The MET Gala: Catholic Imagination

Posted on by beautybeyondbones

One of the perks of living in NYC is that I’m literally in the cultural hub of the world. And I’m not saying that arrogantly, or with any snooty tone. It’s frankly, a fact. People look to Gotham for the latest in news, entertainment, literature, architecture and design, and fashion.

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In case you were snoozing on your pop culture research, the MET gala was last weekend. It’s known as “Celebrity Prom” because every spring, everyone from Beyonce, to Tom Brady, to Kim Kardashian, to Sarah Jessica Parker gets dressed up in one-of-a-kind designer gowns and costumes worth thousands upon thousands of dollars, all based on a theme. Past themes include Fashion in the age of Technology; Punk: Chaos to Courture, Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy; Goddess: the Classical Mode, etc. etc. But the theme is always in conjunction with the new, spring exhibit opening up at the MET, and the MET gala is their star-studded fundraiser.

Now typically, aside from scrolling through Buzzfeed’s “who wore what” articles the following day, I typically don’t take too much interest in the whole extravagant affair. But this year, my ears perked up a bit.

For this year’s theme was: Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the “Catholic Imagination.”

And wouldn’t you know, that on the opening weekend of Heavenly Bodies at the MET, my mother was in town. And as two very Catholic women, (heck we even carve out time to go to Daily Mass when she’s in town)…we decided to go and check it out.

Now, I should have done my homework. That was mistake number one. But I heard the theme, and read up about how they had flown in actual Papal vestments from the Vatican, and that Cardinal Timothy Dolan gave a beautiful press conference, opening up the exhibit…I thought this would be a lovely afternoon full of reverence and pride in our Christian faith.

Oh, how wrong I was.

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It was…how can I put this…it was mockery disguised in feigned reverence.

I was always a little unsure about the theme. I knew going into it, it could either be incredibly offensive, or a colorful celebration of the beauty and exquisite traditions and relics of our faith.

Because that’s the thing…the Catholic mass is truly a visually stunning worship experience. And the reason for such ornate and magnificent vestments and chalices, and Eucharistic tabernacles – it is all because of Who we are worshiping, and the why behind it.

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Why is the chalice so intricately engraved and enhanced, and a work of incredible artistry? Because the Blood of Christ is so incomprehensibly precious that is deserves the absolute best that this earthy place has to offer.

Why do we get all dressed up in our “Sunday best” to go to church? It’s because we’re going to be meeting Jesus. Worshiping Him. Being in His presence. It’s the why. The Who.

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So little naive me, believing the best in all situations, believed that this had the opportunity to bring that honor and reverence and beauty of our faith to life.

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I’d like to pause here. Shift your attention to another headline for just a quick moment. Just this exact same week, a picture went around Twitter that “broke” the internet for the evening. It was the photo below: a senior in high school, Keziah Daum, wore this traditional Chinese dress – a qipao – to her prom. She found it in a vintage store, and appreciated that it was a “beautiful, modest gown” and wore it to the dance. Well she was dragged through the mud by the Internet for cultural appropriation. Literally, hundreds of thousands of comments and retweets, all bashing this girl for disrespecting Chinese people, their traditions, culture and religion.

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Here’s an example of just one of the hundreds of thousands of comments of backlash:

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This was literally headline news. The #1 trending topic on Buzzfeed and Twitter.

Question: how is this prom situation any different from say…this?!

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Listen. I love Rihanna. So much. Her music is the soundtrack of my life. But this is beyond disrespectful.

These two situations happened in the same exact week — days apart. And yet, because the Catholic Church is at the butt end of the joke, no one even bats an eyelash.

(But then that’s the point, right? We’ve got to make one of the only institutions left with a moral compass irrelevant. That’s the agenda, right?)

But that was the thing about the whole event…there was just blatant mockery going on. Donning a cheap, stereotyped version of a sacred vestment to be edgy or ironic. Women wearing priest collars. Madonna – the outspoken queen of sacrilege – was dressed as the freaking gothic version of the Virgin Mary, complete with rosaries all along her cleavage.

