Worship Songs
Great post over on the First Things blog by Jeremy Pierce, in which he examines the elements of a bad worship song. It’s tongue-in-cheek, of course, as his point relates to how these songs are often biblically based.
For my part, I loathe just about every single praise and worship tune I hear. It’s all saccharine: sweet and tasty, but the aftertaste is there to remind you that what you’ve just consumed is fake. P&W tunes operate out of an emotional construct, which is unsustainable in both human and spiritual relationships. My argument isn’t always with the content of these songs (often being very scriptural), but rather with the method of delivery and what one hopes to incite in the worshiper.
Any art involving words — if it is to have any lasting, enduring affect — must appeal primarily to the intellect. It should give you cause to pause, to relate, to grow, to ponder. It should be actualized. All too often, the point of P&W is to get you excited, to pump you up and get you going. And then what?
I say I loathe “just about” every P&W song I hear, because occasionally I run across a good one. The music I hear when I’m with a local young adults group always seems to fit the mood of Eucharistic Adoration, and is extremely well done.
I haven’t posted this quote by Flannery O’Connor in a while, but I’m always reminded of it when I encounter terrible Christian art:
The sorry religious novel comes about when the writer supposes that, because of his belief, he is somehow dispensed from the obligation to penetrate concrete reality…But the real novelist, the one with an instinct for what he is about, knows that he cannot approach the infinite directly, that he must penetrate the natural human world as it is.
UPDATE: My buddy (the newly-minted Br. Benedict — woohoo!) brings up a good point with the “me me me” theme so prevalent in P&W.
One of the places Jeremy Pierce’s satire falls short is that he doesn’t acknowledge the larger theological sense of what the “me/I/my, etc” means in the Psalms. When I pray the psalms — and I do, five times a day, as I promised my bishop I would — the “me” isn’t Josh Miller. “Me” isn’t even the original composer of the Psalm, in the traditional narrative sense.
The “me” we refer to when we pray the Psalms through a Christian context is Jesus Christ, addressing the Father. Thus, in my prayer, I unite with Christ as he unites with the Father. It becomes relational inasmuch as I incorporate myself into the mystery of my adopted sonship, through the Son Jesus Christ.
In the end, then, the Psalm really isn’t about “me” even when it uses the term. It always points toward Jesus Christ, who points towards the Father.
In every good icon, notice where Mary’s hand leads. She’s the preeminent example of what it means to be Christian for a reason: it was never about her.
UPDATE (x2): Instead of simply providing negative examples, I thought I’d post a positive example of a song that might be considered P&W (in a gospel sense) which does precisely what these songs should do.
Unfortunately, not every songwriter is Bob Dylan, and not every songwriter is capable of crafting a work whose lyrics about God aren’t easily interchangeable with the word “baby.”
Great performance by this kid, by the way:
On Those European Bus Signs…
…calling for women’s ordination, I have an equally valid and just as likely idea for a marketing campaign:
What never ceases to grind my gears about this whole deal is that some continue to think the Church’s position on female clergy is a matter of policy, such as mandatory celibacy for diocesan priests, and thus subject to change.
It isn’t. Even if, somewhere down the line, the Spirit appointed a pontiff sympathetic to the cause, he would have as much power to change this dogma as he would the Christian dogma on the Trinity.
We live in strange times. On the one hand, there is a legitimate, constant need to defend Truth and Virtue in the public square. On the other, there’s this disingenuous notion that if you clamor loudly enough for something, you can change Truth and Virtue.
New Film: Pope Michael
“Pope Michael” Trailer from Pope Michael Documentary on Vimeo.
Looks entertaining, in the kind of way which has allowed me to enjoy the wacky, quaalude-driven world of William S. Burroughs.
Stupid Headline, Stupid Thoughts
Via Mark Shea, this pearl of a headline: Brain unable to understand existence of God: expert
To which I automatically say, “Of course!”
But then the article starts, and I do a facepalm:
One of the world’s foremost neuroscientists is about to tell some of the world’s foremost theologians the bad news: God may exist, but the human brain is simply not capable of knowing that for sure.
Gorsh! O RLY?
Of course, “the world’s foremost theologians” have been saying the same thing.
