Comments for Amateur Night at http://www.thecatholicthing.org , comment 1 to 9 out of 9 comments http://www.thecatholicthing.org Wed, 22 May 2013 20:26:15 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/amateur-night.html#comment-12530 I wish it were as simple as that. Neither the Bologna school nor the Concilium theologians were / are amateurs. And many of the damaging changes, be it liturgical experimentation or pop-catechesis, were sanctioned, introduced, indeed encouraged, by bishops. And the touchstone for this free-for-all, the "horizontal" Novus Mass in the vernacular, was sanctioned by the Pope. - Londiniensis Thu, 19 Jul 2012 23:19:09 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/amateur-night.html#comment-12496 Father, there was a time when a Catholic second grader knew more than the amateur theological experts of whom you speak...that's the dawn I'm awaiting. will i live so long, only God knows! - Louise Wed, 18 Jul 2012 18:48:20 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/amateur-night.html#comment-12460 Chris, with respect but your posting illustrates the point of my column. You seem to know something about Creation but what about redemption? Louise, I don't want to be gloomy but life is a kind of 'night' where we live by faith. Hopefully we get enough glimmers from the sacraments, from faithful people whom we meet. - Fr. Bramwell Tue, 17 Jul 2012 02:27:38 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/amateur-night.html#comment-12447 On second read, I believe Ignasi may be asking his question from the point of view of faith. - Chris in Maryland Mon, 16 Jul 2012 05:22:25 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/amateur-night.html#comment-12446 To Ignasi: I think that the idea that God "intervenes" in the world is a remnant of Greek mythology - the gods sitting back, watching, and sometimes jumping in to tip the scales. I think that Catholic revelation is that God is eternally acting. Creation is made of creatures animated by their Creator. We are not watches from a watchmaker. Every heart that beats is beating only because His eternal Word makes it so, as St. Paul's letter to the Hebrews says - "He upholds the universe by his Word of power. - Chris in Maryland Mon, 16 Jul 2012 05:20:31 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/amateur-night.html#comment-12438 Father, this "Night" seems interminable. May the dawn soon come! Great article. - Louise Sun, 15 Jul 2012 14:26:05 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/amateur-night.html#comment-12437 Regarding the question from Ignasi Camprubi: You are asking this question of Father Bramwell. My response does not have the authority that his will certainly have. I could not help but be reminded of an old movie, one with a melodramatic beginning but, as it goes on, serious content that one does not forget. It is "The Keys to the Kingdom." One scene features a young college student, the college president who is a priest, and another priest who is disturbed by a question the student has asked. The question was, "Do we really need a creed?" The answer, given without hesitation and with conviction by the college president is "Yes." That would be my answer to your question. Yes, I do believe that God intervenes in our world, most often, if asked, in our innermost selves, within individual persons who can then go on to change the world if they will. - Bangwell Putt Sun, 15 Jul 2012 10:26:36 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/amateur-night.html#comment-12436 I agree, there is a clear lack of faith. Do we really believe that God intervene in our world? - Ignasi Camprubí Sun, 15 Jul 2012 09:54:20 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2012/amateur-night.html#comment-12433 Thank you for another great reflection, Father. "A question for another time is why the rigors of medicine, law, and other disciplines are still accepted in our culture (try being a doctor without being certified!), but taking care with theology is apparently passé or illegitimate." Oh please! Definitely for another time! It is a question I often ask friends (CINOs) and atheists as to why they seem to think there are no experts - or that everyone's an expert. I normally assume it's because everything today is reduced to 'spirituality'. I know it's a bit selfish, but I'd love to hear your thoughts as I always find your reflections so valuable. - Paul Rodden Sun, 15 Jul 2012 02:56:51 +0100