tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-198525202011-12-24T17:56:08.366-05:00A blog for Ogden "Oggie" Chichester (and friends from other ecclesial traditions he might invite from time to time) to comment on theology mostly. Still Oggie and friends reserve the right to yack about anything we please.Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.comBlogger1211100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-48210389826629908622010-11-11T21:45:00.003-05:002010-11-14T09:13:27.235-05:00

Both Patrick Madrid and David Schütz put me onto this most interesting discussion. The question is whether the only good Muslim is a "bad" Muslim. I strongly recommend it.Patrick Madrid has a few interesting things to say on this: here.David Schütz mentions it in a fascinating article on the book mentioned in the debate: hereUPDATE: I updated the link to David Schütz's blog. WordPress rather

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-86054146169946534162010-11-11T19:28:00.002-05:002010-11-11T19:59:19.550-05:00

Today, Pope Benedict XVI released an apostolic exhortation titled Verbum Domini: Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation on the Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church. Click here for a link to the document in pdf form. (Catholic Culture is the source I used to obtain the link, from their story here.)It seems a fortuitous opportunity to let you know about a personal project I have undertaken

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-77264739976183399352010-10-23T20:24:00.001-05:002010-10-23T20:34:36.207-05:00

Some time ago, my friend Pr. Lehmann declared that Nostra Aetate (Latin text, English text) was “the most satanic document ever written by the Christian Church.” Now, it will come as no surprise that not only do I disagree, I happen to find it to be an eminently Biblical Document. In fact, it reminds me of one passage in particular; a passage from which it derives its ideas and even its structure

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-20009893061852315242010-07-20T19:10:00.004-05:002010-07-20T19:41:11.949-05:00

After a long hiatus, I'm going to write about an opportunity missed, and why it is part and parcel of what ails us.Before I begin it is important to note that the readings for Sunday were Gn 18:1-10a, Col 1:24-28, and Lk 10:38-42. These three readings are about the relationship between Faith and diakonia (i.e. ministry, service). Abraham, in the Lesson, serves the three strangers for selfless

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-17247506406185259032010-02-02T21:48:00.005-05:002010-02-02T23:19:14.871-05:00

First a quick word on my lack of blogging. In a recent posting, well ... "recent" ... I said that the crisis I was experiencing was getting better. Alas, it got much worse before it resolved. But for the grace of God I do not know how I would have coped. But in any event, I feel now as though I can blog again, and so ...The reading in the LCMS One Year Lectionary for Sunday, I am told, is the

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-4290119777482807132009-09-24T19:24:00.003-05:002009-09-24T19:28:44.971-05:00

A friend asked me to compare the NASB, MKJV and NKJV. I have to first state that the reason I didn't touch on many of these types of translations is that they weren't released for the Catholic market and don't contain the Deuterocanon. I only included the KJV in the previous post due to its wording's wide familiarity. Anyway, here's my response for my friend:I'll get the MKJV out of the way,

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-70668638276549701352009-09-23T20:36:00.004-05:002009-09-23T21:47:52.425-05:00

My friend Ros raised the issue of which version of the Bible to buy. Another friend remarked "the one you will read" a la Billy Graham. But I hope to offer some additional guidance.First, a warning, two of the translations actually spell out the name of God. This might cause offence.Second, an explanation. I think it makes it easy to see the differences by comparing how each translation treats a

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-58795970375492709702009-09-21T19:51:00.007-05:002009-09-26T10:27:02.639-05:00

Before continuing with my history of the development of the canon, I feel it somewhat important to answer a basic question. If we say that the period of the Councils, like Carthage, Hippo and Rome, defined the OT and NT canons, we do have to answer "which OT canon?" Alexandrian or Palestinian? The Alexandrian canon is also called the Septuagint (often abbreviated LXX for the Seventy translators

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-43134025288088233212009-09-20T21:01:00.002-05:002009-09-20T21:51:41.380-05:00

To understand the development of the canon, which I touched on a little in the previous post, we have to understand what the Fathers saw as important and how that changed.Before the Council of Nicaea, the Fathers (the Ante-Nicene Fathers), especially the Apostolic Fathers (those Fathers who knew the Apostles personally) had an interesting way of approaching this subject. For them, what was

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-53152128381755179062009-09-20T18:36:00.005-05:002009-09-20T20:53:01.472-05:00

I have recently been studying Kevin Edgecomb's translation of the Prologues to the Vulgate.I find these very interesting for a number of reasons. For one, they tell us a little about how Scripture was viewed in the 4th and 5th centuries. We also see the role of Bishops, and what role they played in this, not least of whom was Pope Damasus I. And we also see the role that Council of Nicaea played.