For thousands of years.
It’s a simple logical deduction. The brain is matter, and that which is material cannot deduce the totality of that which is immaterial. And if we were able to pin down God in a lucid moment of “Aha! I understand the totality of God’s nature!” then what we would be describing is decidedly not an infinite, limitless being.
I’m willing to give neuroscientist Greg Northoff the benefit of the doubt; it sounds like he’s just explaining the limited potential of the brain in this matter.
To suggest that this is a revolutionary concept, or a triumphant moment of victory for science over theology, however, is a completely disingenuous move. As a matter of fact, score one for the theologians who had this covered ions ago.
For evidence, start with one of my favorite theologians. Start with Aristotle.
I have studied both neuroscience and theology; would that we could say the same about others who write on such things.
My Beef With Twilight
Bloggers elsewhere have already said a great deal about Stephanie Meyers’ Twilight series, and why it is so troublesome. You can find a great analysis from David P. Goldman here, which sums up some of the more destructive elements at work in the series.
I’m also concerned about the Twilight series because of what it seems to represent, both from a literary and a cultural perspective. Since Goldman addresses the issue of sex, I’ll table that issue and look at one that really grinds my gears: the depiction of the vampire.
It’s Meyers’ depiction of the vampire that ultimately bothers me the most. Vampires are evil creatures. Most depictions put them in a league with the damned, demons and other residents of the underworld. Once human, they are now Something Else, and it is generally accepted that this Something Else is irredeemable.
What’s most important about the vampire is that they may look human, but their humanity has been destroyed. Some of the most intelligent vampire figures ever crafted are locked in a constant battle with a desire to regain some of their humanity, against the ever-present reality that they can never be what they once were.
Even the “good” vampires are objectively evil figures, insofar as anything can be, when evil is a perversion of the good. This is why vampires like Bill of True Blood and Ann Rice’s creations appeal and captivate. There’s no going back, and the vampire struggles to come to terms with that.
Twilight vampires don’t fit the tradition. At times, they seem more human than the humans. They’re vegetarians. They don’t feed off of human beings. They’re physically beautiful, perfect in every way. They… sparkle.
And personality wise, they remind me of emo kids always wrapped up in the pettiness of teenage problems. Difference is, they occasionally break out of their life-for-us-is-hard whining to battle werewolves and interact with other vampires.
Looking at a Twilight vampire, who wouldn’t want to be one of these guys? They’re not monsters, not objectively evil creatures. They can live forever, and seem to retain the fullness of their humanity. Sounds like a pretty good deal to me.
It’s an ironic – yet fitting – artistic move for Meyers, who crafts her ultra-human vampire in an age where that which has always been considered morally problematic is now acceptable, even lauded. The vampire no longer serves as a cautionary figure; he no longer stands as an example of the darkest parts of human nature and perversion: the vampire is now something it’s fine to be.
A perfect (though unintentional) commentary on the state of our ailing cultural, political, and moral values.
I leave you with this video, which wraps up everything else wrong with the series:
Academic Freedom is Dead
Thanks to David over at Cosmos-Liturgy-Sex for saying all that needs to be said about the University of Illinois’ decision to terminate Dr. Kenneth Howell.
The University of Illinois taught me a lesson first-hand, so it is not surprising that it continues to perpetuate that lesson: academic liberalism (and indeed, modern liberalism in general) is a façade constructed to push a set of ideals. It’s all about respecting other people’s opinions, until those opinions happen to conflict with the party line.
And when the party line is breached, look out. It becomes sinister, wicked, underhanded — and Amen, Amen I say to you — evil. Meanwhile, the Catholic viewpoint is proclaimed openly in a spirit of charity and love, always with regard to the intrinsic dignity of the human person, regardless of where they fall on any moral spectrum.
I would hope that Dr. Howell might find a job at a Catholic school, but this might be difficult. The game is the same, only a little less visceral. The seminary system is a good option as well, but the pay isn’t so great.
HIGHLY Recommended Viewing
Fr. Barron, more or less on the subject of “love”:
He hits on one of our mutual hobby horses, namely that “love” is not an emotion: it’s an act of the will.
Imagine how different the world would be, if we simply had rightly ordered love?
