Wordplay on life

This is something I have noticed for quite awhile now, but it seems to have become even more prominent in the past few months. I am talking about the semantics used by the media. Without a doubt, the media uses certain words and language to skew news stories to fit their agenda. This occurs in media polls, statisitcs and news stories.

What prompted me to write this blog entry was an article in the Kansas City Star about the lawsuit against Dr. George Tiller and his abortion clinic in Wichita. I noticed the use of the term "anti-abortion" when referring to those who support the lawsuit. I did some research and the Kansas City Star commonly uses the terms "pro-choice" when speaking of those supporting abortion rights and "anti-abortion" when speaking of those supporting the right to life.

The use of the word "anti" in our society always has a negative connotation. Some prime examples are "anti-Semantic" and "antichrist" both which have extremely negative connotations. Now, it should come as no suprise that the Kansas City Star is not supportative of the right for life. I am not picking on the Star alone. Most of the media uses these terms that seek to skew the right to life issue to seem like pro-choice is a freedom and anti-abortion is a restriction. The media paints the right to life movement as suppressing the freedoms of women by the use of the word "anti" and it has an impact on people.

The idea of a balanced and fair media is not something I think anyone would believe. But, I think it is also important for us to be aware of the subtle ways in which they seek to push their agenda. It helps us to recognize articles that skew the story being reported and gives us the opportunity to "read between the lines" to find the real story. Until next time...God bless.

posted by: crossman at 22:15 | link | comments |
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Lent: A time of reflection and anticipation

We have begun my favorite liturgical season: Lent. I love Lent for a number of reasons: the music, the simplicity and the use of Latin for the Mass parts. However, the primary reason Lent is my favorite liturgical season is the twofold focus of the season.

Lent is the time for us to reflect on our sinfulness. We know we are sinners but often we do not think about what that means. It is central to our understanding of Lent. The words spoken on Ash Wednesday when we receive the ashes should call to mind our sin. The priest says, "Remember, man, you are dust and unto dust you shall return." These words are taken directly from Genesis 3:19 just after Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit. God tells them that they will die and return to the dust from which they are made. They die because of the sin they committed. So, Ash Wednesday should take us back to the first sin of man and remind us that we continue to perpetuate that original sin today.

At the same time we reflect on our sinfulness, we also reflect on the salvation won for us by the death of Christ on the cross. We prepare and anticipate the Tridiuum - Holy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil - and Easter Sunday. We recognize the connection of our sinfulness to our salvation in Lent.

This connection can be seen in the reception of the ashes. While the ashes remind us of our mortality, they also remind us of our salvation. They are placed on our foreheads in the sign of the cross. The placement on the forehead also symbolizes a blessing.

Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent by reminding us that this is our time of reflection of our sinfulness and anticipation of our salvation. Until next time...God bless.

posted by: crossman at 22:23 | link | comments |

Does the economy affect the Church?

The economy in the U.S. has been in crisis for nearly a year now. The housing market crash and subsequent foreclosures, the banks struggling, auto manufacturers nearly going bankrupt all trickle down to the everyday American. Many, many people struggle just to make it through the month with enough food and basic necessities. I am certain that the economic crisis has affected every one of my readers in some way. So, how does the economy affect the Church. It affects us in two ways.

First, like many people, it is a big factor in our financial resources. Parishioners are not able to give as much in the collection each week. Some have stopped contributing all together while nearly everyone else has reduced their contribution. Prince of Peace is blessed in that we live in a suburb of Kansas City, KS that has not been struck as much as other areas because the majority of our population are white collar workers. Even so, our weekly collections have been down between five and seven thousand dollars each week. Our weekly collection, prior to the economic crisis, averaged $42,000 so we are about 15% lower than in previous years. Again, we are blessed because I know of numerous parishes who are down as much as 40% or more. This significant loss of income is almost too much for these parishes, which are often smaller, rural parishes.

This leads us to the second result of the economic crisis. While contributions are down, the number of persons needing assistance has risen substantially. People are seeking financial assistance to pay basic bills, rent and even gas money so they can go to work. Much of this is provided by Catholic Charities but many parishes also offer assistance to their parishioners. Catholic Charities has seen an exponential increase in families making use of the food pantry. Even simple items such as clothes and school supplies are being asked for as well.

As you can see, the two challenges facing the church are in opposition to each other. Reduced income means reduced services but increased need means increased services. The solution: I don't know. I do know that we, as a Church, have an obligation to help those in need. I also know that those of us who are blessed both financially and materially have a responsibility to step forward during these difficult times and give just a little more. In other words, we are called to help others especially the poor and those in need just like Christ. Until next time...God bless.

posted by: crossman at 09:49 | link | comments |
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FOCA revisited

In a blog post on December 8, 2008 I blogged on the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) and how destructive it could be to the cause of pro-life. If passed, it would wipe out all laws, statutes and restrictions at the federal and state level that have been passed since the Supreme Court decision of Roe vs. Wade. In essence, it would take us back to January 23, 1973 - the day after the Supreme Court decision. It would further block and ban any and all future legislation attempting to restrict abortions. I am not giong to repeat the many laws and statutes if would repeal (you can read my Dec. 8th post for that information) but I wanted to blog about the postcard drive being sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)and another real danger to the pro-life movement that may be more destructive that FOCA.