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-9836643926058249132009-09-13T20:08:00.004-05:002009-09-13T20:12:19.665-05:00

A few posts I am working on are not ready for publication yet, but here is what they will be about:Jerome on the Deuterocanon (much different from what people have been told).More from Jerome, this time on Matt 2:23Some Musings on the Pericope AdulteraeA request from a friend to discuss Qumran

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-20396160883970728102009-09-13T19:48:00.004-05:002009-09-13T20:11:22.116-05:00

First let me apologise for going silent. There have been some crises in my life that left me feeling decidedly unwilling to do much writing. Enough of the crises have subsided that I feel I can finish this post.In order to understand the eleventh chapter of Romans, it's necessary to understand much of the preceding discussion of Romans. Paul discusses the Law and its inability to save, because,

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-40600345141474594922009-06-11T20:48:00.003-05:002009-06-11T20:51:38.568-05:00

Posted by Ogden (I am doing it this way, because I realise not everyone is going to go all the way to the end of the post to see who posted. And I have tried everything to get this template to let the author's by-line appear at the top. This will have to do until I can figure that out)I'm completely rewriting it. Now that Pr. Lehmann and I have made peace, it seems petty to do a yeah-boo piece.

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-76731033476561971762009-06-08T22:34:00.006-05:002009-06-09T17:38:36.289-05:00

Among Protestants, there has arisen a dangerous and foolhardy school of thought known as dispensationalism, which has morphed from a known radical theology accepted only by the most radical anti-tradition, anti-clerical, anti-denominational versions of protestantism into a a cause celebre of the non-denominational-loving, pithy worship music playing, cheesy pre-school like slogan using, and soon

Stephen Hamiltonnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-44754874134262825752009-06-08T21:17:00.007-05:002009-06-08T22:18:05.305-05:00

Passages discussed: 1 John 2, especially 1 John 2:22-23; and John 8, especially John 8:44; and othersAnyone who reads this blog will know that recently there was a huge bust-up over whether or not Scripture claims that Jews (indeed any non-Christians) worship Satan. Now anyone who reads the combox will know I utterly reject that. But several passages of Scripture were used to justify this view.

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-88624577596303418992009-06-05T04:16:00.005-05:002009-06-05T18:18:30.632-05:00

This post is dedicated to Pr. Charles LehmannTrinity Sunday is coming up, and I do not envy the task of those who intend to preach on the topic for two reasons. One, the Trinity isn't the easiest of concepts to explain. And two, having explained it, it isn't that easy to apply that lesson to one's congregation.Now I should stop and say I have no right to tell anyone how to preach, of course. But

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-18334406895589631172009-06-04T04:00:00.000-05:002009-06-04T11:46:41.003-05:00

This post is dedicated to my good friend KeyStrokeAt Mass on Sunday I was struck by the reading on Pentecost. I began to think a great deal about Acts as a whole. I realised that Acts is to the Holy Spirit what Luke's Gospel is to Christ; it is Luke's Gospel of the Holy Spirit, if you like.What struck me most about the pericope is that it forms the real beginning of Acts. There's a transitional

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-41302607641211766442009-05-28T03:41:00.000-05:002009-05-28T12:44:30.016-05:00

I'm sorry for the lack of blog posts recently. I was ill. It's no excuse though. I should push myself. So enough about that, and onto the post itself.In talking about translating, it occurred to me to discuss one of the more controversial "helps for the reader:" footnotes and introductions. Most modern Bibles have them to one extent or another. General Bibles in the Protestant tradition have very

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-16705365308364892582009-05-10T20:12:00.004-05:002009-05-11T09:18:44.329-05:00

First, I do not have any great claim to translation mastery. My Hebrew and Aramaic are awful, and my Koine is ... well, what it is. Still, I do have some experience translating French to people, although there too, I can hardly consider myself an expert.I had occasion to think recently about translation as a general concept. Recently, I discovered all of my Biblical translations, as well as a few

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-2873702688486211612009-04-28T19:49:00.004-05:002009-04-28T20:18:29.076-05:00

This is one of those posts that I will likely never manage to articulate what's on my heart, at least not well.As I said in my previous post, Job intrigues me. Much like Ecclesiastes, it asks a hard question about God's justice. How can God allow bad things to happen to good people? Now, some or many of you will say "But Oggie, all have fallen short." Yes, yes, yes. But that's not the point here.

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-49718307423370757762009-04-23T21:07:00.002-05:002009-04-23T21:11:06.348-05:00

So, I have been somewhat quiet on my blog, partly because I am wicked busy IRL with budgets and the like, but also because I have been making my way once again through Job. I love the Book of Job. It is some of the best poetry in any poetic tradition, and I likely would hold that view were I not a believer. I get a strong urge every so often to delve back into Job, and swim about in its rich

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-12529787682984926512009-04-20T19:25:00.005-05:002009-04-20T19:46:42.393-05:00

It is interesting to me that the Psalm for Divine Mercy Sunday (also called Thomas Sunday and Quasimodo Sunday) was Psalm 118. What is interesting about this Psalm is that it contains the Hebrew word chesed, which is so variously translated. Sometimes it is loving-kindness, sometimes mercy (as in the KJV, the Douay and the NAB), sometimes love (as in the TEV) and sometimes steadfast love (as in

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-11418204940997773692009-04-17T21:32:00.004-05:002009-04-17T22:52:38.938-05:00

