My latest reading is "Mere Christianity" by the great Clive Staples Lewis. A great man, and a great philosopher. He began as an atheist but then Christianity was answering too many questions for him to stand against it any more.
For anyone who claims atheism I would highly encourage them to read him. Anything, even if only the Narnia tales.
One salient point I want to leave you with today is the idea of temptation. Those who give in to temptation cannot know the difficulty in avoiding indulgence, because they have never done so themselves. So often people try to pressure us into doing something that goes against our morals, but we should not feel that we are below them in refusing, but instead that we have chosen the higher and more difficult road. In truth, only Jesus Christ knows the breadth of suffering that accompanies resisting our appetites for he was perfect in maintaining command over them. Therefore, let us not look down next time we are pressured into thinking we should compromise our morals, but look to Christ as our guide and be proud that we can follow his dignity in some small way.
May our God and Father help us to learn the truth of this more and more every day, as well as bless our Holy Father while he is in Turkey for the next few days.
Tim
29 November 2006
27 November 2006
Islam
I am writing a paper on what our moves should be in Iraq, and in researching the topic I happened upon this site. Enjoy the truth with a bit of humour!!!
http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/
Good luck to you all in all of your end of the semester exams, papers, and projects!!!
Tm
http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/
Good luck to you all in all of your end of the semester exams, papers, and projects!!!
Tm
21 November 2006
Friends
So it approaches 1 am, and ironically I left some friends a couple of hours ago with the reason that I needed to catch some sleep between that time and my flight which leaves at 6 am, as you can tell I am doing a very good job of following through with that. I just really wanted to express these thoughts...
A new friend is like a diamond in the rough. Yet the more time you spend with them, the more you start to realize their brilliance, their incredible value and beauty that lie beneath the surface of their rough appearance. Reflecting on all the different relationships in my life, God has blessed me with many and diverse friends, and with every single one it starts at this same point. Two people who don't know each other from Adam nor Eve, proceed to become invaluable companions in this game we call life. Without my friends I can honestly say that I would not be here to write this today, I would have lost my mind long ago. Every time I come up with a hair-brained idea, a friend is there to squash it, or sometimes to egg me on, often to our detriment!!! Oh well! In times of sorrow, true friends know just how to be, and in times of joy, their joy can often exceed our own. To use the diamond analogy once more though, the diamond only reflects a unique example of the beauty of the whole creation, in the same way that friendship reflects our relationship with the whole of mankind that flows ultimately from God. Friends truly show us the face of God in our lives, and I am grateful for every single one of you that has ever put up with me. And so I thank you from the very depths of my heart...sending a special saludo y abrazo to those here in New York who have helped sustain me, and for those who have tolerated conversing with me on the telephone. For those I have failed to remain in touch with, I pray that we get to chat soon. Though we cannot all be together at once, I want you all to know that I love you and pray for you as often as I can. God is good, let us show our gratefulness in our relationships with one another.
"No greater love is there than this, to lay down one's life for a friend."
God bless and keep you all.
A new friend is like a diamond in the rough. Yet the more time you spend with them, the more you start to realize their brilliance, their incredible value and beauty that lie beneath the surface of their rough appearance. Reflecting on all the different relationships in my life, God has blessed me with many and diverse friends, and with every single one it starts at this same point. Two people who don't know each other from Adam nor Eve, proceed to become invaluable companions in this game we call life. Without my friends I can honestly say that I would not be here to write this today, I would have lost my mind long ago. Every time I come up with a hair-brained idea, a friend is there to squash it, or sometimes to egg me on, often to our detriment!!! Oh well! In times of sorrow, true friends know just how to be, and in times of joy, their joy can often exceed our own. To use the diamond analogy once more though, the diamond only reflects a unique example of the beauty of the whole creation, in the same way that friendship reflects our relationship with the whole of mankind that flows ultimately from God. Friends truly show us the face of God in our lives, and I am grateful for every single one of you that has ever put up with me. And so I thank you from the very depths of my heart...sending a special saludo y abrazo to those here in New York who have helped sustain me, and for those who have tolerated conversing with me on the telephone. For those I have failed to remain in touch with, I pray that we get to chat soon. Though we cannot all be together at once, I want you all to know that I love you and pray for you as often as I can. God is good, let us show our gratefulness in our relationships with one another.
"No greater love is there than this, to lay down one's life for a friend."
God bless and keep you all.