First, the USCCB is sponsoring a postcard drive to make Congress aware that hundred of thousands of Americans oppose FOCA. The USCCB's web site makes the following statement regarding the postcard drive:

The "Fight FOCA Postcard Campaign" sends the message to Congress that the radical policies of FOCA are out of step with the most basic values of the American people and should not become a part of our nation’s laws in any way.

The postcard signing event gives parishioners, as individuals and as a body, an opportunity to give public witness to their belief in the sanctity of human life.

People remember signing the cards, and public officials understand that the postcards represent concerned constituents.

In addition to the postcard:

• An educational flier is available, "FOCA: A Radical Threat to Human Life." This piece contains a brief statement on the threat FOCA represents and lists in concise form actions a person can take.

• Parishioners are also encouraged to visit the special e-mail action page on nchla.org, where they can send e-mail messages to their federal elected officials in Congress and to the President.

The text of the postcard states that as a citizen (these card can be signed by anyone not just Catholics or those of voting age) I am opposed to legislation that would eliminate restrictions on abortion. The text of the postcards says:

Dear Senator,

At this time of serious national challenges, Americans should unite to serve the good of all, born and unborn. The Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA), the most radical and divisive pro-abortion bill ever introduced in Congress, would create a "fundamental right" to abortion that government could not limit but would have to support. FOCA would overturn many existing widelysupported policies, including laws protecting parental involvement and conscience rights and those preventing partial-birth abortion and taxpayer funding of abortion.

Please oppose FOCA or any similar measure, and retain laws against federal funding and promotion of abortion. As your constituent, I would appreciate a written response telling me how you would vote on these matters.

The postcard drive actually goes beyond FOCA, which is my second point. The FOCA legislation has been submitted in Congress in one form or another since 1989. Currently, it would seem that it does not have enough votes to pass should it come before the Senate or House. However, it is extremely important that we send these postcards for two reasons: 1) We want our political leaders to know we are opposed to FOCA should it come before them for a vote. 2) If you read the wording of the postcard above you will notice it states that we are opposed to ANY legislation that may reduce or eliminate current restrictions on abortion.

Because of the strong possibility that this bill will not pass, a much more real danger exists. While Congress may not pass FOCA, the President, Barack Obama, CAN issue Executive Orders that would enact parts of FOCA and eliminate various restrictions. This very real possibility would allow him to very subtly eliminate or suspend laws restriction abortion one law at a time and would be very much less noticable. We want Congress to know that we are opposed to ANY attempts to reduce or eliminate restrictions on abortions, be whether that be legislation introduced in Congress or unilateral action by the President.

That is why it is vital that you sign these postcards and mail them to Congress. If you do not have access to a postcard you can print your own postcard by downloading it at: http://www.nchla.org/datasource/idocuments/Postcards.Eng&Sp.pdf

You are also encouraged to e-mail your representative and the Natl. Committee for a Human Life Amendment (NCHLA) has a place on its web site in which you can send an email to your representative: http://www.nchla.org/actiondisplay.asp

I would strongly encourage you to help us to inform our federal government that you, as a U.S. citizen, oppose the elimination of abortion restrictions and that you support dignity and respect for all human life from the moment of conception until death. Until next time...God bless.

posted by: crossman at 09:09 | link | comments |
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The Presentation of the Lord

On the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, which we celebrated on Monday, there is a tradition of blessing candles to be used throughout the year. Also called Candlemas, prior to the Second Vatican Council this marked the end of the Christmas season and at one time also marked the end of the Christian liturgical year. The blessing of the candles can be dated back to at least the 10th century where we have a formula that was used in the blessing. The blessing of candles and the procession into the church, which is a common part of the right commemorates Christ being brought into the Temple at the presentation. It symbolizes the Light of the World illuminating the darkness and the coming of Christ into our lives. The blessed candles are to be used in our homes, especially for religious purposes to remind us of the Light of Christ both in our lives and within us.

There are two prayers which express this symbolism: "Almighty Father, whose Son Jesus Christ was presented in the Temple and acclaimed the light of the nations: grant that in him we may be presented to you and in the world may reflect his glory." This prayer focuses on Christ as the light coming into the world and that in his presentation we are presented to God as well.

Simeon calls Jesus "a light to enlighten the Gentiles...The warm candlelight is meant to be a tangible reminder of that greater light which, for and beyond all time, radiates from the figure of Jesus. We are reminded of the need to be prepared to burn brightly ourselves in the midst of this dark world. We take a light away this morning, it is not our own light, no light of our own would be bright enough, rather it is the light of Christ."

 

I think this best expresses the focus of Candlemas: recognizing the Light of Christ in our world, his illuminating the darkness of sin in our world and our mission to bring that light into the world and into our lives. Until next time...God bless.

posted by: crossman at 20:07 | link | comments |
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