2009 July archive at Being Frank

Archive for July, 2009

Jul

“That’s it! You people have stood in my way long enough. I’m going to clown college!”

Categories: Being Frank...

I’ve been down in Palmerston North this past week, and I must say I’m impressed. Of course spending more than one week here might change my opinion, but for now I have to say it’s a nice place. There seems to be a bit of life around and doesn’t give off that sleepy NZ town feel. Congratulations Palmy give yourself a pat on the back, you’ve got the MB seal of approval.

While on the subject of Palmerston North, if you’re ever down here on business or a holiday (although I have yet to see anything holiday-ish around town) I suggest you look at staying at Bentleys Motor Inn. This is the 2nd time I’ve been here and it’s great! Comfortable rooms, your own spa pool, a squash court, and they even turn the heater on for you during the day so it’s warm in the evenings. Fantastic!

Being alone down here has given me a lot of time to think. One of the things that made me think was hot water. How does a motel / hotel / motor inn not run out of hot water? Especially when guests (not I of course) spend excessive amounts of time in the shower? (c’mon 20 minutes isn’t excessive). Is it an extra large hot water tank? Gas? An agreement with the electricity company to not cut power to its hot water tank?

It’s probably quite an easy question to answer but dare I risk the weird stares from the proprietors when I ask? So then I started thinking about human respect. Do we really care that much about what people think of us that it holds us back from seeking out knowledge? Or from doing anything really. I guess it really shouldn’t but a lot of the time it probably does, and we essentially become shackled, in a way, by what other people think of us (or maybe it’s just me…).

How sad.

Jul

Sweet or Savoury?

By Filia Day 6 Comments

Categories: Being Frank...

I heard a lovely analogy last night involving the Holy Father. Apparently the Holy Father was holidaying in the Italian Alps and slipped over, breaking his wrist. He was transported to a local Italian Hospital where he was supposed to be rushed through (due to his position of course). However, when he walked in, he saw a corridor full of other people waiting to be seen by a doctor. At the sight, he refused to jump the queue and waited his turn to be treated. I heard another analogy about the Holy Father’s stay at Kenthurst study centre in Sydney, a centre of Opus Dei, during World Youth Day. One of my friends, who was lucky enough to be there at the time, made the Holy Father a piano made out of chocolate because apparently he has a bit of a sweet tooth.

Hearing stories such as these is a great reminder that the Holy Father is only human too, even though he is, what a favourite saint of mine used to affectionately call him, the sweet Christ on Earth. This got me thinking, as Catholic’s we believe the Pope is infallible, right? But clearly he is not infallible on matter of sweet or savoury treats and to my knowledge we don’t have to follow his personal political beliefs, which appear to be a little bit more left than many social commentators had speculated in the past (well, at least according to his latest encyclical). So when exactly is the Holy Father infallible? As reasonably informed people, I’m sure we are all aware of the catch phrases on “faith and morals” and “ex cathedra” BUT practically how does this play out in the day-to-day running of the Vatican???

Jul

Visible sign of an inward reality…

By Tuppence 1 Comment

Categories: Being Frank...

There´s been some good discussion on this blog about the question of visible priestly identification etc…however this week I wanted to ponder about these questions for lay people. More specifically, wearing crucifixes.

For me…I have a small mountain of religious medals and pendants…gifts, souvenirs from visits to certain religious sites or whatever…each one with a story. Of course amongst them, I have the crucifix that my Nana gave me for my 18th birthday.

I tend to think that wearing any one of these pendants can act as a small visual testimony to the faith I profess, but the crucifix is quite arguably the most well-recognised (and the most central to our faith!) Especially when I´m travelling, or in environments where I´m not surrounded by a lot of Catholics, Christians, or I´m not sure what the beliefs are of those around me…I see it as a small reminder for myself, and a small reminder to others, that there is something (Someone) far greater than myself to which I am trying to dedicate my life in love, in response to the way He gives himself totally in love.

The reason I bring it up is that in the last 24 hours I´ve had two very different reactions to my dear little crucifix.

A bunch of travellers, we were out for a beer and tapas in Madrid and one traveller just simply asked me out of curiosity what was behind my wearing of a crucifix. I always appreciate when people at least give me a chance to explain myself. As the night went on, I found that our beliefs and values differed wildly, but I hope that my witness was a worthy one, and I know he appreciated to hear from a perspective he´s not used to hearing from. So in that respect, my little crucifix makes a great little talking point.

However, at another point in the night, with another co-voyager, I said something that implied the fact that I actively practice my faith. ¨Really, you´re religious?¨ ¨Yeah, for sure…¨ I replied holding up the crucifix a little surprised that it didn´t seem obvious. ¨Oh yeah, but people wear crosses for all sorts of reasons…¨ It left me wondering about how much the crucifix as a symbol of Christ´s ultimate sacrifice, has been emptied of value through banalism (?) and consumerism.