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Or how about Jared Leto wearing a golden Crown of Thorns-esq head wreath? I mean, wow. Just. No.

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The feel of the night was not celebrating the beauty and mystery of our faith, but rather, a flippant display, where you could practically hear the snickering of…”Catholicism, amIright?”

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Going to the exhibit with my mom, and seeing the look on her face, it broke me. It wasn’t a look of judgment. It wasn’t a look of disgust. It was a look of hurt — she was hurting for Jesus.

Kind of like how the soldiers cast lots for His garments at the crucifixion. Or how He was mocked on the cross. My mom was just so sad to see Him made so publicly a joke.

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Inside the exhibit was a mix of the old with the new. Incredibly old relics and artifacts, some dating back to the 300s! Ancient religious art and sculptures of the saints, who were martyred for the faith, that was being made an ironic spectacle just 50 feet away.

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That was the thing. Those incredible artifacts of our faith – they were completely ignored. The room was full and bustling with upper east siders and fashion types, wearing oversized sunglasses indoors, clutching their Prada handbags, looking smug, and like they haven’t eaten a carb in 6 years. The room was packed, but no one was looking at those things. They were all swarming the center, trying to get the perfect Instagram pic of the Dior gown, suggestively riffing on the Virgin Mary. Or the Yves Saint Laurent masterpiece, modernizing a papal vestment.

Leaving the exhibit, I walked past a modern corset type top completely covered with rosaries. Looking at it, I could see, just through the glass, a gorgeous marble statue of Mary taking Jesus down from the Cross. The look on her face, of extreme mourning and anguish, holding the body of our Lord in her arms. That is our faith. That is what we are honoring and worshiping.

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Talking about it over dinner that night, my mom and I both walked away from the day feeling as though we had been punched in the gut.

And here’s why.

It wasn’t the sacrilegious outfits the celebs wore on the red carpet. It wasn’t the designers using sacred vestments as a way to be edgy or ironic. It wasn’t even the public’s dismissal of the incredible artifacts flown in from the freakin’ Vatican for crying out loud. The true tragedy was hiding in plain sight all along: the theme.

The Catholic Imagination.

Imagination. The word assigned to children’s make-believe. And fabled fairy tales of neverlands far, far, away.

We read the plaque at the entrance of the exhibit, and allow me to quote it:

“Catholics live in an enchanted world, a world of statues and holy water, stained glass and votive candles, saints and religious medals, rosary beads and holy pictures…The fashions…embody the imaginative traditions of Catholicism.”

There is nothing so offensive as to put on display the faith, the beliefs, the traditions, the most sacred part of a person’s soul: their faith, and then to belittle it to an imagination? An “enchanted world?” A series of stories that small minded, simple people believe.

This is our faith. People died for it. People dedicate their lives to serving Jesus in the Church. How dare they disrespect the belief system of millions and millions of people throughout the ages, calling their beliefs, imaginative traditions.

MET, who the hell do you think you are? And further, who the hell signed off on participating in this at the Vatican level.

That’s what I’d like to know.

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259 thoughts on “The MET Gala: Catholic Imagination”

  1. I’m so glad you wrote about this. My husband and I both rolled our eyes at the media coverage of the Met Gala over the weekend, just briefly on the morning newscasts. I don’t follow many celebrities – It’s mostly drama and exploitation. The media coverage didn’t mention the theme, but I’m glad you did. As a Christian, I’m appalled that anyone though this theme was okay. Making a mockery of anything is immature, but this went too far. As always, you provide a refreshing, eye-opening, educational perspective. Thank you!

