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ou might expect a 92-year-old borrow a phrase from Christology, 106 West 56th Street man who has lived through the Vitoria’s analysis proceeded “from New York, NY 10019-3803 worst of the 20th century to below.” He looked first to the individual Ph: 212-581-4640; Fax: 212-399-3596 Y Subscriptions: 1-800-627-9533 have a certain gloomy angst about the human person and then to the political www.americamagazine.org future of humanity. Not so with Ladislas community; then, through rational facebook.com/americamag Orsy, S.J., a world-renowned professor reflection on both, he drew conclusions twitter.com/americamag of law at Georgetown University and and formed concepts. What is important a frequent contributor to these pages. about this method, according to Orsy, is President and Editor in Chief A couple of years back, I had the good that Vitoria’s analysis, even at its most Matt Malone, S.J. fortune to attend a series of lectures conceptual, was never divorced from Executive Editors Father Orsy gave at Oxford University human experience, particularly the Robert C. Collins, S.J., Maurice Timothy Reidy on the thought of Francisco de Vitoria, experience of those most closely affected Managing Editor Kerry Weber O.P., and the origins of international by his ideas. Literary Editor Raymond A. Schroth, S.J. law. Father Orsy, mind you, is no naïve That is similar to the methodology Senior Editor & Chief Correspondent idealist either. He has spent much of the that John Langan, S.J., employs in this Kevin Clarke last 20 years contemplating the 16th- issue. Father Langan would be the first Editor at Large James Martin, S.J. century clash between European powers to point out that he is no Vitoria, and Poetry Editor Joseph Hoover, S.J. and the indigenous civilizations of the no one is comparing 21st-century gay Associate Editors Americas. people with 16th-century Amerindians. Luke Hansen, S.J. The conquistadors, according to Still, there is an echo of Vitoria’s method Assistant Editors Francis W. Turnbull, S.J., Olga Orsy, did not think of themselves as in the way Father Langan describes Segura, Joseph McAuley, Ashley McKinless brutish or ungentlemanly. The conquest how the church needs to consider the Art Director Stephanie Ratcliffe of the Amerindians, in their minds, experiential as well as rationalistic Columnists John J. Conley, S.J., Daniel P. Horan, O.F.M., James T. Keane, John W. Martens, Bill had rock-solid philosophical, legal dimensions of its stance toward McGarvey, Angela Alaimo O’Donnell, Margot and theological justifications. The gist homosexuality. We need to place the Patterson, Michael Rossmann, S.J. of their excuse, of course, was that person, in other words, at the heart of Correspondents the Indians were neither rational nor the question. In a certain sense, that is John Carr – Washington, D.C. responsible and were therefore not precisely what the pope has also been Moderator, Catholic Book Club Kevin Spinale, S.J. really people; they were no-ones. Since asking us to do. Editorial e-mail “no one” owned the land, the Spanish In Orsy’s judgment, too many [email protected] imperialists felt justified in claiming it modern philosophers and legal scholars for their king. Francisco de Vitoria, the tend to philosophize “from above” and in Vice President/Chief Financial Officer 16th-century Dominican, thought that their pre-occupation with the internal Edward Spallone all the conquistadors’ justifications were coherence of their ideas or the narrow Vice President/Advancement just so much pap. “Vitoria,” said Orsy, grammatical exegesis of law, they lose Daniel Pawlus

“affirmed that the Indians were no less sight of the very reason law exists in the Operations Staff rational and free human beings than first place: to safeguard the rights and Rosa Del Saz, Chris Keller, Kerry Goleski, Steven Keller, Glenda Castro, Judith Felix the Spaniards, and they were therefore dignity of the human person, not as he Advertising contact protected by the jus gentium, the law or she exists in some imagined platonic [email protected]; 212-515-0102 of nations.” Vitoria “then elaborated form but in the real world. Subscription contact/Additional copies on the norms and demands of such an Here is where Orsy’s mildly [email protected]; international order, advocating universal astonishing optimism shines through: 1-800-627-9533 freedom of religion.” In the face of staggering injustice and © 2014 America Press, Inc. In addition to looking at what Vitoria violence, Orsy, like Vitoria, still has some taught, however, Father Orsy says we faith in the power of human reason, must also look at how he reached his married to empathy, to formulate moral conclusions, because his method reveals and just positive laws. In the main, I something equally important. Vitoria tend to share this optimism. But it does began his work, according to Orsy, not invite an unsettling question: If we can with ethereal philosophical concepts, do it, why so often do we not? but with empirical observation. To Matt Malone, S.J. Cover: Shutterstock.com/ollyy Contents www.americamagazine.org Vol. 210 No. 8, Whole No. 5042 MARCH 10, 2014

articles 13 See the Person Understanding Pope Francis’ statements on homosexuality John Langan 18 Words That Heal Finding strength in Scripture Kathleen Norris 21 remembering Daniel J. Harrington Speaking the Word of God James Martin A Scholar’s Life Frank J. Matera 26 the Prison Class A risk worth the investment Andrew Skotnicki 13 COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS

4 Current Comment 5 Editorial When the Law Is a Crime 6 Reply All 8 Signs of the Times 11 Washington Front When in Rome John Carr 30 Poem Nothing Can Compare G. E. Schwartz 39 The Word Away With Fear John W. Martens

18 BOOKS & CULTURE

29 Film “The Monuments Men” of other things When Projections Attack BOOKS on the bible Archaeology, Art and Faith

ON THE WEB A photo gallery detailing the restoration of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York. Plus, Charles Camosy makes the case for Christian vegetarianism on our podcast. All at americamagazine.org 29 CURRENT COMMENT

that the regulations are followed. King Philippe is expected Probation for Profit to sign the measure into law. Two people receive a $400 citation for driving without a The legislation has faced resistance. The proposal is valid license. One mails a check to the court and moves on. rightly opposed by some Belgian pediatricians as well as The other, unemployed and unable to pay the fine in full, is Archbishop André-Joseph Leonard of Brussels. On Feb. 6, placed on “pay-only probation.” The person is required to the archbishop helped lead a day of prayer and fasting in make smaller payments plus additional “supervision fees” protest against the legislation. He said in a statement that over months or even years—under the constant threat of the protest was intended to “wake up people’s consciences.” jail time for a missed payment—until the ever-growing The U.S. Supreme Court, in Roper v. Simmons (2005), debt is paid down. The poorer an offender is, the longer ruled it unconstitutional to apply the death penalty to it takes to scrape together payments and the more fees anyone under 18. The decision rightly pointed to the accumulate. Private probation companies, working with European consensus that it was barbaric to execute over 1,000 courts across the United States, exploit this children. With the passage of the Belgian law, the tables fundamental injustice in order to make a profit. will have been turned. If children are not to be held fully A report released by Human Rights Watch on Feb. accountable for a capital crime, which might lead to their 5 details abusive practices in Georgia, Mississippi and execution, should they be considered capable of making a Alabama, where this offender-funded model of criminal decision about when to end their own lives? justice prevails. Probation companies offer cash-strapped counties a deal that seems too good to be true: at no cost to the taxpayer, they will collect debts owed to the court Beyond Celebrity by low-level offenders, who are required to pay supervision Italy has a new prime minister, a charismatic politician fees to the company as a condition of their probation. In who has been compared variously to Britain’s Tony Blair 1983 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional to and to John F. Kennedy. Until recently, the 39-year-old revoke probation because a person is unable to pay a fine. Matteo Renzi was the mayor of Florence. On Feb. 17 he While it is the responsibility of a judge to determine a was appointed by President Giorgio Napolitano to form a probationer’s ability to pay, in practice this decision is often coalition government following the “irrevocable” resignation delegated to the service providers, who have a financial of Enrico Letta, who tried to hold his government together stake in the outcome. According to Human Rights Watch, for nearly 10 months. Mr. Renzi ousted Mr. Letta as head private officers routinely threaten and use incarceration of the Democratic Party. to extract payments from indigent offenders and their Mr. Renzi’s political rise has been extraordinary. At families. 29, he was Italy’s youngest provincial president. Then The report concludes that predatory practices are not he became mayor of Florence, head of his party and the result of privatization of probation per se but are prime minister. He is known as Il Rottamatore—“The “inevitable without strong government oversight.” Unless Scrapper”—but his tenacity has brought him less courts can dedicate the public resources necessary for such flattering comparisons with another prime minister, Silvio oversight, private probation companies have no business Berlusconi. dispensing justice. The new prime minister is center-left politically and has vowed to get the country out “from the quagmire”—as he puts it—and set Italy on the path to recovery from its Euthanasia for Children? economic trials. With a youth unemployment rate of 40 The Belgian Parliament has approved legislation to allow percent, that will be an audacious undertaking. Mr. Renzi euthanasia for terminally ill children who are near death has also been compared to the Fonz, of “Happy Days” fame, and in “constant and unbearable physical” pain. To be a with his fondness for leather jackets and white T-shirts, candidate for euthanasia, a child must have a “capacity but he will need more than celebrity to tackle this job. If he of discernment” and parental approval and must be lacks the political acumen to make real change in Italy, he interviewed by a pediatric psychiatrist or psychologist, could end up like other promising politicians whose luster who would then make a formal certification in writing. A dims after a while. A former winner of the Italian version 16-person commission established by the euthanasia law of “Wheel of Fortune,” he will need the wheel to turn his passed in 2002, half of whom are physicians, is to ensure way to help accomplish his goals as prime minister.

4 America March 10, 2014 EDITORIAL When the Law Is a Crime

ith five now-famous words, “Who am I Christian concern for to judge?” Pope Francis offered a fresh preserving the traditional Wembodiment of the Catholic teaching that institution of marriage cannot homosexuals “must be accepted with respect, compassion, justify these excessive and punitive and sensitivity.” Tragically, we live in a world where people measures, which extend far beyond are not only judged harshly for their sexual orientation but simply codifying a definition of are also targeted and punished for it. In Uganda, President marriage. It is not inconsistent, Yoweri Museveni recently signed a bill that criminalizes therefore, to support traditional marriage and to oppose and punishes “the promotion or recognition” of same-sex these measures, which are unjustifiable assaults on the human relationships. A first offense could result in a prison sentence rights and inherent dignity of gay and lesbian people. Lest of 14 years; repeated offenses could result in a life sentence. anyone be led to believe otherwise, supporters of traditional Nigeria had already enacted a law that prescribes a 10-year marriage have, in fact, a special obligation to loudly denounce prison sentence for those who “directly or indirectly” make any unjust discrimination against homosexuals. a “public show” of a homosexual relationship. The law also The church’s vigorous support for traditional punishes those who are even marginally affiliated with gay marriage, moreover, must be accompanied by advocacy for clubs or similar organizations. the human rights of gays and lesbians in equal measure. This These laws have led to scores of arrests and have is required by the church’s own teaching. Indeed, a growing precipitated a wave of violence—often ignored by police— number of Catholic leaders have offered unqualified against anyone even suspected of being homosexual. The support for the decriminalization of homosexuality. In laws are so vague that anyone can be accused of being gay December 2009, the delegation of the Holy See to the solely because of their speech, dress or friendships. Gay and United Nations said the church opposes “all forms of lesbian people in these countries are living under a sword of violence” and “discriminatory penal legislation” against Damocles, constantly afraid that they may be discovered and gay persons. That same month, according to a diplomatic persecuted at any moment. Many are driven to despair, even cable published by WikiLeaks, Cardinal Antonelli Ennio, suicide. It is clear that many factors have contributed to this then-president of the Pontifical Council for the Family, situation: a deep-seated fear that homosexuality constitutes said that Catholic bishops in Uganda “or anywhere should a mortal threat to society, a too-literal and highly selective not support the criminalization of homosexuality.” Most interpretation of the Bible, popular African opposition to a recently, on Jan. 29, an editorial in The Southern Cross, the neo-colonial imposition of “Western” liberal values and the newspaper of the bishops of South Africa, Botswana and interests of cynical politicians who want to strengthen their Swaziland, urged Catholics in Africa “to stand with the hold on power. powerless” and “sound the alarm at the advance throughout It is especially disturbing that such legislation is Africa of draconian legislation aimed at criminalizing immensely popular in predominately Christian countries homosexuals.” like Uganda, where 40 percent of the population is Roman We add our voice to this swelling chorus. Pope Francis Catholic and the Catholic bishops have sent mixed signals has described gay people as “socially wounded” because “they about the legislation. When the bill was first considered in feel like the church has always condemned them.” Catholics 2009, Archbishop Cyprian Lwanga of Kampala, speaking must examine how we contribute, perhaps even inadvertently, on behalf of the Catholic bishops’ conference, said it was “at to a culture of fear and shame. In a field hospital after battle, odds with the core values” of Christianity. When the bill was a basic responsibility of the caregivers is to “do no harm.” The reintroduced in 2012, however, the Uganda Joint Christian church must oppose violence against gay persons and should Council, which includes Catholic, Anglican and Orthodox strongly advocate for the decriminalization of homosexuality. bishops, expressed support for the bill. Archbishop Ignatius No one should be subject to a criminal penalty simply for Kaigama of Jos, Nigeria, meanwhile, has praised President being gay. If laws like these do not constitute the “unjust Goodluck Jonathan for his “courageous and wise decision” to discrimination” against gay people that the church rightly sign the new law in that country. denounces, then what possibly could?