In another conversation with Pr. Lehmann, we discussed the Road to Emmaus pericope. I want to just touch briefly on a few of the things he and I discussed.In the case of the Road to Emmaus pericope, it seems obvious to me that we have a very plain Eucharistic exegesis by Luke. Luke of all the Evangelists is concerned with the Liturgy. After all, he is the one who lets us catch a glimpse of it in

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-69022138342645257342009-04-17T19:02:00.005-05:002009-04-17T19:56:37.594-05:00

Pr. Lehmann, a contributor to the comboxes and a dear friend of mine, mentioned something a few days ago. He said something to the effect of whether Jn 19 contained all Christian Doctrine and then stopped himself because it does. I am not doing his statement justice, and so I hope he will correct me. But I decided to use his observation as an impetus to reflect deeply on this Chapter. In so doing

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-38894527544200945992009-04-17T17:51:00.005-05:002009-04-17T19:03:52.936-05:00

I have been under the weather recently, so I have not been blogging as I ought. But even while I was recuperating, I was still ruminating. So, now that I feel a bit better, I am going to post the three main topics on which I had focused my attention.The first of these is a kind of general observation about the Resurrection narratives in the Gospels and we might also say Acts and Paul's own

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-34936846847948056672009-04-12T00:16:00.001-05:002009-04-11T23:36:13.180-05:00

He is Risen Today! Happy EasterClick Here for the Easter ProclamationExultet iam angelica turba caelorum:exultent divina mysteria:et pro tanti Regis victoria tuba insonet salutaris.Gaudeat et tellus tantis irradiata fulgoribus:et, aeterni Regis splendore illustrata,totius orbis se sentiat amisisse caliginem.Laetetur et mater Ecclesia,tanti luminis adornata fulgoribus:et magnis populorum vocibus

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-79994023078763523082009-04-11T15:44:00.004-05:002009-04-11T17:03:14.202-05:00

What is Truth?This is an odd question that Pilate puts to Jesus in the Good Friday Gospel. The text makes it seem that Christ never answers this, because immediately after putting this question before the Saviour, we go immediately to the Scourging and the Ecce Homo scenes. But Christ does answer it. He answered it immediately before it was asked, and He answered it another way.Immediately before

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-69571314273540579922009-04-10T21:37:00.000-05:002009-04-10T21:38:09.943-05:00

Let us take tonight merely to reflect on the suffering the perfect God inflicted on Himself in order to save fallen humanity.

Stephen Hamiltonnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-20119778276504692092009-04-10T20:25:00.004-05:002009-04-10T20:28:38.109-05:00

I doubt I will have enough time to finish this tonight. So I will finish it tomorrow. But in the meantime, the aim of my Good Friday reflection will be to answer Pilate's question: What is truth?

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-61780323545488804492009-04-09T19:58:00.004-05:002009-04-09T20:52:54.064-05:00

Today's readings (Ex 12:1-8, 11-14, Ps 116:12-13, 15-16bc, 17-18 with the Antiphon from 1 Cor 10:16, 1 Cor 11:23-26, and Jn 13:1-15) are all about one important thing ... the Supper. Exodus points to the Passover meal that would be both the occasion of the Last Supper and its type, the Psalm calls the presidential prayers offered by Christ and priests ever since, the Epistle relates the actual

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-46815953065453526262009-04-08T20:58:00.002-05:002009-04-08T21:35:16.505-05:00

I wasn't always a Calvinist. Like many Protestants of my generation my parents first attended a small neighborhood church. The church sang only hymns in the early 90s and then, in an effort to gain members, switched to the pithy "contemporary christian" music now found in the megachurches. The theology was pre-millennial (meaning that the Left Behind books served as youth group manuals) and

Stephen Hamiltonnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-44118151845276334842009-04-05T21:18:00.004-05:002009-04-05T22:03:13.624-05:00

cum illud bibam novum in regno Deitu es rex Iudaeorumhave rex IudaeorumI'm just going to jot down a few thoughts that occurred to me about today's readings (as well as the processional Gospel). The first thing that strikes me about the readings is the journey motif, and the other is the constant reference to kings and kingdoms.Obviously, it is not surprising that on Palm Sunday we should

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-22530202629303035522009-04-04T22:10:00.004-05:002009-04-04T22:14:13.503-05:00

Recently as I have been reading the blogs two topics have lit the blogosphere ablaze. But I decided not to respond immediately, but rather to ruminate on them. Those who read the blogs listed on my blogroll will have certainly encountered them: The Rev. Katherine Hancock Ragsdale's sermon praising abortion as a blessing, and the decision by Notre Dame to invite President Obama to speak.The first

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-21159170278702584162009-04-02T21:28:00.002-05:002009-04-02T21:42:23.082-05:00

John Paul II went to sleep with his fathers in the hope of the resurrection on this day four years ago. I fervently pray that the Holy Father will confirm my belief that John Paul II heard his Saviour say "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-81697873543800646522009-04-01T07:46:00.003-05:002009-04-01T10:06:40.800-05:00

