"I am the very model of a Biblical philologist"

My sense is most people have no idea what academic study of sacred texts looks like. This ditty hints why you may not want to know....

And a big hat tip to my friend Brian for pointing me to the video!

Bethlehemian Rhapsody

Because the Christmas story is always best told through 70s rock and puppets.

OK, but I laughed. You will too.

 Hat tip to Brian Sullivan via FB for the reminder of this gem.

Not sure this is convincing, but it's fun

Truth Is Stranger #136: The Purity Communion Dispenser

And, yes, the minister isn't Catholic, but still.

Behold the Sacred Pez Dispenser...ugh.   I'll take a germ for Jesus, thanks.  I'm martyr-like that way.

From the four page "Atheist Hymnal": "Atheists Don't Have No Songs"...

(It's funny because its true.)

Maybe the Atheist Hymnal is named "Scatter".  Or "Deny".  Or "RitualSong".

(Ouch.  But really, whose idea was it to name the hymnal RitualSong???)

HT: Korrektiv.

"Something must be in flames"

Wait for it.

The Irony, The Truth, the March for Life

Sometimes people ask why this blog is named The Ironic Catholic. Irony doesn't mean sarcasm, or at least, doesn't have to mean sarcasm. Sometimes its humorous, other times not.  It means pointing out incongruity in service to truth. And sakes alive, does this video do that in spades.

Let me be clear: I think President Obama's speech was a brilliant speech and everything quoted should be taken to heart in memory of the children of Sandy Hook. Period. But this effectively points out--why stop there? There are other children we are called to protect too, other families who don't deserve this pain.  When do we rise up and say all children, all human beings, deserve to be protected and loved?

And maybe, maybe, there is a little bit of hope that we aren't as far apart as we seem sometimes. If you can make a speech like that, its only a very logical hop over to embracing many pro-life arguments.  Please, God?

***

UPDATE: Speaking of pointing out incongruity, an abortion rights coalition came up with this utterly, completely, sickeningly bizarre ad: Happy 40th Anniversary, Baby. I kind of like seeing this movement do itself in like this. 

Dominicans Meet Bananas and Celebrate Christmas

No, its true. Christianity in the City. Bless the OPs for playing along.

HT Michael Liccione.

"Canon Law on Cannonballs"

In honor of the end of the Cannonball awards (this year and --sniff-- maybe forever) Fr. Christian Mathis of Blessed is the Kingdom and Dcn. Sean Smith do a little You Tube talk show on Cannonball Awards ... and Canon Law. Definitely has its moments! (Including the last 10 seconds, when I was surprised to hear the IC mentioned. Thanks for the SMU plug!)

p.s. I have no idea if I won. I know it was close! Thanks to everyone who voted! And thanks, Crescat!

The Hallelujah Chorus As You've Never Seen It Before

..."signed" by the good people of Quinhagak, Alaska.



HT to Jim Forest via the Allaires.

There's Hope For Us All Yet

One big ironic smile.
HT just about everywhere in the blogosphere.

The Theology of Marriage, Danced

Not ironic, but it will make you laugh in the most healthy, life-fulfilling way.



I love this; we need more of this. HT to LarryD.

There's an app for praise music

Simultaneously impressive and abhorent! Neat trick.

I think the "unplugged" version of the song involves the band hitting the IPhone with a stick.

HT to Crazy Christian Clips.

Just in time for VBS.

HT Crazy Christian Clips.

What Do You Get With A Gospel Choir, An Exercise Instructor, and Kumbaya?

From the miraculous (last few posts) to the insane:



HT Crazy Christian Clips, which has quite a collection up this week.

...Only available on the Sony Praystation?

Cute, with a bit of a cringe factor thrown in:

So just how many directors of faith formation are looking at this and thinking, "Hmmm...they might just be on to something there...."

- posted by sic

Colbert Sharing the Pope's Wrist Injury Pain

Some hits, some misses, but funny enough to share:

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Pope Wrist Watch
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Tasers

And obviously, we should pray for the Pope--82 with a broken wrist--that's got to be very painful.

"If you love death metal worship as much as I do...."

Stay with it till the end for "Silent Night".

HT: Crazy Christian Clips.

Tweet? Argh! (Electric guitar solo.)

Karl Marx Meets Classic Rock Meets Early Liberation Theology

Still grading maniacally, so this humor lifted from my last class:

This is from a senior level Great Books course called Catholicism in Dialogue with the Modern World, and I set up the students to have a three-way debate on the state of the world as they see it, role-playing as Karl Marx, John Paul II, and Gustavo Gutierrez (OK, no liberation theology rants, please? I don't have time to moderate them right now.). After 45 minutes of discussing the nature of work, oppression, human dignity, change and revolution, and for what do we live, the student in charge of role-playing Karl Marx closed his remarks by turning to "Gutierrez" and intoning--

"And finally, in the immortal words of Kansas: Carry On, My Wayward Son. Thank you."

It's good to leave the professor laughing hysterically when she has 60 papers to grade.

Happy May Day and Feast of St. Joseph the Worker.

"But the son of a duck is a duck."

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Bart Ehrman
colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor NASA Name Contest

Very good, very funny.  Stephen Colbert in apologetic mode.