Matt Fradd's Blog, page 30
September 13, 2022
3 Reasons Why Shia LaBeouf Loves the Latin Mass
Tensions are once again brewing between lovers of the Traditional Latin Mass and those who are suspicious or dismissive of it.
For a while, Traditionalists had the support of Pope Benedict XVI. Under Pope Francis, more restrictions have been placed on the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass. Many Traditionalists now feel alienated from the Vatican.
But recently, famed actor and filmmaker Shia LaBeouf came out and expressed his love for the Traditional Latin Mass. He credits it with helping him embrace Catholicism.
Of course, having such a major celebrity praise the Traditional Latin Mass is both very rare and definitely a morale booster for Traditionalists.
Here are some reasons Shia LaBeouf gives for loving the Latin Mass (and reasons you may want to check out such a Mass yourself). They come from a recent interview the actor did with Bishop Robert Barron.
1. It doesn’t feel too salesyShia LaBeouf mentions that it doesn’t “feel like they’re selling me a car” when he attends a Traditional Latin Mass. He contrasts this with many parishes’ over-the-top attempts to popularize the Mass through such things as guitar Masses.
The underlying idea here is that we’ve seen many parishes, in an attempt to be “relevant,” trying way too hard to appeal to modern-day Catholics. Nobody likes someone who’s too salesy. It comes off as inauthentic. And people today value authenticity.
The Latin Mass doesn’t change to embrace each new fad. It mostly stays the same. And that’s very refreshing.
2. It lets you in on something very special
Shia LaBeouf doesn’t really specify what he means here, but he compares it to discovering a new band. He notes that you feel resistant when a band is pushed on you. It’s another thing to find a band that resonates with something deep inside you.
One thing you often hear from Latin Mass devotees is that finding it made them feel connected with the great heritage of the Church in a way many New Order Masses didn’t. (Not that the New Order Mass can’t produce this effect, but many priests just don’t put in the effort.)
At the Traditional Latin Mass, you have Gregorian chant and prayers that go back to the early days of the Church. There just seems to be more of an emphasis on embracing our amazing heritage.
3. The silence
We live in a world of constant noise and stimulation. So many people are afraid of silence. We continually run background music and videos as we browse the web and do chores.
But if we don’t learn to encounter silence, we remain shallow. Silence forces us to confront the deepest recesses of our hearts — where the voice of God whispers to us.
The Latin Mass contains many beautiful moments of silence, many more than the New Order Mass. For many people, this helps them experience God more directly.
While we’re not saying you have to prefer the Traditional Latin Mass over the New Mass, it still deserves the respect of every Catholic. Pope Benedict XVI emphasized this point when he said, “What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too.”
Whatever you make of Shia LaBeouf’s conversion, he brings up some great points about the Traditional Latin Mass that every Catholic should consider. And it should also inspire New Mass parishes to make sure they are making their own liturgy as beautiful and reverent as it can be.
The post 3 Reasons Why Shia LaBeouf Loves the Latin Mass appeared first on Pints with Aquinas.
September 9, 2022
Why You Should Take a Month Off the Internet
We all know the Internet takes up too much time in our lives. We bemoan that reality, but do little to change it.
But we want to challenge you to experience life offline. Ideally, you should take a month off, but if work or family obligations tether you to the Internet, then take a shorter break or limit your activity to necessary online activity.
The benefits of taking time away from the Internet are enormous. Here are a few.
1. You can read a bookReading a book is a beautiful thing. You just can’t replicate that experience online. Holding a book in your hand creates an intimate relationship — it’s just you and the book. Contrast this with reading something online, where possibly thousands of other eyes are reading the exact same page.
And if you read a really good book, you’ll grow spiritually, intellectually, and humanly. Web content thrives because it’s short, easy, and digestible. And while that’s helpful in today’s busy world, you don’t want to miss out on the experience of reading a book that makes you think and feel at a deeper level, or which immerses you in a fantastical world for days on end.
Need some book ideas? Check out our recent blog on great reads you don’t want to miss!