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    1. Thank you so much Laura Beth. Yeah, it was so blatantly mocking the faith. appalling is definitely the right word. thanks again. Hugs and love xox

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  2. The traditional cheongsam as prom dress is great and I say this with pride because someone else likes Chinese culture enough to wear it- I am Chinese and I don’t feel offended. (I have won cowboy hats too.) But the imaginative fashion thingy is too much. It denigrades and desecrates faith and Catholic belief. Surprising this got approved. Anyway this is how the faithless behave. Pray for them and forgive them for they know not what they do. We did not imagine our faith. We are martyred for it. Recently Catholic and Christian churches in Surabaya Indonesia were bombed by IS. Innocent Catholic and Christian died. We are being attacked. As we have always been attacked.

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    1. Thank you so much Jeanne, for sharing your thoughts on this! I’m glad you weren’t offended by the prom dress. Yeah, the other is way too much. gosh, that is so tragic. Hugs and love xox

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  3. My dear sweet young lady. I am not Catholic- I would be seen as a Protestant by you. This is offensive to me as well. You are so thoughtful in your observations. It is for those of us who deeply believe in God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit to be a brighter light shining through the darkness of our society. God is still in Control. May He continue to bless, guide and protect you

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    1. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this. Amen – He is still in control! thanks for your kind words. Hugs and love xox

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  4. I, too, found that “fashion display” to be an arrow through the chest. Why are we becoming the butt of a joke? I must admit that I have a deep fascination for the beauty and culture of Catholicism and Orthodoxy. It is part of who I am and rooted deep in my family heritage. I have even considered creating icons. I am not angry, but frustrated. I want people to understand me.

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    1. Thanks Stiina, yeah arrow through the chest is exactly how I would describe it too. Frustrating for sure. thanks for stopping by. Hugs and love xox

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  5. Sounds like the displays would have been worth seeing. I had no idea what the theme of the MET Gala was this year, but was curious as to why Rihanna was dressed like the Pope. Sad.

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      1. You’re very welcome. Your blog is one of the few blogs where I try to read every post (the other being evangelicaltextualcriticism.blogspot.com). I find your ability to tie your faith and life story together to be a very encouraging read.

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      2. oh my gosh, i am seriously so touched by that!! thank you for your readership 🙂 Hugs and love xox

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  6. Bravo. It was so nice to read your blog this week. I felt exactly the same way. I’m tired of Catholicism being the “okay” prejudice. I made a comment on someone’s Facebook (a friend of mine) in regards to this and was greatly attacked. These celebrities and the friends on Facebook are people who consider themselves open minded and liberal yet don’t have it in them to respect EVERYONE. Just what and who they deem important. Just too upsetting. Thanks for sharing 😘

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    1. thank you so much Susie! So glad you enjoyed the read. Yeah – it’s so frustrating how “acceptable” it is to bash it. Hugs and love xox

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  7. Great post! As a Protestant I, too, found this to be offensive. And I think it goes beyond Catholicism to Christianity itself. We don’t see the same mockery of Hinduism or Islam or Buddhism. Only Christianity.

    We are in a time where our faith is consistently being mocked, marginalized and, in some cases, eliminated outright.

    Deep down, I believe that it comes down to one thing: they know we’re right and they’re wrong and they are trying their best to eliminate us once and for all.

    Unfortunately, for them, we’ve read the end of the Book and we win.

    Keep up the great work!

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    1. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. Yes! God has already overcome the world! Hugs and love xox

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  8. Thank you for speaking up about this. When i saw this on the net i was amazed by how no one would be talking against it. I admire how you write about how you feel about things going on in the world and the way you write in a polite way. I love your bog posts becuase they are so relevant and they speak about this time. Your posts always encourage me at the right time. Thank youuu x

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    1. Thanks so much Hannah for this wonderful reflection. And thanks for your kind words about my blog! Hugs and love xox

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  9. This is persecution of the church and our faith. Thank you for taking a stand, Caralyn. I am sorry, too. And yet, know that Jesus is still in control. He has already won the victory! Keep up the great work praising his name and standing up for him. I’m rooting for you!

