Comments for All the Kingdoms of the World at http://www.thecatholicthing.org , comment 1 to 15 out of 15 comments http://www.thecatholicthing.org Sun, 19 May 2013 19:47:20 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2013/all-the-kingdoms-of-the-world.html#comment-15998 On Tuesday USA Today declared on its front page that the Benedict XVI was leaving the Church in a mess -- a failed Papacy. I couldn't help thinking that on the day that this president hands over the White House to the next that headline will be appropriate in fact. The Pope Emeritus has left the Church more holy, faithful, and forward-looking than when he became the Holy Father. Continuing the work of Blessed John Paul II. This power-obsessed president who will have as his legacy a country demoralized, cynical, and mired in bi-partisan disgust -- a faithless citizenry living in a near-fatally wounded civitas. The choice of the next president may well be irrelevant but this is not true of the next Pope -- his election could not be more critical. The president and men and women like him are mocked by the crowds that have gathered to say goodbye to a true leader, a true Pastor. Perhaps at the core of Msgr. Benson's LORD OF THE WORLD is not prophecy so much as the rage and fury at the secular heart of the drama we are now living through. The clergy, the episcopacy, the college of cardinals, and the next Vicar of Christ on earth will have to confront this rage and no longer pretend that protocol and diplomacy will blunt the attack. It is, as George Weigel has said, "different cultural moment." And too many Catholics voted for it. - Graham Combs Fri, 01 Mar 2013 15:44:17 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2013/all-the-kingdoms-of-the-world.html#comment-15997 Tony, I wonder how long of a honeymoon the new pope will get from the media. I wouldn't be surprised if they are gathering negative oppostion research on every cardinal as we speak! Grump, from your description you've probably had unrecognized faith all that time. Really, you can't doubt something you don't have. It's easy to confuse the temptation to doubt with lacking faith. Temptations are annoying little things and that is all they are. Sort of like those no see em bugs that come out certain times of the year. - Louise Fri, 01 Mar 2013 12:39:44 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2013/all-the-kingdoms-of-the-world.html#comment-15995 He keeps knocking Grump, because He loves you, and He knows that you are worth it. He stoops to conquer each one of us ...because He is determined to gather His family to Him. He loves us so...poor lost sheep that we are. - Chris In Maryland Fri, 01 Mar 2013 10:20:09 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2013/all-the-kingdoms-of-the-world.html#comment-15989 Dear Tony: As you can perceive, this old agnostic is coming around and hoping the Lord will find room in His Kingdom for such as me. I've been doubting Him my whole life but He never lets gives up in hounding me. He's always knocking on the door of my heart. - Grump Fri, 01 Mar 2013 04:35:42 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2013/all-the-kingdoms-of-the-world.html#comment-15987 Dear Grump, Yes, they are lost. They lack even the sense of wistfulness that overcomes somebody in the dark woods, when they recall a place of light and peace; because they have never been to that place. Joseph Ratzinger's teacher, Romano Guardini, said that we had reached that sad gray state of man-without-culture, which means man-without-feasts, man without joy. It never occurs to CNN, either, that the Church cannot "change" its "views" on sex -- that its "views" on sex are not views, but commandments entrusted to Her by the Lord. They thus reveal what Pope Benedict has long noted -- the symbiosis between moral relativism and totalitarianism. That's because they see ALL things through the prism of power politics. There's no loyalty there, no self-sacrifice, no martyrdom for a greater cause, no holding to the truth regardless of how unpopular it is. And no God, to guide the Church. But I guess we could say that we'll listen to CNN's recommendations on How to Survive, when CNN is 2000 years old ... - Tony Thu, 28 Feb 2013 14:52:08 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2013/all-the-kingdoms-of-the-world.html#comment-15986 Well said, Tony. CNN lead: "Pope Benedict leaves a Church mired in scandal. Will its future depend on whether it changes its views on sex?" For all its sophistication, the secular world is totally lost. - Grump Thu, 28 Feb 2013 14:04:35 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2013/all-the-kingdoms-of-the-world.html#comment-15985 Thank you so much, Dr. Esolen. it almost seems too much of a feast for Lent, especially in combination with Prof. Arkes' essay. The photo offered the perfect visual accompaniment. Thank you. - Maggie-Louise Thu, 28 Feb 2013 11:11:18 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2013/all-the-kingdoms-of-the-world.html#comment-15984 omGOSH! that was GREAT! - debby Thu, 28 Feb 2013 08:03:03 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2013/all-the-kingdoms-of-the-world.html#comment-15983 What a wonderful season of gifts God has given us in the long season of Cdl Ratzinger/Pope Benedict. Whether a bitter winter is coming, our Father in heaven only knows, but we are better provisioned, because of Pope Benedict. What a fine tribute paid to our Holy Father Pope Benedict, whom we love so much. - Chris in Maryland Thu, 28 Feb 2013 07:37:37 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2013/all-the-kingdoms-of-the-world.html#comment-15982 Wow! Whoever said literature is dead and all the great works are long since written has never been to our little oasis. Excellent, Tony. I love your writing, but this was extraordinary. Truly brilliant. Thank you. - Layman Tom Thu, 28 Feb 2013 06:49:22 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2013/all-the-kingdoms-of-the-world.html#comment-15981 We'll never know why the life of a holy man makes some men weep for joy and others out of bitterness. My life has been no better than the men who hate him because he's lived a better, holier life than they and yet I see his great success in life as a tiny point of light, of hope among the void of darkness, while they view it to be the chief torment among a world that is otherwise full of easy pleasures. I'm not trying to shock anyone (I'm guessing it's not very shocking to this crowd), but the majority of Americans, and, of course, of all humans have to be insane to tolerate the world as it is while at the same time constantly berating the Church, the institution which has done the most to reduce the horror of the world. - Jacob Thu, 28 Feb 2013 05:47:17 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2013/all-the-kingdoms-of-the-world.html#comment-15980 I agree with Mack! Suburb, sublime, sober, mature, beautiful, profound. Thank you Dr. Esolen! - Achilles Thu, 28 Feb 2013 04:18:00 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2013/all-the-kingdoms-of-the-world.html#comment-15979 In the last two week there has been much foolishness written about our Holy Father Benedict, and many good, wise, and humble observations and appreciations. Anthony Esolen's essay, brilliant in its brevity, coherence, and defiance, is the best commentary of all. God bless Pope Benedict XVI! - Mack Hall Thu, 28 Feb 2013 02:54:50 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2013/all-the-kingdoms-of-the-world.html#comment-15978 Thank you . That was very moving on the last day of our beloved Pope Benedict's papacy. I shall miss him dearly as much as his great predecessor JP II. - Frank Thu, 28 Feb 2013 01:30:44 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2013/all-the-kingdoms-of-the-world.html#comment-15977 Oh my God I think you're right, the Pope's motivation is completely obscure to them: "Either the man is so incapacitated that he can no longer derive pleasure from the harlot, or he has been compelled to give her up against his will." In the same way Frodo and the Fellowship were completely obscure to the 'Great Eye'? - Gratitude Wed, 27 Feb 2013 21:27:01 +0100