2. You stop knowing or caring about everything going on in the world
Thanks to the Internet, we now know what’s happening across the globe in a matter of minutes — everything from the latest political scandal to head-scratching statements from heterodox bishops to the public outbursts of previously unknown “Karens” who went viral.
We’re not saying it’s bad to keep abreast of some things, but we’ve become online gluttons. And feeling the need to keep up with all the latest news usually causes anxiety. We also waste time that could be used for more productive work or hobbies.
Try unplugging yourself from the news and social media. While you may feel anxious at first, you’ll soon discover how freeing it is not to know who the latest TikTok sensation is or what new political fight is brewing.
3. You can spend more time with your family, friends, and local community
The Internet connects us to those on the opposite side of the world. In one sense, this is a great thing. But in our obsession with what’s happening around the globe, we often become blind to those around us — those within our circle of influence.
Some of you may remember the old days when the front porch was a gathering place for neighbors. But how many of us really know our neighbors today? Even small towns are now composed of people who are strangers. We forgo being in the physical presence of others to converse with faceless friends hiding behind computer or phone screens.
Disconnect from that online world for a while, and all of a sudden you notice that there are real, breathing human beings all around you. Who would have thought? Use this time offline to strike up conversations with that neighbor you’ve been avoiding or that fella in line at the grocery store.
It’s true that most of us will never be able to fully rid ourselves of the Internet. But by taking long breaks, you’ll learn to balance your life and discover the joy of the real world — a world that the Internet only gives you faint glimpses of.
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September 8, 2022
How to Conquer Your Pride
Pride is one of the Seven Deadly Sins. According to St. Thomas Aquinas, it’s the most deadly sin of all. C.S. Lewis calls it “the complete anti-God state of mind.”
We can define pride as a disorderly desire for human excellence. God gives us all gifts. He calls each of us to different types and degrees of excellence. But pride is a desire for an excellence that’s either above us or an excellence God does not will us to have.
You get that pride is bad. The problem is, you probably struggle with it. Almost everyone does. It’s one of the most universal sins.
Here’s how to overcome the sin of pride:
1. Be patient with yourselfYou won’t conquer your pride overnight. It’s a difficult sin to eradicate. Be patient; otherwise, you’ll fall into despair and perhaps commit even greater sins.
2. Continue to act
Don’t let fear of pride prevent you from doing good things. God gave you gifts. Yes, there’s a risk that pride will creep into your good works. But God calls you to use your gifts, so don’t let fear of pride hijack your fidelity to your vocation.
3. Don’t deny your weakness
If you’ve recognized pride in your heart, admit it! Rather than wasting time bemoaning how imperfect you are, work as well as you can within the confines of your weaknesses.
4. Ask God to embolden the good desires of your heart
As your good desires grow and are purified, pride will lessen. You’ll learn to be motivated by love of God, neighbor, and a more wholesome love of yourself.
5. Work to cultivate virtues that heal pride
Magnanimity and humility are two of these virtues. Magnanimity helps you do great things worthy of honor because they’re great — not because they make you look awesome. Humility makes you realize that all the things you do are because of the gifts God has bestowed upon you.
6. Remember that God calls you to do great things
It’s not humility to deny that. In fact, it’s simply another form of pride. For some people, this means creating art or music. For others, it means making discoveries in science. For most of us, we are called to do “ordinary things,” but with great love. And this love transforms those everyday tasks into precious gems in the eyes of God.
To summarize, there are two extremes you want to avoid. On the one hand, don’t shut your eyes to your sins of pride. But also don’t get tripped up by the fact that you have mixed motives or impure intentions. For the good that you do, pride will creep in. Just acknowledge it, entrust it to the Lord, and move on.
God will get you where you need to go if you simply follow Him.
The post How to Conquer Your Pride appeared first on Pints with Aquinas.
September 7, 2022
Why Physical Books Are Better Than eBooks
Tech is always evolving. And when it comes to music and movies, most people are keeping up. DVDs have mostly replaced videocassettes, but are quickly giving way to video streaming. Same with music. How often do you see someone walking around with a portable CD player anymore?
Not so with books. While eBooks are common, many people still prefer good old-fashioned books. Not that eBooks don’t have their advantages, but there’s just something about holding a physical book in your hand that you just can’t replicate with a screen.
