A View From the Pew

Jesus was a hunk

Or so says Andrew Greeley... While that could very well be true I think the years Fr. Greeley has spent writing his trashy novels may have corrupted any pastoral and theological sense he, at one time, may have had. It seems he feels the need to spice Jesus up a bit in his newest book: Jesus: A Meditation on His Stories and Relationships with Women.

The reviewer, Susan Hogan/Albach, says in her article that:

"The book reads like an adolescent fantasy about manhood and priesthood (priests represent Jesus). It's salvation through titillation. Women are portrayed as shallow -- a mindless mass of bodily desires who fall all over Jesus like Brad Pitt groupies."

Ms. Hogan/Albach then goes on to explain that Fr. Greeley has a very nontaditional view of the sisters of Lazarus, Mary and Martha. Apparently it seems likely to Fr. Greeley that the sisters were teenagers infatuated by Jesus' good looks and charming manner and Martha's complaints about her sister were nothing more then a jealous snit because Mary was getting all the attention. Fr Greeley is quoted as saying:

"If we accept that Martha and Mary were both teenagers, the squabbling between them becomes understandable. It is also not unlikely that they both had crushes on him."

I guess being God Incarnate was only incidental to the women followers who were more impressed with Jesus' suave manners and good looks. Apparently not being content with reducing the holy women to nothing more then horny teenage girls vying for the attention of "Jesus the hottie" Fr. Greeley goes on to give us this titillating nugget:

"Jesus was the "most attractive man" Mary of Magdala ever encountered, Greeley says, and it's possible that Jesus fantasized about "making love" with her."

Eh! --- so what if Jesus warns In Matthew chapter five that anyone who "looks at a woman with lust" has already sinned. I suppose this little indiscretion just makes Jesus all the more likable, more approachable--- more like us--- this Jesus is much more meaningful to our world today--- way more then that stuffy old Jesus in the bible…

Of Domination systems, prophetic collisions and Empty Tombs---

It seems Fr. Pat Brennan of Holy Family Parish had been doing some Lenten reading. In case you don't know Holy Family Parish an "Evangelical church in the Roman Catholic tradition" here in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Fr. Pat's inspirational choice of spiritual material this Lent was "The Last Week" by Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan of Jesus Seminar fame.

Here is the link to Fr. Pat's insights on this "historical" perspective (click on "the Bulletin" and then on "Fr. Pat Brennan/Living Faith")--- I will give you the highlights (?) to whet your appetite--

Under Thursday:

"Eucharist is the continuation of the meal-oriented ministry of Jesus. Jesus did a lot of His teaching at meals.... This Passover sacrifice like meal that Jesus gave His followers was not a substitution sacrifice in which Christ gave his life to atone for the sins of humanity, rather it was a meal in which he invited, and invites, His followers to participate with Him in the movement from death into new life."

According to Fr. Pat--- Borg and Crossan emphasize the "new life" that Jesus invites us to is acheived only through death to the "domination style" of life that prevailed and prevails in the culture around us.

Further on under the Friday (as in Good Friday) meditation Fr. Pat says---

"Why did Jesus die? It is clear in Mark's presentation that He died because of His prophetic collision with the domination system of Roman Government and the Jewish temple oriented religion."

SILLY ME!!! I thought he died for our sins!!!!

Fr. Pat concludes by saying "the relevant issue for us is to what degree is this conflict of domination system vs. the Reign of God at work in our own day, and whose side are you and I on?" And this folks is the end result a belief system centered on social/political action and stripped of mystery and any hint of the supernatural--- It doesn't matter what you believe---maybe Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes, maybe it was just a generous change of heart in the crowd, maybe Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist or maybe He instituted nothing more then a communal meal, maybe Jesus is truly man and truly God or maybe he is just another really nice teacher/prophet who stood up to the domination system of his day..... it doesn't matter as long as you pick-up your anti-war picket signs as you leave the narthex today.....

Perhaps Cardinal George is somewhat preoccupied by the sins (or rather is that tactics of their "domination system") of a few of his brother priests. It is pretty blatant move on Fr. Pat's part to use the writings of known heretics--- those who spend countless hours and fortunes attempting to debunk Christ's divinity--- for his Holy week reflections to his "sheep" ---- and still the sign outside his church says "Catholic".

From Saturday's Trib---- The Catholic Church Born Again  and from last year---- The Curt Jester covered Fr. Brennan's feelings about Benedict XVI's election--- It seems along with "paradigm paralysis" and "directive images of Jesus" we can add "domination systems", "prophetic collisions", and "meal ministry" to the lexicon of those who are busy singing "a new church into being".

Fr. Jim DeBruycker prepares us for Holy Week....

I admit it--- I read Fr. Jim DeBruycker column in St. Joan's bulletin every week. One can always find some profound nugget worth hours of contemplation, like this----

Now, if I was a good Pastor, I would tell you to shape up and live right. You had better do it now because you don’t know the time or the place. Your plans are not God’s plan. Well, of course you would be right to a degree.

Lent is about cleaning out all the useless crap that has accumulated in your life. I suppose, putting your life in order. Easter is all about finding out that under all that emotional junk, God and you were always there. The seed or spark of the Spirit is always working, trying to draw us out of ourselves towards each other and God.

So, I wonder if I should hang those cabinets either side of the basement window, up against the ceiling, or should I leave a space? How about lights and mirrors in the back of the cabinets?

Here comes Easter!

Wow---I am sure that little gem will provide for hours of personal reflection not to mention new and profound insights for Fr. Jim's flock to consider as they head into the most holy and important season of the year....