Peggy Noonan: Man of Mystery

Opinion Journal ^ | 10/18/2002 | Peggy Noonan

[NYer]

He began by asserting that the rosary is "Christocentric," a way of thinking about Jesus through and with the mother who gave him and witnessed his life. This was a not-at-all-subtle invitation to all Christians to take a new look at an old devotion, one Protestants, for instance, have found unhappily Mary-centered in the past.

An absolutely beautiful assessment of the rosary!

[eastsider]

The same phrases we both apply to Jesus: Lord, Savior, King of Kings, Anointed One (i.e. Christ) were applied to various pagan godlets like Apollo, Osiris, Adonis, Dionysus etc. The fact that others have, in the past, applied to pagan deities the titles which rightfully belong to Jesus alone does not mean that worship of Christ is the same thing as belonging to a pagan fertility cult.

I've often wondered why those who dismiss Catholic veneration of Mary as mythological "goddess" worship don't likewise dismiss Jesus' conception as mythological "hero" worship.

[Polycarp]

Thanks for the ping. I must have missed this one with the first Peggy Noonan list ping. This one is a real keeper...printed it out for further reflection.

[ninenot]

Thanks for the ping.

She's just the best--in her own way--as much as Coulter is the best in HER own way.

ANd what a marvelous lesson she has taught with this essay!

[NYer]

And suddenly I'm wondering: Did she have a hard labor? Did God want her to know from the beginning that her joy would be ever accompanied by pain? Did she weep him into the world? Maybe it was an easy birth. God knew she was barely more than a child, with a young husband and no help, just the two of them in the cold in a hut on a hill.

AND

Did he love bread, changes in the weather, wine, the feel of rain? He must have liked being a carpenter's apprentice. Woodwork is satisfying: You can see the results of your labor; you can feel it in a smooth finish. Maybe he made a chair once. Maybe it's in the Museum of Natural History now in a case with a card that says, "Child's chair, circa 100 B.C.E."

What I would give to have Peggy Noonan write a booklet on the Rosary with these and other meditations!!! Oh, what I would give!!!! I have found it so difficult to say the Rosary, but Peggy brings it alive! I think I'll write to her and ask.

[Siobhan]

Thank you for the ping.

[Siobhan]

I'd love to see Peggy write a book on the Rosary. But more than that I'd like to see a video of the new Luminous Mysteries were different Catholic leaders and notables say the prayers and perhaps even reflect upon the new Mystery or read the appropriate Scriptures sort of like what Father Peyton did. Peggy Noonan, Senator Rick Santorum, Justice Scalia, Lawrence Kudlow, the actress Catherine Hicks, and so on. I think it would be wonderful.

[NYer]

What a great idea. Have you considered dropping a note to EWTN?

[Siobhan]

Funny you should mention that. I think I'll send a letter to Deacon Bill and Raymond Arroyo.

[american colleen]

A most wonderful idea!

When I visited Fr. Peyton's worldwide rosary headquarters, I noticed all kinds of tapes he made (audio and video) with some of the biggest names in showbiz doing the rosary... of course, those names mean not much to the young today - Bing Crosby, Princess Grace, etc. It would be wonderful to do the same kind of thing with some of todays Catholic stars... don't forget to Mel Gibson as a possible rosary recitee in your note to EWTN!

BTW... lookit this: "Family Theatre" - the only Catholic production company in Hollywood - started by Fr. Peyton.