Physical books are simply better than eBooks. Here are four reasons why.
1. Physical books stimulate more of your sensesWith an eBook reader, you’re simply looking at and touching a cold screen. Physical books engage four of your five senses. Old books engage all four to a high degree — yes, many of us are big fans of that old library book smell!
C.S. Lewis beautifully described the moment he learned to appreciate the effect of books on the senses: “The set up of the page, the feel and smell of the paper, the differing sounds that different papers make as you turn the leaves, became sensuous delights.”
Why impoverish your senses with eBooks when you can relish the look, sound, smell, and feel of a real one?
2. eBooks have little rabbit holes everywhere
Not all eBooks have ads, but many do. And is there anything worse than being immersed in a great story only to have an annoying ad clamoring for your attention and trying to lead you to another page?
The beauty of a physical book is being disconnected from that online web where every page is trying to lead you to some other outside page.
Now, some physical books do have ad pages, but they are usually hidden in the back. They may feature a link, but of course you can’t touch the link on a piece of paper and go to the website.
This is where laziness works to your advantage. Most likely, you’ll continue reading your book because you don’t want to make the effort to get your phone or laptop and check out the ad link.
3. Not everyone reads a ton of books
Why go out and spend money on an eReader if you hardly read books to begin with? If you plan on reading only a few books in your lifetime, just get the books themselves, rather than wasting money on an electronic device you’ll hardly use.
Plus, some people spend a long time slowly reading a certain book. There’s something special about having a physical book you’ve invested in for such a lengthy project.
4. You can build a cool home library
Few things are better than building your own personal home library. Not only do you have a ton of books on hand to read, but it’s a great way to add aesthetic appeal to your home!
It’s not for nothing that magical libraries often appear in fantasy. Magical eBook libraries? They just don’t have the same appeal.
Again, eBooks are not bad. But they lack the beautiful qualities of physical books. We NEED to make sure physical books never go by the wayside like videocassettes, vinyl records, and other old tech.
How can you help preserve real books? Simple: Go out and buy them! Even if you have an eReader, make an effort to buy physical books as well. Build up that awesome home library and preserve a pastime worth keeping alive.
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September 2, 2022
Who is Tom Bombadil in “The Lord of the Rings?”
When The Lord of the Rings movies came out a couple of decades ago, they were highly praised by those who had read the books and those who hadn’t.
Still, many lovers of the books were disappointed that the movies left out one of the most beloved, mysterious characters in Tolkien’s Middle Earth: Tom Bombadil.
And when we say Tom is “mysterious,” we mean it. J.R.R. Tolkien never tells us who Tom is, other than that he’s master of the Old Forest in Middle Earth, loves to sing, is pretty much the only character immune to the harmful effects of the One Ring, and may be the oldest living thing in Middle Earth.
This has left readers to speculate who Tom really is. Here are some of the most popular theories.
1. He is Eru IlúvatarIn Tolkien’s Middle Earth, Eru Ilúvatar is the Creator — basically, he is God. Some readers speculate that Tom Bombadil is Ilúvatar in the flesh. This would explain why Tom is immune to the evil effects of the One Ring. And Tolkien was a Catholic, so the idea of God becoming man was not foreign to his sensibilities.
However, Tolkien himself seems to dismiss this theory in his letters. Also, it is mentioned in “The Lord of the Rings” that if the Dark Lord Sauron is victorious, Tom himself would eventually fall. Which, if he really was God, would not happen.
2. He is the Music of the Ainur
Tolkien’s “The Silmarillion” opens with the creation of Middle Earth by Eru Ilúvatar, who creates angelic beings called Ainur to help him bring the world into existence through song. This music is known as the Music of the Ainur.
A really cool theory is that Tom Bombadil is the embodiment of this music. This would definitely explain why he is always singing, and why his songs have the power to ward off evil. This is probably one of the most credible theories of Tom’s identity.
