Jul 23 2013

Breaking Open Revelation (Review: “The Lamb’s Supper”)

Category: Catholicism — Lindsay @ 4:22 pm
Photo courtesy of Goodreads.

Photo courtesy of Goodreads.

I love learning. That sounds so cheesy, but I really do! My favorite learning experiences are always connected to finding out earth-shattering new information about something I thought I already knew well. I used to think that car turn signals were activated by the car (not the driver; in-car navigation systems seemed unremarkable at first!), and I used to know that the “Holy, Holy, Holy” at Mass came from Scripture, but not how. Thanks to a long-term book loan from a friend and the Catholic 20-Somethings summer book club, I have now read The Lamb’s Supper: The Mass as Heaven on Earth, by Scott Hahn, and I have learned so much.

You may remember my review of Rome Sweet Home, also by Scott Hahn, from the beginning of the year. Hahn is a former Presbyterian who reasoned his way to Catholicism based on his understanding of covenant theology and his deep knowledge of Scripture. I expected more of the same in this book, and I was proven correct. In The Lamb’s Supper, Hahn tackles the Book of Revelation (which is singular—no “S”) and reveals that the fullest understanding of the book must be united with our understanding of the Mass.


Read the rest at Austin CNM.

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Aug 18 2012

7 Quick Takes Friday, Vol. 185

Category: 7 Quick Takes Friday,Life,Memes — Lindsay @ 8:05 pm

— 1 —

This week was another huge meme/blogging fail. At least I knew last week that this week would be busy instead of being surprised halfway through. I started off with a full day of meetings, continued into an all-day off-site staff retreat, had a lunch meeting after Mass for the Assumption on Wednesday, and then had a meeting in the morning on Thursday before working until 9. Work-wise, I feel like I’m still on last week!

— 2 —

In addition to being on the staff retreat on Tuesday, I was on a personal retreat over the weekend with my non-work-related Catholic friends. It wasn’t quite what I’d expected, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I got to use up one of the many vacation days that pile up because I work a lot, and I got to spend some quality time with old friends and make some new ones. And it’s always nice to realize how much you value privacy when you go from living alone to sharing a roomful of bunk beds and two showers with a dozen other women. I was humbled.

— 3 —

I greatly enjoyed the Assumption this week. I was able to lead a “Bible study” on the readings on Monday night, so I was extra prepared for Mass. I was, however, supremely disappointed at our low attendance. We did have our only Mass in the middle of the day, when most people are at work or school and can’t necessarily get away (although work should be wary of not letting them off for religious reasons), but that never seems to stop the Ash Wednesday procession of penitents. Granted, the Assumption was also not a Holy Day of Obligation last year since it was on a Monday, but it breaks my heart to think of how many people might not realize that missing Wednesday was as serious as missing a Sunday. If they were aware; so be it. Either way, there’s always forgiveness for those who seek it.

— 4 —

Last night, I stumbled across one of the best ads I’ve ever seen. As the bloggers note, it’s so great because it creates an intense emotional response, it is effective, and it uses the technological capabilities of the iPad to great effect. Please be warned that the ad concerns domestic violence and may be especially disturbing if you or someone you love has experienced domestic violence.

— 5 —

My summer Bible study is almost over! We finished the Old Testament this week, which leads up to our final session, the sole one on the New Testament. I make it a point when I teach RCIA that most of “the Bible” is the Old Testament, but somehow it sneaked up on me in this study. It’s salvation history; of course it’s going to end right after we get to Jesus. I’m already experiencing the positive effects of doing this study, but that deserves its own blog post after we finish.

— 6 —

Also this week was Fr. Bob Scott‘s memorial Mass at work. His official Mass of Christian Burial was back in July just after he died, but since he spent so many of his last years in Texas (more than I’ve been alive!) and had so many friends and admirers here, we decided to hold a joint Mass with St. Austin in his memory and for his soul. We had a packed house, a special guest in Bishop McCarthy (who I’d never actually seen before in person), and a lovely time honoring Fr. Bob. May the Best Stop treat him well.

— 7 —

That’s all I’ve got this week. School is starting soon, and my summer is slipping away. I have to relish these last few days, but will probably do so by just sitting around.

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

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Jul 14 2012

7 Quick Takes Friday, Vol. 180

Category: 7 Quick Takes Friday,Memes — Lindsay @ 12:17 am

— 1 —

It is amazing the difference half an hour makes! I’ve been using my Fridays off from work as a lazy day, leading me to not really get moving until well after noon. Today, I made an effort to get moving just before noon, and it made my whole day run more smoothly. Sure, I had to take out my first load of laundry just as it started to rain, but it could have been worse.

— 2 —

I found myself involved in two arguments online today. Thankfully, both of them were conducted via private messages as opposed to my friend’s Facebook wall and a LinkedIn group’s discussion board. I appreciated the change of venue because it kept the focus on just the two of us (in each conversation), without the contributions of other people prolonging or derailing our discussion. In both cases, we didn’t come to an agreement, but we ended amicably and definitively. We didn’t have to call names, drop that ridiculous “agree to disagree” line, or “give up.” I tried to keep my social media manners in mind, and it turned out well.