March 10, 2014 America 5 REPLY ALL Johnson’s “war on poverty” is being de- er than the parts. A couple is open to bated. procreation within the totality of their Lack of Progress The data, depending on how one marriage, although each sexual act isn’t Re “Talking Poverty” (2/3, Current interprets it, does not axiomatically necessarily open to having a child. Comment): I concede that the “war demonstrate that this war has been Responsible parenthood involves on poverty” resulted in programs that either helpful or beneficial to the sick, more than bringing children into the made poor Americans slightly more elderly or poor. Further, how does any- world. For example, how will parents comfortable. They can get food stamps, one know they would be many more care for their children, given the par- medical care and a monthly check to (or fewer) in number without this ents’ health or economic condition? keep their heads just above water. But war? After all, not one shred of data And, paraphrasing Pope Francis, “who that is all that we continue to accom- was provided or even a reasoned prop- is the church to judge” whether a mar- plish today. I am not satisfied with the osition argued. riage is holy or selfish? total lack of progress. In 50 years since Instead, this is a case of “Don’t con- Patrick T. Darcy the war was declared, poverty should fuse me with facts. I have already made Columbia, Mo. at least be a transient state as opposed up my mind.” I’d expect much more Extend the Logic to a chronic one. from the Jesuit tradition. I admire Father Keenan’s enterprise in Like all wars, the war on pover- Ken Herfurth teaching “Humanae Vitae” to his stu- ty can only be won in the trenches. Abilene, Tex. dents. He should be especially praised Small, private nonprofit agencies need Totality of the Marriage for using the pope’s encyclical to teach resources and oversight, but they also Re “Life Lessons,” by James F. Keenan, collegians “the rightness of chastity and need flexibility. The current big gov- S.J. (2/3): “Humanae Vitae” reaf- the wrongness of sex outside of mar- ernment, top-down approach stifles firmed the traditional teaching of the riage,” a point not made often enough creativity. To win this war, agencies church that bans the use of contracep- with today’s young adults. need to be small, creative and allowed tives in marriage. It seems to me, how- Another commendable feature of a great deal of flexibility, as long as they ever, that the encyclical interpreted his course flows from his experience are achieving results. Paul Stolz Scripture and natural law so narrowly as a theologian working in the area of Online comment that a commitment to a loving mar- H.I.V./AIDS. He teaches that if one riage is defined solely by each unim- of the spouses is H.I.V. positive, the What Data? paired sexual act. use of a contraceptive would be mor- Re “Talking Poverty” (2/3, Current Each sexual act is not isolated, but ally permissible because their motive is Comment): I find it puzzling that the finds its validity within the context of disease-prevention, not contraception. editors can assert that they are puz- a couple’s lifelong commitment to mar- I agree with this positive interpreta- zled that the worthiness of President riage. In that sense, the whole is great- tion, but I find it illogical not to grant the same positive affirmation to a faith- filled, loving couple, who for serious physical, economic, psychological or social conditions, would decide to limit offspring by using a contraceptive. I think the blame rests with the papal commission on birth control, whose final report overwhelmingly ad- vocated change but failed to note that the commission had thoroughly dis- cussed the question of “intrinsic evil” and agreed that the term did not apply to contraceptive devices. Frank Maurovich Ossining, N.Y.

Against Nature About 50 years ago, a Chinese priest opined to me that if something is

6 America March 10, 2014 contrary to human nature, common the sacrifice of the cross renewed in the homeless to get back on their feet and sense and the common experience of body and blood of Christ. into safe and secure housing, our mem- humanity, whether it is Catholicism The awesomeness of this mystery, bers of Congress and state legislators or Communism, for example, then it celebrated splendidly or simply, always refuse to provide the necessary funding. won’t work. “Humanae Vitae” proves calls for some restraint, lest the human Every heartbreaking story is met this, as observed in the breach by mil- elements in our worship overwhelm with suspicion and then dismissed. The lions of good, devout Catholics. and obscure the divine reality in whose response seems to be that the homeless The Holy Spirit is my refuge. presence we stand. Balancing all of are suffering only from self-inflicted Though it works with glacial speed, this is a perpetual pastoral endeav- misery, so we have no responsibility to I have hope because the spirit moves or and requires us to be ever open to them. Shame on all of us. forward, inextricably always forward. I new ways of enhancing the sights and Mike Evans am 86 and will probably be driven cra- sounds of our Sunday Masses. In this Online comment zy before I am driven out of the church. regard, Willow Creek has something Identify Both Mayors Ernest C. Raskauskas Sr. to teach us. Potomac, Md. (Msgr.) Nicholas Schneider In “A Home for Christmas,” the editors Clayton, Mo. write about homelessness, a worthy Save the Mothers subject but addressed in an unworthy The Feb. 3 issue ofA merica was one of Require Muskets manner. the best ever. I was most impressed by After reading “Stop the Shooters” Chicago has twice as many home- “Life Lessons,” by Father Keenan, and (Reply All, 2/3), the letter from John less as New York, a much larger city, “Of Many Things,” by Matt Malone, Natale about gun violence, I cannot and homelessness increased by 10 S.J., which included excerpts from remain silent. His creepy fantasy of all percent in Chicago in 2013, a higher “Standing for the Unborn,” published U.S. citizens walking the streets as annual increase compared with the 12 by the Jesuits in the United States in Yosemite Sams is downright unnerv- years of the Bloomberg administration 2003. ing. Gun violence in this nation is a in New York. Taken together, these would be fast-spreading contagion, but the an- Please report the facts impartially, the perfect response to the disingen- swer to any epidemic is not more of fully and honestly. The editors name uous and unfair criticism recently di- the ailment. Bloomberg but fail to identify Rahm rected by the United Nations to the If perpetual adoration of the Second Emanuel, the president’s confidant. If Vatican. They encompass the beauty Amendment is to become this nation’s the editors are going to single out one and logic of the Catholic commitment new golden calf, and everyone should mayor by name and place blame on him, to human life in all of its forms and be packing heat as Mr. Natale fondly honesty requires that you find out the stages, and they jointly evoke the need hopes, then we must comply with the name of the mayor of Chicago and pub- for both a moral and a fair society as the founding fathers fully and absolutely, lish that as well. Your editorial on the underpinning of healthy families and, and all the guns should be muskets. homeless reflects poorly onA merica. ultimately, our national civilization. (Rev.) Patrick M. Jankowiak James R. Martin Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley, Bay City, Mich. Brookfield, N.H. O.F.M.Cap., of Boston, in his homily Our Responsibility at the opening Mass of the Vigil for Editor’s Note: Mr. Martin’s point is well Re “A Home for Christmas” (Editorial, Life in Washington, D.C., summed taken. America’s view beyond the Hudson 12/23): Sadly, even though we know up this view succinctly when he stat- River is not always as clear as our view what works to materially assist the ed, “The truth is that we can save those down Broadway. We are working on that. babies only by saving the mothers.” Pat Flanagan What you’re reading at americamagazine.org North Grafton, Mass. 1 How Can I Find God? by Daniel J. Harrington, S.J. (Vantage Point, 8/30/1997) 2 Separation Anxiety, by Anna Nussbaum Keating (2/17) Open to New Ways 3 Daniel J. Harrington, S.J., R.I.P., by James Martin, S.J. (In All Things, 2/8) “Worship at Willow Creek,” by Laurie 4 A View From Abroad, by Massimo Faggioli (2/24) Ziliak (2/3), certainly raises some 5 Our Secular Future, by R. R. Reno (2/24) challenges for us. We share people, ministers and the word with other Letters to the editor may be sent to America’s editorial office (address on page 2) or [email protected]. America will also consider the following for print publication: Christians, but there is also a fourth comments posted below articles on America’s Web site (americamagazine.org) and posts on dimension of our Catholic worship: Twitter and public Facebook pages. All correspondence may be edited for length and clarity.

March 10, 2014 America 7 SIGNS OF THE TIMES

Synod on the Family Elevation. Cardinal Chibly Langlois of Les Cayes, Haiti, greets guests Survey Results and Civilly Remarried after he was made a cardinal by Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Basilica Figure in Cardinals’ Dialogue on Feb. 22. s some 150 cardinals from around the world gathered with Pope Francis to talk about the family, their two days of discussion focused particularly Aon three points: the Christian vision of people and family life, essential pastoral programs to support families and ministry to divorced and civilly remar- ried Catholics. The consistory concluded on Feb. 22, the feast of the Chair of St. Peter the Apostle, as Pope Francis created 19 new cardinals, many from nations in the devel- oping world, selections that emphasized his attention to the problems of poverty and development. The occasion became unprecedented when the ceremony was joined by Benedict XVI, the pope emeritus. The pope and the pope-emeritus em- braced warmly and exchanged greetings before the ceremony began. During his first ordinary public consistory to create new cardinals, Pope Francis encouraged the whole College of Cardinals to recognize their office as one of service and readiness for sacrifice. Calling on the cardinals to pray especially for suffering peoples and for all Christians suffering from discrimination and persecu- tion, he said, “The church needs us also to be peacemakers, building peace by our words, our hopes and our prayers.” Although the discussions during the meetings over Feb. 20 and 21 were closed to the press, Federico Lombardi, S.J., the Vatican spokesman, provided an over- Emeritus Benedict XVI’s work on by those who feel excluded or aban- view. Father Lombardi said the cardi- this issue when he asked if, beyond doned by the church because they find nals spoke broadly about Christian rigor and laxity, the sacrament of pen- themselves in a state of life that does anthropology—the biblically based ance could perhaps offer the path to not correspond to the church’s doc- vision of people—and the challenge of accommodating difficult situations. trine and discipline.” living that out in the “context of a sec- Father Lombardi said several cardi- As of Feb. 19, about 80 percent of ularized society that promotes visions nals spoke about the church’s process the world’s bishops’ conferences and 60 of the human person, the family and for granting annulments and possible percent of the Vatican congregations sexuality that are very different. ideas for improving the process or and councils had turned in formal re- “The climate wasn’t one of com- simplifying it. sponses to a questionnaire distributed plaining, but of realism,” Father The cardinals were not expected by the synod office in October. Lombardi said. to make any decisions or vote on pro- The volume of responses, which Cardinal Walter Kasper of posals during their meeting, Father also include about 700 submissions Germany, now retired, gave a two-hour Lombardi said. Rather, they were from Catholic groups and individuals, opening presentation, laying out the holding a discussion in preparation for demonstrates great interest in the syn- biblical and theological basis of church October’s extraordinary synod on the od’s plans to discuss the family when it teaching on marriage. He emphasized family and a meeting of the Synod of meets at the Vatican on Oct. 5-19, said the challenge of finding ways to always Bishops in 2015 on the same theme. the general secretary. fulfill two basic obligations: to remain Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, gen- By urging bishops around the world faithful to Jesus’ words about the indis- eral secretary of the upcoming synod, to conduct the broadest consultation solubility of marriage and to embody said on Feb. 21 that the responses to a possible given the brief amount of the mercy God always shows to those Vatican questionnaire about Catholics’ time allotted, synod officials “sparked who have sinned or fallen short. family life reflected a great amount of a spontaneous reaction that may seem Cardinal Kasper referred to Pope suffering around the world, “especially surprising, but is actually proof of how

8 America March 10, 2014 government forces signed an agree- Russian-speaking regions of eastern ment that effectively ended turmoil in Ukraine gathered in Kharkiv to chal- Kiev’s streets. In a rapid and remark- lenge the legitimacy of the national able series of developments the fol- parliament. They also made clear they lowing day, the parliament of Ukraine would take control of their territories voted to oust President Viktor F. in a move that appeared to increase Yanukovych and turned over the pow- the possibility of a split in the former ers of the presidency to its new speak- Soviet republic. er, Oleksandr V. Turchnov. The rapid political changes came Turchnov, who headed Ukraine’s at a price. On Sunday priests were state security service, is a close ally praying with demonstrators as coffins of former Prime Minister Yulia V. were displayed in front of the crowd Tymoshenko, who was freed from on Kiev’s Maidan (“Independence”) prison on Saturday. The dizzying pace Square. of change, as Ukraine appeared to step “There are too many deaths. back from the brink of greater disorder, They have given their young lives for even civil war, continued on Feb. 23 as Ukraine,” a demonstrator said. an arrest warrant was issued for the Another agreed, saying she feared ousted president. Yanukovych’s own more bloodshed. “We should not de- party denounced him because of the stroy the barricades until we replace all deadly crackdown on protesters—at authorities,” she added, “we shouldn’t least 82 people died in clashes between bring them down under any circum- security forces and anti-government stances. The beast is wounded but we protestors—and Ukraine’s military don’t know what this wounded beast necessary it is to go out of our offices” vowed to support the new government. will be doing.” to where people really live, he said. The invigorated parliament then On Feb. 22, a 28-year-old university The results compiled by the bish- voted to nationalize the extensive lecturer killed in the explosion of vio- ops’ conferences, he said, show “the private residence of the deposed lence in Kiev on Feb. 20 was laid to rest urgency of recognizing the lived real- Yanukovych. in Lviv. Bohdan Solchanyk, a lecturer ity of the people and of beginning a Yanukovych, who has refused to in modern history at Lviv’s National pastoral dialogue with those who have resign, remained defiant—at least on Catholic University, was mourned distanced themselves from the church television. He called for various reasons.” Simply by distrib- parliament’s weekend uting the questionnaire so widely and maneuvers “a coup inviting everyone to respond, he said, “a d’état” by “a group of process has been opened for restoring gangsters,” adding the trust many have lost.” that “Ukraine is wit- nessing the return of Ukraine the Nazis.” Despite his strong words, Yanukovych attempt- Stepping Back ed to flee the country From the Brink? on Feb. 22. His plane ecurity and police forces seemed was stopped by bor- to melt away from the embattled der authorities, and SIndependence Square in Kiev his current where- and throughout the city, as it awoke on abouts are unknown. MAIDAN. An impromptu shrine by a barricade near Feb. 21, the day after opposition and Leaders of mainly Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine, on Feb. 21.