3. He is a Vala or Maia
The Ainur — those angelic beings we just referred to who sang the world into existence — consist of higher angelic beings called Valar, and lower angelic beings called Maiar. Representatives of both groups came to Middle Earth in physical form to help shape the world and bring aid to men and elves (though some became evil). Famous Maiar include Sauron himself as well as the wizards Gandalf and Saruman.
Since the Valar and Maiar are among the oldest beings, could Tom be one of these? Doubtful. We know all the Valar by name, and Tom isn’t among them. And Tom isn’t affected by the One Ring, whereas that object can hold power over other Maiar (which is why Gandalf refuses to touch it).
4. He is simply himself
Though it might seem like a disappointing answer, this is probably what Tolkien intended, since he didn’t give us much else to go on. Tom is simply meant to be an enigmatic character, representative of those people we try to box in, but can’t.
Whoever Tom is, that doesn’t take away from the fact that he is one of the most delightful characters in Middle Earth. If more of us became like Tom and took pleasure in the simple things in life — the woods, streams, flowers, and air — this world would be a better place.
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September 1, 2022
What Is Priestly Celibacy Really Like?
Celibacy has always baffled people. But in today’s sex-saturated culture, it seems even more incredible that someone could give up sexual intimacy for life.
This leads to the popular misconception that priests and religious are miserable, lonely, and unfulfilled people. But while there are some sad celibates, many priests and religious can hardly hold back the immense joy they experience being completely dedicated to the Lord!
(Let’s also point out that sex doesn’t automatically lead to happiness and fulfillment. There are droves of people out there getting their “needs” met, but who are positively miserable.)
The best way to learn about the experience of celibacy is to hear from celibates themselves. Here are a few things priest friends have told us about what celibacy is really like.
1. Let’s be honest…it’s a miracle!
While celibacy can bring great joy, there’s no denying it can also be a struggle. It’s not natural, but supernatural. Committing yourself to celibate love doesn’t shut down sexual attraction. If you’re entering the priesthood thinking your sex drive will just disappear, you’re in for a big surprise.
But can’t the same be said about marriage? Even if you marry the love of your life and he or she is a stunning 10, you’re still going to feel sexually attracted to other people during the course of your marriage.
So how do priests deal with sexual attraction? That brings us to our next point.
2. Depend on God’s grace
Only the grace of God can help you persevere in celibacy. That’s why it’s incumbent that you foster a deep prayer life and frequently make acts of self-denial. If you fail to do these things, you’ll eventually fall prey to your sexual inclinations.
Again, honesty is key here. Talk candidly to God about the struggles you’re having. If you’re tempted by a beautiful woman, tell God and ask Him to help you see her with pure love.
3. Celibacy opens your eyes to the richness of the human person
Sex is a gift from God. Sex in marriage binds two people together and gives them a foretaste of heavenly joy.
But in the current reign of sin, our sex drive can become a blinding force, making us want to use people simply for pleasure. In this case, we fail to respect other people’s dignity as children of God.
Celibacy helps you see people in their true depth. Priests sometimes talk about how celibate love uncovers a woman’s inner beauty and richness, which often get hidden when the sex drive is in the front seat.
Celibacy is beautiful but, again, it’s not easy. But no vocation is. Every call from God — whether to marriage, the priesthood, religious life, or the celibate lay life — is a summons to die to ourselves in order to grow in the love of God and others. It is a stepping stone to that fulfillment of love we will all experience in heaven.
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August 31, 2022
Should You Always Listen to Your Elders?
Throughout history, many societies placed a lot of emphasis on venerating and listening to the elder members of the community.
That’s not as much the case in modern America and Europe. The current online catchphrase “Ok, Boomer,” encapsulates this contemporary dismissiveness of the older generations by the young.
Now, it’s true that the older generations are not always right, nor must youth follow them on every single thing.
But there are three vices that seem prevalent among today’s youth that affect their relationships with their elders. Here are those three vices as well as three virtues to counter them.
1. PrideYouth may think they’re better than their elders, but what real evidence is there for that? Sure, certain conditions have improved, but others have gotten worse. And we still experience many of the same temptations and fall into many of the same sins as previous generations.
