Daily Theology
Theology and Culture
A Theological History of Private Property
Let’s begin with a simple statement: private property is a modern invention and private property is not inherently Christian. This is not to say that the early Christian communities were “socialist” or “communist” in any sort of modern sense, but they were also most assuredly not “capitalist.” Capitalism–with all its convoluted structures of markets, brokers, inequality and … Continue reading
A Prayer for Peace in the Face of Violence
Given today’s tragic events in Boston, how does one respond in light of the Christian faith? This is not an easy question and it is one faced by millions of people around the world who endure violence on a more regular basis than most of us in the United States. The first response, as always, … Continue reading
Confronting Our Moral Failure: 10 Years After the Iraq War
“NO TO WAR”! War is not always inevitable. It is always a defeat for humanity….And what are we to say of the threat of a war which could strike the people of Iraq, the land of the Prophets, a people already sorely tried by more than twelve years of embargo? War is never just another … Continue reading
Downton Abbey’s Finale and the Tragedy of Benedict XVI
I would caution anyone who did not see last night’s episode to stop reading at this point. So many SPOILERS. First of all, let me apologize for the absence of a Downton reflection last week. I woke early Monday morning, ready to take on the exciting two-hour Sunday night episode, when I saw the news … Continue reading
The Superbowl Blackout and the Failed Masculinity of Downton Abbey
Perhaps it was the juxtaposition of an exciting sporting event that around 100 million people were watching, or perhaps it was that, for the first time since Katrina, power went out in the Superdome. Here are some highlights of twitter commentary (is that a thing?) from the blackout: First, @mat: “This tribute to the victims … Continue reading
Downton Abbey, Francis Bacon, Spiderman, and St. Augustine: Who holds the power of That Thing We Call Science?
“I am come in very truth, leading Nature to you with all of her children, to bind her to your service and to make her your slave.” Francis Bacon was a beast of a man. Standing in the midst of the post-Reformation chaos, aside the growing Copernican revolution, and hearkening the beginnings of the Enlightenment, Bacon spoke of nature as a … Continue reading
MAD Men: Guns, America and the Challenge of Pacem in Terris
Peace is born from the heart, but it will be easier to achieve if we have fewer weapons in hand. – Federico Lombardi, SJ This weekend, Fr. Federico Lombardi, SJ, the Vatican’s official spokesperson added to the voices of Catholic leaders in support of President Obama’s common sense proposals for greater control and regulation of … Continue reading
Downton Abbey and the Role of the Woman
Episode 4 of Downton Abbey shifted our focus rather quickly from nobility to gender. Where the previous episode saw multiple attacks on the prestige and place of nobility in English culture, such attacks were all but non-existent this time around. Instead, the wealth and nobility is temporarily stabilized, while the role of gender equality is … Continue reading
Downton Abbey and the Cultural Divide
So I’m just gonna put it out there: I really enjoy watching Downton Abbey. I’ve watched my share of TV shows in recent years, and Downton has won my allegiance like Peter Jackson after two Lord of the Rings movies back in 2002. You can find full summaries of the first two seasons easily enough online, so I’ll … Continue reading
Celebrating Christmas During Advent
Its a common theological trope during the Advent season that “everyone’s doing it wrong.” It’s Advent, not Christmas! It’s the time of waiting, the time of preparation, the time to reflect on the liturgical meaning of the “new year” and to spiritually prepare ourselves for the celebration of Christmas on the proper day of the … Continue reading
