In case you have not seen the Benedictine College commencement address that has feminists, pro-aborts, pro-sodomy ideologues, and Taylor Swift fans (!) up in arms, here it is (see below). There is much to recommend the speech, and the kerfuffle Mr. Butker has kicked up reveals the growing national divide over key issues pertaining to religion, the moral law, and culture. In other words, he touched on things that really matter and, in doing so, hit some sore spots that made liberals scream and holler. (That is not a partisan statement on my part; I am using the word “liberal” in its precise, theological meaning.)
“So what’s the big deal?” you may ask. The Kansas City Chiefs’ kicker promoted the family, proper sex roles, masculinity, femininity, the Traditional Latin Mass, and … wait for it … sanctifying grace! But don’t take my word for it; listen and judge for yourself. While you’re at it, judge whether the editors of WikiPedia got it right when they wrote, “Butker, a traditional Catholic, is known for making controversial comments stemming from his strong conservative beliefs.”
I was particularly amused at the headline screaming that Harrison Butker was guilty of using his commencement address to “promote hate” (Oh, when will that particular unword go out of fashion?). At the risk of offending my old friends at the Southern Poverty Law Center, let me be frank: if what Harrison Butker promoted was hate, we can sure use a lot more hate in the world. I think, rather, that he promoted the love of God and love of neighbor, something the Church’s enemies in the culture wars often confuse with hatred. Alas! “Nothing under the sun is new” (Eccles. 1:10); well did the Prophet put it some 2,700 years ago: “Woe to you that call evil good, and good evil: that put darkness for light, and light for darkness: that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter” (Isaias 5:20).
As the hand wringing and shameless display of cancel culture now grab all the attention away from what was actually said, we traditional Catholics should be quick to point out the genuinely edifying content of the speech, such as his beautiful praise of Saint Damien of Molokai, and, yes, his vigorous advocacy of the Traditional Latin Mass.
As the rhetoric teacher at IHM School, I am going to have my students watch this video. It is an example of the power of good rhetoric in promoting the true, the good, and the beautiful.
