John Allen at Crux has some valuable insight into the controversy that exploded yesterday, and which Allen describes as “surreal”: First, there’s basically zero plausibility that Francis actually said what Scalfari cites him as saying on Hell, at least as quoted, since Francis has a clear public record on the subject – he actually talks about Hell more frequently that any pope in recent memory, and he has never left any doubt that he regards it as a real possibility... Read more
Without question, it is the most infamous public execution of all time. No death has been more depicted in art, in drama, in literature and, as we’ve just heard, in music. On top of this, the one being put to death is the most quoted, cited, studied, revered person in human history—a solitary figure who literally changed the world. Jesus the Christ—Son of God and Son of Man. The Messiah. Yet these, his last words, may strike us as shocking—shocking,... Read more
The rock icon is a self-professed Christian and recovering alcoholic who credits Christ for saving his life. Easter, he will appear in a live concert of “Jesus Christ Superstar” on NBC—and he’s promoting the event with interviews about his faith: Cooper says he realized he was going to have to either quit drinking or die. After exiting a hospital where doctors diagnosed him as a “classic alcoholic,” he never had the desire to drink again. The “School’s Out” singer credits... Read more
There are some events in history that prove to be pivot points. You look back on them and see how those moments changed the world. Early in the musical “Hamilton,” there is a scene when four key characters meet: Alexander Hamilton, Marquis de Lafayette, a slavery abolitionist named John Laurens and a tailer’s apprentice by the name of Hercules Mulligan. Poised at a pivotal moment in history, they share their dreams of a better future, in a song called “The... Read more
A grateful h/t and diaconal bow to James Agnew, who sent this my way, from Liturgical Arts Journal. It explains how The Exsultet was once chanted from enormous scrolls, which could be unfurled from the ambo to illustrate what the deacon was describing in his chant: The authorship of this great hymn in praise of the paschal candle is suggested by the Liber Pontificalis to possibly be the fifth century pope, Zosimus. As a hymn, it forms one of the richest texts... Read more
From Isabelle Robinson in The New York Times: As a former peer counselor and current teacher’s assistant, I strongly believe in and have seen the benefits of reaching out to those who need kindness most. But students should not be expected to cure the ills of our genuinely troubled classmates, or even our friends, because we first and foremost go to school to learn. The implication that Mr. Cruz’s mental health problems could have been solved if only he had... Read more
Details: An underground Chinese bishop at the center of a controversial deal between Beijing and the Vatican was taken into custody Monday, according to people who witnessed his detention. It was not clear why the bishop, Guo Xijin, was detained, but a Rome-based news agency said it was because he refused to celebrate the upcoming Easter Mass with a government-approved bishop. Bishop Guo, 59, of the Mindong diocese in central-eastern China, had been asked by Rome to step aside in favor of... Read more
The cardinal archbishop of Boston last night spoke of the “four kisses” a priest bestows: on the altar, on the book of the Gospels, on the people of God, and on the crucifix on Good Friday. Here’s part of his homily: The celebration of Mass always begins with a priest drawing near to kiss the altar. This liturgical custom dates from the first centuries of the Church. In our tradition the altar is a symbol of Christ, who is the... Read more
Our friends at Wikipedia explain it: In Western Christianity, the Wednesday before Easter is sometimes known as “Spy Wednesday”, indicating that it is the day that Judas Iscariot first conspired with the Sanhedrin to betray Jesus for thirty silver coins. This event is described in the three Synoptic Gospels: Matthew 26:14-16, Mark 14:10-12, Luke 22:3-6. The Sanhedrin was gathered together and it decided to kill Jesus, even before Pesach if possible. In the meantime, Jesus was in Bethany, in the... Read more
A great tale of justice, perseverance, and second chances: Nevest Coleman officially started as a Chicago White Sox groundskeeper Monday after spending more than two decades behind bars for crimes he didn’t commit. Coleman, 49, reflected on returning to his old job, reuniting with his family and his championship hopes for the White Sox. “I was proud of come back here,” Coleman told CBS News in phone interview. “I love the atmosphere.” Coleman’s day began with power-washing the entrance to... Read more
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The Deacon's Bench
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