To counter this vice, you need to develop humility. Come down from your young idealistic high horse and realize that we’re all broken and all need redemption. And your elders, having some experience battling these temptations, may have some good advice to share!
2. Scorn
God calls us to be in relationship with Himself as a community. This means you need to be in relationship with other people, especially other members of the Body of Christ. And not only with other members of your own generation.
Scorn for your elders creates distance and disunity. You can fight this vice by practicing generosity of engagement. This means people engaging with each other cross-generationally, especially at Mass.
Talk to your elders after Mass. Seek them out at coffee and donuts. Show how the unity of the Church transcends generations!
3. Dismissiveness
There are two basic ways that we engage with reality: by discovery and by instruction. We engage in the act of discovery when we experience reality, cultivate a memory of it, and then tune into that memory.
Our age is obsessed with discovery. Discovery is great, but it can also feed your selfishness if you refuse to be instructed by those who possess wisdom beyond your own.
Of course, instruction is when you learn from others. The virtue of docility opens your heart and mind to this instruction. You step out of your own parochial views and immerse yourself in the wider ocean of wisdom from your elders.
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August 30, 2022
Can Catholics Attend Society of St. Pius X Masses?
The Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) is one of the most controversial groups in the Church today. For those not familiar with them, they are a society of priests who exclusively celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass.
Now, there’s nothing wrong with that, but many SSPX clergy and laity are very hostile to Vatican II and the New Mass. Their founder, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, consecrated four bishops in defiance of Pope St. John Paul II, leading to his excommunication and putting many in the society in a state of schism.
The Church has since declared that the SSPX is no longer in a state of schism, but its place in the Church is still canonically irregular.
That means there are a lot of things to consider before attending an SSPX Mass. Here are three particular points you need to keep in mind.
1. You should have a good reason for going to an SSPX MassDespite their testy relationship with the Church hierarchy, one undeniable thing is that the Society of St. Pius X has beautiful, revenant liturgies. They celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass and adamantly oppose the wild experimentations that have crept into many Masses over the past half-century.
If your only choices for Sunday Mass are an SSPX chapel on the one hand, and an irreverent clown Mass on the other, then you’re probably justified in going to the SSPX.
2. Be aware of the not-so-good things you may encounter there
The SSPX has beautiful liturgies, it’s true, but there’s also a lot of negativity towards Vatican II, the New Mass, and the modern Church hierarchy.
Some SSPX attendees explicitly reject certain teachings of Vatican II — which is problematic since Pope St. Paul VI made the teachings of the council binding on all Catholics.
Be very cautious about being influenced by these negative attitudes, as they’ll only harm your faith.
3. Consider alternatives
When Archbishop Lefebvre consecrated his four bishops in defiance of the pope, there weren’t really any Traditional Latin Mass communities approved by the Church at that time. In an effort to keep devotees of that Mass in union with the Church, Pope St. John Paul II gave permission for the Traditional Latin Mass to be celebrated exclusively by approved groups.
Two of these groups — the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter and the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest — have churches in several areas in the U.S. and other parts of the world. Both are in full communion with the Church and celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass daily at many of their locations.
If you have the option of attending an SSPX Mass or a Traditional Latin Mass celebrated by a priest or group in full communion with the Church, go with the latter.
There have been great strides made in healing the division between the SSPX and the Church hierarchy. Hopefully, one day, full union will be possible. But we’re not there yet. If you feel drawn to attend an SSPX liturgy, consider these three things first.
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August 26, 2022
Should the Church Send Missionaries Into the Metaverse?
Love it or hate it, the Metaverse appears to be our future. It’s conceivable that within the next decade you’ll have better luck meeting people in virtual coffee shops than in real ones.
This presents a challenge to the Church. Jesus commanded His apostles and their successors to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel” (Mark 16:15).
Does that include the virtual world of the Metaverse? Should the Church prepare missionaries to evangelize there?
Will you be called to share the Gospel there?
Here are three things to keep in mind when considering these questions.
1. The Church has always adapted itself to different mediums to share the Gospel.
While many accuse the Church of being backward and out of touch, the Church has actually been very open to embracing new methods of evangelization. After the advent of radio, popes and bishops hit the airwaves. When television was born, the Church used it as a tool. Same with the Internet.
