Denver Catholic

4 I OPINION DECEMBER 3, 2014 I DENVER CATHOLIC REGISTER ARCHBISHOP AQUILA'S SCHEDULE Dec. 3: Mass (9:30 a.m.) and blessing of new St. Joseph Hospital, Denver Dec. 5: Mass, Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, St. Thomas More Parish (6 p.m.) Dec. 6: Acolyte Mass for diaconate class of 2016, Christ the King Chapel, St. JPII Center (5 p.m.) Dec. 7: Mass, 120th anniversary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Denver (9 a.m.) Dec. 8: Mass, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Denver (12:10 p.m.) Dec. 9: Grand opening and blessing of Bella Natural Women's Care, Englewood (5 p.m.) THE CATHOLIC DIFFERENCE GEORGE WEIGEL That "there is no end to the making of books" is attested by both revelation (see Ecclesiastes 12:12) and a browse through your local bookstore—which, if well-stocked, will help you get the following to deserving readers on your Christmas list. N.T. Wright, "Paul: In Fresh Perspective" (Fortress Press). The former Anglican bishop of Durham is the Anglosphere's premier biblical scholar and to read his books is to feel oneself in the hands of a master-teacher. This small volume is a distil- lation of the analysis in Wright's massive, two-volume study, "Paul and the Faithfulness of God" (the fourth installment in his masterwork, "Christian Origins and the Question of God"). It's a great read for both information and inspiration, and ought to be a considerable boon to preachers. Jonathan Last, editor, "The Seven Deadly Virtues" (Tem- pleton Press). The title comes from a naughty song in "Camelot," but in the hands of Last and his colleagues (all prominent conservative writers), the content is not a cele- bration of vice but a witty introduction to the virtuous life, crafted especially for denizens of a culture deeply confused about right and wrong—and about the reasons why doing the right thing makes for happiness. Give it to a regular reader of the National Catholic Reporter, The Nation or some other publication convinced that conservatives are dour, cranky meanies—but get one for your favorite college student, too. The culture wars were never so much fun. Roger Scruton, "Notes from Underground" (Beaufort Books). The distinguished British philosopher who (as he puts it on the dusk jacket) "rescued himself from the academy twenty years ago," adds to his literary laurels with an evoc- ative novel of life in Prague during the last years of com- munism. The moral wilderness of mirrors in a police state, against which Vaclav Havel and John Paul II counterposed "living in the truth," is dissected with insight and compassion. And while Scruton reminds us of just how bad life was inside the communist culture of the lie, he also explores, in an artful way that never descends to vulgarity, the passions that could be summoned up by that experience. The portrait of a clue- less American legal philosopher who insists to hard-pressed Czech dissidents that abortion is the first of human rights is devastatingly delicious. Fred Kaplan, "John Quincy Adams: American Visionary" (Harper). If he's remembered at all these days, it's as por- trayed by Anthony Hopkins in the film "Amistad;" but John Quincy Adams was arguably the most talented and conse- quential public servant in American history. He served in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, represented the United States diplomatically as ambassador to the Nether- lands, Prussia, Russia and Great Britain, negotiated the Treaty of Ghent (which ended the War of 1812), and served as Pres- ident James Monroe's secretary of state before winning the presidency himself. Adams spoke multiple languages, taught at Harvard, was a competent poet and assiduous diarist, and was happily married to Louisa Catherine Johnson for 51 years. It's hard to imagine such a man in the sound-bite politics of today, but it's good to be remembered of the kind of people America once nurtured, in the hope that remembering might inspire us to do so again. Allen C. Guelzo, "Gettysburg: The Last Invasion" (Vintage Books). There is certainly no end to the making of books about the three most decisive days in American history. But having read my share of them, I learned a lot from this latest entry into the lists, particularly in terms of the logistical con- cerns behind Robert E. Lee's two invasions of the North, and the human character of the combatants. Guelzo has mined the materials of the new social history in service to a fine piece of good old-fashioned narrative history. Evelyn Waugh, "Scoop" (Back Bay Books). I first read it in high school; I re-read it for perhaps the 20th time a few months ago. No novel I know is so consistently entertaining. Give it to someone condemned to a long flight in the middle seat. George Weigel is Distinguished Senior Fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C. Weigel's column is distributed by the Denver Catholic Register, the official newspaper of the Archdiocese of Denver. Phone: 303-715-3215. Books for Christmas BY ARCHBISHOP ROBERT J. CARLSON Below are excerpts from a Nov. 24 statement from Most Rev. Robert J. Carlson, Archbishop of St. Louis, in response to events in Ferguson, Mo. The complete statement is available at http:// archstl.org/ferguson. For several months our com- munity has nervously waited as a grand jury has deliberated the evidence in the shooting death of Michael Brown by police