I’m sorry. This is a snotty question to ask, but the lack of joy that accompanies any discussion of being a member of a believing community (in my case, Catholic) really sucks. Back when I was a kid, life really did revolve around the church community. It was not just sunday Mass: it was school and celebrations of minor feast days and music and art and scouts and little league and fish fries and … just a lot of fun and good life. It was energetic and rich, regardless of how well-off or poor we were economically. I’m watching all the network “Christmas”-related programming lately and to me it looks like popular culture is utterly clueless about why this holiday has such a name. It’s all just louder and flashier advertising so that it looks a little different from the loud, flashy advertising that now drones on all year long.
For the last several decades, both the fake-fundy republicans and poorly-selected clergy have mis-marketed Jesus as a mouthpiece for their own neuroses and agendas rather than permitting his ultimate instruction that we “love one another” to be heard…the message that gave rise to that warm and supportive community and all that fun.
Even if you can’t stand how boring, opinionated or out of touch your priest or minister is, just pay attention to the Word, and even if a lot of that seems incomprehensible, filter it through the lens of “love one another” and you’ll probably hear it right…and it probably does not have a whole heck of a lot to do with angel wings taped to the underfed shoulders of a Victoria’s Secret model. Give me a break.
Categorized | Affiliate Marketing 101
When The People Stop Attending Mass, Have The Clergy Won?
Posted on December 16, 2010.
<> Catholic) really sucks.>> we were economically.>> all year long.>> all that fun.>> to the Word,>> me a break.>>
You think?
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What do you mean “lack of joy”? I am a member of the Catholic Community, and I love it. It’s spiritually vibrant and active community.
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Some Catholic parishes are more active than others. If you’re not happy with the one you’re at now, find one that’s more vibrant.
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Christmas adds have always been flashier than “regular” adds. That hasn’t changed.
And I’m not watching “all” the Christmas specials. I’m only watching the ones that means something to me, particularly the one’s I grew up with. There are only a small number of contemporary Christmas specials that I like.
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Not the clergy in my community. They know how to keep Christ in Christmas.
Truth be told, there are a lot of secular customs associated with Christmas. It simply doesn’t bother me. Why does it bother you so much?
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Speak for yourself – my parish priests are lucid, great orators, and far from boring.
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I hope you’re not saying that your “pissy” attitude is more in line with Peace on Earth and Good Will Towards Men. . ?
Otherwise, give ME a break!
Hmmmmmm
excuse me, but it’s always the left-wing kooks who puke out the phrase “what would jesus do” or “what would jesus drive” or ” what would jesus say about…”, to sarcastically and hatefully advance their communist agendas.
But yes, i agree Christmas has been destroyed, but it’s been destroyed by jews. Literally, by banning all Christmas displays, even on private storefronts, and by banning employees from saying “merry christmas”, and economically ruined it by caring more about profits than meaning.