One of the titles given to Mary Magdalene in the Eastern Rite Catholic Churches in communion with Rome is Iσαπόστολος, isapostolos in Greek, aequalis apostolis in Latin, which, translates into English as Equal to the Apostles.
Another case and point is Saint Phoebe (1st century) who was a deaconess of the Church. She was commended to the congregation of Rome by St. Paul, who praised her for her assistance to him and who according to tradition delivered the Epistle to Romans to the congregation Her feast day is 3 September
I would humbly assert that Mary's designation and Phoebe's role in the early church are sufficient reasons to permit and work toward the full ordination and participation of women within the Ministry. Furthermore, I would argue that this position is consistent with the Jewish traditions that were the foundation for Christianity that affirmed the feminine aspect of the Divine Presence exemplified by the Shekhinah.
Update The Vatican just announced that women who are ordained and the bishops that ordain them would be excommunicated. So on issue of equality the Church remains in the Dark and Middle ages.
30 May, 2008
29 May, 2008
Life Themes within Prince Caspian A Revision
RAF, aka little Trumpkin posited a question to me regarding the fact that I did not address themes related to life and the affirmation of life in previous post. In the film during a respite in his duel with Miraz, Peter asks Edmund:
In the novels The Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian and the films adaptations of the novels I noted the following formula Right Attitude + Right Action = Salvation
Right Attitude, the first part of the equation is a composite, which, requires that the faith of individuals be informed by reason and that reason of an individual complement, the faith of individuals enabling humankind to harmoniously balance faith and reason in a peaceful coexistence.
I would assert that the right attitude according to a Lewisian viewpoint would be akin to Eli's instructions to Samuel on how respond to G-D when G-D calls. Speak LORD thy servant is listening as illustrated by Aslan's chastisement of Lucy for neglecting her duties to the people and placing her own desires above the good of the people.
The existence of a right attitude endows humankind with the tools necessary to undertake the second part of the salvation equation which, is right action. The fact that a person has the proper attitude does not necessarily always result in the person undertaking righteous actions because, G-D granted to humankind the free will to make choices, and among the choices each human has to make is the choice to do good works for the betterment of humanity or evil works that harm humans.
For example after the disastrous raid on Miraz's castle and the loss of so many men both Caspian and Peter are tempted to a degree to call upon the White Witch and make a deal with the devil, but, Edmund's inherent faith in Aslan and his inherent reason accomplished the right action that saved both Caspian and Peter both of whom were blinded by their pride.
So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead. Indeed someone
might say, "You have faith and I have works." Demonstrate your faith to me
without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works. You believe
that God is one. You do well. Even the demons believe that and tremble.
Do you want proof, you ignoramus, that faith without works is useless? Was
not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered his son Isaac upon the
altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was
completed by the works. Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham
believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called
"the friend of God." See how a person is justified by works and not by faith
alone. And in the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works
when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by a different route? For
just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
James 2:17-26
What do you think happens at home if you die
here?
In the novels The Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian and the films adaptations of the novels I noted the following formula Right Attitude + Right Action = Salvation
Right Attitude, the first part of the equation is a composite, which, requires that the faith of individuals be informed by reason and that reason of an individual complement, the faith of individuals enabling humankind to harmoniously balance faith and reason in a peaceful coexistence.
I would assert that the right attitude according to a Lewisian viewpoint would be akin to Eli's instructions to Samuel on how respond to G-D when G-D calls. Speak LORD thy servant is listening as illustrated by Aslan's chastisement of Lucy for neglecting her duties to the people and placing her own desires above the good of the people.
The existence of a right attitude endows humankind with the tools necessary to undertake the second part of the salvation equation which, is right action. The fact that a person has the proper attitude does not necessarily always result in the person undertaking righteous actions because, G-D granted to humankind the free will to make choices, and among the choices each human has to make is the choice to do good works for the betterment of humanity or evil works that harm humans.
