We live in odd times. Unbalanced times. It’s a yang world. The church won’t allow yin any more.
Gulfnews reports that:
A procession of devils, ghosts and zombies through the historic Spanish city of Toledo has been branded blasphemous by the Catholic Church.
Some of the most interesting festivals you can see in Europe have to do with the ways people have been dealing with morality and death since humans occupied space on the earth. The ancient fight between good and evil is played out in the narrow, winding streets of medieval Europe in festivals and on feast days. The festival referenced above was inspired by the medieval “Dance of Death” performed around the time of Corpus Christi, a Christian feast in honor of the Eucharist.
Back in the day, we’d say something like, “there’s no good without evil.” As the church tries to do away with the evil symbols in traditional festivals, what’s left? Who’d want to go? How can you tell what’s good without something evil to compare it to?
There’s another European festival based around Corpus Christi. It’s an odd one. It’s called El Salto del Colacho. Yes, on festival day the devil jumps a bunch of babies lying on a mattress. Perhaps you need a picture. Here is one.
What this festival is all about is the power of the Eucharist. The devil, the twin of God, flees from the sight of it, sucking the “dis-ease” out of the babies as he jumps to escape the raw power of the Eucharist, which has the power to erase original sin.
A powerful story is being told. It’s too bad the people in power think bad thoughts of these sorts of things:
“We ask forgiveness for those who yesterday insulted the body of Christ,” said Archbishop Antonio Canizares, quoted in El Pais.
Methinks the blasphemy comes from folks who would dare speak for Christ.
Yeah, like the comic in preacher’s voice says, “Verily I spoke to God the other night. And God told me he wants a Mercedes Benz.”
“And then God turned to me and told me that he wanted me to drive it.”
Blasphemy. Let us have our symbols, good or bad, and our festivals. Life isn’t only about good. The economy isn’t only about supply. Politics shouldn’t be only about the rich.