When reading yesterday's readings, I was struck that it was so apropos with respect to Pr. Lehmann's and my discussion in the combox below on the senses of Scripture. It also ties in somewhat with the post I have just done on the Lectionary.The Old Testament reading from Numbers retells the story of the Bronze Seraph, the serpent that was held aloft and any who looked upon it was healed. Wis 16:5

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-40269338226830562952009-04-01T07:07:00.003-05:002009-04-01T08:19:43.941-05:00

(This might post twice, and if so I'll keep the version which reads the best)Pr. Lehmann, on his blog, discusses the Lectionary in his ecclesial tradition. Of interest is that he approaches it from the perspective of having to preach various pericopes and how this keeps one honest. I remember my confessor years ago wryly admitting to me that after years and years of doing so it can be hard to

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-53725610778249891832009-03-31T13:42:00.004-05:002009-03-31T14:39:43.036-05:00

What is a Calvinist doing on a blog run by a Catholic? Perhaps some of my fellow brother Calvinists will be alarmed at my working together with a "Papist". After all, traditionally, Calvinism and Catholicism don't typically get along. I believe that calling the Pope the whore of Babylon caused quite a bit of consternation in Rome. And we are the strain of Protestant thought that has clung most

Stephen Hamiltonnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-42918243217323667132009-03-31T09:33:00.001-05:002009-03-31T09:33:43.145-05:00

So, I have been thinking lately ... how do I make this blog different from all the other Catholic blogs? We already have priests, lay men and women, professors, seminarians, and journalists among others. I'm just an ordinary person with an interest in theology particularly as it is connected to Scripture.So, I got to thinking that in the spirit of Neuhaus and Colson, I would invite friends of

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-36049533141388937732009-03-29T12:30:00.001-05:002009-03-29T12:32:51.204-05:00

We might be forgiven for thinking that today is Easter. Each of the three readings for today mentions resurrection in some form or another. Ezekiel speaks of opening the graves, Paul speaks of the Spirit that raised Christ from the dead, and John narrates the raising of Lazarus. But upon closer inspection it becomes clear this is a different resurrection than the one in which we have hope.This

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-29738010510876516202009-03-28T11:54:00.009-05:002009-03-28T14:26:23.693-05:00

A friend asked me on another site:Which reminds me, Oggerz -I guess that's the hardest thing for me to grasp about the Trinity. There's a few sequences that seem to indicate a disconnect between the substance - will or knowledge of the Father and Son. Sometimes, upon further examination, there's a perfectly sensible reason ("Eloi Eloi lema sabachthani" being a reference to Psalm 22), but I

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-40707436169501289262009-03-27T19:46:00.003-05:002009-03-28T13:00:59.900-05:00

I really did find this quite funny. Enjoy.The 5 Ways of Proving Santa Claus

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-34884157743169457992009-03-26T17:48:00.006-05:002009-03-26T20:51:18.563-05:00

I touched on this in my last post, but one of the interesting things that I usually note in any translation is how κεχαριτωμένη is often translated. It is hard to completely convey the sense of this word. It means to have grace entirely bestowed on someone. I think Jerome got it absolutely correct when he translated it gratia plena, full of grace. The sense that Mary is highly favoured is not

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-22863928532614731282009-03-25T19:09:00.005-05:002009-03-26T20:52:24.520-05:00

On another place, to which I might or might now link due to some unpleasantness, I described what Laetare and Gaudete Sundays were and why the rose coloured vestments were so appropriate. After delving into that briefly, I began to think more about it, and then to come to some interesting conclusions about "light." This in turn lead me to think about today in the calendar.After that little

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-84030837680722244632009-03-25T12:49:00.001-05:002009-03-25T12:49:36.269-05:00

I'll do something on the Annunciation later. But before that some conversations I have been having about Laetare need to crystalise into a blog post. Specifically, I'll talk about the connection between the lighter liturgical colour and the idea of "light" in the Johanine Gospel.

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-68810613728168721862009-03-22T16:19:00.006-05:002009-03-22T17:52:00.588-05:00

Today's Gospel reading was the man born blind (Jn 9:1-41), which for us is a rather long pericope. The usual practice is to butcher it down to something shorter. What it gains in brevity it lacks in perspicacity. As a result, I was overjoyed when Father read the entire pericope from start to finish, all forty one verses. His homily was also masterly. I agree with everything in it, but I did want

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-13412213003771437632008-04-02T19:03:00.004-05:002008-04-03T17:40:03.318-05:00

Remember me? Well, I was inspired to write this quick Scriptural observation after an online conversation with an acquaintance. We were discussing Chiliasm and my friend pointed out that it mentions "This is the first resurrection" (αυτη η αναστασις η πρωτη) (Apoc 20:5)I was kinda struck by ...I was kinda struck by anastasis (αναστασις) which we translate as resurrection, because it suddenly

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-27525417363061808282008-01-31T10:07:00.000-05:002008-01-31T10:08:15.095-05:00

In the event anyone was wondering, I am still alive, but work and other ventures have kept me too busy to update this with the kind of frequency I would have liked. I promise to resume soon.

