A piece of reflection on Pope Francis’ recent consecration of Russia (does such scope of office make the evangelical takeover of NYC look like chopped liver or what?) that might give neo-Calvinists and Jason and the Callers pause. It’s a two-fer:
This Sunday our Holy Father Pope Francis will consecrate the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Of course, there are no plans to mention Russia specifically, and the bishops of the world have not been asked to participate. It looks as if our current pontiff will be continuing in the trajectory set by previous pontiffs of performing generic world consecrations that do not fulfill Our Lady’s request at Fatima. . .
And what is the point of a consecration of “the world”? To consecrate something means to set it apart, dedicated to the service of God. Now, “the world” is really everything. How can you set apart everything? What is it being set apart from? Perhaps I am being a little simplistic here, and I will willingly receive correction on this point, but to consecrate the whole world seems like playing a game where everybody wins. And if everybody wins, then nobody does; if everything is consecrated, is anything consecrated? And if the entire planet is to be consecrated, why the necessity of repeating this consecration again and again over the past sixty years? Each subsequent consecration suggests and imperfection in the previous one; unless we take the position that consecrations periodically need to be renewed.
Comprehensive and cosmic Christianity does give the feeling of t-ball or youth soccer. All exercise but no contest and thus inconsequential.
Old Life 
I worry about half measures here. If our lady wants Russia consecrated and the church keeps dodging, how does this not fall under the general truth; “if momma ain’t happy ain’t nobody happy”. This is a lot of darkness to be messing with, I’d prefer the pope just suck it up, assemble the bishops and git her done.
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And what is the point of a consecration of “the world”? To consecrate something means to set it apart, dedicated to the service of God. Now, “the world” is really everything. How can you set apart everything? What is it being set apart from? Perhaps I am being a little simplistic here, and I will willingly receive correction on this point, but to consecrate the whole world seems like playing a game where everybody wins. And if everybody wins, then nobody does; if everything is consecrated, is anything consecrated? And if the entire planet is to be consecrated, why the necessity of repeating this consecration again and again over the past sixty years? Each subsequent consecration suggests and imperfection in the previous one; unless we take the position that consecrations periodically need to be renewed.
Ok, so this is an easy one.
1st, Pope Master F didn’t say he was consecrating the universe, just the world. Ergo, he’s setting apart Earth from the rest of the universe. I mean, I’ve heard Venus is a little racy and Mars is a little hot-headed, so I think it’s a good move to set apart Earth.
2nd, yes everybody wins for now, but this is more like the World Series and not the Super Bowl. Right now it may be Everybody – 2, Only Some People – 0, but the series ain’t over yet. So don’t worry. Everybody will still have plenty of time to lose.
3rd, of course consecrations need to be renewed! I mean, sin happens yo! Why do you think the RC has all those Hail Marys and Rosaries and Masses and stuff that need to be done over and over? Reconsecration, dude!
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Stuart, but men are from Venus. Francis is a man. Francis is from Venus. (The nerve of Bryan Cross to think I can’t do logic.)
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The problem is that your first premise is wrong, DG. Men are from Mars, WOMEN are from Venus . . .
http://www.marsvenus.com/
So unless you’re tossing some mad innuendo into the mix about Francis (those duds and bling could cause one to wonder), you’ll have to rework your syllogism.
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Why this is the best news since…..
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Here’s a fun post from the same site. At least plumbing is not on the Catholic top ten list:
http://unamsanctamcatholicam.blogspot.com/2011/03/top-ten-careers-for-catholics.html
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What a treasure trove:
11) Beautify (or De-Uglify) the Parish Sanctuary: After the priest has been there for awhile and the congregation knows what sorts of things to expect from him, it is probably time to look at raising funds for replacing those ugly, modern minimalist colored glass windows with some traditional stained glass. How about replacing the bland wooden pulpit with an ornate marble ambo? Begin a donor campaign to replace modern, cushy, kneeler-less pews with something more traditional that includes kneelers. Tear the carpet out of the sanctuary area around the altar and replace it with hardwood, tile, or marble. Consider purchasing some more ornate vessels. Or, funds and architecture permitting, get some communion rails. You don’t need to use them right away. You can just install them for aesthetics and begin using them whenever you are ready. It also enables you to offer the Extraordinary Form.
