What is love?

What is love?

This commentary on The Theology of Harry Potter continues.

This is a very simplified discussion of a complex subject, love. In class we studied the first Encyclical letter by Pope Benedict XVI where he spoke of love, the love God lavishes upon us and which we in turn must share with others. I was most impressed with the emphasis Pope Benedict put on receiving love being as important as giving love.

In the Encyclical Letter of Pope Benedict XVI, he describes what love is.
“God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. (1 John 4:16). This is the heart of the Christian faith. In the same verse, Saint John offers a summary of the Christian life: “We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us.”

There are two parts to love, Eros and Agape.

Eros

Eros is the Greek word for love and is that passionate, romantic love people have when they are physically attracted to another. If eros is not disciplined it becomes self absorbing,  self gratification. Agape brings eros to perfection.

Examples from Harry Potter: Ron and Lavender. Ron hardly knows Lavender. He is physically attracted to her. Also, when Ron drinks the love potion, he “loves” everybody. The Dursleys love for their son Dudley is an example of eros. They do not give him what he needs, only what he wants for their own gratification.  This is a selfish love and diminishes the dignity of Dudley. Pope Benedict says, “Ascending, possessive or covetous love would be eros and typical of non Christian culture.”

Agape

Agape, also Greek , has been translated into English as love. It is the love God has for mankind and the love we have for him. It is also the deep love man has for man. But for us to be whole we need both eros and agape.  Pope Benedict says, “It is neither the spirit alone nor the body alone that loves; it is man, the person, a unified creature composed of body and soul who loves. Only when both dimensions are truly united does man attain his full stature.” Agape is self giving. As a student said in class, “Agape love uplifts the dignity of others. When you love something, you place value on it.” Descending or oblative love –agape–would be typically Christian.

“Man cannot live by oblative descending love alone. He cannot always give; he must also receive. Anyone who wishes to give love must also receive love as a gift. Certainly, as the Lord tells us, one can become a source from which rivers of living water flow (cf. Jn7:37-38).  Yet to become such a source, one must constantly  drink anew form the original source, which is Jesus Christ, from whose pierced heart flows the love of God. (cf. Jn 19:34)

Example of Agape in Harry Potter: Dobby was fatally wounded by Bellatrix Lestrange's knife as he successfully apparated Harry and Griphook to safety in the Shell Cottage. He gave his life to save Harry and his friends. Also, Harry dug a grave for Dobby and gave him a “proper” burial without magic. According to Dr. Catherine Howard’s book, A Theology of Hogwarts: The Journey of the Soul in Harry Potter, Harry’s descent into Dobby’s grave and rising from it with his decision to follow through on Dumbledore’s master plan is the “real Easter,” the resurrection at King’s Cross and his sacrifice in the Forbidden Forest. In theological language, digging Dobby’s grave marks Harry illumination and the final transformation of his soul.

What is love?

What is love?

This commentary on The Theology of Harry Potter continues.

This is a very simplified discussion of a complex subject, love. In class we studied the first Encyclical letter by Pope Benedict XVI where he spoke of love, the love God lavishes upon us and which we in turn must share with others. I was most impressed with the emphasis Pope Benedict put on receiving love being as important as giving love.

In the Encyclical Letter of Pope Benedict XVI, he describes what love is.
“God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. (1 John 4:16). This is the heart of the Christian faith. In the same verse, Saint John offers a summary of the Christian life: “We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us.”

There are two parts to love, Eros and Agape.

Eros

Eros is the Greek word for love and is that passionate, romantic love people have when they are physically attracted to another. If eros is not disciplined it becomes self absorbing,  self gratification. Agape brings eros to perfection.

Examples from Harry Potter: Ron and Lavender. Ron hardly knows Lavender. He is physically attracted to her. Also, when Ron drinks the love potion, he “loves” everybody. The Dursleys love for their son Dudley is an example of eros. They do not give him what he needs, only what he wants for their own gratification.  This is a selfish love and diminishes the dignity of Dudley. Pope Benedict says, “Ascending, possessive or covetous love would be eros and typical of non Christian culture.”

Agape

Agape, also Greek , has been translated into English as love. It is the love God has for mankind and the love we have for him. It is also the deep love man has for man. But for us to be whole we need both eros and agape.  Pope Benedict says, “It is neither the spirit alone nor the body alone that loves; it is man, the person, a unified creature composed of body and soul who loves. Only when both dimensions are truly united does man attain his full stature.” Agape is self giving. As a student said in class, “Agape love uplifts the dignity of others. When you love something, you place value on it.” Descending or oblative love –agape–would be typically Christian.