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-8572101280248734672006-10-03T19:26:00.000-05:002006-10-03T20:18:39.777-05:00

Now that I have been "noticed" I feel a certain liberating permission to blog on. I feel almost like my Lutheran days, blogging boldly! All right, Ogden, let's not let this get to our head, shall we?In my "managed posts" section I have had a saved draft for ages called "Divine Grammar." This was something that occurred to me during the readings of the Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-86344640367413407622006-10-01T20:22:00.000-05:002006-10-01T20:50:15.307-05:00

One of the blogs I enjoy reading is Disputations, where the blogger-author gives (among other things) his reflections and thoughts on Scripture as they appear in the Mass readings (or what have you).His views and ideas are always provocative. I find I learn a very great deal simply reading them, although I do not necessarily always agree. Usually it's little words or grammatical points that

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-10681285271764308242006-09-28T21:55:00.001-05:002006-09-28T21:55:56.783-05:00

(from the BBC)No surprises here. Inevitably, questions are now raised as to whether this will damage cricket. In my opinion it has not, and the sport is strong enough to rebound.Was Inzy correct to do as he did? I believe so, personally, because he had no other appeal at the time. Really, a dramatic protest was his only option, in my opinion.If anyone did bring the sport into disrepute, it was

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1159412688359870172006-09-27T21:49:00.000-05:002006-09-27T22:33:28.943-05:00

Violence continues across Asia in response to the Pope's Regensburg speech (get the story here.)Reading the above is a pretty sad affair...Reading the above is a pretty sad affair. And it reminds me of a quote from an article I linked to yesterday:One columnist, Abdelwahab Al Affendi, ridiculed those who demanded a retraction of the Pope's original remarks.Mr Al Effendi wrote saying that nothing

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1159411683449263932006-09-27T21:45:00.000-05:002006-09-27T21:48:03.460-05:00

I commend a wonderful article to you about the Crusades by Jimmy Akin, via Insight Scoop. It really is a masterly run down of the history, with a section placing it in context. Enjoy.

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1159326733933214772006-09-26T21:59:00.000-05:002006-09-26T22:12:57.976-05:00

Cricket News!Before I go to bed, I thought I'd blog about something else that is important to me: cricket. Inzamam-ul-Haq heads back to London to the place where all the controversy started. He goes back to the Oval to defend himself against charges of ball tampering and bringing the game into disrepute. As Captain, he was deemed responsible even if one of the bowlers is actually alleged to have

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1159288239335660042006-09-26T10:46:00.000-05:002006-09-26T11:31:12.556-05:00

As you can readily imagine, I have continued to follow the story of how the Holy Father's words are being interpretted -- for good or ill -- by certain elements of the Islamic Community. Yesterday, Pope Benedict met with ...Yesterday, Pope Benedict met with representatives of the Islamic world: diplomats and some Italian Muslim groups. Amy Welborn has the text, and AmericanPapist has valuable

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1159198279884232662006-09-25T10:31:00.000-05:002006-09-25T10:31:20.296-05:00

It's been a while since I blogged about anything from NPR. This morning they interviewed the Aga Khan. And it is interesting. He says it is not a clash of civilisations, but a clash of ignorance. Pretty interesting stuff.

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1159150191483949552006-09-24T21:09:00.000-05:002006-09-24T21:10:47.020-05:00

I commend a wonderful article to you that addresses the attack leveled against the Holy Father that he is a Modernist Heretic. It is entitled The Hunt for Heresy: Dr. Droleskey vs. Cardinal Ratzinger.There is one line out of all of this that seems especially topical:"...and when dealing with an academic theologian, such as Ratzinger is, context is everything."Enjoy.

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1159063571515025152006-09-23T20:48:00.000-05:002006-09-23T21:36:49.373-05:00

To mark the end of my hiatus (I hope), I have decided to talk a little about my own take on the fallout of the Regensburg speech. Fr Tucker, on of my favourite blogs (Dappled Things), has two interesting articles (here and here) whose main point is that the real message of this brilliant lecture has been lost. I commend them to you.In fact, one of the most important lines from this ...In fact,

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1149472759468110852006-06-04T20:09:00.000-05:002006-06-04T21:02:30.656-05:00

I know I have been woefully remiss in keeping this blog up to date. The constraints of time being what they are, it is difficult to squeeze in everything one wants to do in a whole day. Still, I was inspired to write by today's second reading at Mass. Paul's letter to the Galatians has ...Paul's letter to the Galatians has a profound message for us. live by the Spirit and you will certainly not

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1136775386671277292006-01-08T21:56:00.000-05:002006-01-08T22:30:10.506-05:00

So while I was at Mass, I had a thought about what else the Epiphany means to us today.Epiphany means "manifestation" ...Epiphany means "manifestation," and we call it this because Christ was made manifest as King and Saviour to the Gentile Magi. And that's certainly the way it was portrayed in today's homily.Generally, it is often pointed out that it was Gentile Magi using a method proscribed in

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1136742350812308472006-01-08T12:45:00.000-05:002006-01-08T21:59:09.606-05:00

Story from ZenitI gather Zenit doesn't always "permalink" their pieces, and so some disappear. For that reason, I will have the full text after the break.Dear Brothers and Sisters ...Dear Brothers and Sisters!Today we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord, namely, his manifestation to the Gentiles, represented by the Wise Men, mysterious people who came from the East, of which the Gospel according

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1136740643862854672006-01-08T12:17:00.000-05:002006-01-08T22:02:40.703-05:00

The story There was, predictably, no response from the Vatican.Probably because it's not terribly surprising.