officer Darren Wilson. I and other reli- gious and civic leaders have re- peatedly called for prayer, peace and calm. Despite our calls for peace, which Michael Brown's family have echoed, we continue to see that segments of our com- munity have not fully renounced the tendency to lash out with an- tagonistic behavior and violence. I implore each of you: Choose peace! Reject any false and emp- ty hope that violence will solve problems. Violence only creates more violence. Let's work for a better, stronger, more holy com- munity—one founded upon re- spect for each other, respect for life, and our shared responsibili- ty for the common good. In 1979, St. John Paul II visited the war-torn and weary nation of Ireland to decry years of vi- olence. "Violence is evil…" the pope said. "Violence is unac- ceptable as a solution to prob- lems." He didn't merely con- demn violence; he also aptly de- scribed the depravity of violent behavior by saying: "Violence is unworthy of man. Violence is a lie, for it goes against the truth of our faith, the truth of our humanity. Violence destroys what it claims to defend: the dig- nity, the life, the freedom of hu- man beings. Violence is a crime against humanity, for it destroys the very fabric of society." Drawing inspiration from St. John Paul II, I issue the following challenges to our community: Commit to learning how to truly love each other. If we do this, then we will learn to love our neighbor. Show children the path of forgiveness and we will see walls of division crumble. Your homes are the foundation of our community. If your homes are full of forgiveness, they will be temples of peace. Our communi- ties, cities, state, and nation will enjoy a lasting, fulfilling peace only if it begins in the home. Youth, remember that you are not only creating the world of tomorrow, but you are a vi - tal part of the world today. St. Paul writes in his letter to the Galatians: "For whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." So, ask yourself: Are you sowing seeds of division, resentment, and discontent? These will on- ly lead to anger and hatred. Choose instead to sow seeds of reconciliation, dignity, honor, and respect. Begin creating the world you want to see. Pray unceasingly for peace. Pray for our leaders and pray for your neighbors. If you feel called to act, do so only after prayer. Blessed Mother Teresa knew the proper formula. She spent a holy hour in prayer every day; it was only after prayer that she would serve. So, too, must it be for us. Finally, I issue this challenge to all religious, political, social and law enforcement leaders: Join me in asking the Lord to make us instruments of peace. We, as leaders, need wisdom, com- passion and courage in order to combat the brokenness and divi- sion that confronts us. I urge everyone to join me in praying for the Brown family as they continue to grieve the loss of Michael, as well as for po- lice officer Darren Wilson and his family. Both families need prayers now more than ever. With profound hope in the power of the Holy Spirit, and through the intercession of Our Lady, Undoer of Knots, I ask all the faithful in the Archdiocese of St. Louis as well as all peo- ple of faith to join me in pray- ing for peace and justice in our community. GUEST COLUMN Choose peace! ARCHBISHOP ROBERT J. CARLSON Devotion to St. Anthony Years ago, my husband had gone hunting for several days, covering many miles in the Colorado mountains. He came home and said he had lost his wallet. I said, "You know what you have to do, ask St. Anthony to find it." The next day we sad- dled up two horses and back- tracked where he had been, all the while I kept repeating the prayer. At the end of the day, he said to me, "So where is your St. Anthony now?" I replied, "The day isn't over yet." As I walked into the house, the phone was ringing. The caller said, "I found your husband's wallet on the mountain." I ran outside and said, "St. Anthony just called, he found your wallet!" I bowl with a group of seniors at a casino and upon my return home, I found I had lost one of my earrings, a very special one, from my mother who had passed away. I was very upset and called the casino to ask if the earring had been found. They said no. I left my number and began pray- ing to St. Anthony. The phone rang a day later and, unbeliev- ably, the earring had been found. My feeling is that it's not just about finding something, but about persistent prayer, in faith and trust, in all matters, even little things like lost wallets and lost earrings. Thank you, St. An- thony, you are awesome! Patsy Teague Morrison Editor's note: St. Anthony is the patron saint of lost and stolen articles. LETTER TO THE EDITOR LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters should be no more than 250 words and should include the writ- er's name, address and telephone number. We rely on our readers to recognize that the opinions expressed in letters to the editor are those of the author and are not necessarily those of the Archdiocese of Denver. Letters containing plainly misstated facts, misinformation or libelous statements will not be printed. Unsigned letters will not be printed. Letters may be edited. Send letters to: Editor, Denver Catholic Register, 1300 S. Steele St., Denver, CO 80210 or fax to 303-715-2045. E-mail us at: editor@archden.org.

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