For example after the disastrous raid on Miraz's castle and the loss of so many men both Caspian and Peter are tempted to a degree to call upon the White Witch and make a deal with the devil, but, Edmund's inherent faith in Aslan and his inherent reason accomplished the right action that saved both Caspian and Peter both of whom were blinded by their pride.
So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead. Indeed someone
might say, "You have faith and I have works." Demonstrate your faith to me
without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works. You believe
that God is one. You do well. Even the demons believe that and tremble.
Do you want proof, you ignoramus, that faith without works is useless? Was
not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered his son Isaac upon the
altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was
completed by the works. Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham
believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called
"the friend of God." See how a person is justified by works and not by faith
alone. And in the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works
when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by a different route? For
just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
James 2:17-26
In answer to the question What do you think happens at home if you die here? The answer depends on the righteousness or lack thereof, but as to what will ultimately happen when an individual dies only G-D has the answer to that question. I have experienced first hand what death is and it is beyond my capacity to describe it.
16 May, 2008
Thoughts on Themes
The movie Prince Caspian illustrates a variety of themes that are important for both children and adults to take to heart.
First, the movie illustrates the need to work as team and the importance of community as Queen Lucy demonstrates this principle when she reminds High King Peter to remember who actually defeated Jadis. King Edmund further reinforces this need later in the film when he destroyed the conjured image of Jadis.
Second, the film reminds viewers that wisdom often comes in surprising guises and from unexpected sources. The tome also recalls that even the youngest of individuals can exhibit a level of maturity in their faith, reason and strength that can equal or surpass those qualities in adults as Lucy and Edmund illustrate through their words and conduct.
Third, the movie serves a metaphor for crises of faith as demonstrated by Peter, Susan, and Caspian X, highlights the need to work through them because, this results in a heightened understanding of self and the individual responsibility that every human being bears.
Fourth, the adaptation calls the veiwer to examine the secular roles that every person possesses and to insure that the people are fulfilling both their secular and religious duties to the best of their abilities.
Last, the tale reinforces the need for parents and adults to take an active role in the development of children if they are expected become healthy vibrant adults.
First, the movie illustrates the need to work as team and the importance of community as Queen Lucy demonstrates this principle when she reminds High King Peter to remember who actually defeated Jadis. King Edmund further reinforces this need later in the film when he destroyed the conjured image of Jadis.
Second, the film reminds viewers that wisdom often comes in surprising guises and from unexpected sources. The tome also recalls that even the youngest of individuals can exhibit a level of maturity in their faith, reason and strength that can equal or surpass those qualities in adults as Lucy and Edmund illustrate through their words and conduct.
Third, the movie serves a metaphor for crises of faith as demonstrated by Peter, Susan, and Caspian X, highlights the need to work through them because, this results in a heightened understanding of self and the individual responsibility that every human being bears.
Fourth, the adaptation calls the veiwer to examine the secular roles that every person possesses and to insure that the people are fulfilling both their secular and religious duties to the best of their abilities.
Last, the tale reinforces the need for parents and adults to take an active role in the development of children if they are expected become healthy vibrant adults.
12 May, 2008
OLLU Fire Update
The San Antonio Business Journal is reporting that the cause of the fire was not an arson but, was an electrical short that occurred in the attic of the Old Main. This fact does not surprise me considering the age and condition of the building
06 May, 2008
Our Lady of the Lake
Has anyone ever been moved by the sheer beauty of a building? I am curious because, one of the most beautiful buildings in the whole of San Antonio is rapidly being consumed by a raging fire.
The main building of Our Lady of the Lake University is being consumed by an inferno that is believed to have started as an electrical fire. I was only in the building once as young child but, to this day I remember the beauty of the building and the splendor of its architecture. I also recall the joy and happiness my grandfather derived from showing me the building.
The only portion of the main building still untouched by fire is the university chapel. The university has connections with my family dating back several generations. My parents attended the university and were married in the chapel. My grandfather and his brothers were involved in renovating the chapel in the 1960's
Fortunately the building was largely empty and the members of the cleaning crew who were inside were able to escape the fire.
Fortunately the building was largely empty and the members of the cleaning crew who were inside were able to escape the fire.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)