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1136740531845156892006-01-08T12:15:00.000-05:002006-01-08T22:01:05.556-05:00

The StoryThis is good news that Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will meet the Holy Father. I pray earnestly for the time when East and West are one.

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1136739714019303872006-01-08T12:01:00.000-05:002006-01-08T15:41:36.716-05:00

I have decided to respond to the Times piece by John Burns "Irrational belief won't go out on a limbo"The short response? Stupid.The longer response will be after the break.This is one of those pieces ...This is one of those pieces that causes me no end to exasperation, simply because very smart people can be so horribly ignorant.If you've read the piece you know it is riddled with inaccuracies,

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1136695628875591092006-01-07T23:47:00.000-05:002006-01-08T12:59:27.650-05:00

The story.As you all know, this is being widely reported as the end of Sharon's political career at the very least (also). Such a tower of Israeli politics. The question will be this: is there anyone with the courage and willpower to make peace with the Palestinians? Sharon was the sort of person for whom "Only Nixon could go to China" would become "Only Sharon could make peace with the

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1136054824501946602006-01-01T00:01:00.000-05:002006-01-01T10:45:31.950-05:00

I wish you all a Happy New Year. And for your reflection, I give you the Holy Father;s words for the World Day of Peace, which also happens to be the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God ... which commemorates not only the fact that Mary gave birth to the Second Person of the Trinity, but also the definition of that dogma in 431 at the Council of Ephesus. There she was proclaimed at Theotokos - God

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1136051427892462402005-12-31T12:50:00.000-05:002006-01-01T10:50:41.396-05:00

CNS runs a story where they explain precisely why the pope needs a theologian. And it turns out he does a bit more than you'd imagine. He's also, apparently the copy-proofer for speeches and such.The papal theologian's main task is to vet the many thousands of words prepared by Vatican aides for the pope to speak or publish. He checks for statements of dubious theology and otherwise hazardous

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1136051231453628802005-12-31T12:47:00.000-05:002006-01-01T10:31:29.386-05:00

The Providence Journal of Rhode Island has a year-end summing up of the year that was when it comes to religion. The Papacy gets the majority of the initial focus.

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1136050947367254442005-12-31T12:42:00.000-05:002006-01-01T10:28:49.610-05:00

Monsters and Critics has a year-end retrospective on the year for the Papacy.And while we're on the Papacy, I saw this story about the Pope's views on the sinless life not being boring. I thought of this, precisely because I pointed out that Benedict's life (like that of John Paul's) stands in stark contrast to the modern view that a sinless life is unattainable. And similarly , the fact that he

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1135958179879756032005-12-30T19:54:00.000-05:002005-12-30T21:58:22.626-05:00

While the rest of the world's media huffs and puffs about what they think Benedict should do (invariably encompassing trendy lefty topics dear to the heart of the press), George Weigel offers some penetrating insight into the challenges that face the Pontiff.

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1135957838669169542005-12-30T19:48:00.000-05:002005-12-30T21:58:11.560-05:00

Newspapers are reporting that His Holiness has been invited to see Auschwitz on his trip to Poland in May. As an interesting note, it is Stanislaw Dziwisz, John Paul II's close friend and aide who made the offer.

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1135955610523111042005-12-30T19:10:00.000-05:002005-12-30T22:00:00.810-05:00

File this under "Shock and Awe," an American teenager, Farris Hassan decided to go to Iraq over the Christmas Holidays to engage in some immersion journalism. It's just so amazing that I have nothing to say, so you'll have to read the article without much more commentary from me.UPDATE: As I was typing the above, I heard on NPR that he's on his way home (source).

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1135953771193564292005-12-29T20:33:00.000-05:002005-12-30T09:43:13.593-05:00

NPR's All Things Considered ran a story on the diocese of San Bernadino trying an ex-priest for heresy, and with the stories of St Stanislaus Parish in St Louis had me thinking ...And it reinforces to me ...And it reinforces to me the fact that the Church is experiencing very troubled times. What the Church needs more than ever is renewal: genuine, authentic renewal of wholehearted following of

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1135952966587395102005-12-29T20:17:00.000-05:002006-01-08T13:06:01.043-05:00

A number of news sources (The Detroit News, the Chicago Tribune, and Science Daily among others) are reporting that the Church is prepared to dump Limbo. File this under non-issue.Limbo was to the Church what Einstein's Universal Constant was to physics, a way to reconcile an apparent contradiction. But that isn't to say it was a critical doctrine (as Science Daily and the UPI indicate); it was