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  10. With the wonderful photos and your heartfelt writing, you have salvaged something meaningful from this insensitive spectacle. The guy who started the tweetstorm against the young woman for wearing her dress apparently wears a baseball cap on his page. Hmmm….cultural appropriation? 🙂

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  11. I was hoping you would write on this subject! As a Christian, the MET gala was totally offensive. It is so sad to see Jesus be made a mockery of. It’s also dangerous to our country’s salvation. The ironic thing is that you wouldn’t see this spectical of any other religion. And I never hope to, as that would be wrong. As for the high school student in the prom gown, most Chinese people don’t even care about that (there were interviews). And who’s to say that girl wasn’t part Chinese or ever lived in China? Sorry for the rant. Thank you for challenging us in fighting for what we believe in! Xoxo

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    1. Aw thanks Emily! Yeah i wanted to see in person to get the whole story. I’m so with you. Totally offensive. Thanks for stopping by! Hugs and love xox

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  12. I know that punch-in-the-gut feeling all too well, and I’m always saddened when I see others who experience it for themselves. This is an attack on freedom of religion in my opinion, and no religion should face this sort of blatant disrespect. Know you’re not alone! And have hope in those who still respect and value a belief system, not just a “fantasy” as they may call it. It’s real. It’s true. Christ lives! And that’s what makes it all worth it in the end!

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    1. Thanks Gill, you’re so right – we need to respect everyone. thanks for the support. Hugs and love xox

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  13. Sadly, I am not shocked by how ‘Hollywood’ has twisted this, but also I am deeply offended as a Christian. I’ve already lost a great deal of respect and interest in most things ‘celebrity’ and the entertainment industry. If those same celebrities were offended at something, they would be in an uproar, everyone would hear about it through the media, and whoever committed the offense would be ripped to shreds publicly. If only their blind eyes could be opened. Thank you for using your voice bravely and truthfully. I always read your stories. Much love ❤

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    1. Yeah, unfortunately it’s not surprising. so true. thanks for sharing your thoughts on this! Hugs and love xox

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  14. Hey Caralyn. This is one of the reasons you are appreciated and loved by thousands. You will speak the truth about so many things in society that are wrong. And you don’t just speak about “things” generally, you speak about and against actual events and happenings, regardless who is involved, when they are wrong or disrespectful.

    It has become so noticeable during the past few years that Christianity is fair game, and top priority for all comedians, sarcastic news writers, anyone desiring publicity, but do not even negatively comment about any other religion or set of beliefs. If negative comments are made, individuals as well as governments step in, file charges, apologize, or worse happens.

    Thank you Caralyn,
    God Bless you Abundantly,
    Luv…😀❤️🌹😘

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    1. Hey George, thank you so much for this wonderful and generous response. that’s so true: Christianity is not only fair game, but dare I say a target! Hugs and love xox

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      1. You are right. A big target of the cross on our back, Joy on our face, and Peace in our spirit. The Cross of Jesus is always ridiculed, the Joy of Holy Spirit cannot be understood, the Peace of God passes all understanding of non Christ followers.
        Luv ya Caralyn. 😀❤️🌹😘
        God’s Blessings and Protection!

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      2. We can take heart because He has already overcome the world 🙂 Hugs and love xox

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  15. Wow!! I thought this idea was pretty cool until I saw the word “Imagination”. Gee I had no idea as a Catholic I was believing in something that was “Imaginary” or a “Fairy Tale” story?? Yes, I’m being sarcastic there. I didn’t even know that the word “Imagination” was in the title from a different post I had read…guess that person forgot to add it in. Truly sad.