http://unamsanctamcatholicam.blogspot.com/2013/08/twelve-ways-determined-priest-can-renew.html
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10. Music
We are in dire need of some good music. Right now, we pretty much have our high-end, intellectual music like Mozart and Bach, then our liturgical chant, then our often-times sappy Christian rock, which is of questionable quality, and then the secular stuff. What we really need is for some excellent Catholic musicians to start writing “secular” music that is inspired and formed by a Catholic worldview (as opposed to remaining segregated in the narrow genre of “Christian rock”).
Just what I want to buy for my iPod. Sneaky “holy” music under the guise of “secular” music. So which is it? Holy worldview music or secular music?
Personally, I think we are in dire need of combining the “intellectual” music with the mindless secular stuff written from a sappy Christian rock worldview mixed with some liturgical chant. Now THAT is something I would add to my playlist!
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Dubs, someone should tell JJS there are such things as Catholic neo-Cals. HashtagEpistemologicalAngst.
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Stuart, I always get those planets confused.
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Alright, I don’t know if he’s a convert or not, but he’s neo-calish, a trad, latin-riter, homeschooler/courtshipper, in education(think teacher) and from SE Michigan. I’m willing at this point to make some further connections to FV and place him firmly under Zrim’s responsiblity. I’m not interested in excuses about UPers aren’t SEers. Save it and fix it.
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You’re losing sight of the big picture. This is a part of the overall catholic plan. “Catholic” means universal, and our universe has like 8 other planets in it. So by consecrating Earth, we’re saying “suck it” to Mercury and Venus and all those other ones.
You’re welcome.
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Crap, I really need to start reading the comments before I post.
Hashtag, SomeoneStoleMyJokeBeforeIThoughtOfIt.
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C.S. Lewis did write a book that is sometimes known as “Voyage to Venus”. Maybe the Pope was on board the ship.
“Mars ain’t the kind of place to raise your kids. In fact it’s cold as hell.”
– Bernie Taupin / Elton John
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So is Greg Thornbury just ripping off the Romans when he gives Cosmic High Fives?
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Jason,
Buyer’s remorse should be setting in any day now.
Is there any kind of lemon law on religious conversions?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buyer's_remorse
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If my move to a Reformed church 8 or so years ago was akin to buying a car, the car would still be traveling down the road at a good speed, but would have some dings from encounters with pietists, neocalvinists, theonomists, and Federal Visionists. The theological equivalent of deer run amok, in other words. Perhaps varmint roadkill.
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C-Dubs, that’s what I’m saying. I’ll take the pontiff over Harry Potter all day and twice on sunday, just on dress alone.
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Erik, can you imagine; “Yes I’d like to get a refund on my tithe for the past so many years and seek punitive damages for emotional and psychological duress plus missed opportunity costs”
Religious huckster: “perhaps, can we convince you to upgrade to our latest model made entirely of reflections from recycled 1960’s liberal pulpit wood and used acid paper?”
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Like my 1996 minivan, this Reformed theological vehicle is the only one I’ve got. So when a skunk occasionally lets loose in it, my only option is to hold my nose and open up another pine tree air freshener to hang from the mirror.
No turning back to evangelicalism, no going to Rome, no embracing the abyss…
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Jason, see, Unam Sanctam never goes away.
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Unam Sanctam never goes away.
It’s a little embarrassing to admit, but I had that once. Doc gave me a shot and it cleared right up.
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What’s Stellman doing over here telling jokes?
Oh, I get it.
His arguments for popery are ridiculous and he’s testing the water for a new calling as a comedian.
You heard it here first.
Bryan and the rest of the crew will be heartbroken.
Serves them right I say, but whatever.
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I’m still laughing about the RC who told me that what the composer thought about Unam Sanctam doesn’t necessarily matter about its veracity. Gotta love that plastic doctrine of ecclesiastical infallibility.
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