March 10, 2014 America 9 SIGNS OF THE TIMES by his family, friends and hundreds of weeping students and other young NEWS BRIEFS people. Cardinal Jorge Urosa Savino of Caracas told Bishop Borys Gudziak, who heads Venezuelan television on Feb. 20 that the the Ukrainian Catholic eparchy of church is willing to help establish peace, but France and the Benelux countries and reminded the government of its duty to rein serves as the university president, pre- in armed groups that are violently disrupt- sided at the funeral. “Our community ing peaceful demonstrations. • Noting the is broken up about this,” he said, de- proposed death penalty for the 20-year-old scribing Solchanyk as a “man full of alleged Boston Marathon bomber, Dzhokhar life, very much engaged in society, con- Tsarnaev, the Conference of Major Superiors Megan Rice cerned for the future of Ukraine. of Men urged in a statement on Feb. 19 that “The country in these days is pro- prosecutors consider restorative justice alternatives that do not foundly traumatized,” said Bishop “deepen the harm and wounds” of Tsarnaev’s alleged crimes. • The Gudziak. Of the loss of life among U.S. bishops’ conference urged the Obama administration on Feb. the protestors, like Solchanyk, he said, 12 to finally sign on to the 1997 U.N. convention intended toban “There is profound sadness, bewilder- the use of land mines. • Megan Rice, 84, of Washington, a member ment, but also inspiration. of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, was sentenced on Feb. 18 to “What is very important for all of us 35 months in prison for breaking into a nuclear weapons facility in to try to fathom is the mystery of this Tennessee and defacing its walls in July 2012. • In an unusual video iniquity, raw evil that was confronted message, recorded on an iPhone and released on YouTube, the pope by innocent young people.” says all Christians share blame for their divisions, speaks of his He added, “In this atmosphere of “longing” for their unity and insists that God will bring the miracle tension and emotion, it is important to of Christian unity to completion. be messengers of peace,” he continued. “What will be very important is that the church is sacramentally accompa- nying the people with prayer for the comes after several days of meetings of shocking 42.4 percent of all abortions, departed, with blessings for the injured both the council of eight cardinals, es- according to a report released on Feb. and with a healing touch to a society tablished by Pope Francis to advise on 21 by the New York City Department that has been traumatized.” reform of the Roman Curia and gover- of Health and Mental Hygiene. Thirty- The church has tried to be close to nance of the universal church, and the one percent of abortions occurred in the people during this time of unrest, committee of 15 cardinals that over- the city’s Hispanic community. While he said, though “we also realize that sees the economic affairs of the Holy the percentages of abortions occurring we control precious little. We don’t See. Cardinal George Pell of Sydney, in the city’s African-American and pretend to be politicians or leaders of Australia, will head a new Secretariat Hispanic communities were high, far political movements.” for the Economy, which will be respon- outstripping their general population sible for annual budgets and have au- figures, overall the city reported far New Secretariat thority over all the Holy See’s admin- fewer abortions in 2012 than in recent istrative activities. years. Fewer New York City women are For the Economy having abortions now than at any time Pope Francis announced on Feb. 24 N.Y.: Fewer Abortions since the procedure became legal in the the creation of a new financial struc- state in 1970. Though it remains dou- ture to coordinate and oversee the Overall, Still High ble the national average, the abortion finances of the Holy See and Vatican In New York City’s African-American rate in New York dropped 8.6 percent City State. This was the latest move in community, more pregnancies ended in from 2011 and has fallen 22 percent the effort to reform the scandal-prone abortion than live births in 2012, and since 2000. Vatican Bank and other financial insti- its 31,328 abortions—6,570 more than tutions in Rome. The announcement the 24,758 live births—represented a From CNS and other sources.

10 America March 10, 2014 WASHINGTON FRONT When in Rome resident Obama will meet Pope dysfunctional. Francis comes with a could bring new energy and perspec- Francis on March 27. The first mandate for reform. He has changed tives to his administration by following PAfrican-American president the papacy with simple acts and strong the pope’s example. will meet the first Latin American words, abandoning old ways and priv- Pope Francis said he would not be pope. Barack Obama and Jorge ileges. He is beginning to choose new “obsessed” with abortion, marriage Bergoglio were outsiders, a new sena- leaders and renew Vatican structures. and contraception, offering not retreat tor and an old Jesuit with, it appeared, The pope and the president should but greater “context.” The Obama ad- little chance that they would lead the not ignore their fundamental differ- ministration is adamant in support of most powerful nation and religious ences over protecting unborn children “abortion rights” and has moved from institution on earth. Both were elected and preserving traditional marriage. opposing to supporting same-sex mar- as reformers, committed to change in They should look for ways to collabo- riage. In the courts, they are opposing Washington and the Vatican. The pres- rate in steps toward a more the Little Sisters of the ident was Time’s person of the year and just and peaceful world, in- Poor, the University of a Nobel Prize-winner, but that seems cluding the search for peace The Notre Dame and others long ago. The pope is riding a wave of in the Middle East and, president who are seeking relief enthusiasm onto the cover of not only perhaps ironically, the pro- from the Department Time, but Rolling Stone as well. tection of Christians and could of Health and Human Pope Francis is just entering his sec- other religious minorities Services’ mandate for ond year. President Obama is in his around the world. learn some free contraception. They sixth year, and there is growing discus- President Obama has lessons from have granted waivers sion about his successor. The pope has voiced his admiration for for some Catholic insti- no term and benefits from contrasts, Pope Francis, calling him Pope tutions, employers and some unfair, with his predecessor. The “somebody who lives out Francis. individuals, but not for president has been elected twice after the teachings of Christ” all Catholic ministries. long, grueling campaigns. The pope was with “incredible humili- When will the admin- elected in a quick, secret election with ty, an incredible sense of empathy to istration make clear they are not “ob- the only exit poll a puff of white smoke. the least of these, the poor.” I suspect sessed” with these issues? Mr. Obama comes to Rome with a President Obama would advise Pope By taking the name Francis, the hurting economy, immigration reform Francis to use his mandate and pop- pope made clear his priorities in public stalled and health care reform under ularity to move quickly to reform the life: the poor, peace and care for cre- attack. More people disapprove of than Vatican and to advance his priorities. ation, saying “the measure of the great- support his leadership. Pope Francis’ The president could also learn some ness of a society is found in the way it ratings are twice as high, riding a wave lessons from Pope Francis. The pope’s treats those most in need.” This would of public interest and approval. The vision is not Washington’s. He looks be a worthy criterion and legacy for the president’s opponents are many and at the economy and all of life from the remainder of the Obama presidency. open in their disdain for him and his bottom up, from the fringes of society, This historic meeting will be full of policies. The pope’s adversaries seem through the eyes of those on the out- symbolism and substance—and con- few in number and reluctant to voice side, not insiders. These perspectives trasts: a young president growing older their opposition. should guide the administration’s new and more frustrated and an old pope The president, who came to change pursuit of opportunity for all. who seems to be growing younger and Washington, faces relentless partisan Pope Francis’ first step after his more empowered. The pope and the opposition, and Washington is still election was to reach out and seek the president could have a unique discus- advice of leaders outside the Roman sion on how to keep “hope and change” John Carr is director of the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life at Curia, creating an unprecedented glob- alive in their demanding offices amid Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. al council of cardinals. The president challenging times. John Carr

March 10, 2014 America 11 12 America March 10, 2014 Understanding Pope Francis’ statements on homosexuality aul H ari n g photo: CNS photo/ P See the Person By John Langan ntil recently, where the Catholic Church stands on homosexuality was regarded as obvious. The stance of the church toward gays and lesbians and their distinctive activities was seen as negative, leading to judgments and condemnations. Of decisive importance was the negative moral judgment on homosexual acts as intrinsically evil. Even though the magisterium had distinguished between homosexual acts and Ua homosexual inclination, the intrinsic moral evil of the acts meant that while the sexual orientation was not sinful in itself, it represented an inclination to do sinful things and so had to be resisted. Recently, the church in the United States has strongly resisted the movement to legalize same- sex marriage, arguing that it would legitimize intrinsically evil homosexual acts, that it would have very negative effects on the institution of marriage, and that it would pose a serious threat to re- ligious freedom. Recent comments by Pope Francis in this magazine and elsewhere imply that there may turn out to be more complexity to the Catholic position. Francis has declared on several occasions that he has no desire to challenge or change Catholic moral teaching on sexual matters WHO AM I TO JUDGE? or to innovate in church doctrine. Presumably, he does not want to contradict himself or the long Pope Francis aboard the papal flight from Rio de tradition of Catholic teaching on this subject, which has biblical roots and has shaped legal norms Janeiro to Rome, July 28. in most Western countries for a long time. So, what is the pope up to?

John Langan, S.J., is the Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Professor of Catholic Social Thought at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.

March 10, 2014 America 13 Trying to decipher the mind of a sitting pope is a per- regarded as vulnerable, embarrassing and unpersuasive. It no ilous enterprise, especially when he is opening up a highly longer serves as a norm that needs only strict enforcement controversial topic in both church and civil life. The most and louder commitment in order to achieve full acceptance. a friendly and admiring moral philosopher can do is read his words and actions and offer suggestions about how to The Church’s Response construe them so that they form a coherent picture. This is In the face of such an unsettling change in society, what is the something that should be done before people celebrate or Catholic Church to do? If adamant opposition to homosex- condemn what the pope has been saying. It is important to uality is unlikely to yield positive results at a time when the keep in mind that on this topic the pope is not using the church’s influence on society is generally declining, should the ordinary means of presenting and developing church teach- traditional teaching be abandoned? This would be craven, es- ing, which would normally be done by formal addresses, pecially given the often admirable character of the church’s crit- statements from Vatican offi- ical response to many socially domi- cials and, in a more lasting form, nant attitudes and practices over the through encyclical letters. In changing a stance, centuries. Bishops are right to insist One way to characterize that church teaching is not to be de- what the pope is doing is that one may not be changing termined by opinion polls or election he is prodding us to think about results. It would, however, be wrong what the stance of the church or reversing church to think that such shifts in public per- toward homosexuality should doctrine. ception do not raise serious difficul- be, rather than what it generally ties, which are perilous for Christians has been. Now the word stance, to ignore. It is unlikely that lasting while common enough in English, is not a theological term. good can come out of any stance on human affairs that in ef- Theologians and most bishops speak of church teachings fect says, “We know what we know; what we don’t know is not and doctrines, of norms and principles, of moral judgments worth learning about; and what contradicts what we think we and moral conclusions. Drawing on legal reasoning and know is not worth thinking about.” Such a stance is incompat- moral philosophy, they aim at conclusions that can be ap- ible with the harmonious collaboration between faith and rea- plied consistently across a wide range of cases. son that Pope Benedict XVI saw as a characteristic strength A ready starting point is the condemnation of homosexu- of Catholicism. al acts as intrinsically evil. This approach is rationalistic rather What seems to be called for is a time of critical reflection than experiential, though those who employ it may turn to on the tradition to clarify what strengths are to be preserved experience to support their arguments. For the moral ratio- and what continuities are to be affirmed even while searching nalist, there is no need to encounter the people who perform for the sources of limitations in the teaching and acknowledg- the acts in order to learn what they experience or what the ing the development of new questions and problems. Critical acts mean to them. This is not to say there are no emotional reflection also needs to be directed to public opinion and to factors at work in the condemnation. They may be kept in the those who would mold it in a new direction, who often harbor background, but such emotions can be quite powerful. naïve, incoherent and immature views, even while they think For many years a powerful set of forces shaped the ratio- of themselves as knowledgeable and progressive. Both kinds nalist approach. There were legal prohibitions against ho- of critical reflection require time and support for research and mosexual activity; experts in psychology saw it as a form of careful dialogue that will assess what is known and what is not arrested or incomplete development; people were reluctant known, what is hoped and what is feared. There is an ongoing to recognize this inclination in themselves or in family or need to coordinate research and information across the fields friends. Homosexuality was considered shameful, disrepu- of biology, medicine, social science and ethics as well as to look table, dangerous and sinful. It was something to be shunned, seriously at the development of Christian and other religious denied, marginalized and condemned. teaching on this topic down through the centuries. For a generation this severely negative set of social judg- A “stance,” as contrasted with beliefs or theoretical posi- ments and practices has been under attack. It has now come tions, normally brings with it a realization that other factors close to collapse in large areas of the world, though it is alive are at work. It involves a response to positions or movements and vigorous in many other parts of the world. In an al- in the broader social and intellectual world rather than mere- most complete reversal, public opinion in the United States ly to arguments and criticisms in scholarly journals. Adopting and many other Western countries has shifted to such an or modifying a stance provides an opportunity to weigh oth- extent that homophobia has now become the reality to be er factors beyond a specific judgment on the moral rightness concealed and denied. The traditional view is now widely or wrongness of an act. One can consider alternatives to the