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    1. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this. Yeah, I know!! it’s such a disrespectful term to pair with someone’s deeply sacred beliefs. Very sad. Hugs and love xox

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  17. I am not Catholic, but I am a Christian who loves Jesus with all my heart and soul. Reading this post and seeing these pictures has my heart feeling broken. I agree completely with your feelings on the theme. What blatant disrespect, what blatant degradation to our heart felt beliefs. But what breaks my heart the most is that these people who participated in the degradation, the costumes, the disrespect – these people are lost in a world that knows not the beautiful, saving love of Jesus. They are missing out on the greatest love of all time. My heart breaks for them. I pray they realize the wrongness of what they have participated in and come to know who Jesus really is and what he did for them. Thanks for posting. ❤

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    1. Thank you so much Mindy for sharing your thoughts on this. yes – this was definitely a heart breaking display. i will join you in that prayer. Hugs and love xox

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    2. I second this comment, completely! This breaks my heart… satan loves to mock. But we all know his end! Jesus has won. ❤ May these lost people come to know Christ!

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  18. You touched on some important and relevant topics! It’s with urgency we need to recognize what the enemy has done through music. Music has the massive power of influence. It’s not surprising many sacrifice themselves for fame, and the enemy’s empty promises. I see this in 30 seconds to mars and Leto. Look at the name of their new album! Look at what they sing about. Atrocious. Garbage. It’s outright support of the enemy in music. Sadly it’s like that for many pop stars. Katie Perry grew up the daughter of a Pastor now she’s representing and singing about everything God disdains.

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    1. Thank you so much James for this powerful perspective. Yeah…we have to keep our eyes on “whatever it good, lovely, true”…etc.Hugs and love xox

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      1. Absolutely!! Hey, I had a question. Do you use adwords at all, and how do you fund your blog?

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  20. This is not just an attack against Catholics but all Christians. This is bad, but we must remind ourselves that in some countries Christians are dying for their love of Jesus. Persecution.org is a site that each day updates Christians Martyrdom.

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    1. Hi Stephan, thank you for sharing that website. Gosh, so sad. we need to be fervent in prayer! Hugs and love xox

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  21. Hi Caralyn! This post goes EXACTLY with my musings today on how the enemy loves to deride and distract us from living for Jesus. Can I reblog it with some of my own thoughts? just wanted to ask first 🙂

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  22. Lately it has seemed that the culture is doing its best to wipe out faith. We are considered stupid to believe in something bigger than ourselves. I am so offended by this display of arrogance.

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  23. I am not religious, but, however – i do not think it’s appropriate at all the way this turned into somewhat of a “clownfest” for sure the idea or the thought behind it was initially good. But no haha just no very disrespectful

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    1. Thanks friend. I think clownfest is the perfect word to describe the evening! Thanks for stopping by! Hugs and love xox

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  24. the thing I enjoy and admire about you, is that you aren’t afraid to stand up for your faith. keep on making a difference in the world. stay true to your convictions, and well… the truth./

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  25. Thank you for writing about this. I had seen many tweets and opinions, but it’s very good to read about the experience of 2 everyday, devout women who went with excitement and open minds and hearts – as I would have also. I also really wanted this to be a time for our faith to shine and give witness to the world. In the atmosphere you described, it seems very unlikely, and almost impossible, that there could have been any good fruits of all this. Your mom is lovely, by the way, and very blessed to have you as a daughter.

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    1. Thanks so much for taking the time to read! And gosh what a kind thing to say 🙂 Hugs and love xox

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  26. Wonderfully written! Your perspective is a breath of fresh air. Pictures were very good, especially the one of your mother in contemplation. You have a gift, keep up the good work…..continue to be that reflection!

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  28. I’m happy to see there are Catholics who really finds the 2018 MET GALA quite offensive. This theme is truly a mock to Catholicism. I can’t imagine my religion being mocked in such a way. Catholics should stand against the mockery the media are spreading by giving it the name of FASHION/TREND. Well written blog. I might pin your blog with mine to show to our Islamic people as well that Christians are not OK with this GALA.
    Thanks for sharing! ❤

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    1. Thank you so much Samzone. I appreciate your support. And I’d be honored if you were to share it! Thank you! Hugs and love xox

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  29. This is unfortunate and wrong on several levels, but it nonetheless reminds me that people (and cultural institutions) will go to extraordinary lengths to get attention and publicity – even/especially if doing so comes at someone else’s expense.