“Man cannot live by oblative descending love alone. He cannot always give; he must also receive. Anyone who wishes to give love must also receive love as a gift. Certainly, as the Lord tells us, one can become a source from which rivers of living water flow (cf. Jn7:37-38).  Yet to become such a source, one must constantly  drink anew form the original source, which is Jesus Christ, from whose pierced heart flows the love of God. (cf. Jn 19:34)

Example of Agape in Harry Potter: Dobby was fatally wounded by Bellatrix Lestrange's knife as he successfully apparated Harry and Griphook to safety in the Shell Cottage. He gave his life to save Harry and his friends. Also, Harry dug a grave for Dobby and gave him a “proper” burial without magic. According to Dr. Catherine Howard’s book, A Theology of Hogwarts: The Journey of the Soul in Harry Potter, Harry’s descent into Dobby’s grave and rising from it with his decision to follow through on Dumbledore’s master plan is the “real Easter,” the resurrection at King’s Cross and his sacrifice in the Forbidden Forest. In theological language, digging Dobby’s grave marks Harry illumination and the final transformation of his soul.

Hufflepuffs present The Fistula Foundation

J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, said, “We can imagine better.”

Service learning project

In Dr. Catherine Howard’s class at Columbia College, “The Theology of Harry Potter,” students are required as part of their student service learning project to research an organization that Dining for Women <www.diningforwomen.org> has funded and present the findings to the class. To do this, the class was divided into Houses of the Harry Potter series: Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw. After the four presentations, the Houses will select one of the projects and raise donations for that particular organization.

Why Dining for Women?

Marsha Wallace had a vision of an organization that could empower women in developing countries by giving them work, education, and medical care thereby giving them human dignity. Out of this vision came Dining for Women where groups of women meet, see a program of the organization of the month to be funded, and dine together and donate. Chapters are all over the world, and last month Dining for Women raised $42,000 for the Fistula Foundation. Marsha Wallace imagined better and because of her vision hundreds of women are living with dignity, an education, work, and medical care, and are able to raise their children, therefore breaking the chain of poverty and illiteracy.

Dee Rogers and Heather Leeper

A summary of The Hufflepuffs’ presentation of the Fistula Foundation in Ethiopia

Members: Shadé Holmes, Katelyn Kirby, Heather Leeper, Taylen McEntire, and Dee Rodgers

What is obstetric fistula?

Katelyn Kirby 

The obstetric fistula is formed when a mother is trying to give birth unassisted. The continuous pressure of the baby’s head inside the birth canal causes the loss of circulation to part of the bladder tissue and sometimes the rectal wall. The tissue dies and drops out, leaving a hole. As a result, the mother is left incontinent of urine and in 20% of the cases, incontinent of bowel contents as well.

What are the consequences?

The baby is stillborn. Due to the smell of constant leakage, the women are mostly rejected by their husbands and families. They become social outcasts and have a deep sense of rejection and shame. They are subjected to profound trauma because of loss of status and dignity and live with immense pain constantly. They have possible paralysis of the lower body and are not able to have more children.

It is estimated 2 to 3 million women in developing countries are living with fistulas, and there are around 9,000 new cases per year in Ethiopia.

Why do women develop fistulas?

• They usually marry as teenagers and give birth to around six children not counting the ones lost during pregnancy.

Taylen McEntire and Shadé Holmes

• Customarily give birth at home with only a female elder.

• One obstetrician and gynecologist for every 530,000 women

Statistics for the women in Ethiopia

•720 maternal deaths per 100,000

• 500,000 suffer disabilities from complications during pregnancy

• 25,000 die due to pregnancy complications

•100,000 women suffer and 9,000 develop a fistula every year

The Fistula Foundation

Catherine Hamlin, an Australian obstetrician and gynecologist founded the Hamlin Fistula Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 1974 with her late husband, Dr. Reginal Hamlin. Richard Haas and his daughter founded the American Friends Foundation for Childbirth Injuries which later became the Fistula Foundation. The mission of the foundation is to raise awareness of and funding for fistula treatment, prevention, and educational programs worldwide. They do this by funding programs such as the Hamlin Fistula Hospital.

The Fistula Foundation carries out its mission

Obstetric fistula is treatable and preventable. Surgery has a 93% cure rate. The Addis Ababa hospital has treated over 35,000 women who can return to a normal life. Midwifery college, Hamlin College of Midwives has been established.

The Hufflepuffs related the story of Abebush:The Tired Lady by Dr. Andrew Browning which can be found at www.hamlinfistula.org.au.

