Catholic Carnvial XXXIV

THE DISMISSAL

Our liturgy should aim at the dismissal, suggests Chicago publisher and author Gregory F. A. Pierce. When we hear the dismissal, most of us are putting down our hymnals, picking up our coats, and restraining our children until the priest reaches the back of the church. Yet, if the liturgy has functioned well, we will take seriously the injunction to “Go forth in peace to love and serve the Lord.” We will look on the dismissal as the culmination of our liturgy.

The postings, in this week’s Catholic Carnival 34 can be gathered around this theme. First we have eight postings that help us to be nourished by scripture, homilies and doctrine. Second, we have eight postings on the question of what we are to do when we go forth.

We are nourished by scripture and doctrine:

First, we have a question of who can gather us. In One of two posts about women's ordination this week, Crusader of Justice writes Women Gone Mad. These, IMHO, are not the people we want gathering us.

Second, in Heart, Mind and Strength Kevin Miller gives us A reflection on what we learn from Sunday’s readings about the importance of the Church in God’s saving plan.

Third, in Quo Vadis, Nathan Nelson discusses the inseparable relationship between truth, love, and Jesus Christ, and how this relationship seems to influence the thought of Pope Benedict XVI

Fourth, in Quenta Narwenion Donna Lewis provides a reflection on some of the points made in the homily at Sunday Mass.

Fifth, Penitent Blogger gives us Badges of honor, a reflection about the best credentials for Christian
life and ministry

Sixth, Since we are nourished by scripture, it is important that we understand the Bible. In Deo Omnis Gloria Jay adds some background on why Protestants and Catholics have different Bibles – the Catholic Bible includes seven more books. This is analysis includes the story of how it happened.

Seventh, in The Paragrah Farmer Patrick O'Hannigan writes On having a musical Pope. He tells us that “Benedict XVI and one of his closest confidantes are both skilled musicians. Given the people involved and the way music can sometimes shape insights about God, this has positive theological implications.”

Eighth, doctrinal issues, especially on the sanctity of life, should always be part of preaching. Chris, gives us Strange conversation, a post on a peculiar conversation about the personhood of the human embryo.

Scripture, preaching and doctrine prepare us to “Go forth in peace to love and serve the Lord.” This week’s Catholic Carnival features eight postings on what we ought to do in the world.

First, Jay at Living Catholicism writes about St Monica. St. Monica is an amazing story of a mother that persevered – he includes a prayer to her.

Second, Julie D. provides a look at the Russian government's choice of abstinence over safe sex, abstinence choices among teenagers I know, the terrible cost of abortion, and a message of hope. This is a mixed posting covering several reactions to living in the world. Julie writes Happy Catholic. Her posting is here.

Third, in la nouvelle théologie David Jones places Church movementsin the context of Benedict XVI’s theology. He gives us an insight into he Pope’s personal experiences with ecclesial movements in the Holy Mother Church.

Fourth, the conversion and life of St. Anthony of Padua are contrasted with former NBA pro Charles Barkley, and other celebrities. When we go forth to “love and serve the Lord,” we are role models. Our Word and Welcome to It shows us how in The Price of Discipleship

Fifth, Curt at North Western Winds writes The Splits. This is a helpful posting about splits in Christian communities, esp. ones that cut across denominational lines.

Sixth, Kicking over my Traces cehwiedel writes The Customary Religion of the American Public Square. The American Civil Liberties Union, its allies, and their attempts to cleanse the American public square of demonstrations of religiosity came to mind while reading a passage in "Introduction to Christianity" by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger that quoted Tertullian: "Christ called himself truth, not custom." Catholics in the United States must guard against allowing the establishment of a secular American customary religion of the sort the ACLU would approve of.

Last, my contribution about Religious Freedom at the Air Force Academy deals with the question of proper expression and limits on religious witnessing in the workplace.