18 November 2006
Concision
Unfortunately we always have something to learn. People will always know more than we do. I hope this follows naturally, yet if you disagree with me I would like to hear your point of view. We may be Albert Einstein in one aspect of our lives, yet in another we are as meek and foolish as a young child. Even Einstein himself was said to struggle with basic tasks in his life. It is by way of our education, which may take any number of forms. I can honestly say that many of the most important things I have learned in life I learned outside of school. So, how can we drop the level down to relativism in education? The idea that everyone is right, that children should be allowed to do math however they like, no matter where it leads them, sure their self-confidence may jump through the roof for a short time, but later when someone with half a mind tells the child now grown how wrong they are. There is a level of truth by which all academic disciplines can and must be viewed. Otherwise what is the point of education? And how do we proclaim this truth? Why must we beat around the bush telling someone how far they are off the mark? Why do we as people take things so personally? Pride? That we cannot admit that we might possibly fall short of the objective best way of doing whatever task?
I make no claim on these points, the only point I want to make is that there is an objective truth, because if there were not, the world could not function. If 2+2 is 4 for me and 5 for you, how in the world are we ever going to move beyond making change? As to the title of this essay, I have been told many times that I use too many words to express myself and should work toward concision. Surely I could throw this out, yet how will my writing improve. The difference between my writing quality and that of Cervantes is huge, and if I ever hope to bridge that gap I must approach a level of writing that stands high on a level of objective writing quality, an underlying truth that makes the written word most salient. I now make the bold claim that this objective truth underlies our whole reality. Relatioships, religion, the nature of God, if there is not a truth at the bottom of all these, what do we have? Nothing. Then it is to us to take all that we find in this world and find the intersections that lead us to the truth that will ultimately set us free. Should we ever encounter relativism in any context, I would hope that we would question it. Especially when it is affecting the most impresionable of our society. Relativism is not the answer to our problems (I include political correctness in this realm), we should call white white and black black, and from there confront the conflicts that arise with courage and strength that God will ultimately grant us. Let us pray for the strength, for the world needs us.
I make no claim on these points, the only point I want to make is that there is an objective truth, because if there were not, the world could not function. If 2+2 is 4 for me and 5 for you, how in the world are we ever going to move beyond making change? As to the title of this essay, I have been told many times that I use too many words to express myself and should work toward concision. Surely I could throw this out, yet how will my writing improve. The difference between my writing quality and that of Cervantes is huge, and if I ever hope to bridge that gap I must approach a level of writing that stands high on a level of objective writing quality, an underlying truth that makes the written word most salient. I now make the bold claim that this objective truth underlies our whole reality. Relatioships, religion, the nature of God, if there is not a truth at the bottom of all these, what do we have? Nothing. Then it is to us to take all that we find in this world and find the intersections that lead us to the truth that will ultimately set us free. Should we ever encounter relativism in any context, I would hope that we would question it. Especially when it is affecting the most impresionable of our society. Relativism is not the answer to our problems (I include political correctness in this realm), we should call white white and black black, and from there confront the conflicts that arise with courage and strength that God will ultimately grant us. Let us pray for the strength, for the world needs us.
08 November 2006
Frustration
Would that I had been born not knowing the truth. Would that this desire and passion inside of me would lead me away from the belief that I am accountable and responsible for my actions. Life would be so much easier this way. Guilt would not overcome us when we take that drink that crosses the line, when we treat anyone in our lives unfairly whether it be a friend or a girlfriend. Why were we given this truth. Why was I given this truth. To walk the world and know that I have everything encapsulated in my belief in Christ. Sure I have looked elsewhere, have investigated other religions, but I can always find something in these that strays from the truth.
Some relationships become difficult, because my view is different. I cannot just steal, cannot just get drunk, cannot just sleep with someone, and renouncing these has in many ways given me true freedom. Yet I am on the verge of graduating and do not know where to go from here. I know that I have a lot to give, but in what way? Do I just sit by and let these things go on around me when I know they are not right. Should I just participate in these myself because of the instant gratification and on the off-chance that God might not be paying attention?
No. We are called as men and women of God to hold to His teachings, and this I will do. Still I look more and more for fulfillment in this journey, and I have not yet found it. I have a friend who is Agnostic who possesses more joy and altruism than I could ever hope to have. My closest friends here affirm the existence of God, but how much due to their belief and how much due to what their parents imposed upon them and the Church upon their parents? Where am I supposed to fit in the midst of all this? I seek to love my God with all my heart, mind, soul, and my neighbor as myself, or do I? It is so easy to hold ourselves in high regard and ignore reality, and as part of my journey I have learned that it is thus critical to focus on the environment outside and not on oneself. For it is in this that we experience one another, and through us God.