Reasons the Hufflepuffs think the class should choose the Fistula Foundation

• Helping will increase the way in which others and they perceive their dignity.

• Now they are treated as less than humans, worse than animals, and seen as worthless; shunned from society to live a life of solitude on the outskirts of town.

• All humans should treat one another in a spirit of brotherhood. (The Pastoral Constitution)

• Nature stands completely in need of social life. (The Pastoral Constitution)
• Every type of discrimination…is to be overcome and eradicated as they are contrary to God’s intent. (The Pastoral Constitution)

• We need to raise awareness.

• Procedures only costs $450 and include surgery, post operative care, rehabilitation, transportation, and a new dress.

• It will instantly change the lives of these women.

You must be the change you wish to see in the world. (Mahatma Gandhi)

The Hufflepuffs present the Fistula Foundation

J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series, said, “We can imagine better.”

Service learning project

In Dr. Catherine Howard’s class at Columbia College, “The Theology of Harry Potter,” students are required as part of their student service learning project to research an organization that Dining for Women <www.diningforwomen.org> has funded and present the findings to the class. The class is divided into Houses of the Harry Potter series: Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw. After the four presentations, the Houses will select one of the projects and raise money for that particular organization.

Why Dining for Women?

Marsha Wallace had a vision of an organization that could empower women in developing countries by giving them work, education, and medical care thereby giving them human dignity. Out of this vision came Dining for Women where groups of women meet, see a program of the organization of the month to be funded and dine together and donate. Chapters are all over the world, and last month Dining for Women raised $42,000 for the Fistula Foundation. Marsha Wallace imagined better and because of her vision hundreds of women are living with dignity, getting education, work, and medical care, and being able to raise their children, therefore breaking the chain of poverty and illiteracy.

A summary of the The Hufflepuffs presentation of the Fistula Foundation in Ethiopia

Members: Shadé Holmes, Katelyn Kirby, Heather Leeper, Taylen McEntire, and Dee Rodgers

What is obstetric fistula

The obstetric fistula is formed when a mother is trying to give birth unassisted. The continuous pressure of the baby’s head inside the birth canal causes the loss of circulation to part of the bladder tissue and sometimes the rectal wall. The tissue dies and drops out, leaving a hole. As a result the mother is left incontinent of urine and in 20% of the cases, incontinent of bowel contents as well.

What are the consequences?

The baby is stillborn. Due to the smell of constant leakage, the women are mostly rejected by their husbands and families. They become social outcasts and have a deep sense of rejection and shame. They are subjected to profound trauma because of loss of status and dignity and live with immense pain constantly. They have possible paralysis of the lower body and are not able to have more children.

It is estimated 2 to 3 million women in developing countries are living with fistulas, and there are around 9,000 new cases per year in Ethiopia.

Why do women develop fistulas?

• Usually marry as teenagers and give birth to around six children not counting the ones lost during pregnancy.

• Customarily give birth at home with only a female elder.

• One obstetrician and gynecologist for every 530,000 women

Statistics for the women in Ethiopia

•720 maternal deaths per 100,000

• 500,000 suffer disabilities from complications during pregnancy

• 25,000 die due to pregnancy complications

•100,000 women suffer and 9,000 develop a fistula every year

The Fistula Foundation

Catherine Hamlin, an Australian obstetrician and gynecologist founded the Hamlin Fistula Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 1974 with her late husband, Dr. Reginal Hamlin. Richard Haas and his daughter founded the American Friends Foundation for Childbirth Injuries which later became the Fistula Foundation. The mission of the foundation is to raise awareness of and funding for fistula treatment, prevention, and educational programs worldwide. They do this by funding programs such as the Hamlin Fistula Hospital.

The Fistula Foundation carries out its mission

Obstetric fistula is treatable and preventable. It has been eradicated in the United States. Surgery has a 93% cure rate. The Addis Ababa hospital has treated over 35,000 women who can return to a normal life. Midwifery college, Hamlin College of Midwives has been established.

The Hufflepuffs related the story of Abebush:The Tired Lady by Dr. Andrew Browning which can be found at www.hamlinfistula.org.au.

Reasons the Hufflepuffs think the class should choose the Fistula Foundation

• Helping will increase the way in which others and they perceive their dignity.

• Now they are treated as less than humans, worse than animals, and seen as worthless; shunned from society to live a life of solitude on the outskirts of town.

• All humans should treat one another in a spirit of brotherhood. (The Pastoral Constitution)

• Nature stands completely in need of social life. (The Pastoral Constitution)
• Every type of discrimination…is to be overcome and eradicated as they are contrary to God’s intent. (The Pastoral Constitution)

• We need to raise awareness.