14 America March 10, 2014 stance and think about how others will respond to it. One can real and are deeply felt, it is necessary to practice moral atti- consider changing factors in the social context. One can ac- tudes that will sustain conversation over time. This will help knowledge the limits to knowledge and arguments once found to bind the advocates of change and traditionalists. It should persuasive. also restrain the mockery and denigration of people who in There are signs that Pope Francis is in the process of think- a spirit of honesty and faithfulness honor traditional social ing along some of these lines. In taking a critical view of the values. For in the church, we are called to show charity and previous stance, one need not abandon it. In changing a stance, mutual forbearance rather than to be victorious masters of even one that has been widely held and is deeply persistent, cultural warfare. one may not be changing or reversing church doctrine. Indeed, The greater burden rests with those who, consciously or Francis has repeatedly said that he does not intend to change not, have been influenced in their attitudes and reactions by church doctrine. This produces disappointment in many jour- homophobia, by the fear and hatred of homosexual persons nalists and advocates; but ignoring what he affirms will lead and acts. This can be manifested in schoolyard bullying, in to more serious and lasting disappointment. There is also a malicious outing and violations of privacy, in blackmail and risk that both those who hope for a radical transformation psychopathic violence. Many of those who are most critical of of Catholic teaching on homosexuality and those who dread church teaching on sexuality have suffered wounds from ho- such a change may miss the point of the more discerning, more mophobia, sometimes with the connivance of church mem- compassionate stance that the pope seems intent on introduc- bers or, even worse, with their approval. For all these offenses ing. They may judge him by criteria that might be appropri- against our brothers and sisters, there is need for repentance ate for legal, political and journalistic activities but that would and conversion. As we turn to the future, there is a corre- distort the character of the church’s pastoral relationship with sponding need to look critically at those who offer themselves those to whom it is called to minister. as allies against gay and lesbian agendas. Third, all parties need to show realism in acknowledging Humility Matters the problems of perception and trust that complicate our ef- Four important elements should mark a new stance toward forts to understand and collaborate with one another. We must homosexuals and homosexuality. The first is humility. We be aware of the challenges to mature and responsible behavior must acknowledge what we do not know and what we do not that human sexuality presents to all of us, regardless of our understand about the contemporary situation of homosexu- orientation. There is a profound need for realism in acknowl- als. This is an important point both for advocates of alterna- edging the ambiguities that mark our histories, both personal tive lifestyles and for social and religious traditionalists. It is and social. God’s judgment is not likely to yield a simple divi- especially needed as we explore the difficult questions about sion between heterosexual sheep and homosexual goats, just how to understand the causes of homosexual inclinations and as God’s creation does not produce persons who remain con- actions and how biological inheritance, historical experience sistently on one side of this divide. Expulsion of those with and personal choice come together in shaping sexual orienta- sexual differences from the sacred precincts of the church and tion. Difficult questions also surround the social consequenc- expunging their acts and gifts from our institutional memory es of giving legal acceptance to same-sex unions, especially may express a detestation of intrinsic evil, but it also carries the effects of such a policy on the institution of marriage in with it an effective denial of common humanity. We must not Western societies. Humility is appropriate not merely for only be charitable with others, but also honest with ourselves. debate on broad social issues but also in the settings of fam- Realistic self-understanding leads to the abandonment of hy- ily and friendship and in the decisions to seek and provide pocrisy; realistic understanding of others prepares the way for counsel and care for persons who are uncertain and distressed acceptance in community. Looking seriously at the communi- about homosexuality in themselves or others. ties in which we participate will disclose a complex tapestry Second, we must show respect for the dignity of homosex- in which the multicolored threads of the rainbow catch and ual persons as creatures of the one God and Father of us all, as reflect light, increase splendor and range, and are to be grate- members of the community of the redeemed and as fellow cit- fully received. izens of the city and the world. The affirmation of traditional Realism also involves a recognition that the moral, personal views needs to take place within an ethic of dialogue and must and spiritual development to which we are all called in Christ be marked by civility, compassion and charity. Desires that ho- is not identical with some form of legal or philosophical con- mosexuals should cease to exist, or that they should disappear sistency or even with doctrinal orthodoxy. Nor, on the other from public space, or that laws should be enacted that would hand, is it to be defined as the successful working out of one’s deny their human rights are simply not acceptable. Precisely sexual orientation. Both of these distortions involve a reduc- because the disagreements over the moral assessments of ho- tion of the human person to one or more favored aspects of mosexual acts and the future of relevant social institutions are what is a richer, more complex reality. They also involve the

March 10, 2014 America 15 substitution of an immediate, testable accomplishment for the traditional teaching and practice of the church has presented movement of the soul toward the transcendent Other in faith, faithfulness and fruitfulness as two of the great goods closely hope and charity. connected with sexual activity. Critics of homosexual practice Fourth, during this period of scrutiny and reassessment, we have been honestly unable to see the continuing place for these must be patient with ourselves, with each other and with the values in same-sex unions. The desire of some homosexuals friends and allies of the contesting groups both in the public to adopt children as well as the desire of many homosexuals arena and in the life of the church. The tasks of sifting argu- to enter into permanent unions can be seen as evidence of the ments, modifying laws and institutional arrangements, reshap- power and attractiveness of these traditional values, even if ing personal and social expectations and examining the effects they are being achieved in previously unacceptable ways. of changes when they are proposed and when they are enacted Assessing the possibility for homosexuals to achieve these are all tasks that are best done over time. values in a sustainable way requires us to The process of learning, listening, revising, go beyond the current arguments about On the Web beginning anew and encouraging partici- Charles Camosy makes the case equal rights and equal protection for per- pants on all sides and at all levels consumes for Christian vegeterianism. sonal preferences to look carefully at actu- immense amounts of time and energy. In americamagazine.org/podcast al lives and the way values are articulated the United States and elsewhere, the whole and practiced. This can be one way of de- process is going to be conducted under the fending traditional marriage. But it is also shadow of the sexual abuse crisis, which will be a continuing a way of requiring the proponents of same-sex marriage to source of suspicion, fear and acrimony. The very American acknowledge the incompleteness of their approach and their desire for quick and unambiguous outcomes will make the arguments. Good intentions and earnest declarations do not necessary patience shorter in supply and harder to sustain. constitute effective guarantees of lasting fidelity. The principal We have to bear in mind that law and public opinion in the change would not be in the teaching of the church on the mor- United States now understand and treat homosexual relations al acceptability of homosexual activity, but in affirming and between consenting adults and the sexual abuse of minors and practicing pastoral ministry for persons engaged in irregular or vulnerable persons as significantly different realities. questionable unions. Ministry would be carried on in a more tentative, inquiring spirit; it would be more intent on providing Sexual Values care and encouraging growth for persons, many of whom have The new stance on the subject of homosexuality should open known many sorrows, than in implementing policies within up possibilities for affirming the human dignity of homosex- bureaucratic and legal frameworks. uals. It should also acknowledge their need for an appropriate Here we might apply a favorite metaphor of Pope Francis: form of pastoral ministry and should affirm a continuity of key those carrying on the ministry would function in a way like values in a greatly changed social situation. For instance, the doctors in a field hospital. They would proceed from a gen- uine desire to understand the personal and spiritual aspirations of the persons in their care instead of simply repeating the equivalent of a fatal diagnosis, which is how repeated reliance on the notion of “intrinsic evil” will likely be perceived. This is not a proposal for adjudicating the numerous issues now under dispute, nor is it a theological program for resolving the problems of implementing change in this troubled area of the church’s theology and practice. But it may serve as a partial model for addressing similar problems in areas where Catholic Christians have been putting more energy into denunciation than into dialogue, where disjunctions and fractures have been growing in scale and lethality. Perhaps it is best conceived as a submission for the notice board in the field hospital. A

16 America March 10, 2014 March 10, 2014 America 17 Words That Heal Finding strength in Scripture By Kathleen Norris

suspect that most of us stumble in one way or another pacity, but that a considerable element of the unpredictable over the “scandal” of the Incarnation. In the “Dogmatic must invariably be taken into account.” Constitution on Divine Revelation,” one of the prin- Small children appreciate the delicious mouth-feel of cipal documents of the Second Vatican Council, it is silly nonsense words and savor the daunting power of a Iwritten, “The words of God, expressed in the words of men, straightforward “No!” But as we grow to adulthood, we are in every way like human language, just as the Word of become stiff-necked people who prefer fancy, impenetrable the eternal Father, when he took on himself the flesh of hu- words that make us feel professional and important. We do man weakness, became like men.” not care that the words have had the life sucked out of them, This statement is so radical that we might well ask: Did because they give us power to lord it over the listener. With the authors really mean to say that just as God chose to come Scripture it is just the opposite. We recognize God’s author- to us in mortal human flesh, so he chose the flawed vehicle ity to say to us, “Hear, O Israel” but have to accept that we of human language to reveal himself to us? Are the words of are free to listen or not, to take God’s words to heart, or not. Scripture—ordinary words that are proclaimed in church, God has left this choice up to us, and all too often we choose that we breathe in and out as we recite the psalms—holy be- to opt out of the conversation. cause the written word of God is God’s self-communication, analogous to the Word incarnate? This is an almost unfath- An Ongoing Dialogue omable gift; and, as usually happens when we are blessed Our holy Scripture is intended to be a conversation, that sus- with such divine grace, we do everything we can to make it taining force in any love relationship, of hearing and respond- fathomable, to cut it down to size and even to reject it. ing to the beloved. The best way for us to grow close to God We regard language as a useful is to grow close to the Scriptures, tool and have trouble accepting to approach them in friendship and that God has chosen it to touch with respect, and also to endeavor our hearts and convert us. While to keep the lines of communication poets like Emily Dickinson pur- open on a daily basis. The observa- sue words that breathe, that strike tion by St. Jerome is as true now as emotional chords in the reader, when he wrote it over 1,600 years most of us, most of the time, reject ago that “ignorance of Scripture is the incarnational power of lan- ignorance of Christ.” guage. Like Adam, we run and hide, The Scriptures are replete with opting for a safely tamed verbiage assertions of God’s desire to hold that serves not God’s ends but our us close, the omnipotent and eter- own. George Orwell, in his semi- nal God bent on reminding us that nal essay “Politics and the English he does not exist in some remote Language,” captured the essence of this phenomenon by plane, but in our inmost selves. God’s love for us is portrayed offering a translation of Eccl 9:11—“the race is not to the as that of a mother for the life that is growing in her womb, swift, nor the battle to the strong”—in jargon that is all too or the mother willing to cuddle her weaned child who wants common in academia and the business world: “Objective to be held again like an infant. Our holy writ is full of evi- considerations of contemporary phenomena compel the dence that God desires to help and heal us. The prophets de- conclusion that success and failure in competitive activities clare—repeatedly—that God wills to be our God, and that exhibits no tendency to be commensurate with innate ca- we are God’s people. In the Gospels we are reminded that each of us, like each and every sparrow, is worth God’s at- Kathleen Norris is an award-winning poet and the author of Dakota: tention and concern. Threaded throughout the entire Bible, A Spiritual Geography and Acedia & Me, among other works. This article is part of America’s new series, “The Living Word: Scripture in the simple but stirring images convey the intimacy of God’s re- Life of the Church,” co-sponsored by the American Bible Society. lationship with us. God takes us by the hand; God restores

18 America March 10, 2014 our weary spirits; even at night, while we are sleep- ing, God directs our hearts. Both in Isaiah and in the Book of Revelation to John we are told that at the end of time God will wipe every tear from our eyes. And when we are overcome by tears in the here and now, the Scriptures give us hope. When Jesus meets his disciples on the road to Emmaus, after the sudden arrest, trial and execution of the man they had hoped was the promised Messiah, they are so disconsolate that they do not even recog- nize him. But then, beginning with Moses and the prophets, Jesus interprets the Scriptures for them, placing himself in the salvation story. When this stranger breaks bread with them and blesses it they finally recognize the risen Lord. Like the disciples, we are asked to believe that the story of the incarnation, death and resurrec- tion of Jesus has not come to an end. Our job is to locate ourselves within that story and to con- tinue to spread the word. The Emmaus narrative provides a good example of how the Bible can heal us, offering both sustenance and guidance for our spiritual journeys. No matter how dire our sit- uation, Emmaus tells us that we can always find God in the Scriptures and in the sacrament of the Eucharist. And there is an invaluable message here for our narcissistic age. We may read and meditate on Scripture alone, and are indeed encouraged to do so, but we do not interpret it alone. Our sacred Scriptures are not only about us as individuals, but about the Christian community made possible by the sacrifice Jesus offered on the cross. The incarnation of Jesus Christ is not only celebrated but actualized here and now for us at each Eucharist. The same is true with Scripture, if we will only sit with its stories for a while and try to silence the distracting voices within. The poet Denise Levertov once wrote that the “substance, the means of art, is an incarnation: not reference, but phenomena,” and I believe that the same is true of our sacred Scriptures. This can be difficult for us to ac- but did not lose themselves in abstraction. They had a foun- cept; we prefer reference over phenomena because we can dational faith in the power of Scripture to do what it is in-

tleti c better control it. We place more trust in appraisal than in tended to do that is difficult for us to maintain in a doubting praise. age. They believed that the Scripture that God sends into The world of the early Christian theologians cited in our lives will return to God fulfilled. the council document on Scripture—Augustine, Irenaeus, If we make room for the words of Scripture, we be- Jerome, John Chrysostom—was no less complex and turbu- come open to the possibility of experiencing what these lent than our own, and the theological disputes they con- early church fathers described as the diagnostic and medic- tended with make those of our own day pale by comparison. inal power of the word of God, words with the power to But in their relationship to Scripture they had certain ad- change and heal us. The onus is on us to honor the words

P hoto: s hutter to c k. om/Zvo n imir A vantages over us. They were accomplished biblical scholars of Scripture enough to be willing to spend quality time with