It reminded me of one time when I saw rosary beads for sale in the accessories section of H&M (like a large European Glassons-cum-Hallensteins). To be honest, I find it difficult to understand how people can so blatantly take something that is considered sacred by another and wear it in a profane context such as a fashion accessory.

And I guess above all, it just reminds me that my crucifix is a good little reminder, a good little talking point, but it´s also a good little challenge…do my actions and my disposition reflect what I choose to hang around my neck?

Jul

Bama! Bama! Bama! Bama!

By The Dumb Ox 115 Comments

Categories: Being Frank...

The following email is doing the rounds at the moment, and even though I’m not a Republican or a Bush supporter, I do think that it raises some rather good questions which highlight the inconsistencies in the way that Obama fanatics, and most in the media, have treated both Presidents, and I was sure that it would spark some lively discussion!

The email…

“If George W. Bush had given Gordon Brown a set of inexpensive and incorrectly formatted DVDs, when Gordon Brown had given him a thoughtful and historically significant gift, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had given the Queen of England an iPod containing videos of his speeches, would you have thought this embarrassingly narcissistic and tacky?

If George W. Bush had bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia , would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had visited Austria and made reference to the non-existent “Austrian language,” would you have brushed it off as a minor slip?

If George W. Bush had filled his cabinet and circle of advisers with people who cannot seem to keep current on their income taxes, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had been so Spanish illiterate as to refer to Cinco de Cuatro in front of the Mexican ambassador when it was the fourth of May (Cuatro de Mayo), and continued to flub it when he tried again, would you have winced in embarrassment?

If George W. Bush had mis-spelled the word advice would you have hammered him for it for years like Dan Quayle and potatoe as proof of what a dunce he is?

If George W. Bush had burned 9,000 gallons of jet fuel to go plant a single tree on Earth Day, would you have concluded hes a hypocrite?

If George W. Bushs administration had okayed Air Force One flying low over millions of people followed by a jet fighter in downtown Manhattan causing widespread panic, would you have wondered whether they actually get what happened on 9-11?

If George W. Bush had been the first President to need a teleprompter installed to be able to get through a press conference, would you have laughed and said this is more proof of how inept he is on his own and is really controlled by smarter men behind the scenes?

If George W. Bush had failed to send relief aid to flood victims throughout the Midwest with more people killed or made homeless than in New Orleans , would you want it made into a major ongoing political issue with claims of racism and incompetence?

If George W. Bush had ordered the firing of the CEO of a major corporation, even though he had no constitutional authority to do so, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had proposed to double the national debt, which had taken more than two centuries to accumulate, in one year, would you have approved?

If George W.. Bush had then proposed to double the debt again within 10 years, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had reduced your retirement plans holdings of GM stock by 90% and given the unions a majority stake in GM, would you have approved?

If George W. Bush had spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to take Laura Bush to a play in NYC, would you have approved?

So, tell me again, what is it about Obama that makes him so brilliant and impressive? Can’t think of anything? Don’t worry. He’s done all this in 5 months — so you’ll have three years and seven months to come up with an answer.”

Jul

Critique of weak technique

By James the Least 55 Comments

Categories: Being Frank...

For me, the NZ Catholic is not only an excellent, reliable source of news about the Catholic community in New Zealand, it is also something of a window through which I can peer into the thoughts and views of Catholics I might never meet on the street. While I have never really been one to pour over the letters to the editor in the secular press, I do find myself fascinated by some of the opinions of the readers who do take the time to write in to the NZ Catholic and, as such, try not to miss the “Letters” section.

However, there are times when I read one of the letters and just end up shaking my head. A good example of this is in the latest issue of NZ Catholic (July 26 – August 8, 2009) where one Mr Peter Gaines has decided to write a piece on why the New Zealand bishops should ban reception of Communion on the tongue…permanently.

The basis of Mr Gaines’ letter is that he, as a “Minister of Holy Communion at Sunday Mass”, has been exposed to “physically disgusting and medically unsafe” experiences by “a few zealots with an archaic mindset centred on an outdated, revolting, unhygienic, highly dangerous practice.” He is referring there to administering Communion on the tongue, just in case you are confused as to what horror he has been exposed to.

Now, in reading Mr Gaines’ letter, I found myself confused. See, I have only recently (in the last couple of years) taken to receiving Our Lord on the tongue. I’ve spoken about why before: namely, that it was something that grew from convenience having no hands free while holding my young son, and grew into something which I liked doing as it was unique, reverent and reminded me of just how special the Eucharist is.

