James Martin Wrap Up!

Fr. Martin has managed to answer a few of the final questions before he has had to call it a night – a little sooner than I thought, as I had things mixed up, sorry!!

Continued from this post:

From Shannon: A little late to the feast, but what fun! All this talk of saints reminds me of a little movie called “Millions” where the saints were just a regular part of the main characters life. The readers I had in Catholic school were full of stories about the saints, though tweaked a bit. St. Tarcisus was a kid, on his way home with Communion for his grandmother, when the neighborhood kids wanted him to play baseball. He refused, they beat him up. Scary story.

Many many years later, I came across the story again, but Tarcisus was a grown man, a deacon, carrying Communion for the sick…. Nevertheless, I think I got the point!

From Fr. Jim: Funny enough, “Millions” is one of my favorite new movies, and a charming way of looking at devotion to the saints. Yes, St. Tarcisius and his story have always struck me as one of the most surprising of all the saints’ stories. (Which is saying a lot!) He is a reminder to anyone who thinks that being a saint means leading a dull life.

Question from NewHampshireGal: If Jesus excepts all, why can’t the Catholic church?

From Fr. Jim: Dear friend, yes, Jesus does accept all of us. As for the church, I’m not sure exactly what your question might mean exactly, but the church accepts all who are ready to live by its way of life, which is its understanding of the call of Christ.

From Klaire: Thanks for all of your great inspiration and words of wisdom. I was wondering…When I watch clips of you on Colbert, I think: Why don’t you just make this a regular thing (in it’s own show)? Colbert seems to have a pretty orthodox understanding of the faith, and the audiences always seems very responsive to you two together. Could this maybe me the “new evangelization -the ‘meet them where they are’?” Jesus never said we weren’t allowed to have fun and a few laughs in learning. I hope you consider it. The world is starved, especially America for the “true faith.” Perhaps a style like you and Colbert (orthodox but on the lighter side), could draw the crowds over to EWTN for the “ok, now it’s time to get back into “spiritual shape”, letting EWTN teach where most of us left off in 3rd grade catechism.

America is starved for the truth of Christ, and IMO, a few bites can go a long way, especially if tied in with pop culture.

From Fr. Jim: Glad you enjoyed me on “The Colbert Report.” It’s really a lot of fun to be invited on the show. In general, I always try, as far as possible, to accept invitations to appear on TV or radio, because it is a wonderful way to reach millions of people, no matter what the program. And it’s usually lots of fun as well. You might not know this, but Stephen Colbert is a devout Catholic who teaches CCD at his parish. Plus when it comes to Mr. Colbert, it’s important to remember that the “character” you see on the show is just that–a character. In real life, Mr. Colbert is much more relaxed, down to earth, and warm. But, as for a repeat performance, it is up to them when to invite me back! As for appearing on TV more regularly, I appreciate the vote of confidence, but my primary mission, which comes from my Jesuit superiors, is to America magazine–which I very much enjoy!

Unfortunately that’s all the time Fr. Martin is going to have today, (everyone can keep chatting, though, of course) but you can catch him tomorrow – all day – as he winds up the week with Julie at Happy Catholic – the perfect place for a tired priest hawking a book to end up!

Everyone who participated today has had their name dropped into a bag, and the one whose name I pull out will receive – (tada!) – an autographed copy of My Life With the Saints (which – ahem, James, I do not even have, myself – hint,hint!), and that lucky winner (drawn by Buster) is:

NewHampshireGal!

Congrats NHG! If you send me your name and mailing address, I’ll forward it to the Loyola Press folks!

Remember: From now until June 8, you will be able to order My Life With the Saints at a 35% discount. Mention marketing code 2683 when ordering it either online at www.loyolabooks.com/martin or calling 800-621-1008. Below I’ve provided links at Amazon to some of his other books, as well.

A final word from Fr. James Martin:

Dear friends,
Many thanks to The Anchoress for inviting me to be a part of such a wonderful (and tiring, but in a good way!) day on her blog.

From my previous visits to The Anchoress, I knew that your questions would be provocative, insightful and challenging–and they did not disappoint.
Since some of them cohered around spiritual practices, and especially “Ignatian prayer,” perhaps I could close our reflections by saying that a key insight that I’ve learned as a Jesuit is that God takes people where they are–and that includes in your prayer life. So if you are inclined to “Ignatian contemplation” (using one’s imagination to enter into a Scripture passage) that’s great. (In my book My Life with the Saints I have a lengthy discussion about that.) If you like lectio divina (meditating on Scripture) that’s great, too. If it’s “centering prayer” (a kind of prayer of quietly being in God’s presence) that helps you feel closer to God, then that’s great, as well. There is no one style of prayer that is “best,” though there may be one that works best for you. Trust that the way that you like to pray is the way that God desires to be with you. Above all, trust that God desires to be with you in your prayer–and in the rest of your day as well!

Anyway, thanks again to the Anchoress, and thanks to all of you readers for your wonderful questions.
Please do keep me in your prayers!
Yours in Christ,
Fr. James Martin, SJ

I also want to thank all who participated – I have always maintained that I have some of the best and most thoughtful and civil readers in the blogosphere, and you prove me right again, unsurprisingly.

Thanks, Fr. Jim – come back any time! But…maybe take a vacation first!