The title of this blog post doesn’t tell the whole story. I’m postinf Friday Hodgepodge on Saturday because, for some reason or other, Blogger wouldn’t allow me to post it on Friday. Soooo, what else is new?
More on the Da Vinci Code
With the opening of the film version of The Da Vinci Code 
I had planned to write more about the book than I did previously. However, I still haven’t completed my reading of it.
However, from all of the media hype and anti-Da Vinci Code assaults, especially from the Roman Catholic Church, I will continue my comments. I first encountered the “legend” that the Holy Grail—the bearer of the Blood of Christ—was not the chalice used at the Last Supper but rather Mary Magdalene, who married and bore the children of Christ in the book 1980s book, Holy Blood, Holy Grail. The basic premise was that Jesus did not die on 
the cross, but was “taken down” from it before death, survived, married Mary Magdalene, with whom he had one of more children who emigrated to what is now France, and were the ancestors of the Merovingian dynasty, which riled parts of France and Germany from the Fifth to Eighth Centuries. This is the “secret” of the Grail.
Although I have not gotten to that part of the book, The Da Vinci Code, I can say that from my previous readings and research in regard to the book, Holy Blood, Holy Grail, this theory has no basis in history. As much a part as this “secret” of the Grail plays in The Da Vinci Code, I want to suggest that it is not the source of the primary outcry again the book. Rather, I believe, the chorus of disapproval comes from Dan Brown’s suggestion that the Christian Church has attempted to stamp out the feminine—the goddess—in its religious life. From my studies I do agree with this—not goddess worship, but rather the feminine. To me, that is the reason that the book has received primarily disapproving reviews from Catholic and right-wing Christian communities. I’ll write more on this in a future blog.
Prayers for Tiffany
I have previously asked your prayers for our fellow blogger, Tiffany. I ask for your prayers again. Although there seemed to be a resolution to her troubles, that solution proved to be temporary and her difficulties have again resurfaced with a vengeance.
Still Unemployed
Nothing has changed in my employment status since my post of May16th. Liberty National Insurance Company has still not cashed my check and the two state licenses I earned remain “pending.” And I remain without a regular income—and frustrated.
More on the Da Vinci Code
With the opening of the film version of The Da Vinci Code I had planned to write more about the book than I did previously. However, I still haven’t completed my reading of it.However, from all of the media hype and anti-Da Vinci Code assaults, especially from the Roman Catholic Church, I will continue my comments. I first encountered the “legend” that the Holy Grail—the bearer of the Blood of Christ—was not the chalice used at the Last Supper but rather Mary Magdalene, who married and bore the children of Christ in the book 1980s book, Holy Blood, Holy Grail
. The basic premise was that Jesus did not die on 
the cross, but was “taken down” from it before death, survived, married Mary Magdalene, with whom he had one of more children who emigrated to what is now France, and were the ancestors of the Merovingian dynasty, which riled parts of France and Germany from the Fifth to Eighth Centuries. This is the “secret” of the Grail.Although I have not gotten to that part of the book, The Da Vinci Code, I can say that from my previous readings and research in regard to the book, Holy Blood, Holy Grail, this theory has no basis in history. As much a part as this “secret” of the Grail plays in The Da Vinci Code, I want to suggest that it is not the source of the primary outcry again the book. Rather, I believe, the chorus of disapproval comes from Dan Brown’s suggestion that the Christian Church has attempted to stamp out the feminine—the goddess—in its religious life. From my studies I do agree with this—not goddess worship, but rather the feminine. To me, that is the reason that the book has received primarily disapproving reviews from Catholic and right-wing Christian communities. I’ll write more on this in a future blog.
Prayers for Tiffany
I have previously asked your prayers for our fellow blogger, Tiffany. I ask for your prayers again. Although there seemed to be a resolution to her troubles, that solution proved to be temporary and her difficulties have again resurfaced with a vengeance.
Still Unemployed
Nothing has changed in my employment status since my post of May16th. Liberty National Insurance Company has still not cashed my check and the two state licenses I earned remain “pending.” And I remain without a regular income—and frustrated.
Hi Nick...I will continue my prayers for Tiffany and for your employment status..it takes them all so long to process those things. Good luck!!
ReplyDeleteI read Holy Blood, Holy Grail quite a few years ago. I also read other material that's covered in the Da Vinci Code. So the DVC didn't surprise me. It was a good, page-turner. I think the Catholic Church is upset about the portrayal of Opus Dei, too. They have so many secrets that I don't know how they keep track of them all.
ReplyDeleteOh, and the movie stuck to the novel pretty well.
I hope Tiffany is okay.
And, for heaven's sake, I hope your employment status changes for the better and soon.
The references to Opus Dei are absolute rubbish. One needs to only educate themselves on the practices of the Opus Dei to realise the rubbish that Dan Brown alludes to.
ReplyDeleteIn saying that, the book is a great work of fiction, the film is a piece of rubbish.
Btw Opus Dei do have a website, i've not had a look at it myself, but from the interview i saw of a few members, it appears to be informative.
Hi Nick ~~ So sorry that Tiffany's
ReplyDeletetroubles have not been solved. I wish
her well and send positive vibes to her, and also to you. She is very
fortunate to have you as a friend.
Take care Nick. Cheers, Merle.
Hello,
ReplyDeletePrayers for Tiffany, definitely...
I'm writing regarding the DVC comment- I don't understand the confusion concerning the 'feminine'- I don't follow the, literally, here-today-gone-tomorrow fashions... what's the specific question?
Is it that people think the Church suppresses females? Oh brother! You know, everybody's got a mother! And no one in their right mind disses their mom! Look at how highly Mary is thought of- not worshiped- but recognized for her obedience!
Or is it because women aren't priests? Please! The Catholic Church adheres to the rules that Christ set up, as is in the Bible, with His apostles- especially after they received the divine understanding from the Holy Spirit. His Apostles were men, for crying out loud- not that I'm shouting:)
Also, it's a matter of obedience. God said, again this is in the Bible, no gods before me. Feminists complained ad nauseum... who do men think they are? Well, the same question can be asked of us... and none of us is above God's Word. And God says we are equal- & to treat each other well and with respect.
Here's a link to Opus Dei...
http://www.opusdei.org/
Hope it works... but sorry, there's no bogey man!
Thanks for listening, St. Nick:)
God bless you!