Reading periodicals today

In the midst of work, volunteering, studying and more, I try to keep up with reading a variety of newspapers, magazines, journals and newsletters. Some I subscribe to and read regularly (if only to flip through and highlight important items). Some I occasionally glance at and read at the bookstore or elsewhere, sometimes purchasing them. A couple I check online. Tonight, I had dinner alone in a great restaurant, in the wonderful small town I work in, and I read through a few of my periodicals which awaited reading, while enjoying good food and needed coffee.

I decided to blog about this reading before returning to actual studying. In this post, I'll mention the periodical I subscribe to and then note something that stood out in the reading today or recently. This does not include any of the newsletters and such, that I went through this past week or two. Nor does it include the Windsor Star, the National Post, Zenit.org (which had the Christmas Message of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, who referred to conversion/change being needed for peace) and HelloMagazine.com, all of which I read today as well.

Fellowship of Catholic Scholars Quarterly (Journal)
- Democracy and the Thin Veneer of Civilisation, by MA Casey.
Which reminded me of the reality that political ideologies can take on "the attributes and functions of religion", exemplified in various ways by nazism, communism and current liberalism. But it made me realize that these are in a sense created by human need and secularisation.

The Beaver (Canada's History Magazine)
- Viking Farewell, by Birgitta Wallace
Which reminded me of the European presence in North America almost a 1000 years ago. However it also made me realize that the Vikings went much further then I thought (the 'base' at the tip of Newfoundland was actually just a mid-point between Vinland and Greenland), that Vinland was probably in the area of current New Brunswick. It also highlighted that it was demographic limitations which ended Viking presence in Canada, which really should make one wonder about our weak demographics today. [I was also reminded of the fact that Greenland is part of North America and how easily we forget that Europe directly border Canada.]

The Interim (Canada's Life and Family Newspaper)
An article reminded me of the futility of embryonic stem cell research, highlighting that a research team has reported about the risks of tumours from embryonic stem cell use. Why can't people understand the simple but drastic difference between adult or somatic stem cell use (which is successful and widespread) and embryonic stem cell use (which is still unproven and problematic on many levels). I was also encouraged to read of two sisters of my generation both getting involved in their local politics in the Sault, one on city council, the other on the school board.

Canadian Geographic
One article highlighted the distress that Lake Winnipeg is facing, which seemed alarming. Another reminded me of the wonder of film-making, how Canadian cities "sub" for American ones in many movies.

Catholic Insight (A Catholic Magazine for Canada in the Universal Church)
An article by Ian Hunter highlighted both C.S. Lewis influence and his remaining Anglican though his writings have led so many into the Catholic Church. A review by Fr. D. Gallagher of the book Literary Giants, Literary Catholics (Joseph Pearce) reminded me of the great contribution by Catholic authors (both those raised Catholic and those who converted) to literature in the 20th century, including Chesterton, Waugh, Belloc and Tolkien. Sadly most of these examples of "Catholic" culture are generally ignored or downplayed by the mainstream and little known even by most Catholics.

First Things
While there are several interesting features, including an article about the "Global South" and the strength and freshness of Christianity there, simply reading (Fr.) Richard John Neuhaus' comments would provide enough reflection for a post on its own. Just to highlight a few of the things that struck me:
- a new book Who Really Cares: The Surprising Truth about Compassionate Conservatism (Basic Books) provides fascinating facts which make sense if one makes the connections; some of these facts are that those who are "religious" give much more than those who are not, those who are "liberal" and believe in big government give and volunteer far less than those who do not believe this, and charitable giving is "learned, reinforced and practiced" within traditional families.
- the Jerusalem Post in 1944 published a story about and quotes from Pope Pius XII that demonstrate that he was definitely not "anti-Semitic" and everyone knew it. The Pope publicly said the following to a Jewish author in the presence of German soldiers "My son, whether you are worthier than others only the Lord knows, but believe me, you are at least as worthy as every other human being that lives on our earth! And now, my Jewish friend, go with the protection of the Lord, and never forget, you must always be proud to be a Jew!" - A man who said these words is now vilified by our enlightened progressives today as anti-Semitic! On another occasion Pope Pius XII said "It is not possible for Christians to take part in anti-Semitism. Spiritually, we are all Semites." I love this quote and often repeat the second half.
- many prominent Protestant theologians and leaders are becoming Catholic, and one Lutheran theologian who has not yet crossed the Tiber notes that this is so because "they intend to inhabit the one, historically real church confessed by the creeds, and could no longer recognize this in their Protestant denominations. And indeed, if the church professed by the creeds does not, as the Second Vatican Council put it, 'subsist in' the Roman Catholic Church, it is hard to think where it could." A Lutheran theologian said this, highlighting the enduring reality of the Catholic Church.
- Peter Kreeft from Boston College refers to a Muslim student of his, who pointed out that those who want to remove Crucifixes from a Catholic classroom in order not to offend non-Catholics are actually guilty of bigotry. This Muslim said clearly that he is offended by such political correctness, because it implies he is a bigot and can't respect the religion of others. Funny how so many Christians in the West don't see what a Muslim clearly perceived immediately.

So much good stuff.
To conclude, I'll quote a verse that Neuhaus also used, praying that we will have a blessed holiday:
No love that in a family dwells,
No carolling in frosty air,
Nor all the steeple-shaking bells
Can with this single Truth compare -
That God was Man in Palestine
And lives today in Bread and Wine.

cpb