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1135951596301965042005-12-29T20:11:00.000-05:002005-12-30T09:06:36.303-05:00

NPR's Morning Edition had a report by Jaime Tarabay, regarding the Iraqi political situation. It can be distilled as such.Iraqi political parties, in particular the Shiites and the Kurds, are moving ahead with coalition talks, andThe UN weighs in on the elections, saying they were fair and transparent.UPDATE: Today (Dec 30) Morning Edition has a story that International Inspectors will come in

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1135951023130897872005-12-29T20:00:00.000-05:002005-12-30T09:08:17.770-05:00

NPR, this morning, had a look back at Benedict's papacy so far. Essentially the argument goes that he's confounding his opponents, because he's playing to both sides. I think it's silly, but it indicates that National Public Broadcasting, in its desire to be "fair" to both sides, sometimes has to contrive some pretty ridiculous conclusions in order to fit that mold.A better look at the Pontiff

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1135783691970184032005-12-28T10:28:00.000-05:002005-12-28T10:32:27.236-05:00

Poland announces it will keep its troops in Iraq, albeit reduced in number.Marcinkiewicz announced yesterday that his conservative minority government had asked President Lech Kaczynski to keep Polish troops in Iraq for another year, reversing plans by the previous government to bring them home in January.However, it's causing ...However, it's causing considerable friction from across the

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1135658607252217572005-12-26T22:49:00.000-05:002005-12-26T23:45:06.413-05:00

This post is dedicated to Jeremy.So, I have had more of an opportunity to think of the notion of politeness. In the event I was following previously, Zhen Tong managed to extricate himself from his predicament. And it caused me ...And it caused me to think about what is really at the heart of politeness. It is all to do with communication. For most of us communication means something to the

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1135643388670616672005-12-26T19:29:00.001-05:002005-12-27T00:11:08.673-05:00

Kerry Packer dies. Who is Kerry Packer you ask? Aside from being Australia's richest man. He's also the man responsible for limited-overs matches in cricket.

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1135643380541545242005-12-26T19:29:00.000-05:002005-12-27T00:08:25.686-05:00

Here's a strange story about a fellow who made a bible that can only be read with the aid of a mirror. It's to be a gift to the Pope.

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1135642925361679232005-12-26T19:22:00.000-05:002005-12-26T23:55:33.073-05:00

I found this story amusing. I hope you do too.(Here is the song that followed the piece during the broadcast.)

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1135642531736246862005-12-26T19:15:00.000-05:002005-12-27T00:05:07.483-05:00

There's an interesting debate going between Peter Hain, the Northern Ireland Secretary and the Tories over the issue of the "on the runs."Hain's argument is ...Hain's argument is that the Tories should mimic the stance Labour adopted during the Major years:"The opposition parties used to support the Government, as we did when we were in opposition and John Major started talking to the IRA," he

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1135623665878191072005-12-26T14:01:00.000-05:002005-12-26T14:44:10.613-05:00

Indian selectors are seeking an explanation from former captain Saurav Ganguly for not turning out for his home state Bengal in a round of the national championship that began on Sunday.The chairman of selectors, Kiran More, told Reuters on Monday that Ganguly's failure to heed instructions to play the state's game ahead of the Pakistan tour was worrying the selectors.The story from Reuters.Kiran

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1135622429264691972005-12-26T13:40:00.000-05:002005-12-26T13:40:29.296-05:00

"My own judgment is that it didn't seem to me, anyway, that it would have been that hard to go get the warrants," Mr. Powell said. "And even in the case of an emergency, you go and do it. The law provides for that." But Mr. Powell added that "for reasons that the president has discussed and the attorney general has spoken to, they chose not to do it that way." "I see absolutely nothing wrong

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1135616317764458962005-12-26T11:58:00.000-05:002005-12-26T11:58:37.816-05:00

The story from the Torygraph. At least 16 people have been killed in violence across Iraq, ending a spell of comparative peace which followed the country's parliamentary elections a fortnight ago. While sad, it's not unexpected. The same thing happened in previous elections. I think analysts will be trying to answer whether or not the contesting of the results and the subsequent Shiite reaction

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1135544689305234772005-12-25T16:04:00.000-05:002005-12-25T23:54:33.960-05:00

As you know, the Sunnis and secular Shiites have been contesting the results of the election. But one of the tests of whether or not democracy takes hold is how the sides deal with these questions. Well, the Shiites have responded to the contesting of results: Shiites are rejecting calls for new Iraqi ballot, and instead are preparing for coalition talks. Again, I have no idea how this will

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1135571110691034302005-12-25T11:23:00.000-05:002005-12-25T23:25:10.696-05:00

I got some very thoughtful gifts, but there was one that amused me to no end ... A set of first-issue British stamps celebrating England's defeat of Australia in the Ashes. Ta much, Mum.

