Talking about the Things That Matter Most on May 7
4:00 – Kresta Comments: A look at Beethoven on the Anniversary of the premiere of his Missa Solemnis
The Missa solemnis in D Major, was composed by Ludwig van Beethoven from 1819-1823. It was first performed in Vienna on this day in 1824, when the Kyrie, Credo, and Agnus Dei were conducted by the composer. It is generally considered to be one of the composer's supreme achievements and, together with Bach's Mass in B Minor, it is the most significant mass setting of the common practice period. We listen to and learn about Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis.
5:00 – “Babies” / “Iron Man 2” / “Crazy Heart” on DVD
Steven Greydanus is here to look at two films making their debut’s this weekend. “Babies” and “Iron Man 2.” One of them, Steven says, is an absolutely must see film of the year. Tune in to find out which one.
5:40 – Kresta Comments - 10 Dumb Things Said About Arizona's Immigration Law & 8 Smart Things About Catholic Teaching on Immigration
It will be a while before, if ever, Arizona's immigration law will be actually lived under. Lawsuits will quickly seek injunctions. Can a state take such authority in immigration policy which is normally a Federal jurisdiction? In principle, I don't see why not? The principle of subsidiarity teaches that problems should be solved at their most local level. While immigration policy is a national concern, illegal immigrants funneling themselves through Arizona is clearly a state concern. Al looks at the 10 dumbest things said about AZ’s immigration law and 8 smart things about Catholic teaching on immigration.
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Question: is there any inherent logic to viewing those in a country illegally as the biblical equivalent of "sojourners" and "strangers among us"? In other words, is there any reason to believe that those who have chosen to break our laws to enter this country illegally are somehow magically entitled to our hospitality, based on a scripture which has nothing to say about the status of illegal aliens? Or, is the implementation of that particular verse simply a way of manipulating others; of saying that if we dare to disagree with Bishop Twaddle, we're disagreeing with The Word Of God[TM]?
ReplyDeleteC'mon, let's try being honest on that point.
It is our catholic right and duty to treat these poor desperates with the love and dignity they deserve.They have built our highways and homes,and done work you wouldn't imagine yourselves doing.They work in our factories for slave wages and are treated like slaves.We are all aliens,we do not deseve heaven.Treat these people with mercy,and god will show mercy to you...rob
ReplyDelete'Welcome the Stranger'
ReplyDeletehttp://insidecatholic.com/Joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8087&Itemid=48
RB2
Rob, thanks for evading the question and diving right on in to self-serving piety. Intellectually speaking, when that other testicle descends, you be sure and let us know. Oh, and by the way, you have no idea what kinds of jobs I've done, you silly, little boy.
ReplyDeleteRB2 (and Mr. Zmirak): Thank you! Brilliant!
The reason "hospitality" was such an important marker for a biblical people is because they occupied lands whose borders were often shifting and porous.
ReplyDeleteWho of you wouldn't cross the border to get steady work so you could better raise your family?
Who of you would be more likely to do so because the U.S. government since 1986 has demonstrated an unwillingness to resolve the problem of illegal immigrants?
Mother's Day is upon us and it would be good to remember that a fair number of prominent Washingtonians have employed undocumented nannies over the years. Often as much in the interest of the worker as for their own tax advantages.
Borders are porous. They change over time. The way some people describe the offense you would think that most migrant workers that stay past season were doing so for purpose of rape and pillaging.
Who shed a tear during the musical Les Miserables when Jean Valjean went to prison for stealing a loaf of bread. How bad off does your family have to be before it's justified to steal a loaf of bread?
Oh, the bishop decided not to press charges on the candlesticks because he thought he saw something in Jean Valejean that could be redeemed with an act of mercy.
Ask yourself what you are passionate about in this debate?
For Catholics this is not first of all about the identity of the nation, it is about the mission of the Church.
ReplyDeleteThe rule of law is fundamental to the right ordering of society. Thomas Aquinas regarded it as the primary proper means of co-ordinating civil society. But civil laws are not all of equal moral gravity. Furthermore, when civil authorities refuse to enforce certain laws they teach that such laws can be violated without expectation of punishment. This is what we have here. What is the Church to do? It's mission is different than the state.
We are in a chaotic time. Beat your breast all you want about the rule of law but what you've got are families in the neighborhood who are making a living, not paying taxes probably, are more vulnerable as victims of crime because they are less likely to report abuse. You know them by name. What are you going to do as a Christian to help them make the right choices for themselves and their families?
One of the reason the Church has stressed the corporal works of mercy is because personal investment in the lives of the needy keeps us from saying stupid things about what somebody else, like politicians, ought to do.