BONUS!:
This has no theological message. I just love Conan stuff.
Fr. Barron on Blasphemy
+10 to Fr. Barron for incorporating Dylan’s recent comments regarding irreverence in an interview for Christmas in the Heart.
My two cents: blasphemy in this day and age is boring. Any attempt to provoke prompts a huge yawn from yours truly.
Speechless
In one week: I’m ordained a priest, and the Chicago Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup.
Doesn’t get much better than this.
And Now…
…a return to the traditional, light-hearted feel of this blog: me wearing awesome, esoteric ordination gifts!
The generosity of others amazes me: as seminarian and fledgling priest, I have received more from others than I deserve, so I decided to take pictures and show them off.
I received three items of clothing, really suiting me perfectly. The first came from my buddy Richard who often comments on these schizophrenic pages. Since you can’t clearly see the front, here’s a link to the Admiral Ackbar shirt: “IT’S A TRAP!”
Next, a great priest friend of mine knew that I’ve always wanted a Hawks sweater. And by “always,” I mean since I was fifteen years old. I had been holding out this season on the off-chance that I might get one with the Stanley Cup patch up top. I customized it with my name, because I don’t like the prospect of paying for a sweater, only to have my favorite player change teams next year. I’m also wearing a finals hat, purchased by the same priest:
I really appreciate everyone’s gifts and support! But most of all, keep praying for me and priests in general.
Ordination
This Saturday, I was ordained a priest.
It’s been difficult to put a finger on what to say about it, exactly. I originally began blogging to explore the discernment process, a theme I more-or-less stayed true to through my three projects, Saint Some Days, Fiat: Discerning God’s Call, and here at Quid Sit? And now that my vocational discernment has come to its conclusion, I find myself overwhelmed by a number of thoughts and emotions that are difficult to accurately describe outside the context of prayer.
People ask me if I feel any different, which is another difficult thing to answer. Of course I feel different, but how I feel different is impossible to put down in words.
I think I can describe one part of it, though.
When my brothers and I hit the marble during the Litany of Saints, it struck me that everything I’d experienced — the good, the bad, and the ugly — all of it was leading up to that very moment. It struck me that I’m a worm and no man, and here I am, on the floor, no more than a speck of dust in the cosmos, acknowledging that fact. I acknowledged that God has called me to do something that I alone cannot do. I felt very small.
Then I stood up. I did not stand because I thought myself worthy of such gift or responsibility. I stood to receive the bishop’s hands because God called, and I knew — in that very moment — that the God who willed such a thing for me would always give me the grace to live up to my ordination.
And it’s been all thanksgiving ever since.
The Pending Blackhawks Stanley Cup: What it Means to a Fan and to a City
Dustin Byfuglien celebrates a game-winning goal against the Sharks in the Conference Finals
I have a sordid hockey past.
Growing up for a few years outside of Ann Arbor, the sport is very much a part of the culture. The Red Wings are huge everywhere given their two-decade history of success, and people come out in good numbers to watch the University of Michigan. Living in proximity to Detroit and not supporting the Wings is tantamount to living in Nebraska and not supporting the Huskers. Where the Michigan/Michigan St. rivalry divides, Red Wings hockey unites.
Moving to central Illinois made it hard to follow the Wings. Televised coverage was limited to national broadcasts alongside those few games where the Wings battled it out with their division rivals, the Chicago Blackhawks, at Joe Lewis Arena.
Still, I loved the game of hockey. I found myself watching the Hawks play other teams besides the Wings, and would discuss these games with a classmate and lifelong Chicago supporter. I gradually became what my childhood mind would have thought impossible two years prior: I became a Blackhawks fan.
I even started hoping they’d beat the Wings.
******
Chris Chelios, my all-time favorite Hawk
Not that the Blackhawks teams from my youth (or early adulthood, for that matter) were any good. They weren’t. Some were mediocre. Some were less than mediocre. And from 2003-2007, they were horrible. I mean, really, really horrible. Worst franchise in all of professional sports horrible.
Still, if being a fan of Chicago sports teaches you anything, it’s patience. You suffer in hope that one day, you’ll be rewarded for your faithfulness. In the meantime, you enjoy all the free tickets you’re offered, and take advantage of discount prices for students.