    Sad and shameful, but not surprising in a way. :/

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  30. So sad, Caralyn. Good that you and your mother were together. Yes, I’ve noticed that to about the tradition of the faith in Roman Catholicism, that it’s full of enchantment and what I might call sanctified imagination. The world apart from God in Christ will certainly never get it.

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  31. Thank you for your perspective on this, Cara. I’m curious as to why the Vatican allowed religious artifacts to be abused in such a way? Why did they participate? They could have said no and issued a statement of protest. It is sad that most people who are mocking Catholicism will not understand how much love is being shown to them right now. If The Met Gala had dared to do this to another religion (I think you know which one I’m talking about) death threats would have already been issued to those responsible. Jesus did tell us we would be treated this way but it is still sad to see people reject, and mock, the only True Love they will ever know.

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    1. Thanks Melissa. I’m very curious as to that too! Why in God’s green earth would they allow the faith to be the subject of such mockery!? Oh for sureeeee. Hugs and love xox

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  32. Thanks for sharing your experience and also the actual description – I would have to agree the description with the name is the most disheartening part of this all. I was surprised when I heard the theme, to your point, Catholicism is usually regularly under criticism. Although, I would like to share this piece, as before your post this was as much exposure as I received about the theme which I thought represented and showcased a variety of the pieces of art (although more heavy weight on the fashion part, hence a fashion blog). https://tomandlorenzo.com/2018/05/heavenly-bodies-fashion-the-catholic-imagination-exhibition/

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  33. “it was mockery disguised in feigned reverence.” YES! It was exactly like you say – let’s make Catholicism/Christianity irrelevant. Let’s reduce it to imagination. Sure, some of the celebrities’ outfits were really well researched & modeled after obscure elements of Catholicism. But overall it was totally disrespectful. I can see people arguing that it gets people talking about faith & hopefully talking about Jesus, but I disagree & I hurt for Jesus being mocked, too.

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  34. Wow. I knew the MET Gala took place, but I didn’t pay attention to it. I had to read your title a few times because I couldn’t believe THAT was actually the theme. I was thinking, what is Catholic Imagination?? Being a Catholic, I still didn’t know. As always, great post, Caralyn! xx

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    1. Right?! It is just so blatantly irreverent. But then, what else is new…it’s Hollywood 🙄 Thanks for taking the time to read Jenny! Hugs and love xox

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  35. your article is to the point. I wanted to star it but that might be misconstrued as me liking the mockery done to my faith. It is horrible how they made a travesty of what I hold most dear and most sacred.
    May I re-post this on my FB timeline?

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  36. Spot on post, Caralyn. You pretty much took all the words right out of my head over this whole matter. A punch in the gut is an understatement, but perhaps the best way to describe the hurt us Catholics feel about the MET debacle. More so even the fact that both the Vatican and Cardinal Dolan signed off on this, but I’d rather not get into that right now. Both the Cardinal and the Church as a whole need prayer dearly.

    But I’m glad you picked up on the whole “imagination” bit. I felt the same exact way about it when I first saw it, too. Very sad. I remember hearing somewhere (maybe Padre Pio or Archbishop Sheen) that the Church was going to go through Calvary all over again with Jesus. Perhaps this is yet another example of that happening right before us. But Jesus promised us that the gates of hell will not prevail over His Church! His grace will sustain us!

    God bless!

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    1. Thank you so much Vixey 🙂 I really appreciate your thoughts on this. Yeah – such a punch in the gut. amen! His grace will sustain us! Hugs and love xox

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  39. As much as the exhibit was offensive and showed the ways that society disrespects faith in general, I did have a friend make an interesting point: it could still bring about good. After all, we know that God draws straight with crooked lines, and can use all things to bring about greater good. She was talking about how the exhibit and conversations about it could expose people to the Catholic faith, and potentially help them become closer to it. We also talked about how it could help Catholics be more on fire with their faith if they’ve seen it and were offended.
    Although it was definitely offensive and crossed many lines, it is comforting to know and trust that God will still bring good out of it! Along with being rightly angered by it and sharing the Truth, we need to pray that people’s hearts can be open and touched by the exhibit and that some will still be able to see and love Christ, who died for them, through it!