March 10, 2014 America 19 them and allow them to work on us. It is all too easy to lose ing St. Paul’s axiom that faith comes from hearing, I shun sight of God in our busy lives. But there are remedies. A re- the text on the page and try to listen to the Scriptures being treat with a community that prays the Liturgy of the Hours read. If they are being read badly, all the better; it means that is an immersion in Scripture that can shock us into fresh I have to work harder to listen. But our methods will take us understandings of familiar Bible stories. Private prayer with only so far. When our prayer becomes perfunctory, it is often the psalms and readings for the day helps many people to a sign that we have forgotten that it is not our acts and inten- frame their daily lives, and keep the divine and mundane in tions that matter so much as God’s power to work within us. proper perspective. And sometimes we are hoping against hope in this regard. Once when I was deep in a “slough of despond,” I attended Keeping Scripture Alive the Easter Vigil in a monastery and felt as if I were an observ- There are many methods that can keep Scripture alive for us er from Mars. But I also knew that I was in the right place, and help us when we most need healing. When struggling because I believed that my being present as those Bible texts through a spiritual crisis, a monastic scholar might turn to washed over me could allow God’s voice to penetrate my in- the Antirrheticus of Evagrius, which suggests Bible passag- ternal darkness, whether I was aware of it at the time or not. es to pray when facing specific temptations. It is similar to The love that God reveals in Scripture can help us emerge what you find if you open a Gideon Bible from despair and even lighten the burden in a hotel room. No doubt many people On the Web of grief. Three days after my sister Rebecca unfamiliar with Scripture have found Articles and multimedia from died I was scheduled to serve as lector and healing there, using the index at the front “The Living Word” project. read the story of Paul raising Tabitha from americamagazine.org/abs that guides them to Scripture for those the dead. Looking over the text before- seeking “Comfort in Time of Sorrow,” hand, I had a bitter moment: Why didn’t “Courage in Time of Fear” or “Peace in a Time of Turmoil.” I try that in the emergency room: “Becky, get up!” But I also We can find many methods to help us pay better attention felt that it was important for me to read that passage on to Scripture as it is being read in church. Before worship I Sunday morning, even if it would be painful. use a plea from the Book of Common Prayer to be delivered My sister had an exceptionally difficult life. Brain- from “coldness of heart and wanderings of mind.” And recall- damaged at birth because of medical errors, she was just in- telligent enough to understand what had happened to her. This made her angry and resentful, frustrated in her often misguided and desperate attempts to fit in with others. But as she approached the age of 60, she finally figured out that, for people to like her, all she had to do was be herself. She changed so much that I doubt people who knew her as a young woman would have recognized her. She had gone from harboring a load of rage to someone whose primary virtue was gratitude. When she was diagnosed with terminal cancer, I was the angry one. She had had such a hard time coming into this world, and now she would have a hard time leaving it. I was with her every day as she received palliative radiation, and we began plans for hospice placement. I accompanied her to a weekly art class at the cancer center, where she excelled at making vibrant paintings. One day she proudly painted flowers for a new grandniece, and a day later she was dead. The cancer had spread to her lungs, her breathing became labored and her heart stopped. She was spared months of misery and decline. A few days later, I gladly read that passage from Acts in church because it was about a resurrection, and in telling it I could honor my sister’s own resurrection story. The Bible is like that. It is there for us when we need it most. It is full of surprises, grace and the power to remove even the heavy stone that lies on a grieving heart. A

20 America March 10, 2014 Speaking the Word of God A tribute to Daniel J. Harrington (1940–2014) By James Martin

do not think I can properly thank Daniel J. Harrington, an immense asset to his students. During a course in Paul’s S.J., for all he has done for me, for my brother Jesuits, Letter to the Romans, he once summarized the theology of for all of his students, for Catholic scholars and for that entire text as follows: “Freed from sin, death and the Christians around the world—not to mention all the Law; freed for life in the Spirit.” Perfect. Clear, simple, di- Ipeople who have ever heard him preach at Mass. Father rect statements like this, backed up by vast learning, are most Harrington has taught Jesus in his classes, in his books and, helpful to students and, as such, are often indelible. Clarity most of all, with his life. He was one of the finest Jesuits, is an underappreciated virtue in the academy. It is a gift to finest priests and finest people I have ever known. students. When I started out as a student at Weston Jesuit School 2. Dan was endlessly patient. Despite his erudition, there of Theology, I was told by many Jesuits that I should take as was never any question that was too basic or too elementa- many courses with Dan Harrington as I could. “Even when,” ry. He answered all of them thoughtfully, generously and of said one friend, “you’re not interested in the topic at all. If Dan is teaching a class on how to change a tire, take it!” So I signed up for Dan’s course “Introduction to the New Testament,” NT 101, along with what seemed like half of Weston’s student body and half the students at Harvard Divinity School. His course changed my life. I had never seriously studied the New Testament before—and neither had some of my classmates—and bless- ed were we that our first exposure to studying the Gospels was through the eyes of someone who so loved them and knew them, and who so loved Jesus and knew Jesus. Today I see the Gospels through Dan’s eyes. In other words, I see the Gospels with both the eyes of faith and a critical mind. Dan’s approach was sensible, moderate, scholarly, cu- rious, just, balanced, cautious, gener- ous and, above all, faithful. Stories about Dan’s prowess in the classroom are well known. He often taught in threes, so I will give you three things I most remember. 1. Dan was always clear, which was

James Martin, S.J., editor at large of America, is the author of the new book Jesus: A Pilgrimage (HarperOne, March 2014), dedicated to Father Harrington. photo: joh n s oare

March 10, 2014 America 21 course accurately, which meant that everyone felt respected It was the kindest thing anyone could have said. Dan was and valued—another gift. not going to learn anything at all from my papers—nothing! And no question was too far out. Dan was endlessly But it was so generous and thoughtful and Christian. I have patient, even with students who occasionally seemed in- never forgotten that. tent on trying to impress him, or, just as often, the rest of Later on, after my ordination, when it came to under- the class. One day in NT 101 a student stood up and said, standing the Gospels—whether for preaching, praying or “Father Harrington, considering what the Gospels tell us writing—I used all the tools Dan had given me. And, as I about Jesus’ prayer, and about his identity as the fully hu- said, I always saw the New Testament through his eyes. man Son of God, and in light of how Christian theology Still later, I screwed up my courage and asked Dan to understands his relationship to the Father, and also of how review the books I wrote for their Scripture content. Any human consciousness cooperated with what one might term time I used Scripture in any book, I would send the manu- divine foreknowledge, what was going on in Jesus’ mind at script to Dan and back it would come, usually within a week this point in the Gospels?” And Dan said, politely, “Well, we or so, with a neatly typed-up list of the many errors I had have no idea.” made, along with suggestions for clarification. He did the Dan was part of a generation of Jesuits whose time is same with every book, including a book on Jesus that I just passing, and I say that less in a melancholy sense than in finished, even in the midst of his illness. a grateful one. Because he entered the Clear, patient, kind. Generous, friend- Jesuits at age 18, Dan had a great deal of On the Web ly, mild. Prayerful, faithful, hardworking. time as a young adult to study languages Writings by Daniel J. Harrington, S.J., The model Jesuit, to my mind. Let me in America. and texts and traditions, to a depth and americamagazine.org/harrington end, though, with another story and with degree that Jesuits who enter later in life, Dan’s own words. as most men do these days, simply do not. Toward the end of my time at Weston, So behind Dan’s clear and direct statements, which he made I edited a book on how people of different faiths find God. easy for us to grasp, were decades of learning. In a sense, it So I told Dan that I was looking for some Scripture scholars was like Jesus’ use of the parables—communicating compli- who would talk about finding God through the Bible. But cated truths to us in simple ways, ways that we could under- I already had too many Jesuits in the book, I thought, so I stand. As with Jesus’ parables, this was a great act of charity wasn’t going to ask Dan for an essay. But all my friends said, and love. “You idiot! Ask Dan!” And I said, “No, no, I have too many 3. But the third attribute is, to me, the greatest mark of Jesuits already.” his love of the Gospels: Dan was a kind person. That is what So one day after class, I asked Dan if he could recom- I most admire about him. Dan was one of the kindest and mend one or two Scripture scholars. He did, and I wrote most generous people I ever met. them letters and they sent back essays which were good, but About a year into my time at Weston, I developed car- did not seem to get to the heart of finding God in Scripture. pal tunnel syndrome. It was very painful, and I could barely A few weeks later, Dan said, “Jim, have you found any use my hands. Funny enough, I was in the middle of Dan’s Scripture scholars for your book?” And I said, “No, Dan, I’m course “Suffering and Salvation.” A Jesuit friend of mine still looking for one that will fit the bill. Do you know any- said, “You should get extra credit.” one else?” “Sure,” he said, and recommended another scholar. As a result, I found I couldn’t write, I couldn’t type, and, In a few weeks I got another essay that was good, but still worst of all, I couldn’t figure out what to do. I briefly thought did not answer the question. Shortly afterward, I met him of asking my Jesuit provincial to let me take a leave from in a stairwell, and he said, “Have you found any Scripture studies. When I was at the end of my rope, my faculty ad- scholars for your book?” I remember looking at him and viser said the only thing to do was to ask to take the tests thinking, “Jim, you idiot! Ask Dan!” orally and to finish my papers orally, which I saw as a huge I said, “No, Dan. Would you be able to do it?” embarrassment. And he said, “I’d love to.” The first teacher I went to was Dan. I remember being ex- The next day in my mailbox box a little letter appeared, tremely embarrassed, and even ashamed, and hemming and with a perfectly typed, very moving essay. It is the best thing hawing and telling this scholar who wrote so many books, I’ve ever read on Scripture. and who worked so hard, how I could not type. And I asked Dan starts off his essay with his trademark clarity, “I find him, “How would you feel if instead of writing papers, I God largely in and through the Bible,” he writes. “Most of came in and delivered them orally?” my academic, spiritual and pastoral life revolves around the And he said, “That would be fine, Jim.” Then he added, Bible. It is for me the most important way to know, love and “But I’ll really miss reading your papers.” serve God.”

22 America March 10, 2014 Then he tells us a story. As a young boy, Dan stuttered. Scripture, to proclaim and preach God’s word, and to One day, he read in the newspaper something surprising: celebrate the church’s liturgies (which are largely cast Moses had stuttered. Dan did not know that, but he looked in the language of the Bible). In the midst of these it up in the Bible, and there it was: Moses says, “I am slow wonderful activities (which are my greatest joy), I oc- of speech and slow of tongue.” Dan read that story over and casionally stutter. And this brings me back to where over, he said, and it made a deep impression on him. In his my spiritual journey with the Bible began. Though I essay Dan goes on to talk about the ways that he has been am slow of speech and tongue like Moses, I still hear able to study and teach the Bible, and even offers as an aside the words of Ex 4:11-12: “Who gives speech to mor- a great little précis, in his clear way, of lectio divina. Then, at tals? Who makes the mute or deaf, seeing or blind? the end of the essay, Dan brings his life full circle: Is it not I, the Lord? Now go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you are to speak.” The God of the Bible is the God of Jesus Christ. I experience God in and through the Bible and my life. Thank you, Dan, for allowing the Lord to teach you to It is my privilege as a Jesuit priest to study and teach speak. A Scholar’s Life By Frank J. Matera

aniel J. Harrington, S.J., was one of Dedicated Chronicler the great treasures of American The bibliography of Father Harrington’s DCatholic biblical scholarship. For work takes up 49 pages. The first entry nearly half a century, he was the premier is dated 1961, when he published a chronicler of what was happening in piece in the Classical Bulletin. Like biblical studies in this country and all bibliographies, it includes his abroad. As a teacher, author, ed- books (more than 50), scholar- itor and preacher, he was the ly articles, essays in collected embodiment of the kind of works and numerous book biblical scholar the Second reviews. What it does not Vatican Council envi- include is his contribu- sioned in its “Dogmatic tion to New Testament Constitution on Divine Abstracts, of which he Revelation.” was the editor since 1972 In addition to being and to which he contribut- one of the leading voic- ed about 50,000 abstracts es in American Catholic of scholarly articles and scholarship, he was, in the 25,000 book notices. view of his colleagues, the em- Whereas most other bibli- bodiment of the word of God that ographical tools simply list the ti- he studied, taught and proclaimed. tles of the articles and books written Gentle and respectful, humble and unas- in the field, the distinctive contribution suming, he taught us by the example of his life as well as by of NTA is the concise and informative summaries it pro- his teaching and scholarship. vides for every book and article, enabling scholars and grad- uate students to decide what to pursue in their research. The task of assembling this project three times a year, ev- ery year, would overwhelm most people. But for Father Rev. Frank J. Matera is a New Testament scholar and author who recently retired after 24 years at The Catholic University of America, in Harrington it was a labor of love by which he served the ns for the word c olum n i s t provided illu tratio a. du nn e. the arti tad art: ameri c a by da n iel j. H arri gto , s .j., ovember 2005 to 2008. Washington, D.C. scholarly community and chronicled what was happening.