The Blackhawks aren’t the Cubs, the third-most popular team in the league, playing in the historic and beautiful Wrigley Field, with national exposure through WGN. The Hawks play fifth fiddle in this town, behind the Bears, Cubs, Bulls, and White Sox. Unlike the Cubs, when the Hawks are terrible, nobody pays attention to the fact that they are terrible. Prior to the Western Conference Finals this year, nobody talked hockey on Chicago sports radio, which is understandable: nobody was interested.
******
Keep it like this all year, every year
But people are interested now, thanks in large part to owner Rocky Wirtz’s dedication toward winning. Blackhawks mania is everywhere in Chicago, and people are starting to take notice of what a great game hockey is.
Some will call it bandwagoning. I suppose it is. But bandwagon fans can only be a good thing for hockey in this city; increased interest will lead to increased expectation, and hopefully we won’t see another Hawks team with 43 losses in a single season. Mainstreaming hockey in Chicago stands to benefit old-time hockey fans the most, since we will no longer feel like our interest is slightly less obscure than those who care about the MLS Chicago Fire. And we’re all but guaranteed a better product on the ice.
So, if you’re in Illinois, hop on the bandwagon. As far as I’m concerned, we’re happy to have you.
******
Some will, no doubt, accuse me of counting my chickens before they hatch by claiming victory for the Chicago Blackhawks, and maybe I deserve it. But with a 2-0 lead in the series as of this evening, I feel fairly confident calling this one for the Hawks.
And if I’m wrong, and the heavy underdog Flyers come back to pull things out?
No problem. Chicago sports teaches patience.
For You Mullet Lovers Out There…
For some odd reason, I get a dozen or so hits per day from folks searching for information on mullets. So for all of you mullet hunters out there, this post is for you.
First: “[Patrick] Kane’s mullet is playoff ready,” from the Toronto Sun.
Second, this t-shirt, available for purchase from the NHL store:
Third, a picture of the man’s mullet itself, which he acknowledges as “trashy”:
And finally, what the mullet means for Chicago:
One Week To Go…
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.”
But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, `I am only a youth’;
for to all to whom I send you you shall go,
and whatever I command you you shall speak.
Be not afraid of them,
for I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD.”
Then the LORD put forth his hand and touched my mouth; and the LORD said to me, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.
See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms,
to pluck up and to break down,
to destroy and to overthrow,
to build and to plant.”- Jeremiah 1:5-10
Tweetering
- Praying that everyone our in Tweetererland has a great one!
- Liturgical Dylan Song of the Day: "I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine" http://bit.ly/aDL9up
- Required reading by Fr. George Rutler: "The Liturgical Experts' Long Tassels" http://bit.ly/9ZTfl0
- @fatherschnippel Don't think you'll get oen out of the Cubs: not like we have much left to fight for ;).
- Denis McNamara has new pre-order available: "How to Read Churches: A Guide to Ecclesiastical Architecture" http://amzn.to/cP0KJd Great stuff
- @fatherschnippel You'll be joining a chorus of White Sox fans around here! :) Here's to hoping everyone enjoys the game.
- Totally digging the new Ignatius Press one-volume, leather bound New Testament Study Bible. Well done! @ignatiusinsight
- @fatherschnippel Go Cubs! We've got nothing left but to play the roll of spoiler :).
- Morning took a detour: at SAM'S getting new front tires. Bought Goodyear, because I've got a lot (of unpacked garbage) riding on my tires.
- Dylan song of the day, to match our readings: http://bit.ly/cMezWk
- St. Monica, pray for the conversion of the world.
- @CurtJester Methinks a certain aging generation has too much time on its hands. :-)
- @CatholicNotions Definitely. Will do.
- Hoping everyone has a great Assumption Sunday!
- relaxing rainy day. hope everyone's doing well!
- @sullijo Close. The squirrel just edges out the lightsaber in weirdness factor for my money, though. Good find :).
- @Scoutsigns Dunno that there is one. All good Google phones are snatched up by non-iPhone holders :(
- http://bit.ly/c4PfYw If it gets any better than that, I sure don't know it.
- Loving being a priest!