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    1. Hi Jenn, wow that is such a powerful way to look at it. I love that so much! You’re right – it can still bring about good. When I first heard the theme, that was my initial thought too – that it was being brought up in mainstream pop culture. Starting conversations. I love your reflection. Thank you so much!!! Sending big hugs xox

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      1. Thanks! And yeah, it can also hopefully give celebrities who are Catholic and Christian an opportunity to talk about and share their Faith!

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  41. I was flipping through the channels and landed on the Met Gala Red Carpet. Thought I would watch for a minute. Just wow! When I saw the guy that thought he was Jesus (you mentioned him, can’t think of his name) I was waiting for lightning to come right down from heaven and hit that carpet.

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    1. haha yeah, I know what you mean. pretty outrageous that his styling team thought that was acceptable. I mean, boundary pushing is one thing…but dang!!! Hugs and love xox

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  42. Well, though I absolutely agree with you on how the faith of people should not be mocked, but I don’t think this was the intention at all. If that was we would need to suppose the creators had deeper thoughts at least in this sense…

    On the other hand, I can’t really blame people who can not comprehend how and why others are still under the very same name what caused tremendous harm earlier – obviously, not the idea, not the everyday people, but in the name of that. As a pastor I meet mostly people who want to love God and get to know Him as their actual parent, yet, they are completely against any institutionalization – and I hear them.

    Jesus, even that time, was a pacifier and unifier beyond each and every, any cultural or religious boundaries. So, embracing Him, we ought to embrace those too, who are not there yet to understand the world in a way as we do. And since we all have God’s light inside of us, no matter how tiny it is, it is unique, so, personally, I always try to focus on that very seed in everyone, and connect through that one. We should learn from each other, learn the goodness, the absolute version of it, the very same way as we are being loved by our Heavenly Father, no matter what we do or say, He can’t help seeing our potential…

    Lastly, if I were to support, donate, I wouldn’t brag about it, not in front of the world, not in fancy clothes, I wouldn’t say a word, just giving my offering, doesn’t mind if it is my time, my actual work, a financial support, or a help. These guys are just doing the showbusiness there, what has nothing to do with real fundraising or offering.

    So, let the vain people in their vanity, supporting them in their growing to be more mature.

    The decadency will evaporate quite quickly, however, love from those who sees the things beyond the everyday life is inevitably necessary.

    Have a Blessed Night!

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    1. Thanks Joshua! These are some really great thoughts. Definitely a lot to think about. Amen to that – inevitably necessary. Hugs and love xox

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  43. So sorry this happened. The double standard is sick. Maybe next year the theme will be Islam or Buddhism or something. The thing is though is that it wont. And even if it was, I am sure they would be serious and reverent rather than flippant. There would be no mockery of other world religions. But no surprise that Christianity is mocked by liberal culture. The saddest part is that Catholic imagination is a super rich theme! I immediately think of JRR Tolkien and GK Chesterton for instance. They could have honored and explored that theme instead of mocking it. In many ways it is their loss. I think the most awesome thing though is that Christians will respond with love and forgiveness. We will be sad. we will speak out but we will not riot or rise up in violence. Our God is all powerful and he is not threatened by their mockery and neither are we! Even though I am Protestant and have my disagreements with Rome, I respect the Great Tradition, stand in the Nicene faith, and enjoy reading many Roman Catholic authors especially when it comes to philosophy and education. I am saddened for such disrespect. So sorry.

