My favorite take yet on TPOTC, from Kyle:
“I’m gonna go see it, but not untill the crazy people who might want to talk with me stop going.”
Poetry Corner
Lent
I tried to get up early to pray. No luck.
I tried to quit smoking. I added “so much”
I tried to fast. That ended quickly.
The word “try” is my mortal enemy.
All the times I’ve “tried” I’ve failed.
Try not to try for Lent.
Obligatory TPOTC Post
I haven’t seen The Passion of the Christ yet, and I’m not sure that I’m going to. I’m not sure if I want my imagination taken over by the images of the movie every time I read or contemplate the crucifixion for the rest of my life. That’s not a criticism of the film, or of the idea of making such a film; just a personal concern.
What I don’t understand, though, is the criticism I’ve been coming across that says the film is too violent. This bothers me for two reasons. First, the same people make no fuss when some teen slasher movie comes out. That, it seems, is ok. Or even more ridiculous, to criticize violence in the context of slasher flicks is to be labeled a censor and a prude, even an enemy of the first amendment. Not so when the subject of the film is Jesus. What gives?
Second, and this should be obvious, is that it’s a movie about CRUCIFIXION. Of course it’s too violent. What would you expect? A movie that portrays the torture and execution of Christ without graphic violence, now there’s a target for valid criticism.
One of the things that sustains my faith in Jesus Christ and His Church is that so many people are prejudiced against it. My contrarian nature is constantly reassured by the vehement reaction against any manifestation of Christian faith in our society. These days, anything that “everybody” believes must be true automatically becomes suspect to me. Being contrary isn’t a foolproof nonsense protector, but it sure is a good first line of defense.
I tried to come up with some deep thoughts about the Lenten season, but I came up blank. Then I tried to find a spiffy quote from St. Thomas about Lent, but if you search for Aquinas + Lent on google, all you get are articles on usury.
So, as a piece of friendly advice, I’ll just say you ought not worry about what you do or don’t do for Lent as much as you should choose something that will help your soul. For me, it’s getting up early to pray and eating less. Both will help me overcome my tendency to let my bodily desires rule my intellect, instead of vice versa.
Of course, it wouldn’t kill me to get to work on time and lose a few pounds either, but those are just ancillary beneifts. And that’s only if I actually stick with the program. A dubious proposition at best.
So, let us pray for each other, and hold out hope that perhaps we might grow a little this season.
“It is good to be lonely, for being alone is not easy. The fact that something is difficult must be one more reason to do it.
To love is also good, for love is difficult. For one human being to love another is perhaps the most difficult task of all, the epitome, the ultimate test. It is that striving for which all other striving is merely preparation.”
– Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters to a Young Poet
Woman Fined for Registering Cows As Voters
They must’ve been liberal demoocrats.
GET IT, deMOOcrats!
Ohhhhhhhh, MERCY I crack me up.
Dave’s Movie Minute
Far be it from me to engage in contempt prior to investigation, but I just saw the preview for the new “Starsky and Hutch” movie. I’m pretty sure that if you watched the Beastie Boys video for “Sabotage” 30 times in a row, you’d get roughly the same effect.
Now, I am perfectly willing to be proven wrong on this point. Please chime in with your thoughts, should you actually go see the movie (which I find extremely hard to imagine).
Check out Fr. Shane Tharp’s new blog, Catholic Ragemonkey.
The 1% Club
About 99% of the people I’ve ever heard speak in public, or on TV, on any subject of substance, are, unfortunately, idjits. That’s just a sad fact of life. Tonight was different.
Tonight I went to hear Fr. Mitch Pacwa speak at my parish, and he is now the first member of the “DaveTown 1% Club”.
Father gave an outstanding talk on the philosophical roots of the divisions in our society and within our church. He is knowledgeable, witty, relevant and orthodox. He has a book coming out later this year titled “Some Heard Thunder, Some Heard God” which expands the themes of the talk he gave tonight. I’ll be buying it at first opportunity.
If you’d like to nominate someone to be a member of the “DaveTown 1% Club”, send an email to the staff here at DaveTown (well, ok, send an email to me) and we (which is to say, I), will give it serious consideration.
“If your everyday life appears to be unworthy subject matter, do not complain to life. Complain to yourself. Lament that you are not enough poet to call up its wealth.
(Do) you not still have your childhood, this precious wealth, this treasure house of memories? Direct your attention to that. Attempt to resurrect these sunken sensations of a distant past.”
– Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters To A Young Poet
Poetry Corner
Back when your parents were married
And Tonka Trucks were made of metal
And you could stomp for clams right behind the house
And you could hike all day and not get lost
And school was fun
And you knew Christmas would be good
And your brother was your best friend
And girls had no power over you
And you didn’t know you were poor
And the best part of the day was when Dad got home from work
You should have quit while you were ahead.