• Procedures only costs $450 and include surgery, post operative care, rehabilitation, transportation, and a new dress.

• It will instantly change the lives of these women.

You must be the change you wish to see in the world. (Mahatma Gandhi)

Commentary of The Theology of Harry Potter continued

Commentary on The Theology of Harry Potter

What is evil?

I am continuing my commentary on Dr. Catherine Howard’s course at Columbia College, The Theology of Harry Potter.

One of my favorite lines from The Order of the Phoenix is when Harry is talking to Sirius Black. Harry tells Sirius he is afraid he is changing because he has so much anger and the vision he had about Mr. Weasley. Sirius puts his arm around Harry and tells him that he is not bad. He is a good person that bad things have happened to. Sirius says all of us have light and dark in us. It is which path we choose that makes us the person we are.

Albus Dumbledore also tells Harry when Harry finds out he can speak Parseltongue (the language of snakes) like Voldemort, “It is our choices, Harry, that show who we truly are, far more than our abilities.

God gave us free will. Having free will gives us the choice to reflect the image of God or to take the other path. Moral determinism is giving ourselves or those in society an excuse for the path they choose. There is no excuse. Circumstances do not determine the person we become.

Exercising free will

Hermione exercises free will in The Order of the Phoenix when she insists that Harry, Ron, and she must start Dumbledore’s Army. If Professor Umbrage is not going to teach them defense against the Dark Arts than they must do it themselves. This goes against Hermione’s personality of always following the rules. This turning point in the series when Hermione takes responsibility for the wizardry world is an example of doing something for the greater good and the opposite of evil.

Reflecting evil

Tom Marvolo Riddle (if you change the letters around they become “I am Lord Voldemort”) is the antagonist in Harry Potter and the personification of evil. His fear of death makes him irrational changing him from a human to beastlike. His appearance becomes snakelike. He is bald with no ears, his eyes are slits, his hands clawlike. Rowling depicts her characters on the outside as they are inside.

So what is evil?

Evil is the absence of good.

If we are created in the image of God then good is when we reflect that image. Evil is when we turn away from the goodness of God. And according to St. Gregory of Nyssa: “It is not sufficient, however, just to merely resemble the goodness of God; rather God created humanity to participate in such goodness.” And we do this in with our relationship with other human beings.

Good is when we reflect truth. Evil is when we reflect untruth.

Good is when we reflect beauty. Evil is when we reflect ugliness.

Good is when we reflect love. Evil is when we reflect hate.

Good is when we reflect mercy. Evil is when we reflect cruelty.

Good is when we reflect justice. Evil is when we reflect injustice.

During The Pastoral Constitution of the Church of the Modern World during the Second Vatican Council, the bishops issued a number of important statements.

“Furthermore, whatever is opposed to life itself, such as any type of murder, genocide, abortion, euthanasia, or willful self destruction, whatever violates the integrity of the human person, such as mutilation, torment inflicted on body or mind, attempts to coerce the will itself; whatever insults human dignity, such as subhuman living conditions, arbitrary imprisonment, deportation, slavery, prostitution, the selling of women and children; as well as disgraceful working conditions, where men are treated as mere tools for profit, rather than as free and responsible persons; all these things and others of their like are infamies indeed. They poison human society, but they do more harm to those who practice them than those who suffer from the injury. Moreover they are supreme dishonor to the Creator.”

Rowling shows evil in many of her characters

Draco Malfoy and the Malfoy family

Draco is a bully. He is an economic bigot, selfish, a coward always surrounded by his henchmen Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle.. He has no tolerance for Mudbloods, those not born of wizardry parents.

Peter Pettigrew or Wormtail, a member of Gryffindors while at Hogwarts and a friend of Harry’s parents and Sirius Black, betrayed Harrys parents, James and Lily, to Voldemort and framed Sirius Black for their murders. He spent twelve years in the animagus form as a rat and pet of Ron Weasley’s .

Sirius Black’s character shows that we are both light and dark as he said. He disagreed with his parents belief that purebloods were superior, but he treated Kreacher, his house elf as a slave.

Something to ponder: The Prophecy said that Voldemort (evil) and Harry Porter (good) could not both survive. One had to die.

On Monday, October 2, 2011, the students in Dr. Howard’s class will begin their presentations. The four houses of Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw have been researching projects Dining for Women (www.diningfor women.org) has funded in underdeveloped countries. Each house chose one project to present to the class. After the four presentations, the class will vote as to which project the whole class will pursue.

Next will be the presentations.