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    1. Thanks Brad for your kind words. Yeah they would never ever do those themes. But Catholicism…game on. Such a double standard it’s disgusting. I know! Such great points in your response. Thanks friend. Hugs and love xox

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  44. Yes!!!!! Hellywood unleashing it’s satanic poison through The MET GALA, then Madonna singing ”Like a prayer” as if partaking in a black mass in her black madonna outfit. The whole thing was offensive, distasteful, sacrilegious, disrespectful and really repulsive. The Met Gala, the organisers, the celebs and all, had to stoop that low to get attention by offending the religion upon which America was founded. These stars think they are gods anyway but maybe they don’t know that the Almighty God, yours, theirs and mine, will have the final laugh. (Your mother Caralyn is beautiful, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree) ❤

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    1. Thanks so much!! Awww thanks for saying that – yeah I think my mom is beautiful too— inside and out 🙂 Hugs and love xox

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  45. Inhale, exhale and repeat. You are in the world, not of the world. Focus on his mission for you, wipe the dust off your feet, and carry on. There will be those who have neither eyes to see, nor ears to hear. I am reminded of a story of Bishop Fulton Sheen, who offered a requiem mass for the repose of the soul of Joseph Stalin upon his death. A good lady of the church approached the Bishop afterwards and said, ” Bishop, Joseph Stalin did not believe in G_d!” He smiled and replied, “He does now, Madam!” May the One True G_d have mercy on us all.

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    1. That’s such an important thing to remember – in the world, not of it. And keep our eyes on Him. Thanks so much for sharing this. Amen! Hugs and love xox

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  47. After fumbling through a couple half-asleep comments the other night, I decided today I’d better come back and see if I was making any sense; spoiler alert I can’t find those comments–maybe I dreamed it!

    I’ve been thinking about how to respond to this for some time for two reasons; first because my background is a denomination very much against Catholicism (as I believe I’ve mentioned before) which considers Catholicism’s art, culture and tradition idolatrous and blasphemous. And while I no longer agree with all of the views and insensitivity I grew up surrounded by, I know I still have to consciously keep the memory of that bias out of how I relate. The second reason is because I understand very well the sentiments that surround tradition, and traditional art and culture, and I understand how much more powerful those things are when we connect them with a divine experience. So before anything else understand I have only love for you, my friend (:

    The phrase ‘pearls before swine’ [Matthew 7] has been running through my mind. Another that comes to mind, ‘the gospel is foolishness to the perishing’.

    What I really want to say (and maybe it’ll come out a lot clearer now that I’m awake and not falling asleep between paragraphs, :laugh: ) is Father is bigger. I understand your outrage, and I want you to know that your experiences of God through your art and culture are valid, and they are also deeply personal because it isn’t really about the art and culture and symbolisms, it’s about who they stand for to you–and I know you understand that (: Father is bigger. The other thing is… the people of Jesus’ day who didn’t understand, killed him. And I don’t mean to start a persecution competition but later his followers were killed, too. They died for more than mere symbols and culture, they died because they knew and experienced the reality of Father, they knew what the good news meant.

    The trouble with Catholicism (and please don’t receive this as a criticism) is that it is deeply personal or it is nothing – either you experience God in its symbolism, and you understand, or you don’t. But it (and frankly, many Christian denominations and churches) is highly exclusive; in order to understand the symbolism in the history and culture and art, you have to be ‘in’, to some extent. From the outside, it looks like a lot of foolishness to a lot of people, or ‘imagination’, if you will. They can’t represent from the outside what you experience on the inside because they just aren’t there, and Father is too great to be summed up in symbolism alone without personal experience.

    All that being said… (: I pray for grace, patience and long-suffering for you in this, and of course always Father’s love (: Father is greater. Blessings on you my friend (:

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    1. Thank you so much Carson for this thoughtful response. I appreciate you sharing your experience and how you grew up. I love how you said that God is bigger. Amen to that. I completely agree. I think His grace and His mercy are incomprehensible. And you’re right – Catholicism is part of who I am and my roots which made the mockery of it sting so much more. Thank you for your Prayers too. You’re a good friend 🙂 gg

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