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1135525896765624572005-12-25T10:51:00.000-05:002005-12-26T13:51:45.890-05:00

Pope Benedict XVI has issued a wake-up call to us in his Christmas message; warning us not to get derailed by the message of modernity.'In the millennium just past, and especially in the last centuries, immense progress was made in the areas of technology and science. Today we can dispose of vast material resources.'But the men and women in our technological age risk becoming victims of their own

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1135521908970377582005-12-25T09:43:00.000-05:002005-12-25T09:45:08.976-05:00

Something I forgot to mention about the Mass ... We had Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus in full regalia assisting at the Holy Mass. That was a nice touch.

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1135495160173274072005-12-25T01:50:00.000-05:002005-12-25T02:28:03.870-05:00

As promised, here are my impressions of the Midnight Mass at the Cathedral. The Bish knows how to do it right. Incense, old carols, and an organ. That's nice. And for the most part it was a good Mass.But I have two little quibbles ...But I have two little quibbles. First, why do people feel the need to leave the pulpit and walk down to "chit chat" with us? The celebrant -- be he Pope, bishop, or

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1135470323171289582005-12-24T19:25:00.000-05:002005-12-24T19:35:03.860-05:00

Today is not just the anniversary of the eve of the day we celebrate Christ's birth, but it also mark the anniversary of a remarkable event during the First World War: Christmas truce.You can read an extensive account here.On November 21st, Alfred Anderson, the last known combatant to partake in the Christmas Truce, died.

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1135470218768228512005-12-24T19:19:00.000-05:002005-12-24T19:23:38.776-05:00

I'm going to the Mass at Midnight at St. Joseph's Cathedral in Manchester. Should be a good time. Carol Service will precede it with the Mass starting at Midnight on the nose. Oddly enough, this'll be the first Midnight Christmas Mass I have been to that starts at Midnight that I have attended in a long time. When I lived in London, Mass got out at half nine so that those who needed to could take

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1135448695577369042005-12-24T13:24:00.000-05:002005-12-24T15:00:20.043-05:00

The storyThis is quite serious, because I see RAR compression about as often as I see ZIP. So, it could potentially be fatal to numerous people, not least of whom are Morrowind Modders (my own peeps).At the moment, I don't see anything official from Symantec on this. I'll keep checking.

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1135448481683462112005-12-24T13:21:00.000-05:002005-12-24T13:21:28.893-05:00

Get the Story This represents an important step forward for Iraq. In order for it to use its natural capital, it needs a cash injection. This will also be seen as a good sign to international investor, whose money is needed to rebuild the economy. While the US can rebuild schools and the like, it's tremendously difficult to rebuild something as complex as an economy if there is only one

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1135402162219727302005-12-24T00:27:00.000-05:002005-12-24T00:29:46.146-05:00

"[The Pope] acknowledged that various Church factions were divided over the correct interpretation of Council documents, but said all sides should be able to find common ground in the "spirit" of the Council's reforms."That's from the article I earlier linked to.It struck me when a friend pointed it out to me: Bennie is a Uniter not a Divider!

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1135395855589415662005-12-23T22:43:00.000-05:002005-12-23T23:08:44.736-05:00

A Child's Christmas in Wales read by Dylan Thomas himself. Have a listen and read along.I love that Welsh running of words together; it reminds me so much of Gerard Manley Hopkins' running rhythmn.

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1135378697607140422005-12-22T17:46:00.000-05:002005-12-23T17:59:20.373-05:00

The Holy Father, it turns out, is not just Christ's Vicar, he's also a fashion celebrity. He sported the fur-rimmed caumaro and mozzetta on his way to give an address the cardinals and curia where he said that his election to the papacy had filled him with "fright."For those who think the Pope a little vain, in sporting the cap and cape, and have heard the rumours he is wearing Prada and Gucci?

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1135230425770284532005-12-22T00:47:00.000-05:002005-12-22T00:47:05.800-05:00

Since it's topical I'll give you a link to the Catholic position on Adam, Eve, and Evolution. The guys at Catholic Answers can talk about it much more eruditely than I.

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1135221129079719572005-12-21T22:09:00.000-05:002005-12-21T22:32:19.920-05:00

I play on a sim based on the ancient Chinese novel and modern games of Romance of the Three Kingdoms. And my friend posted what has to be one of the politest implied threats during the course of role play. This got me thinking about politeness as a facet of language, in general ...Click for more.We know that some cultures are known for politeness. The Japanese have such a reputation. As do

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1135187127691725352005-12-21T22:05:00.000-05:002005-12-21T22:19:38.356-05:00

The other day, I heard an interesting piece on poetry.And this got me thinking about poetry in general. Specifically, I asked the question, "to what extent does the way we read poetry aloud affect how it is understood?"Click for more.This has always been a question with which I am concerned. During my University days I was having a particularly grouchy day. The professor called upon me to read a

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19852520.post-1135220614538358342005-12-21T22:02:00.000-05:002005-12-21T22:03:34.546-05:00

A choir sings Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer in Latin.

Ogden Chichesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07407035318364016135noreply@blogger.com0