of maturity and temperance. He embraces a very Reagen-esque positive vision of American exceptionalism (even if too often portraying himself as another Reagen). I think his latest (or is it first?) campaign ad running in Iowa says it all.

If he can continue to campaign like this, if this becomes indicative of the ads he would run in a general election against Obama, then perhaps we can finally have a candidate who demonstrates, for the first time in a really long time, that a politician can be elected not based on a purely negative campaign, but rather primarily by focusing on the good to which he or she longs to lead us, on the positive vision of what we can hope to be under sound leadership. This sort of campaign, if it is matched with a generous spirit in governance, can perhaps offer the best opportunity to break the pattern of bickering and gridlock that dominates our political culture today. It is true, Gingrich has made many enemies over the years. But he has also proven a skilled negotiator who is willing to compromise, who recently won some pretty strong praise from one of his noted rivals, President Clinton. For all his baggage and all his frustrating egoism, I believe Newt Gingrich really may have the best opportunity to lead the United States to a positive future once again.

A Kiss in the Night

As the frosty morning dew begins to thaw

along the solemn fields of expectation,

and the winter sun returns the rain through

the porous veil separating heaven and

earth, the dying hope within my heart

again begins to tilt towards the light. The world

is quiet here, where creation sings the

silent chant of awakening, the song which

permeates the chilled air with divine

consolation, love's sublime expression 

of being born anew each day. Life is a 

prayer knowing only this moment. Love is

reflected when you open your eyes. A kiss

in the night quiets the mourning as the

longing heart groans for peace no more. 

The Waiting

Where lively shadows move no more, 

and stars hide behind the midnight veil,

so my love comes to me at night,

kissing me with silence.  We are no

lovers of the daylight.  I will wait for you.

I will wait to bathe you in my tears.

I will wait to clothe you with my heart.

I will wait to drown you in my love.

I will wait in silence. 

O darkness, my love's delight!

If my beloved is hidden in your depths

then swallow me with the night!  If hiding

from me gives you pleasure then take these

wretched eyes, for there is nothing more

to see.  I will wait in darkness.  I will

love you in the night.