— 3 —

I’m so proud of the CSC being featured in the National Catholic Register! I’ll confess to being envious that other universities get featured in “what’s going right with the Church/the world/campus ministry” stories (some multiple times, like Franciscan University of Steubenville), but now I can rest easy. It’s a good time to be a Catholic Terp!

— 4 —

Smart, Pretty, and Awkward had a coupon for Shabby Apple today, which was delightful because now someone other than Hallie recommends them. I still can’t afford any of those dresses, but they have some great ones. If you like pink, this would be a fantastic bridesmaid dress, and I wish I could afford this for my friend’s black-and-white themed wedding. I also discovered that Shabby Apple is on Instagram. So much fantastic modest fashion!

— 5 —

At my Monday night holy hour, I got to give a talk about the Liturgy of the Hours and lead Evening Prayer. I suggested that we might pray the LOTH during the summer, and the leaders asked if I would give the talk. See, kids, that’s what happens when you have an idea. I loved it, though! I said at least one thing I later realized was definitely inaccurate, but I had a great time sharing and hearing from other people. Most of all, I have missed praying in community. It’s the way the LOTH was meant to be.

— 6 —

I am still loving my summer Bible study. I remembered to review before this week’s session (just barely, but before is before), so I was ready for the review prizes, and I won one!

It’s a wind-up walking Earth. I would have gone for the stuffed lambs in the second round of prizes, too, but I didn’t want to be greedy.

— 7 —

I got to take a tour of the John Paul II Life Center and the Vitae Clinic this week. I’m not sure how much we’ll be able to be connected with them at work, and I’m pretty sure I don’t have any personal time left, but it’s a great organization. I was really pleased with what I saw. If you’re in the Austin area, you should consider reaching out and getting involved. We even got to chat with Dr. Kalamarides and have him show us a 3-D ultrasound himself. Good times.

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Jun 23 2012

7 Quick Takes Friday, Vol. 177

Category: 7 Quick Takes Friday,Catholicism,Memes — Lindsay @ 10:50 am

— 1 —

I am going to volunteer with Pure Fashion in Austin this coming school year! I’m not into modeling, but i am into character education and spreading the positive message of modesty, and this seems like a great way to do it. Don’t tell any of my former students, but I kind of miss working with high schoolers.

On a vaguely related note, Ive been seeing the ad for Trendy Top all the time lately, and I kind of want one. It seems like a great solution to the low-rise waistline, and it doesn’t encourage you to switch back to immodest like the Cami Secret.

— 2 —

Can I please have this tote bag? We’ve already got “Baby Got Back” adapted for the Bible-lover (“Baby Got Book”), so why not for book lovers in general?

— 3 —

Did you catch the USCCB’s announcement of a new online-adapted Catechism of the Catholic Church? It’s pretty sweet. I love the look, and I especially like that the footnotes and cross-references are pop-ups so they don’t take you away from the section you’re on. Who says the Church can’t get with the times (when appropriate, because some things are timeless)?

— 4 —

I started a new Bible study program this week. When I was in college, I started a Bible study on salvation history. Our leader left at the end of the school year, leading me to decry (as a joke) that I’d never know how it ended. I’ve been looking for a good opportunity to join another salvation history study then, and I stumbled across The Great Adventure Quick Journey Through the Bible just in time to register (3 days before it started). It’s at a church one town away, so my commute is super long, but I’m very excited for this study, and at least driving is a productive way to spend those thirty minutes.

— 5 —

This 7QT is posted late because Sarah is visiting me, and Getting Things Done before her arrival was much more important that typing this. But now it’s Saturday morning, which sounded like a good designated computer time to me.

— 6 —

I stumbled across a National Catholic Register article lamenting the transfer of the Ascension to Sunday across the U.S. I have been complaining about that since I started paying attention to it. The Pentecost Novena is still the only official one in the Church, and it starts on Thursday. Thursday is supposed to be the Ascension so it makes sense to start praying that day! It’s not even like asking people to go to Mass two days in a row (which will actually happen with the Immaculate Conception in 2012; that day never gets transferred or loses its obligation). Can we be that surprised that people don’t know what a novena is or when Church holidays are if we don’t even do them on the correct day? </end rant>

— 7 —

In other NCR news, Steven Greydanus cautions against reading any reviews of Brave. I tend not to read reviews precisely because they are spoilery (and I tend not to loathe what reviewers often do). I had such a tough time with my ACNM series on the Hunger Games books because I wanted to preview each book without revealing too much, but I’d read all three before I started writing. This leads into a bigger discussion of media discernment (again! It’s important!), but I’m glad I got the warning. I knew Mandy Moore’s character was going to marry Shane West’s in A Walk to Remember, but I didn’t know she was going to die, so perhaps that’s why I still love that movie. Among other reasons.

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