Getting Medieval in SGF

The last 24 hours have been very medieval in Springfield, MO. But what does this mean? When I got up this morning I opened the newspaper to see a photo of the local bishop blessing the new neo-natal unit at Mercy Hospital, a hospital founded by nuns in the late nineteenth-century. As I pulled the photo for this blog, I saw that in April of 2014 he had also blessed the new $28 million rehab center on Evans road. The idea that a significant building needs a blessing might seem strange to some of you--but I do like the idea that the ritual and power still continues today. [How does this provide security? Will Europe feel same security during the Reformation? Will it have the "power" to drive Devils away?] This is a historical tradition that has survived because of the confidence it inspires (I have even seen horses blessed in Orvieto, Italy, and you can get your animals blessed at the Episcopal church here too).  Yesterday afternoon, I attended a very special celebration of someone retiring--and he related how there had been a message from God to push his tasks in his daily life and live a good life that influenced others. You know what--though I am not very religious and pretty logical, I believed it, and I know he believes it too. Do we overestimate what is medieval (distant past) and what is modern? There are many things that continue into the modern world that have a legacy in the medieval past--and I hope that you see some of these things whether you travel to San Francisco, San Antonio [St. Francis/St. Anthony] or New Orleans [Orleans, Siege, Joan of Arc, fleur-di-lis, New Orleans Saints]. Visiting the art museums in Kansas City or St. Louis will give you a lot of insight into the Middle Ages. If you're from Tulsa, head to the Philbrook Museum of Art which has a outstanding collection. Even a trip, like mine to Washington DC, opened up many new artists and portraits at the National Gallery, which has an outstanding collection of art. But behind art and religion, know that at Drury you are furthering your education in the spirit of the liberal arts, declared by John of Salisbury to be significant enough to "make your free" in that it opens your mind. Keep watching those medieval films--it won't be hard as that's the largest way we come to understand the Middle Ages; however, balance it with more complexity from this class, as films tend to emphasize modern ideas or focus on warfare. When you graduate, look for me in my medieval robe, and of course you'll be in yours. Don't forget to visit the apothecary (Mama Jeans) and get your blood let (Red Cross). . . . I could go on .  . . :))

Our SGF bishop blessing the NICU

Seemed a final place to pause: two popes meet to pray (but as friends).