By David F. Forte, The Catholic Thing, Dec. 20, 2023
David Forte is Professor Emeritus at Cleveland State University and is on the Board of Scholars at the James Wilson Institute.
Note: Be sure not to miss tomorrow’s 8 PM broadcast of EWTN’s “The World Over.” Fr. Gerald Murray, Robert Royal, and host Raymond Arroyo (“The Papal Posse”) will be discussing the latest document released by the Vatican — Fiducia Supplicans — which has raised a firestorm of commentary in its claims that priests may perform blessings of “same-sex couples” (as long as such blessings don’t give the impression of being the equivalent of marriage), while maintaining that it’s impossible for the Church to bless “same-sex unions.” This will be one not to miss. And, as always, episodes of the show will be available on the EWTN YouTube channel shortly after first broadcast.
“Put Christ back into Christmas,” we are told, often from the pulpit. “Take time out to pray and meditate upon the Advent season. Don’t be distracted by all the shopping advertisements.” All well and good. But I would also argue the contrary. It’s in the noise of the Christmas season that we find Christ. Mary and Joseph and the Magi sought not to escape from the commotion, the drama, and “noise” surrounding the great moment. They traveled into it.
Consider these scenarios.
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She finally has the Christmas cards addressed. Darn! Not enough stamps, and the post office has run out of the religiously themed ones. Is her address list up-to-date? It took forever to compose the Christmas letter, trying not to leave out any important events and people. She still has to fold the letters, insert them into the envelopes, seal them, and take them to the post office. It’s all such a rush. …
