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“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” Pope Benedict XVI (7 July 2007)

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Views from the Choir Loft

Irrefutable Proof That Some People Are Jerks

Jeff Ostrowski · May 7, 2013

ALKING INTO THE RESTROOM while visiting Disneyland with my family, I observed a mentally challenged man being verbally abused while struggling to use the bathroom. An older gentleman I perceived to be his father was there to help his son. The coward who was verbally abusing this poor soul made his exit as I was entering. I’m not sure what I would have done if he hadn’t left immediately. And don’t even ask me what I was tempted to do to the coward . . .

Why do I relate the details of this story? I will explain in a minute.

Since 2007, Corpus Christi Watershed has received thousands of E-mails and letters expressing gratitude for the ministry we provide. Out of every hundred letters, perhaps one is negative. All the rest are positive. Sadly, instead of staying focused on the positive letters (99%), I’m the type of person who dwells on the negative comments (1%). I have no idea why. I have a feeling that many of the musicians reading this article might suffer from the same defect when it comes to parishioners who critique their work.

Furthermore, from time to time, Watershed is the object of slander. A few weeks ago, a false and libelous article was published by an organization which is opposed to our work for ideological reasons. The article contained just enough “nuggets” of truth to make it believable to anyone who has not carefully examined the facts. I believe this scurrilous rubbish will mislead people, but as everyone knows, when it comes to internet publications, almost nothing can be done to prevent the spread of defamatory statements, no matter how demonstrably false they are. These are incidents I ought to ignore, but (as I’ve already mentioned) I find myself inclined to dwell on them.

Had I been delayed before walking into that restroom, I wouldn’t have witnessed the shameful treatment of the mentally handicapped man by the coward. I didn’t enjoy being present for such cruelty, and, to speak truth, was absolutely horrified that a human being could show such viciousness to a defenseless, innocent, struggling soul.

Yet, I thank God for reminding me that many people carry heavier crosses than I can imagine. It was an opportunity to count my blessings. Furthermore, something became patently clear to me: people can be real jerks.

Furthermore, I thank God for allowing me to witness the amazing love the elderly father had for his mentally handicapped child. I remember quite clearly the answer Fr. Peter Gee gave to our high school religion class, when one of my classmates (as usual trying to irritate the teacher) asked if severely mentally handicapped people ought to be murdered so they can go straight to heaven. Fr. Gee spoke of one of his relatives, saying, “This tender soul has elicited such love from each member of our family and brought us together in unbelievable ways. Perhaps this is why God allowed him to be mentally handicapped.” Since 1973, more than 56 million innocent children have been murdered and millions more have been killed in secret (i.e. not recorded). Many were killed because they were handicapped in some way. I wish the ones who made the decision to murder could have heard and considered Fr. Gee’s anecdote. If Fr. Gee’s conjecture is true, God must value charity (i.e. love) very highly.

To make a long story short, I believe these two revelations will help me finally learn to stop dwelling on the negative: (a) being inspired by the love shown by the father for his son; (b) realizing that some people in this world are jerks and derive pleasure only from wickedness and hatred.

P.S.

Very soon (possibly within the next two weeks) our Blog will begin to accept comments. At that time, I will create a page where people can post their positive comments about our ministry. Then, if those of us who contribute to CCW projects happen to feel depressed, we can visit that page to remind ourselves that the work of CCW is important and helps many good people. Furthermore, perhaps these comments will help “defend” CCW against libelous online articles like the one mentioned above.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He resides with his wife and children in Los Angeles.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

    Hymn by Cardinal Newman
    During the season of Septuagesima, we will be using this hymn by Cardinal Newman, which employs both Latin and English. (Readers probably know that Cardinal Newman was one of the world's experts when it comes to Lingua Latina.) The final verse contains a beautiful soprano descant. Father Louis Bouyer—famous theologian, close friend of Pope Paul VI, and architect of post-conciliar reforms—wrote thus vis-à-vis the elimination of Septuagesima: “I prefer to say nothing, or very little, about the new calendar, the handiwork of a trio of maniacs who suppressed (with no good reason) Septuagesima and the Octave of Pentecost and who scattered three quarters of the Saints higgledy-piddledy, all based on notions of their own devising!”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Introit • Candlemas (2 February)
    “Candlemas” • Our choir sang on February 2nd, and here's a live recording of the beautiful INTROIT: Suscépimus Deus. We had very little time to rehearse, but I think it has some very nice moments. I promise that by the 8th Sunday after Pentecost it will be perfect! (That Introit is repeated on the 8th Sunday after Pentecost.) We still need to improve, but we're definitely on the right track!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Simplified Antiphons • “Candlemas”
    Anyone who desires simplified antiphons (“psalm tone versions”) for 2 February, the Feast of the Purification—which is also known as “Candlemas” or the Feast of the Presentation—may freely download them. The texts of the antiphons are quite beautiful. From “Lumen Ad Revelatiónem Géntium” you can hear a live excerpt (Mp3). I'm not a fan of chant in octaves, but we had such limited time to rehearse, it seemed the best choice. After all, everyone should have an opportunity to learn “Lumen Ad Revelatiónem Géntium,” which summarizes Candlemas.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too, and it cannot be all of a sudden entirely forbidden or even considered harmful.

— Pope Benedict XVI, Letter accompanying “Summorum Pontificum” (7/7/07)

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Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.