Clerics brawl with broomsticks at the site where Jesus is believed to have been born. (BBC image)
Two days after the world celebrated the birth of the Prince of Peace, things weren't so peaceful at the Bethlehem church built on what is believed to be the site of Jesus' nativity.
Brandishing brooms, 100 black-robed Greek Orthodox and Armenian clerics fought one another inside the Basilica of the Nativity after a dispute broke out during the cleaning of the church. Palestinian police broke up the fray.
Tensions have long been high at the 1,700-year-old church, as different Christian denominations continually squabble over the administration of the holy site.
The BBC has the story, along with the sad video here.
December 29, 2011 08:50
By George Matysek
Retired Washington Cardinal Theodore McCarrick recently sat down with David Gregory of Meet the Press to talk Christmas and politics. The cardinal noted that Christmas comes to "remind us that there is a God and this is a God who loves us." He also asserted that the more a voter understands about the issues, the more he or she will understand a candidate.
"We have to say," Cardinal McCarrick said, "'What is that man teaching - what is that woman teaching? How will it affect me, how will it affect my family, how will it affect my country?'"
Check out the extended interview here.
December 22, 2011 10:51
By George Matysek
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92txLzud5VI]
If I'm counting correctly, tonight's Midnight Mass at Our Lady of Hope in Dundalk will mark the 20th time I've had the honor of serving as organist for the joyful Christmas liturgy. People of all ages will crowd into the contemporary-styled church, which is usually dimmed slightly and illuminated with flickering candles and glowing Christmas lights. The effect is warm and almost otherworldly.
In front of the ambo, figures of Joseph and Mary will stand next to a hay-strewn manger bearing the newborn Christ child. The Magi statues will be placed on the other side of the church, symbolically traveling toward the holy scene before arriving on the Epiphany.
Tonight, there will be a certain formula we dare not break in the singing of the carols. Expect to hear "O Come All Ye Faithful," "Away in a Manger," "Silent Night," and "Joy to the World" - in that order.
But there's another, less familiar song I've added to the repertoire.
As a postlude, I always pull out the stops and fill the massive worship space with a lilting Polish carol, "Dzisiaj w Betlejem" - "Today in Bethlehem." Nearly every year I've played the charmingly simple song, a gentleman approaches me after Mass and thanks me for highlighting his favorite Polish carol. He presses a $20 bill into my hand despite my protests.
"Dzisiaj w Betlejem" holds a special place in my heart, too.
Growing up in a Polish and Czech family, it was one of the kolendy - carols - we heard every Christmas season. It became an even more important song more than a decade ago when my mother was battling the last stages of cancer.
On the Christmas of 1998, my mom only had a few weeks left to live. She slept almost constantly in the hospital bed we set up in her bedroom, relying on morphine to manage the pain. Drifting in and out of consciousness, she would speak of seeing long-gone relatives and would sometimes talk in the Polish tongue she remembered from her youth.
On that Christmas Day, I set up a speaker in her room to let her hear an album of kolendy that included "Dzisiaj w Betlejem." I don't know if she was aware of the music, but I like to think it may have lifted her spirits in some way and brought her some sense of peace.
When I play that tune tonight, I will be thinking of my mom and all those who have lost loved ones this year. My prayer is that no matter what you are going through in life, the Prince of Peace will bring you comfort.
In the words of Dzisiaj w Betlejem's refrain:
Angels are singing, Kings gifts are bringing, Shepherds are praying, Cattle are kneeling; To the little Jesus, To the Son of Mary who this day is born to us!
Have a blessed Christmas, everyone! Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia!
December 24, 2010 07:09
By George Matysek
Archbishop Edwin F. O'Brien has an audio Christmas message here and Wilmington Bishop W. Francis Malooly (former Baltimore auxiliary bishop) has a video Christmas message here.
December 23, 2010 07:05
By George Matysek
Ever since she appeared in a BBC documentary on the National Gallery 19 years ago, Sister Wendy Beckett has taken the art world by storm. A familiar face on PBS, the surprisingly straight-talking contemplative nun is well-known for her unique insights into art and art history.
Sister Wendy is the author of more than 25 books, including one on the Nativity containing more than 40 paintings that illustrate events leading up to and including the birth of Jesus. The book also highlights moments from Christ's life, death and resurrection.
The Telegraph has an interesting Q&A with the 80-year-old nun.
Some snips:
Solitary life: This is the greatest imaginable bliss. It wasn’t only that I wanted a contemplative life; I needed it. I am one of those inadequate people who can’t sustain the level of prayer and self-sacrifice that religious life asks, unless I have hours alone with God. But I am not totally alone. Once a day the sister who looks after me brings my post and gives me any messages. If there are practical matters to be seen to (I am a sadly impractical woman), she solves them. The day is surely coming when age and infirmity will make it impossible to live alone. I don’t worry about this because it’s all part of God’s plan.Television career: Nuns have to earn their living and I earned mine by doing medieval Latin translation. But I became unwell and asked the Mother Prioress if I could look at art until I felt better. Then I realised there are no livings to be earned by merely looking, so I decided to write a book, which drew the attention of the BBC. This is how my television career began.
Christmas: My Christmas is a deeply privileged one and I spend it in silence marvelling at God’s goodness. I don’t put up decorations, wrap presents or attend a Christmas dinner (though I delight in giving and receiving cards). The high point is the high point of every day – attending Mass and receiving the Eucharist. This sacrament is Christmas in essence: God giving Himself, us receiving Him and being changed.
Read more
here.
December 22, 2010 12:12
By George Matysek
Mercy Medical Center's impressive new hospital tower in downtown Baltimore is
all set to open tomorrow, Dec. 19. Amid the fanfare, hospital leaders have added a nice Christmas touch that hearkens back to the days when Mercy's "old tower" first opened nearly five decades ago.
Back when the 1963 building was the new kid on the block, Mercy employees placed stencils in the lighted windows of patient rooms -- spelling out "A CHILD IS BORN" on the side of the tower.
If you take a close look near the top of today's $400 million Mary Catherine Bunting Center, you'll see that Mercy has posted the same lighted message.
Very cool idea, Mercy!
Then...
Baltimore News-Post Photo/Courtesy Mercy Medical Center
And now...
Mercy Medical Center Photo/Kevin Parks
December 18, 2010 08:57
By George Matysek
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkHNNPM7pJA&feature=player_embedded#!]
December 15, 2010 06:49
By George Matysek
No Charm City Christmas is complete without this classic!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74INc6WwqYg&feature=related]
December 03, 2010 10:38
By George Matysek
When you're sending your Christmas cards this year, don't forget the pope.
A website sponsored by the Pontifical Council for Social Communications has a link where users can write a Christmas message or share a photo with the Holy Father. The greetings will also be shared at the Pope2You website.
What would you say to the pope this Christmas season?
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12/10/2010 - Update: Lots of folks are taking a look at this post! Be sure to visit www.catholicreview.org/matysekblog for similar posts.
December 02, 2010 04:36
By George Matysek
Handel's Messiah is always big this time of the year and choirs around the archdiocese are probably working on "For Unto Us a Child is Born" and the "Hallelujah Chorus" for Christmas.
Here's what can happen when the organist accidentally hits the transpose button at a most unfortunate moment.
By the way, Ed Polochick and The Concert of Artists of Baltimore will perform a much better version next Friday at the Meyerhoff in Baltimore. Their performances are outstanding. You won't want to miss it.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DBAoWr-imY]
November 28, 2010 12:13
By George Matysek
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