March 10, 2014 America 23 Skilled Editor way. Father Harrington’s commentary on Matthew presents Surely the most thankless task of scholarship is the work of a detailed exegetical interpretation of the Gospel in light the editor, and yet it is one of the most indispensable. The of Second Temple Judaism. His book The Synoptic Gospels good editor gives unity and vision to the work of others. The Set Free makes his technical work accessible to a wider au- selfless editor helps others to be their best. The generous dience. He argues that while certain texts have fostered editor is a master teacher who enables other scholars to do anti-Jewish sentiments, the Gospels themselves are not their work. As the editor of the 18 volumes of the “Sacra anti-Jewish. After all, the Gospels are Jewish books in the Pagina” series, Father Harrington showed himself to be the sense that their authors were Jewish by birth; their main good, selfless and generous editor who enabled others to character was a first-century Jew; their narratives are set in produce their best work. the land of Israel; and they are unintelligible apart from the To understand the scope of Father Harrington’s achieve- Scriptures of Israel. To free the Synoptic Gospels from be- ment, it is important to remember the historical situation in ing read in an anti-Jewish way, Harrington reads them in which this series was published. their first-century Jewish con- Although English-speaking The ‘Sacra Pagina’ series text. He examines texts from Catholics had produced a num- the Synoptic Gospels occur- ber of popular commentary remains the best commentary ring in the Roman Catholic series on the New Testament, Sunday Lectionary that might they had not yet produced a series on the New Testament be understood as anti-Jewish. scholarly series like those pub- by Catholic scholars in the By attending to the Jewish ma- lished by their Catholic coun- trix of these texts, he presents terparts in Europe and their English-speaking world. a positive approach “toward re- Protestant colleagues in this ducing the anti-Jewish poten- country. This changed with the tial in certain Gospel texts.” He publication of the “Sacra Pagina” series, which remains the was convinced that “the more we study the Gospels in their best commentary series on the New Testament by Catholic original Jewish contexts, the less we view them as anti-Jew- scholars in the English-speaking world. ish and the more we appreciate their richness and allow the word of God within them to speak to us.” Insightful Interpreter Daniel Harrington’s work as a chronicler and editor would 3. The New Testament conveys a theological meaning. The have consumed the lifetime of any other scholar. But in ad- most pressing issue in biblical studies today is the relation- dition to his achievements as chronicler and editor, he was ship between history and theology. Whereas some would an insightful interpreter of sacred Scripture, who argued the turn biblical studies into a historical discipline, and others following theses. would read the New Testament as a timeless theological tract cut off from its historical setting, Father Harrington 1. Second Temple Judaism is the proper matrix for under- finds the right balance between history and theology. On standing Jesus and Paul, and early Christianity. In his books the one hand, he insists on the incarnational nature of and articles on Jesus, Paul and the early church, Father Christianity, which requires the use of a historical-critical Harrington repeatedly returns to the writings of Second approach. On the other, he insisted on the need to interpret Temple Judaism to clarify the biblical text. Judiciously em- these texts as writings intended for the nourishment and ploying a historical-critical approach and insisting on the growth of the Christian community to which he preached incarnational nature of the Christian faith, he maintains every week. that knowledge of the writings of this period is indispens- I have, I hope, highlighted the most important elements able for interpreting the New Testament. In presenting the of Father Harrington’s work as a scholar, a priest, a Jesuit new perspective on Paul, he affirms that “without denying and a believer in Jesus Christ. He chronicled what we have Paul’s cosmopolitan credentials the new perspective on Paul been doing these past 50 years and made possible the most emphasizes his identity as a Jew living shortly before the de- important commentary series on the New Testament pro- struction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.” duced by English-speaking Catholics. He taught us to in- terpret the New Testament in the light of Second Temple 2. The New Testament is not anti-Jewish. Father Harrington’s Judaism and instructed us to read the New Testament with- reading of the New Testament within the context of Second out being anti-Jewish. He savored the theological meaning Temple Judaism convinced him that the New Testament is of its text. In sum, he taught us how to read the word of not anti-Jewish, even though it has often been used in that God. A

24 America March 10, 2014 ns for the word c olum n i s t provided illu tratio a. du nn e. the arti tad art: ameri c a by da n iel j. H arri gto , s .j. ovember 2005 to 2008.

March 10, 2014 America 25 The Prison Class A risk worth the investment By Andrew Skotnicki anhattan College thought it would be a good idea to send a few students to jail. Soon after, we, Ma Catholic institution in the Lasallian tradition, opened our doors to young men and women formerly incar- cerated on Rikers Island in New York City. It is a program unlike any other in the nation. Why do we do it? The answer has everything to do with fallibility and risk. Ever since human beings began to reflect on the experience of what it is to be human, they have always come back to the fallibility of life. For Plato, the world around us is illusory; only the forms exist and can be contemplated—and thus life under- stood—by only the rarest and finest of the human species. For the author of Ecclesiastes, all is vanity, a chasing after the wind. Jesus insisted that the healthy, the holy and those satisfied with themselves could never understand or embrace his message. For Augustine, it was original sin: life is both a grace and a crippling burden, given our flawed natural condition. Philosophers like Martin Heidegger argued that if one looks honestly at his or her past, there is only one possible response: guilt. Sociologists, anthropologists, psychologists and even neuroscientists remind us of the durability of the old adage that no one stands taller MARGIN CALL. Andrew Skotnicki, far right, with his class. than the generation in which they live, which is shorthand for saying that we make all our life decisions, as St. Paul said, star- ing into the glass, darkly (1 Cor 13:12). And then there are the what the late French philosopher Michel Foucault warned poets. Leonard Cohen wrote, “There is a crack in everything, was about to come: a “disciplinary society” that controls not by that’s how the light gets in.” And from the inimitable Oscar stocks, whips and chains or, for that matter, special weapons Wilde: “Each [person] kills the thing he loves.” and tactic teams, but with exquisite effectiveness by peering Whether there is widespread agreement with the view of into the remotest corners of personal and social life. human nature just presented, I can assure you that the current We all know the results: the most aggressive and consis- system of criminal justice in the United States endorses it. A tent escalation of criminal statutes, penalties and sentences in little known revolution was initiated in the turbulent years of the nation’s history, perhaps in any nation’s history. Rates of the late 1960s and came to fruition a decade or so later. This imprisonment, as a result of what is termed “the new penolo- revolution was sparked by the determination that the roman- gy,” have increased more than 600 percent. More prisons were tic image of police patrolling the streets and doing crime scene built in the United States between 1980 and 2000 than were forensics—still wildly popular for many Americans—was a built in the entire previous history of the nation. There are thing of the past; instead, the country needed a radical redi- now over 300,000 laws in the United States addressing viola- rection of police energy into technology and surveillance. As tions that could result in jail or prison time. The late William a result, what the legal scholar David Garland calls “the crim- J. Stuntz wrote in 2001, while a professor at Harvard Law inologies of everyday life” were born. This shift was exactly School, that we are fast approaching a state in which “the law on the books makes everyone a felon.” If I may quote Oscar Andrew Skotnicki is a professor in the department of religious studies Wilde again: “Each [person] kills the thing he loves. Yet each at Manhattan College in New York City, where he founded and directs the [person] does not die.” This is a poetic way of saying that we program Engaging, Educating, Empowering Means Change, or E3MC. His most recent book is The Last Judgment: Christian Ethics in a are all achingly fallible; we all break the law; but we do not all Legal Culture (Ashgate, 2012). suffer the penalty for our crimes. s y of author P hoto: c ourte

26 America March 10, 2014 A System Based on Math ums. In the case of those who are poor, this assessment usu- As one writer put it, the nets of the criminal justice system ally translates into no coverage. Very smart people figured are calibrated mainly to catch only a certain kind of fish— this out. And it works. It works so well that virtually every namely, poor members of racial minorities. According to major institution in the country has reproduced it in one the Department of Justice, one in three black men and one way or another. in six Hispanic men in the United States will be incarcer- This analysis leads us to reassess the fine tuning of the ated at some point in their lives, compared with approxi- technology of crime control. In the deep end of the risk pool are poor people of color. Since their circumstances make them least likely to master the complex social, linguistic, cultural and ed- We are all ucational requirements necessary for professional success, and since they are already, in many instanc- fallible; we all es, without credit and without health insurance, they are further break the law; and further isolated in poor neigh- borhoods with inadequate social services. And their at-risk status but we do not is the single greatest factor ensur- ing that their human fallibility and their criminal behavior merits im- all suffer the prisonment. Before the changes occurred penalty for in the methodology of crime control, our correctional system was based on what can be termed our crimes. “penal welfare,” based on the be- lief that people who are incar- cerated are not evil; rather, they are, as Plato, Augustine, Jesus, mately one in 20 white men. Blacks and Hispanics make Heidegger and Wilde would have said, fallible. And their up less than 30 percent of the population in the United mistakes could be corrected with counseling, job training States, but they make up two-thirds of the people in our and education, the most important factor. When the “cor- jails and prisons. rectional” system changed its operating philosophy from pe- Why are they the ones in prison? I do not believe that de- nal welfare to management of the at-risk population, there liberate racism or an exaggerated misanthropy provides the were over 300 prisons in the United States with higher ed- answer. The answer is that the criminal ucation programs, in which incarcerated justice system, like the health care system, On the Web men and women, with the help of Pell the banking and credit system and the ar- Matt Emerson blogs at Grants, could get a college degree. When “The Ignatian Educator.” ray of standardized tests that dispropor- americamagazine.org/educator President Clinton signed a bill 19 years tionately influence who is admitted into ago to rescind these grants for prisoners, elite colleges and universities, have taken all but a few of the 300-plus programs their cues from the actuarial methodology of the insurance were eliminated. This law was passed despite repeated stud- industry. The criminal justice system relies on a mode of ies that show, again according to the Department of Justice, analysis not based on morality, and certainly not based on increased education reduces rates of recidivism. Two-thirds sentiment. It is, quite simply, mathematical. of the 675,000 people released from confinement this year The insurance industry calibrates everything in terms of will probably be rearrested within three years, while those risk. We are all what are termed “instances of the popula- who attended college have recidivism rates at least 30 per- tion,” and each of us has a place in the risk pool. If you are cent to 50 percent lower than the national average. low risk, you get insured and pay low premiums. If you are In the new approach to criminal justice, oddly enough, high risk, you either receive no coverage or pay high premi- these seemingly counterintuitive measures make sense to

March 10, 2014 America 27 people. Why? Because it has already been determined that of our frequent arrogance that proclaims that we, the free, those who have been designated as high-risk do not merit are the ones who are good, and they, the prisoners, are the the privileges that come with being low-risk. And so, upon ones who are evil. release from confinement, these individuals return to the The program also creates an opportunity for the incar- same neighborhoods but under even worse conditions. Just cerated students, upon their release, to attend a fine private as they cannot get credit or insurance, now they cannot vote college. This enables these young adults to prove not only or gain access to public housing. With a criminal record, it to themselves but also to our society that they are as natu- is even harder to get a job because they are, of course, a bad rally bright and talented as the young people who are given risk. Unemployment rates for those who have once been in- a similar opportunity because they can bounce a basketball, carcerated are over 50 percent. And to complete the vicious or because their parents made sure they mastered the tech- circle, when a person steals or sells drugs to get money, he or nique of impressing college admissions committees. she not only is arrested and sent back to jail, but the prior ac- Manhattan College is now conducting its fifth class at tuarial determination that this person was too risky to help Rikers Island. Thus far 46 “outside” students and 46 “inside” in the first place is confirmed. students have participated in the program. It should come as no surprise that all the inside students are black or Hispanic. Back From the Margins It should also come as no surprise that all of the outside stu- This understanding of the human person and analysis of the dents have had a life-changing experience. Two of the young criminal justice system is the background for Manhattan women who graduated in May 2013 are currently working as College’s program called Engaging, Educating, Empowering interns at the jail. They are among the many who now want Means Change, or E3MC, initiated in 2012. We wanted to to spend their lives caring for the ones so few care for. Most do something to correct the tilt in the national ethos that important, nine of the inside students have now taken classes poor people of color, especially those with a criminal record, on our main campus. We hope this is just the beginning. are, as one sociologist termed it, “unmeltable” in the great There is, to our knowledge, no other college or university melting pot of American society. For this reason, we sent in the nation that has done something this risky. Or, to put it some of our students to the Rikers Island jail complex to more accurately, that has done something so decisive to chal- take a class with an equal number of prisoners. We wanted lenge the prevailing attitude that men and women who are our students to come to know these unmeltable, risky people incarcerated are the risky people. So far, Manhattan College who have been judged unworthy of the social privileges our has either spent directly or sacrificed by means of lost income students enjoy. We anticipated our students would come to a quarter of a million dollars to help change the lives of these love their incarcerated brothers and sisters, and in their love young adults. This unique program is well worth the invest- begin to feel anger at the way so many millions have been ment. dismissed, put on the margin and made to bear the weight We are not a large institution with vast resources. We are a small Catholic college with a very small endowment, a big heart and, may I say, a great deal of faith that peo- ple will agree with, support and per- haps duplicate our efforts to change the culture of criminal justice in the United States from one of stigmatiza- tion and punishment to one of oppor- tunity and care. It is a way of saying, again remembering St. Augustine, that there are only two kinds of people in the world: the good but not very good, and the bad but not very bad. What separates us is not that some of us are better than others; it is that some of us never have an opportunity to show how good we can be when our fallibili- ty merits not a criminal sentence and a jail cell but a second chance and a col- lege education. A

28 America March 10, 2014 Books & Culture

film | John Anderson which movie fans are currently suffer- ing. It is a movie flawed in its DNA. In fact, its shortcomings are so obvious the Art Patrol film should be shown in film schools, ‘The Monuments Men’ is no masterpiece especially as a case study in how not to handle comedy. n many ways, we still live in an ed, or rather misdirected, by the actor One can argue about the impor- Adolf Hitler world. The Middle George Clooney. Like the “Wally” doc, tance of art. There are some among us IEast is his legacy; so is the config- Clooney’s movie is a true story. Sort of. who, given the outlandish hypothet- uration of post-Soviet Eastern Europe. Based on a book by Robert M. Edsel ical of choosing our own survival over And while it may seem like a subordi- (with Bret Witter), “Monuments Men” that of the Sistine Chapel, would pick nate concern, his indiscriminate klepto- recounts the efforts Michaelangelo’s ceil- mania and infinite bad taste continue to of a ragtag band of On the Web ing. But even though reverberate through the world of art. art scholars who Photos from the restoration the religious capac- To get a sense of this, take a look at went in search of of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. ity of art is never americamagazine.org/slideshow the documentary “Portrait of Wally” the millions of piec- far from the discus- (2012), which is also the title of a es of art with which sion, Clooney does 1912 painting by Egon Schiele of his Hitler intended to fill his planned not come close to making his case (he lover Walburga Neuzil. Stolen by a Führer Museum, just as soon as he and producer Grant Heslov wrote the high-ranking Nazi from the Jewish art got his 1,000-year Reich safely off the script), despite some earnest declara- dealer Lea Bondi in Vienna in 1939, the ground. tions about the investment of human picture was heisted again by Austrians “Monuments Men” was going to be beings in their culture and the insidious in the post-war 50s and later exhibited released during the 2013 Oscar season, efforts of Hitler to erase not just peo- by the Museum of Modern Art in New but cooler heads prevailed and ban- ples but their histories. York in 1997. There it became the center ished it to the midwinter limbo through Besides, no matter how strongly of a lawsuit that rocked the foundation of the museum world. People at the top of the curatorial hierarchy— including the cosmetics heir Ron Lauder, erstwhile champion of returning all Nazi art—suddenly were arguing that cultural insti- tutions like MOMA could not possibly function if stolen paintings were going to be seized by U.S. au- thorities and given back to their rightful owners. Art-seizing American authorities like those who originally rescued “Wally” are the service- men celebrated in The Monuments Men, a war- A FEW GOOD MEN. Dimitri Leonidas, John Goodman, George Clooney, Matt Damon and erved. n . A ll R ight s e erved. F ox ilm Corporatio PHOTO : Claudette B ariu s © 2013 Columbia P i c ture In du trie , Inc . a n d T we tieth Ce tury time adventure yarn direct- Bob Balaban in “The Monuments Men.”

