November 23, 2009
Have I mentioned lately that I love Prof. Robert George?
For the past four years, I have read and been very pleased with his work.
He stands for so much that is lacking in our society, and many times he stands alone. Over these past couple months, he has worked to draft the Manhattan Declaration. Please keep him in your prayers…he is going to need them.
November 23, 2009
Christians, when they have lived up to the highest ideals of their faith, have defended the weak and vulnerable and worked tirelessly to protect and strengthen vital institutions of civil society, beginning with the family.
We are Orthodox, Catholic, and evangelical Christians who have united at this hour to reaffirm fundamental truths about justice and the common good, and to call upon our fellow citizens, believers and non-believers alike, to join us in defending them. These truths are:
1. the sanctity of human life
2. the dignity of marriage as the conjugal union of husband and wife
3. the rights of conscience and religious liberty.
Inasmuch as these truths are foundational to human dignity and the well-being of society, they are inviolable and non-negotiable. Because they are increasingly under assault from powerful forces in our culture, we are compelled today to speak out forcefully in their defense, and to commit ourselves to honoring them fully no matter what pressures are brought upon us and our institutions to abandon or compromise them. We make this commitment not as partisans of any political group but as followers of Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen Lord, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
November 20, 2009
What is making me smile today? :)
More lovely photos from Sarah Maingot
HILARIOUS and too-true SNL skit from Taylor Swift. (Hat tip: my sister Lizzy)
Planning exciting days-out for each of my sisters.
Currently obsessed with all things remotely French.
BEAUTIFUL November day today in DC.
These individual cupcake carriers are so cute! I’m obsessed with cupcakes these days.
Thankful I survived my second-to-last crazy Thursday.
A very distinctive hat.
Abstract submitted to the American Physics Society.
Another attempt at French pastry making this weekend, perhaps?
RCIA last night, with friends.
~100 hours until I get to relieve my cousin-withdrawal symptoms.
I get to be a WWI nurse for Yuletide!
Very beautiful meditation from the Carthusians on “transforming union”.
What is making you smile today?
November 7, 2009
I watched it last night, to see what it was people enjoyed so much. After seeing the movie, I am even more mystified.
November 6, 2009
What is making me smile today? :)
From Sarah Maingot Photography
The Manolo asks that age-old cheeky question: buttons or laces?
Lots of time hanging out with friends this week.
Fashion inspiration from Nadinoo.
RCIA last night, where I got to see my lovely, lovely friend MA before she leaves on her pilgrimage to the Holy Land. It just about made my week.
Fabulous interiors by Tim Clinch Photography.
Discovering you can get a plenary indulgence every first Thursday if you offer Mass in honor of Christ High Priest, and pray for priests (under the usual conditions of course).
Michael Jackson’s The Way You Make Me Feel.
The promise of crisp weather this weekend.
Had a great shopping trip with my cousin’s fiancee on Tuesday, followed by dinner at Teaism. The portabello mushroom and goat cheese sandwich was to die for.
Plans to try my hand at baking Welsh cakes and (with great trepidation!) macarons this weekend.
What is making you smile today?
November 6, 2009
this necklace from Vivi Reborn…
November 4, 2009
Now, my review of the film finished, I must say something in response to comments that have been made by others who have heard I went to the movie. Most comments have been appalling in their disrespect of what was a human life. MJ was a sinner as we all are, but we have no right to make ourselves his final judges. He was a man who was uniquely gifted by God, and deserves the same respect and love – yes, Love in the Gospel sense – as any other person.
And I say this not simple because I am a Michael Jackson fan. This is a problem more basic than whether someone criticizes MJ, or President Obama, or whomever. This is a problem of what it means to be a human being, and what it means to respect human life in all its forms.
Years ago, while I was still in school, I was reading a book by Monsignor Sokolowski for a class I audited. At one point he discusses how different people are unique perspectives on the world and on existence, and that the loss of that unique perspective is one of the things that makes death so sad, even if one does not know the person who died. Over time I have done a lot of musing on this gem from Fr. Sokolowski. That one passage has greatly influenced my thought in all areas of life.
Basically, this is the way I look at it. Every human being is a unique lens through which God can shine in all His different perfections, showing us all the different facets of Who He Is. That means every single human being, whether we are sinners or saints. God worked through Creation and time from the very beginning of the world to create each and every person with their own genetic code formed by their parents (grandparents, great-grandparents, etc. all the way back!), their own personality formed by their own unique experiences in life, their own talents and gifts.
As I mentioned, that lens may be clouded by sin or even cracked by mortal sin, but God’s light will still make it through if only vaguely. (And the beauty of Christianity is that the lens can be cleaned, and the crack repaired so there is no trace of damage, through Confession.) It would be much more constructive, then, to get down on our knees for those clouded and cracked lenses than it is to criticize.
Even if for this reason alone, that each person is a unique lens through which God can shine, every human being deserves our respect, our prayers, and our Love.
November 4, 2009
Regardless of what you think of his personal life, one must admit that Michael Jackson was a very talented human being. His abilities to dance, to perform, were remarkable, the new movie “This Is It” highlights these. The film is comprised of nearly two hours of footage from MJ’s final rehearsals, meshed very well with extra footage that he intended to play behind him during the concerts (e.g. a Humphrey Bogart/MJ chase sequence filmed to complement Smooth Criminal) and a few short comments from other people involved in the concert tour.
Most interesting are the times in the film when MJ is not singing: instead, he is directing backup dancers, humming songs to the musicians, talking to fellow performers. It is the unguarded moments that make the whole movie so special, and really add depth to MJ’s character that I for one have never seen. If anything, it is an important movie to see because it puts his odd past behavior into the proper perspective. There is a reason Michael Jackson named his ranch Neverland; he was a true Peter Pan. He never wanted to grow up, and from the more intimate footage it is apparent he never did.
Of course, if you like his music the film is a treasure. His dancing wasn’t quite what it was when he was young, but he shines in old favorites like The Way You Make Me Feel and Billie Jean. The production, even in final rehearsals, was dazzling. The backup dancers are the best of the best, the music is awesome, and MJ’s voice is clean and crisp. I assure you, you will be tapping your feet, dancing in your seat, and perhaps (as many in my theater were) even clapping and attempting to moonwalk in the aisle.
November 3, 2009
Today I am enjoying my latest Etsy purchase, this eco-chic necklace made from recycled pieces by tomate d’epingles. Check out some other awesome statement pieces here.
Stay tuned for reviews of “Joyeux Noel” and “This is It” in the coming days…
