Thursday, January 21, 2010

The Wizard of OZ and Catholicism


Okay, allow me to get weird here for a minute.
The last time I saw “The Wizard of Oz” I thought, “Hey, this is the Catholic Pilgrim’s Progress.”

Dorothy’s unhappy with her life and wants to go “over the rainbow” or heaven, maybe?

After her baptism---her trial by fire in the tornado, she reaches the other side... “We’re not in Kansas anymore.” Catholics believe that you enter a new Kingdom, the Kingdom of God when you are baptized. It is then you begin your journey to eternal life---Like Dorothy--the journey to the Emerald City on the Yellow Brick Road.

For Catholics, you are never alone. You have your angels, your sponsors, your church family helping you along with the journey-- learning with you and maturing you in these ways:
The scarecrow: his brain or theology....
The Tin Man: a correct heart....
The Lion: learning courage!

All go with you on the journey. Even though you are no longer in your old life, you are in the new, you still have not yet arrived at God.

All during the process you are followed by demons who discourage you and try to burn you, make you sleep, keep knowledge from you.... 

When they arrive at the Emerald City they have to “freshen up” so they can look perfect before seeing the Great and Mighty OZ----think---purgatory anyone?

Yeah, yeah... the comparison breaks down as OZ turns out to be a fake and the whole point of the movie is to get BACK to her life on earth. Oh well, it still seems a bit like the writer had an underlying religious message--doubt it was Catholic, though.

Friday, January 15, 2010

On "DEEP IN SCRIPTURE" EWTN RADIO, Wed. Jan 20th

For those who are interested, I will be speaking with Marcus Grodi on the Deep In Scriptures radio program this next Wednesday, January 20th. It will be live at 2 pm eastern time on a local EWTN station. You can also hear an archived version at this following website (as well as hearing it live.)

http://www.deepinscripture.com/

Please pray that God will be glorified and that His tender love, mercy and forgiveness with show through in every word we say. And that in the end, truth will burst forth for those who are seeking it!
God bless you,
Teresa Beem

Monday, January 4, 2010

Happy Catholic New Year!

Did you know that for Catholics the New Year began with Advent?

Four Sundays BEFORE Christmas with the beginning of the Advent season or "arrival" the New Year begins. Then for Catholics, Christmas is not a day but a season that begins on Christmas Eve and lasts until the celebration of the Baptism of Christ which is celebrated on the 13th of January. (Although I heard a bishop on EWTN's Journey Home that said this year it is until February 2? If anyone can clear that up for me.... I would appreciate it.)

I just learned that the Twelve Days of Christmas is actually the days between Christmas day and the Feast of Epiphany.

There is just so much to know about Catholics and their traditions and history. There is a surprise around every corner. And I just LOVE that.....

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