March 10, 2014 America 29 one feels about the Picassos that the dire calculation about the internation- spirit the art away to America—that is Germans start torching as they realize al cast of the characters assembled by both illogical and irksome. world domination is going to be just Frank and thrown together in classic The flatness of “The Monuments another shattered Teutonic dream, it fish-out-of-water formation to find the Men” can be illustrated by two scenes. is a little difficult to generate dramat- art before the Nazis can destroy it. One involves our token Frenchman, ic tension about an art-salvage project One of the key pieces is Vermeer’s Jean Claude Clermont (Jean Dujardin when there is a world war going on “The Astronomer” (which apparently of “The Artist”), delivering his heartfelt around it. still has a swastika stamped on its back thanks to his fellow art detectives for Clooney certainly is not the director as it hangs at the Louvre). Another is coming to save the culture of his coun- to do it, at any rate. It is clear that he is the “Altarpiece of Ghent,” described by try. In the middle of his small speech, trying to recreate the feel of a 1940s war Frank as “the defining monument of the Clooney cuts to Bill Murray, who is film, with a certain quotient of comedy Catholic Church,” a statement guaran- sitting and listening. And that’s it. Just arising from the comic boot camp se- teed to start arguments, although in a sitting and listening. No one cuts to quence, the character-stuck-on-a-land- movie so lacking in tension, we’ll take it. Bill Murray for no reason. Murray is mine sequence, the snappish rather than The point is made early in the film perhaps the most inherently funny snappy dialogue and a soundtrack (by that by 1943 most of the young art man in the movies. He’s a serious actor, the estimable Alexandre Desplat) that scholars were already in Europe fight- yes, but you don’t cut to him to affirm is used like a cudgel. There is a sense of ing the war. This allows Clooney to a dramatic moment. You cut to him to populate his movie with relieve a dramatic moment. There’s no some charming oldsters, such intention here. Has Clooney met namely Bill Murray, Bob Bill Murray? Nothing Can Compare Balaban, John Goodman A similar kind of moment takes and Hugh Bonneville place between Balaban’s Preston Savitz (“Downton Abbey”). The and Goodman’s Walter Garfield, who Seeing this we fall to our knees. We youngster in the group have had a fractious relationship all Wouldn’t be willing to stop being is Matt Damon, whose through the movie. We find Walter Human he became willing to stop character, James Granger, reading about one of the missing works Being wholly of light approachable has a “bad ticker,” hence in a document the team has found in his 4-F status. He also one of the salt mines where the art has To become human and die as a seems a bit dopey to be been hidden. Helpless creature died in that a curator at the Met, but “How did you read that?” Preston Jewish rite so that it’s drenching hey, it’s the war years; asks. there is a shortage of man- “It’s in English,” Walter answers. Blood could besprinkle in its power. He has a fleeting “I know,” Preston quips. Pause. “I Deep cleansing. flirtation with a Parisian didn’t know you could read.” art expert, Claire Simone, And that is how not to deliver a joke. a fictional version of the Had Balaban simply walked away on “I How can we remarkable real-life her- know...” the viewer would experience a Understand this? oine Rose Valland, who moment of suspended understanding, has been trying in her then a chuckle. By adding “I didn’t know quiet way to forestall the you could read,” the joke is explained Being human what can we do Nazis’ Rape of Europa and effectively neutered. You only make But bow, and believe now, or (also the title of another a lame joke lamer by hitting us over the When glory leaves all he made fine book on the subject). head with the punchline. But that is the Transformed, or stricken? Claire is played by Cate kind of thing “Monuments Men” does Blanchett with a French with regularity while, just by the way, accent she might have putting a happy ending on a story that G. E. Schwartz borrowed from Peter has never really ended. Sellers, and she is saddled John Anderson is a film critic for Variety G. E. Schwartz, born in 1958 in Pottsville, Pa., is the author with a suspicion of the and The Wall Street Journal and a regular of Only Others Are: Poems and Living in Tongues. Monuments Men—she contributor to the Arts & Leisure section of The thinks they are trying to New York Times.

30 America March 10, 2014 March 10, 2014 America 31 of other things | Kevin Clarke When Projections Attack

here are lies, damn lies, statis- centive” to work created by relieving go ahead and retire or to admonish tics and now, apparently, also mass anxiety over health care. working parents who take advantage TCongressional Budget Office This new narrative attached it- of the A.C.A. to be where they would estimates. In January researchers at self to the resilient depiction of the rather be—at home raising their chil- the C.B.O. released some new num- “Obama-nation of takers” pitted dren. bers about the expected long-term against the stalwart “makers,” those How should health care be mea- impact of the Affordable Care Act. To who are ruggedly individualizing out sured in a balancing of the common make their hard-to-parse estimates there in the U.S. economy, entrepre- good? In a sharp contrast with the seem a little more real, the authors neuring like crazy and creating wealth more communally minded members projected that by 2024, the health care that the Obama sheeple are madly of the industrialized West, in the act would lead to the loss of 2.5 mil- redistributing. Now, United States it has lion jobs as Americans left the U.S. because of the A.C.A., become nearly an arti- labor force. That number proved ir- a whole new cohort of We are cle of faith that health resistible to Obamacare haters, many takers too lazy to hang not our care is a commodity of whom seized upon the report, even on to jobs in which on more or less equal before reading it, in denunciations they felt trapped are best possible footing with other that scorched across Twitter feeds, being liberated by a selves consumer choices. conservative blog sites and the Bizarro new entitlement. Some believe the priv- World of cable news. There is, of course, merely ilege of accessing it is People who actually read the re- more than a whiff of yoked reserved to the con- port quickly understood there was scolding Calvinism in sumer wily enough to a little more nuance to the C.B.O.’s this new reading of to a job. prepare to afford it. Of projection. Far from deathpanelling the C.B.O. projections. course, the Catholic America’s employment stock, the What might a more tradition considers ac- A.C.A. would “reduce the total num- charitable interpreta- cess to decent health ber of hours worked…almost entirely tion of the same look care not a social priv- because workers will choose to supply like? In the Catholic ilege doled out to the less labor.” tradition in the United astute and salaried, but What does that mean? The C.B.O. States, work is a mean- a basic human right, a report suggests that health care reform ingful and rewarding minimum guarantor of would have the long-term effect of al- aspect of co-creation, a just society, offered to lowing people to leave work if their but so are things like raising a family all according to need. only reason for remaining employed and sufficient time to enjoy the beau- In his second inaugural address, was to keep a connection to health ty and blessedness of creation. We are President Obama argued that “the insurance. So the projection did not not our best possible selves merely commitments we make to each oth- imagine employers erasing jobs, but yoked to a job, producing income and er—through Medicare, and Medicaid workers freed from the bonds of propping up the gross national prod- and Social Security—these things do health care insurers and perhaps fol- uct. Holding a child, visiting with not sap our initiative; they strengthen lowing their bliss for a change. The neighbors, painting a landscape and, us. They do not make us a nation of media narrative quickly adapted. Now yes, even leaving a job we hate to raise takers; they free us to take the risks the C.B.O. report was not detailing a child, care for a sick family member that make this country great.” The job destruction caused by health care or start our own businesses are also new “entitlement,” access to decent, reform, but a new Hydra head of the valuable expressions of a fully realized dependable health care, may soon be Obama entitlement monster, a “disin- life. In other words, it should be hard spoken of in the same way, as a mod- for a Catholic to think less of a work- est step toward—not a nation of tak- Kevin Clarke is America’s senior editor and ing senior who seizes on the option ers—but maybe a nation of brother’s chief correspondent. granted him by the A.C.A. to finally keepers.

32 America March 10, 2014 March 10, 2014 America 33 books on the bible | Daniel J. Harrington The book of Sirach is one of the lon- gest and most wide-ranging writings in Receiving Scripture the Catholic and Orthodox canons of Scripture. It is a synthesis of teachings Archaeology, art and faith from “Yeshua Ben Eleazar Ben Sira,” who in the early second century B.C. One recent and important develop- conducted a wisdom school for young ment in biblical studies is called recep- scribes in Jerusalem. His Hebrew man- tion history, the study of the influenc- uscript was then translated into Greek es or effects that specific biblical texts by his grandson in Egypt. Its author have exercised on later interpreters. has opinions on almost any topic one Many of the books described in this can imagine, and they are all put for- annual survey of books on the Bible ward with artistry and often breath- show how various artists and writers taking certainty. While conservative by have taken biblical texts as starting nature, Ben Sira made a monumental points for their own creative works. theological innovation by integrat- Conceived and overseen by the ing the biblical and the ancient Near Benedictine monks of Saint John’s Eastern wisdom traditions. I have of- Abbey in Collegeville, Minn., The ten described it as my favorite book of Saint John’s Bible project is a most am- the Old Testament. With the discovery bitious undertaking pertaining to the of parts of the original Hebrew version Scriptures. Its seven volumes contain in recent times, the book of Sirach has the text of the New Revised Standard become a magnet for the work of an Version in beautiful calligraphic script. international band of very learned and The project was intended as a sample productive scholars. Prominent among of the medieval tradition of illuminat- them has been the Rev. Jeremy Corley, ed manuscripts of the Bible. It has now serve as the perfect guide. She shows who teaches at St. Patrick’s College, appeared in both deluxe and popular that there are many more spiritual and Maynooth, Ireland. His contribution, editions. The English text is perfect- artistic treasures in The Saint John’s entitled Sirach: The New Collegeville ly clear, as one would expect from an Bible than may first meet the eye. Bible Commentary (Liturgical Press), international team of skilled calligra- The Sistine Chapel:A Biblical contains a brief introduction, the text phers. But the illustrations (or illumi- Tour (Paulist), by Christine nations) may still puzzle many read- M. Panyard, brings together ers. In TheA rt of The Saint John’s key texts from the Bible and the Bible: The Complete Reader’s Guide artistic interpretations given (Liturgical Press), Susan Sink, a poet them by the Renaissance artist and writer associated with Saint John’s Michelangelo. After explaining Abbey and Liturgical Press, provides how Michelangelo the sculptor help in her explanations of the images came to execute the paintings, accompanying the biblical texts. She Panyard, a professor of psychol- offers not only basic information about ogy at the University of Detroit the illuminations and their place in the Mercy, presents on facing pages Bible’s story but also helps us to un- beautiful photographs of them derstand the intentions of the various and expositions of their biblical roots. according to revised version in the artists. She writes in an engaging style, What emerges is what Michelangelo New American Bible, and an exposi- ever challenging readers to enter into conceived as a spiritual pilgrimage tion of each pericope in the book of both the texts and the artwork. She of- from creation to the last judgment, Sirach. There he brings to bear not ten reminds readers of the three great with Jesus’ death and resurrection at only the results of recent scholarship, Benedictine themes that run through the center. To tourists who have rushed but also his skill as a keen literary an- the project: hospitality, transformation through the Sistine Chapel, this vol- alyst, theological sensitivity and abili- and justice. If you have access to any of ume allows a better appreciation of the ty to place Ben Sira’s teachings in the the seven volumes, Sink’s fine work will skill of a great biblical interpreter. wider contexts of both the Old and

34 America March 10, 2014 New Testaments. tions and pottery. Although they make in the early centuries of the Common Students of early Christianity and their own views clear, they are fair in Era show how the two religions coex- early Judaism have long sought an up- presenting other interpretations. Their isted and developed in the Holy Land. to-date, comprehensive and reliable timely work is a great Either book (or synthesis of the results of archaeo- achievement, just the both) could serve logical excavations in the Holy Land kind of work we have not only as a text- around the time of Jesus. Now we have needed for many years. book for university two! In Alexander to Constantine: Jodi Magness’s The students but also as Archaeology of the Land of the Archaeology of the a guidebook for pil- Bible (Yale University Press), Eric M. Holy Land: From grims to the Holy Meyers, professor of Jewish studies the Destruction of Land. and archaeology at Duke University, Solomon’s Temple to Early Chris- and Mark A. Chancey, professor of re- the Muslim Conquest tianity had its ligious studies at Southern Methodist (Cambridge University greatest success University, synthesize archaeological Press) is written in in the urban en- evidence and ancient literary sourc- the classic textbook vironments of the es (including the Bible) to provide format. Professor Roman empire. an overview of the intellectual and of early Judaism at One way to get a religious changes during the Greco- the University of North Carolina at concrete sense of life in that context Roman period and their Chapel Hill, she covers is through Paul Roberts’s marvel- impact on world history. roughly the same histor- ous Life and Death in Pompeii and Thus they treat the fol- ical periods as Meyers Herculaneum (Oxford University lowing topics: the Persian and Chancey do, and Press). In A.D. 79 Mount Vesuvius period and the transition also provides abundant in the Bay of Naples erupted, and the to Hellenism; the advent historical and literary cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum of Hellenism under the context while explain- were completely buried and thus “fro- Greek kingdoms and the ing the archaeological zen” in time. Designed to accompany Hasmoneans (140-37 materials. Her extensive a British Museum exhibition in 2013, B.C.); Herod the Great and masterful treatment this lavishly illustrated volume looks and the introduction of the archaeology of at the daily lives of ordinary Romans of Roman architecture; Qumran and the Dead through the lens of an extended and Khirbet Qumran and the Sea scrolls is perhaps relatively wealthy familia. Thus it treats Dead Sea scrolls; from the centerpiece of the the streets, the atrium, sleeping quar- Herod to the Great Revolt; the Great book. She discusses in ters, the garden, living Revolt and the Bar Kokhba Rebellion; fitting detail the ambi- rooms and interior de- the emergence of Christianity; ear- tious building program sign, dining, and kitch- ly Judaism and the rise of the syna- launched by Herod the ens, toilets and baths. gogue; the archaeology of paganism; Great in Jerusalem and This is social history at the growth of Greco-Roman culture elsewhere. She devotes a its best. The 400 color and the case of Sepphoris; and after short chapter to the ar- photographs are spectac- Constantine—beyond the Roman pe- chaeology of Bethlehem ular, and the accompa- riod. Meyers is a veteran in the field of and Galilee, which the nying text is concise and Second Temple archaeology, having di- Gospels describe as the illuminating. Many fine rected several excavations and followed setting for Jesus’ birth books have been written the scholarship closely for many years. and ministry. Her focus about Pompeii, but it is Chancey has focused especially on the on Jerusalem through- hard to imagine a better history of Galilee and its relevance for out and especially her one than this. Indeed it is Jesus and his movement. In construct- chapter on Jewish tombs the book bargain of the ing their archaeological-historical and burial customs provide important year. Roberts is a curator at the British synthesis, they rely heavily not only background information for the bibli- Museum, specializing in Roman art on the major structures revealed by cal passion narratives. And her chap- and archaeology. excavations but also on coins, inscrip- ters on Jewish and Christian artifacts If you want a comprehensive his-

