The Crucifixion (1622) by Simon Vouet; Church of Jesus, Genoa, via Wikipedia
It is Good Friday, which sounds paradoxical since this day recalls the crucifixion of Jesus. Explanations vary for the term’s origins, but the import of the day is clear, and taken to extremes in the Philippines, where some people are still nailed to a cross in a form of popular devotion that the Catholic Church can’t seem to quash.
Another popular devotion that seems hard to quash: why the Bible’s bad guys – namely Satan – always seem to be dark-skinned. Our own Adelle Banks asks why.
And if you don’t like the New Testament, there’s a “New New Testament” with some stuff from the cutting room floor pasted back in. (And what was wrong with the Old Testament again?)
Another paradox: Pope Francis turned the foot-washing rite of Holy Thursday into another statement by washing the feet to juvenile offenders at a suburban Rome detention center, two of them Muslims and two of them women. That has many uber-Catholic Traditionalists fuming at the new leader of their church.
I am a young, recently ordained priest. Tonight, I planned on preaching about the Eucharist and the institution of the priesthood.
How can I speak about such things – the self-offering of Christ, the 12 viri selecti – when our Holy Father is witnessing to something different?
I feel like going up to the congregation and saying, “I don’t have any idea what the symbolism of the washing of the feet is. Why don’t we just all do what we want.”
How hard this is for young priests.
On the other side, the election of the first Jesuit pope means the Brian Spadora lost a bet and has to go back to Mass. But he sees that as winning by losing, as he explains in this CNN column.
More Jesuit mojo: Marquette is in the Elite Eight. (And Cardinal Bergoglio, S.J., wasn’t even in our Sweet Sistine.)
Never mind the other SJ teams that are already out. Such is March Madness.
How about “Lent Madness”? The Episcopal Church has it, and we have the winning saint – anyone remember Frances Perkins? You should.
As Lent ends, the New York Times asks a number of writers to weigh in: “What Is the Purpose of Lent?”
A most unlikely redemption story: former New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey. But the Star-Ledger’s Brian Donohue, who followed McGreevey’s statehouse career with a jaundiced eye, is a believer.
The Hindu festival of Holi is also starting, and Reuters has a story and lovely photo gallery on this colorful rite of spring.
The tiny Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan is making condoms available at all monastic schools in a bid to stem the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV among young monks who are supposed to be celibate.
Then there’s Boston College, which is trying to stop the distribution of condoms by students.
Seems like an opportunity for synergy someplace.
Anti-atheist discrimination at the Post Office?! Mark Silk investigates…
A good weekend to one and all, and if you enjoy this daily Religion News Roundup send it to friends and family – they just need to load their email address in the box below. No cost, no hassle.
David Gibson
8 Comments
Friday’s Religion News Roundup: Satan’s skin * Pope backlash * Holi Day - Religion News Service | THINKING PRESBYTERIAN | Scoop.it
[...] Pope Francis continues to get feedback, and backlash, for washing the feet of young women and Muslims among the twelve at a juvenile detention center, and another Frances — last name Perkins — wins "Lent Madness." A Jesuit school is still in the… [...]
Kevan Scott
Why is it so hard for the young priest to preach about the Eucarist and the foot washing? I’m not Catholic and think I could do a pretty good job at that, having preached a sermon or two in my lifetime. The foot washing is, of course, very symbolic of Christ’s teaching that to be a real follower of him you need to learn how to serve. Footwashing back then was not done lightly and yet Christ did it willingly so if the Savior of the world can wash the feet of sinners how much more would he be likely to redeem them? As to those upset with the new Pope’s foot washing of Muslim or womens feet see Christ’s example. Would Christ have refused to do this? I think not, in fact I think he would have been eager too. Kudo’s to the Pope for following in the steps of Christ on doing this!
Kevan Scott
And a good weekend and Happy Easter to all at RNS, Mr. Gibson!
Kevin Roberts
I think it is great that Pope Francis washed the feet… of yes even a child of God from the Muslim faith. Haven’t we been fighting and fuming over Religion long enough? It’s time we all learn to live, love and respect each other for the peace of the world!
Friday’s Religion News Roundup: Satan’s skin * Footwash backlash * Holi Day – Religion News Service | Cure Skin Diseases
[...] Friday's Religion News Roundup: Satan's skin * Footwash backlash * Holi DayReligion News ServiceIt is Good Friday, which sounds paradoxical since this day recalls the crucifixion of Jesus. Explanations vary for the term's origins, but the import of the day is clear, and taken to extremes in the Philippines, where some people are still nailed to a … [...]
John McGrath
Is it polite to say that the ultra conservative young Catholic priests of today’s are the perfect examples of that church inward turning itself narrowly inward, narcissistic self-referential?
Dave Scheuerman
The good in Good Friday really means good, and it’s real, not paradoxical. Christ’s death on the cross turned something vile, murder, into something good, His resurrection, which proved his divinity and power to grant salvation to those willing to accept it. And that is why Good Friday is good.
Friday's Religion News Roundup: Satan's skin * Footwash backlash * Holi Day - Religion News Service | sceptic | Scoop.it
[...] Friday's Religion News Roundup: Satan's skin * Footwash backlash * Holi Day Religion News Service It is Good Friday, which sounds paradoxical since this day recalls the crucifixion of Jesus. [...]