busted halo busted

The ever thought provoking monks of Holy Resurrection Monastery recently posted on a topic I often... what's the word I want here... lament? decry? complain? ponder. Read it here then come back for my pearls of wisdom.

So, I place the desire of these people to be hip and discuss the arts & entertainment headlines from a youthful prospective to be a step in the wrong direction. The average blogger would now cite biblical passages, quote from encyclicals, or cut and paste from a saint. And I, as an average blog reader, would promptly flutter my eyes into a light afternoon nap. If I can't be witty or intriguing I fully expect my posts to go unread.

Instead, let me just say this on the subject. Yes, there is a lot going on in pop culture. So much so that pop culture is now the moving force behind almost everything we read, watch, listen to, or eat. Secularism is not the absence of pious, orthodox thought; it is an alternative that replaces a hierarchical relationship with God and his creation for sensory pleasures which might happen to include God-in-a-box on Sundays.

The Reverend Hieromonk Maximos makes a good point. Are we to reclaim our children (spiritual or literal) from the depths to which they have fallen or do we jump in, put on a party hat, and write editorial pieces from the "front?"

There is an obvious answer there. So also, a chance for me to pontificate on all the people failing to do their duty. I shall refrain.

Instead let me say that there is an orthodox Christian culture. There are those Catholics or Orthodox that live a faithful life of constant prayer and don't cloud their comments with overly pedantic commentary on the topic of the moment. They live their lives simply and devoutly and hope to raise their children to do so as well. Cling to those people like a life jacket. Choose those people to be godparents to your children. Let them be an example and a source of strength to your family. Choose otherwise and your children (and even you) will pick their own examples. Pick up a magazine at the supermarket check-out aisle and see if you can find someone who you'd like you or your children to imitate . . . I've yet to find anyone suitable.