March 10, 2014 America 35 tory of New Testament scholarship from patristic times to the present centuries A.D. Though focused on ex- in the 20th century, William Baird’s (with a special fondness for the work egesis and history, Boys also provides History of New Testament Research. of Calvin). Its inclusion is a sign of the practical pastoral suggestions about Volume 3, From C. H. Dodd to Hans current interest in how specific biblical the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Dieter Betz (Fortress) is the book for texts have been read throughout the and the seven last words of Jesus. you. In its almost 800 pages it covers a centuries. While a technical commen- The “new evangelization” did vast array of topics like the new bibli- tary, it also contains homiletic nuggets not end with the Year of Faith in cal theology, the Bultmann school, new that preachers and teachers can devel- November. As conceived by the re- discoveries in archaeology, the develop- op. Bovon was not only cent synod and recent ment of scholarly societies, theological a brilliant teacher and popes, it is an ongoing and hermeneutical developments, the scholar but also a gen- program for proclaiming necessity for historical criticism and tleman widely admired the good news of Jesus so forth. Baird considers major works by his colleagues and Christ. There is no bet- by major scholars; he is objective and students. His commen- ter guide for this than courteous in his summaries, and re- tary on Luke is a fitting Ronald D. Witherup, spectful in his judgments. He focuses memorial to the career of S.S.’s Saint Paul and mainly on British, German, and North an extraordinary scholar the New Evangelization American male Protestant scholars. and human being. (Liturgical Press). In it His coverage of Catholic scholarship is Not all receptions he explores the theme fair but somewhat thin. This third and of biblical texts are with information from final volume in the project caps off a good, as Mary C. Boys’s official Catholic church great achievement on Baird’s part. Redeeming Our Sacred documents and perti- Another great achievement in mod- Story: TheD eath of nent observations from ern biblical studies is the completion Jesus and Relations between Jews the letters of Paul. His thesis is that it of the English version of François and Christians (Paulist) shows. Boys, is worth looking at Paul as a model for Bovon’s multivolume commentary a member of the Sisters of the Holy the new evangelization on the grounds on Luke’s Gospel, titled Luke 3: A Names of Jesus and Mary, and pro- that there has never been a more vi- Commentary on the Gospel of Luke fessor of practical theology at Union sionary, wide-ranging evangelizer than 19:28–24:53 (Fortress). Born and Theological Seminary in New York “the Apostle.” An accomplished biblical raised in Switzerland, Bovon (1938- City, has lectured and written exten- scholar and current superior general of 2013) taught for many years first at sively on the history and present state the Sulpicians, Witherup is the perfect the University of Geneva and then at of Christian-Jewish relations. In the guide to understanding a concept that Harvard Divinity first part of what is many have found puzzling. School. A man of On the Web her magnum opus, The New Testament books were many scholarly The Catholic Book Club discusses she shows how the written primarily to be performed a history of the North American interests, he spe- martyrs. americamagazine.org/cbc New Testament’s orally. In fact, most other books in the cialized in Luke’s emphasis on Jewish Greco-Roman world of the time were Gospel and Acts, as responsibility for intended to be read aloud by either well as the noncanonical apocryphal Jesus’ death has led throughout his- the author or a trained reader before Acts of the Apostles. His commen- tory to the image of Jews as “Christ an audience (many of whom were il- tary on Luke’s Gospel appears now killers” and as deserving persecution, literate). In Bringing the Word to in the prestigious “Hermeneia” series. climaxing with the Holocaust. In the Life: Engaging the New Testament German and French editions have second part she calls on three recent through Performing It (Eerdmans), previously appeared. For each passage, developments in biblical scholarship Richard F. Ward, a professor of hom- he provides a full bibliography, a fresh to help Christians redeem their sacred iletics, and David J. Trobisch, a New translation, textual notes, synchronic story of Jesus’ life, death and resurrec- Testament scholar, have joined forces and diachronic analyses and detailed tion: the Roman empire as the critical to explain clearly and concisely what comments, all supported by extensive backstory of Jesus’ passion and death, we know about the culture of oral per- footnotes to primary sources and mod- the “new perspective on Paul” and his formance in the first and second centu- ern scholarship. A distinctive and wel- place within Judaism, and the reassess- ries, to show what it takes to perform a come feature is a sketch of the history ment of “Judaism” and “Christianity” as biblical text, to suggest the benefits of of the interpretation of each pericope, distinctive religions in the first three performance for teaching and learning,

36 America March 10, 2014 March 10, 2014 America 37 and to offer practical suggestions for manuscript: no word divisions, no we internalize and perform Scripture, exploring biblical texts through perfor- punctuation, all capital letters, abbre- the word comes to life and “becomes mance. They first gather the evidence viations and so on. Then they indicate flesh” in our own existence. from various Greek and Latin texts how the act of performance today can Yiu Sing Lúcás Chan, a Jesuit from that oral performance was a major deepen understanding of the text on Hong Kong, has established his rep- mode for communicating the content the part of both the performer and the utation as a pioneer in bridging the of literary material. Next they explain audience, and offer practical sugges- gap between modern biblical studies some of the difficulties involved in tions about engaging in biblical perfor- and theological ethics by his The Ten reading aloud an early New Testament mance today. They conclude that when Commandments and the Beatitudes: Biblical Studies and Ethics for Real CLASSIFIED Wills Life. In his new volume, Biblical Ethics Please remember America in your will. Our legal title for the 21st Century: Developments, Books is: America Press Inc., 106 West 56th Street, New York, NY 10019. Emerging Consensus, and Future Religion & Civility (faith & reason) Together; www. Directions (Paulist), he places his own wordunlimited.com. America classifieds. Want your ad here? America work in the context of other scholarly accepts classified advertisements for publication in efforts to bring together the two disci- Positions either the print version of America or on our web Diocese of San Bernardino, serv- site, www.AmericaMagazine.org. Ten-word min- plines. Seeking to build on and update ing San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, is imum. Rates are per word per issue. 1-5 times: William C. Spohn’s What Are They currently recruiting for the following positions: $1.50; 6-11 times: $1.28; 12-23 times: $1.23; Saying about Scripture and Ethics? Elementary School President; Associate Director 24-41 times: $1.17; 42 times or more: $1.12. For of Restorative Justice; Associate Director of Social an additional $30, your print ad will be posted on (1984; rev. ed., 1995), he contends that Concerns; Formation Program Coordinator. America’s Web site for one week. Ads may be sub- truly biblical ethics needs to include Please see our website for more detailed descrip- mitted by e-mail to: [email protected]. For both the exegetical work of biblical tions at www.sbdiocese.org. more information call: (212) 515-0102. theologians and the interpretive work of theological ethicists; and that a her- meneutic of virtue ethics (Who am I? Who ought I become? And what ought I do?) is a worthy method of bringing their findings to ethical expression. In dealing with the works of other schol- ars, Chan is admirably objective, criti- cally perceptive, and invariably polite. In defending his own positions, he is informed, clear and persuasive.

Daniel J. Harrington, S.J., was professor of New Testament at the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry and editor of New Testament Abstracts.

Editor’s note: The first essay by Daniel J. Harrington, S.J., in America’s annu- al Books on the Bible roundup appeared in the issue of Feb. 9, 1991. This issue, 23 years later, brings his last. Father Harrington passed away on Feb. 7. Father Harrington had something good to say about everyone, an occasional twist included—e.g., “Though I sometimes find de la Potterrie unconvincing, I al- ways find him stimulating and immense- America (ISSN 0002-7049) is published weekly (except for 13 combined issues: Jan. 6-13, 20-27, April 28-May 5, May 26-June ly learned.” That spirit of intellectual in- 2, June 9-16, 23-30, July 7-14, 21-28, Aug. 4-11, 18-25, Sept. 1-8, Dec. 8-15, 22-29) by America Press Inc., 106 West 56th Street, New York, NY 10019. Periodical postage is paid at New York, N.Y., and additional mailing offices.C irculation: (800) 627- tegrity and charity stayed with him to the 9533. Subscription: United States, $56 per year; add U.S. $30 postage and GST (#131870719) for Canada; or add U.S. $56 per year for international priority airmail. Postmaster: Send address changes to: America, P.O. Box 293159, Kettering, OH 45429. end. – R.A.S.

38 America March 10, 2014 THE WORD Away With Fear Second Sunday of Lent (A), March 16, 2014 Readings: Gn 12:1–4; Ps 33:4-22; 2 Tm 1:8–10; Mt 17:1–9 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid” (Mt 17:7)

ometimes we can be held back to Timothy gets to the heart of the first encounter with God, but it, too, can from the spiritual renewal of- form of fear that can strike even the lead to a sense of spiritual unworthi- Sfered through Lent by a primal boldest of believers. Is it truly worth ness. When the glory of Jesus transfig- emotion that keeps faith from flour- it to suffer? To be imprisoned, perse- ured shone before the apostles and they ishing: fear. Fear is a crucial response in cuted, or mocked for heard the voice of God identify Jesus as human life to protect us from physical, my faith and belief? “my son, the beloved,” this spiritual ex- emotional and even spiritual threats, Is it worth turning perience drove them to their knees but misplaced spiritual fear can keep us from the pleasures because they “were overcome by from living out the Gospel call to faith. of wealth and suc- fear.” Divine glory drives sinful Debilitating spiritual fear can emerge cess to serve those human beings to their knees, from two seemingly disparate sources. in need or challenge makes clear our weakness- On the one hand, fear can emerge the engines of pow- es and sometimes makes us from the anxiety that the hard work, the er? What if I am wish God would just leave us penance, the suffering, the choosing of wrong about all this? alone. Jesus, though, reaches God’s way over our own way is simply Whether Timothy out to his apostles saying, “Get not worth it. Concerns might surface had in fact lost the that faith is a smokescreen for meaning- flame of his faith or ad- PRAYING WITH SCRIPTURE lessness, for suckers who cannot accept opted a “spirit of cowardice” or was the hard reality of nothingness at the “ashamed,” the context suggests that As Jesus reaches out to you and says, “Get core of human existence. On the other in light of human setbacks, loss and up, and do not be afraid,” what fear keeps hand, there can exist a fear that does not suffering, even established faith can you from grasping his hand? question the reality of God, but ques- be shaken by fear. The letter does not tions whether we are worthy to stand deny the possibility that such fears before God, whether we are acceptable are at work in us but directs us to the up, and do not be afraid.” to God as we are and whether, finally, experiences of power, love and self-dis- Whether we fear that faith is mean- we deserve God’s love. cipline that emerge from faith in God. ingless or that we are meaningless, it is The Second Letter to Timothy Fear is not countered with theologi- ultimately our experience of God that presents Paul speaking to “my beloved cal arguments, but by asking Timothy reveals God’s love for us and burns child,” Timothy, asking him to “rekindle to “join with me in suffering for the away the fog of fear. These experienc- the gift of God” that was given to him. Gospel.” It is in following the path of es might come in the most humble of Timothy is reminded that “God did not Jesus that faith dissipates fear through circumstances, by serving someone in give us a spirit of cowardice, but rath- the experience of the reality of God’s need or listening to a friend in distress er a spirit of power and of love and of grace. or in the most profound encounter with self-discipline. Do not be ashamed, Others, though, might not be sty- the living God. But if our fears tell us then, of the testimony about our Lord mied by down-to-earth human fears either that our faith has no substance or or of me his prisoner, but join with me but by the power of God’s presence and that we are not worthy of God’s love, it in suffering for the gospel, relying on the glory. If it is the experience of God’s is time for us to reach out and grasp the power of God” (1:7-8). Paul’s challenge grace that casts out fear, would not an hand of Jesus. Have no fear, for his hand encounter with the living God allow us outstretched to us allows us to stand in to grasp the promises of God without the presence of God, for God has come John W. Martens is an associate professor of theology at the University of St. Thomas, St. question and grow in faith? There is a to save us, knowing fully our weakness Paul, Minn. proper fear or awe that emerges in an and sin. John W. Martens

March 10, 2014 America 39