My confusion stems from Mr Gaines description of enduring “repeatedly the revolting wet feel of warm saliva coming to rest on my thumb and my forefinger.” This, to me, seems strange as whenever I have received in this manner from a priest (with training on how to administer), I have never made contact with said priest’s fingers. It’s all down to technique – placing the host on the tongue, host-first so there is no need to touch. Practice, yourself, at home if you like. I know when I used to administer the Sacrament, I quickly learned how to administer to those who wished to receive on the tongue without making contact myself.

Mr Gaines’ diatribe on the evils of distributing in this manner seems to me to be more evidence of his ineptitude or his lack of training rather than the validity of the method as a form of reception. The icing on the cake is when he finishes his letter with a paragraph calling on the bishops to make the ban permanent – obviously clueless as to the actual law which, as the editor promptly points out, states that the communicant “always has the right to receive Holy Communion on the tongue” (Redemptionis Sacramentum).

If Mr Gaines is reading this, I’d like to point out that no one is forcing him to be a minister – it is a choice he has made. I would also suggest, sir, that you seek to have some proper training on this method, rather than just rallying against it out of your own personal prejudice. Don’t just insult it and label those of us that choose to receive Our Lord in this way “zealots with an archaic mindset”, as resorting to name calling won’t win you any points – in my book, or God’s I would suggest. The journey for me to this point has been an interesting, faith-filled, prayerful, fascinating one, and I choose to receive this way (when not restricted by pig-related illness) because of what it means to me. Be aware of what you are judging. And remember that I have my rights too!

How about you treat this as a learning opportunity? Because it seems you have a lot to learn.

Jul

‘wierd’ people

By eyeWitness 1 Comment

Categories: Being Frank...

Another book review (maybe I could make this like an online book club!) I have just about finished a book called ‘look me in the eye’ by John Elder Robison, a man with Aspergers whom the book is about.

John is only diagnosed with the disease as an adult, so grows up thinking he is just a cold, socially inappropriate person and doesn’t understand the negative reactions he gets from people even as a small boy and more-so as an adult. He finds he is, however, genius-like in his ability to focus on complicated engineering and technical problems, despite dropping out of school and being a pretty deviant teenager.

Asperger syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and people with it find normal social interaction difficult. They are very logical people and don’t grasp social ‘niceties’ or understand emotions very well – so are often perceived as rude and insensitive.

I have recently also come in to contact with a few people with bi-polar disorder through work and friends. It is a condition that means you go between ‘manic’ and depressive episodes, and can be very out of control.

I don’t know what your experience with mental illness is, but there are so many mental disorders. In many ways they are all extremes of the many different ways people think and interact and the spectrum of personalities. You really have no idea what people are thinking or feeling inside, how anxious they feel in social situations (because they may hide their feelings well), or the way they may just completely fail to think about the things you consider rude or tactless.

We often jump to conclusions about people without really understanding what their thought process is; which is why communication is so important I guess. In families, between friends – even between countries often all the problem is, is misunderstanding and miscommunication.

Biographies are interesting because they allow you get inside someone else’s head – all we really know well are our own heads! And through that you can come to understand different points of view – always interesting and always useful for our walk as Christians trying to love and understand one another better.

Yet, to what extent can people who don’t have serious mental disorders blame their character or personality for the things they do? Like Clayton Weatherston saying he has ‘narcissistic personality disorder’ – fine, but is that really something you can’t fix? I could say it’s in my nature to be short tempered with people, but that is really a lack of character and something I should work on! While we should be very understanding with other people, in ourselves we shouldn’t just cling to the excuse ‘that’s the way I am’ or ‘I have a personality disorder’ should we?

Jul

‘Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do’

By On the Road 1 Comment

Categories: Being Frank...

‘The last words of Father Mariano Arroyo Merino expressed his forgiveness for the would-be robbers who knifed and burned him.’ His murderer recounted that Father Arroyo’s last words were “I forgive you.”

What an incredible example of mercy and forgiveness this priest is to the world. This priest, stabbed and burned to death by robbers, expresses his forgiveness to his murderers as they are killing him. Sound like anyone we know?

What a peaceful life this holy man must have lived. He followed the Lord’s command, Love thy neighbor as thy self, even to death. How much peace this man must have possessed to forgive his killers like he did. I have trouble forgiving my family members for annoying me or the incredibly slow drivers on the motorway (you know, the ones that merge at half the speed limit and decide to get into the fast lane ), let alone someone who may kill me! Yet, Father Mariano’s natural last instinct was to forgive – spreading the gospel up until the moment he died. Imagine what God would say to him as he approached the pearly gates?!?

This man was truly an authentic witness to Christ in the world. How often do we see irate people demanding reparation for wrongs committed against them, or countries holding grudges against others for wrongs committed long in the past. Our world is one instinctively disposed towards seeking vengeance and reparation.

It is stories like this that make me stop, reflect, and think how can I be more forgiving to those I come into contact with everyday.