Esau and Jacob

Last updated on: November 13, 2015 at 7:22 pm By William Droel

Political scientist Sheldon Wolin (1922-2015), who died in October, fought against a dominant approach in social science that constructs abstract models to then be used in devising and evaluating public policy. Instead, Wolin turned to the history of specific societies. From them he derived lessons that apply to modern situations. In a well-known essay, Wolin looks at the saga of twins Esau and Jacob, as revealed in Genesis (See 25:19-34; 27:1-49). He then explores the difference between an individual who... Read more

First U.S. Saint

Last updated on: November 9, 2015 at 1:10 pm By William Droel

She is the first U.S. citizen to be an official saint. But it almost didn’t happen. Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, MSC (1850-1917) and half a dozen others from the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart arrived in New York Harbor in March 1889, following a difficult Atlantic Ocean crossing. Italian priests serving in New York, the story goes, sent disturbing reports back to Bishop Giovanni Battista Scalabrini (1839-1905) of northern Italy. The U.S. church, largely populated by Irish-Americans, treats Italian... Read more

Gifts that keep moving

Last updated on: November 3, 2015 at 12:48 pm By William Droel

This is the season for gratitude. First up is our national day of Thanksgiving on which we express gratitude to God for our beautiful country and for our relatives, even those who are a tad rowdy at the day’s get together. Thereafter begins three and a half weeks of giving gifts at Christmas parties and at a family reunion or two. Unfortunately, some essential features of gratitude have been lost over the years. First, a true gift must be given... Read more

No Challenge Flags

Last updated on: November 2, 2015 at 10:16 am By William Droel

Our Bears lost because of a disputed play. Actually, our Bears lose for several reasons. Confusion about rules abounds in professional football, particularly regarding a completed pass or an interception. The rules in these matters are deliberately vague because they were written to accommodate our society’s addiction to video technology. The ability to project a prior play on an in-stadium screen and even on fans’ mobile devices has led to an essential loss of meaning about a sports event. Like... Read more

NRA Is a Front

Last updated on: October 26, 2015 at 3:34 pm By William Droel

According to a popular opinion, the National Rifle Association is the primary obstacle to gun safety. Progress is impossible because of NRA’s intransigent extremism, this opinion says. Even President Barack Obama, speaking in the wake of the Umpqua Community College massacre, implicitly endorsed this opinion of the NRA. He asked responsible gun owners to question the organization. The Industrial Areas Foundation is not buying this popular analysis. The NRA is merely a front for gun manufacturers, says IAF, a 75-year... Read more

Goodbye Trump

Last updated on: October 4, 2015 at 3:07 pm By William Droel

Don Trump is out. Don Quixote is in. Worldly success is out. Regard for others is in. That’s the analysis of this Working Catholic blog no matter what happens in the polls or in state primaries. It’s percolating; though it is not evident to many of the new tycoons, or to so-called celebrities or to many in media. It emerged after the collapse of our individualistic marketplace in 2007-2008. It temporarily resides in both the disillusionment and the dreams of... Read more

A relevant saint?

Last updated on: October 2, 2015 at 12:29 pm By William Droel

October is a great month for saints: St. Therese Lisieux (the Little Flower), St. Boniface, St. Damien of Hawaii, St. Teresa Avila, St. Luke, St. Jean de Brebeuf of Canada, St. John Paul II and several more. And October is also the month for the second most popular Christian ever, St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226). But is St. Francis relevant? No, not unless the goal is for young adults to quit their jobs, abandon their cell phones, roam about begging... Read more

World Series

Last updated on: September 23, 2015 at 7:35 am By William Droel

Rev. Martin Luther King (1929-1968) writes from jail in Summer 1963 to his fellow ministers. The topic is their opposition to King’s direct advocacy for integration. In spite of my shattered dreams of the past, I came to Birmingham with the hope that the white religious leadership of this community would see the justice of our cause and with deep moral concern serve as the channel through which our just grievances could get to the power structure. I had hoped... Read more

Papal Visit, Part II

Last updated on: September 9, 2015 at 8:56 am By William Droel

Where does Pope Francis get his ideas on the economy? The same place as every other informed Catholic. Like other Christian traditions, Catholicism says God’s truth is revealed through the Bible. Like other Christian traditions, Catholicism says Jesus Christ is God’s unique self-revelation. Catholicism also says God’s One Truth is mediated through reason (philosophy, social science and physical science) and through collective experience. Many Christian traditions agree with this method, but some do not. Catholic social doctrine is premised on... Read more

Labor Day history

Last updated on: January 12, 2015 at 10:58 am By William Droel

Labor Day began in 1882 when machinist Matthew Maguire (1855-1917) and carpenter Peter Maguire (1852-1906) organized a parade in New York City. Both, though unrelated, were Catholic laymen active in the Knights of Labor, the first successful national union in this country. The New York parade was repeated in 1883 and 1884. Soon thereafter Oregon, and then a few other states, began honoring working people with an official Labor Day on the first Saturday of June. It was later changed... Read more