Of course, the Church doesn’t use means that are evil in and of themselves. The big debate now is whether the Metaverse is evil in itself, or simply evil when misused. There doesn’t seem to be a simple answer to that question.
2. Some people may be called to be Metaverse missionaries, but not everyone.
Once our culture fully embraces the Metaverse, it’s possible that a lot of Catholics are going to want to use it as a tool for evangelization.
But as with any vocation, not everyone will be called to do that, even if they want to. Just as not everyone is called to be a missionary to Rwanda, a parish priest, or a spouse and parent.
The only way you’ll know if you’re called to evangelize the Metaverse is by discussing it with God in prayer. You may also seek advice from a wise spiritual director. As with any vocation, the Metaverse will have dangers alongside opportunities.
3. The Metaverse should be a means, not an end.
Perhaps the greatest danger of the Metaverse is that people will live most of their lives there rather than in the real world. We already see this happening with social media. It will get worse in the Metaverse.
God calls us to communion with other people, including physical communion. That’s why virtual Masses do not fulfill your Sunday obligation; you have to actually be physically present at Mass for it to count.
While the Metaverse, when used properly, can be a means of communion with people, it should never be allowed to substitute physical communion. We risk losing out on so much by cutting off the real world and real people from our lives. The people in the Metaverse are not real people. They are only symbols of real people.
To conclude, we should look to Jesus to inspire our interactions with our fellow human beings. He remains physically with us in His Real Presence in the Eucharist. Let’s make sure the Metaverse never replaces our real presence with each other.
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August 25, 2022
How to Respond to Angry Online Messages
It’s pretty clear that discourse is hard in our modern times. Email and social media allow us to hide behind a screen and spew verbal poison that would make us blush if we spoke it in person.
Just glance over the comments section on a social media post on abortion, LGBTQ issues, the priesthood, or any other controversial topic, and you’ll see sometimes even 50- or 60-year-old toddlers who seem to think insulting other people’s intelligence constitutes an actual argument.
If you’re on the receiving end of a litany of online insults, you may feel a strong temptation to respond in a similar manner.
Don’t!
Here are four more constructive ways to respond to angry online messages.
1. Give the message a sympathetic first read.So hard to do, right? But here’s the thing: While the messenger may truly be saying something uncharitable or evil, you’re probably going to exaggerate the rhetoric such that it initially appears worse than it actually is.
Few people are so evil that they want to burn the whole world down. Everyone is motivated by what they perceive as good. Try to figure out what “good” is driving them to attack you.
How do you do this? First, read their message. Then, set it down for a while. Come back to it again and try to reiterate the message in your own words. You may just discover the driving force of their message!
By the way, St. Thomas Aquinas was so good at this that people said he phrased the arguments of his opponents better than they could themselves.
2. Draft a response.
The emphasis here is on the word draft. Don’t start pecking away at your keyboard like an angry bird and hit “send.” Revisit the response after you’ve calmed down a bit. You may be shocked by how harsh you sound!
Also, choose a good time to send your response. Generally, it’s not wise to post or send responses when you’re tired or lonely.
3. Shape the reception of the thing you’re trying to communicate.
People don’t hear your voice on social media posts or through email. This means you may sound more aggressive and haughty than you realize. The written word can be ambiguous.
So how can you help people be more receptive to your response? Revisit your post or email and edit out anything that can come off as smug, self-serving or condescending. Also, if you have the person’s phone number, consider calling them so they can hear your voice.
4. Just be prepared for no results.
You probably just groaned. But, the fact is, we need to be prepared for disappointment. We need to readjust our attitude according to the words of St. Teresa of Calcutta: “God has not called me to be successful. He called me to be faithful.”
We are only God’s instruments, called to share His love and truth with people whether they respond or not. Ultimately, it’s between them and God whether they’re going to change their views. Don’t stake your sanity on changing people’s minds.
Put these four tips into practice next time an angry online message comes your way. You may not make the messenger a better person, but you’ll become one. At the end of the day, that’s what matters most.
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