Safe Haven

It's pretty simple: nobody gets a free pass to try to "reclaim" a symbol that has baggage without carrying the baggage. The Confederate battle flag says: 1. I agree with the people who started their own country just to continue owning other people; 2. I agree with the constitution of that rebel country, which prevented its own states from abolishing slavery; 3. I believe that the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the US Constitution were just Northern "meddling"; 4. I was happy when the state governments reclaimed their governments from those trying to secure those rights for the newly-liberated people; 5. I agree with those who resisted the racial integration of the southern states in the '50s and '60s; 6. I think all this talk of racism is overblown, even though nothing would have changed, had the whole nation not seen what was happening on their TVs at night. Is it worth it, just to say you like Lynrd Skynyrd? I believe you, when you sa...

He comes up with that, after a glance. OK, kids! Pack it in! I've got nothing to add! (Hat tip: Mark Shea.)

Rick Santorum, call your office!

I've just learned that my very first confessor in the Catholic Church, Monsignor Joseph Pins, has died. I really don't have the skill or the eloquence to write a fitting tribute, but I wanted to tell you why I love him. I met him when I entered the RCIA program at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis. He must have been warned about the likes of me. You think you can raise a good objection to the Catholic faith, until you meet him. But he never breathed apologetic fire; he had the serene confidence that comes by true holiness. Some time later, the powers that be decided that a barbecue for the catechumens and candidates would be nice. I'm off to one side, still hoping none of my Presbyterian seminary professors will catch me there. He asks if I'd like to get anything. I say to the man who has never been mistaken for a fitness personality, "Well, I don't want to cut in front of you, Monsignor." "Do I look like I've missed a meal?" he answere...

You could spend all your days inside the Catholic Church, and not see what you are supposed to see. You could spend all your days outside it, and see it clear as a mountain sky: God loves you. That's what it's all for, you know. Love, in both directions. I was gently reminded by some fellows and an angry (for now) ex-Catholic that the Church teaches that you can "fall out of grace," as it were. Well and good. I didn't protest that phrasing because I am unaware of the dogmatic definitions of the Council of Trent (of happy memory). I protested because of the fear in the whole thing. Man, if I believe in the sacraments of holy mother Church and in their power, isn't this basically saying that God didn't love me when... With love, you buffoon! You may find out that you're worse than you think you are. Welcome to the gospel. If you find yourself falling into the same sin over and over, the only possible explanation is that you and me don't fully u...