Even still, the truth can sometimes seem to good to be true. I think of Unamuno's San Manuel Bueno Martir who spent his whole priestly life ministering to the people of his small parish, strengthening their faith in God, while he himself did not. Many other saints suffered with doubt and despair. One even described a man's faith as a board he clings to in a sea of doubt. Sometimes I feel this will be quelled by beginning a career, but I know this will not be true. We can fill our lives with as many distractions as we place, but in the end our destiny, everything we have done will mean nothing unless we answer that remaining question.
Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:27-9)
Some relationships become difficult, because my view is different. I cannot just steal, cannot just get drunk, cannot just sleep with someone, and renouncing these has in many ways given me true freedom. Yet I am on the verge of graduating and do not know where to go from here. I know that I have a lot to give, but in what way? Do I just sit by and let these things go on around me when I know they are not right. Should I just participate in these myself because of the instant gratification and on the off-chance that God might not be paying attention?
No. We are called as men and women of God to hold to His teachings, and this I will do. Still I look more and more for fulfillment in this journey, and I have not yet found it. I have a friend who is Agnostic who possesses more joy and altruism than I could ever hope to have. My closest friends here affirm the existence of God, but how much due to their belief and how much due to what their parents imposed upon them and the Church upon their parents? Where am I supposed to fit in the midst of all this? I seek to love my God with all my heart, mind, soul, and my neighbor as myself, or do I? It is so easy to hold ourselves in high regard and ignore reality, and as part of my journey I have learned that it is thus critical to focus on the environment outside and not on oneself. For it is in this that we experience one another, and through us God.
Even still, the truth can sometimes seem to good to be true. I think of Unamuno's San Manuel Bueno Martir who spent his whole priestly life ministering to the people of his small parish, strengthening their faith in God, while he himself did not. Many other saints suffered with doubt and despair. One even described a man's faith as a board he clings to in a sea of doubt. Sometimes I feel this will be quelled by beginning a career, but I know this will not be true. We can fill our lives with as many distractions as we place, but in the end our destiny, everything we have done will mean nothing unless we answer that remaining question.
Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:27-9)
04 November 2006
Solutions???
I just read an excerpt from a book on "Polarity Management", in quotes because every time it appeared in the text it was followed by the infamous "TM". The author claims that often, when addressing an issue, neither a purely team nor a purely individual approach works very well. Somebody will always be unhappy. So this trademarked idea got me to thinking, because those unhappy with the Iraq War have called for a more unified worldwide effort. And in an ideal world, this would be tremendous, we could truly undermine the threat of terrorist action. Yet the idea of approaching this issue from a more "team-like" point of view brings in a lot of bickering and debate that would not and did not carry on for as long with a smaller coalition. Though we may have gone about combatting this enemy in the wrong way, I do not disagree with our President's decision to take action on this point without the support of the rest of the world. At some point, as the book describes, we need to applaud and support those who take a stand.
So the next time we think about the war, whether we agree or disagree with how the problem in Iraq is being addressed, let us give thanks for a man who had the courage to go beyond deliberation and take action. We could use more men and women who do what they believe is right and then stand by it.
So the next time we think about the war, whether we agree or disagree with how the problem in Iraq is being addressed, let us give thanks for a man who had the courage to go beyond deliberation and take action. We could use more men and women who do what they believe is right and then stand by it.
Vote and say a Prayer for the Pope
My friends, please do not lose hope and abandon our civic duty this upcoming November 7th, we are each of us called as part of this great nation to do our part in building the very structure that impacts our life and death. May God grant us all His wisdom in voting, in order that, regardless of party control, peace and justice may reign in this great country.
Also, my good friend Fr. Luke Sweeney forwarded this prayer originating from the Knights of Columbus, please take it into consideration and pray for our Holy Father as he makes his journey to Turkey from November 28th to December 1st...God bless you all!!!
Prayer Written by Supreme Chaplain Bishop William E. Lori:
Heavenly Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its
name, we humbly ask that you sustain, inspire, and protect your servant,
Pope Benedict XVI, as he goes on pilgrimage to Turkey - a land to which St.
Paul brought the Gospel of your Son; a land where once the Mother of your
Son, the Seat of Wisdom, dwelt; a land where faith in your Son's true
divinity was definitively professed. Bless our Holy Father, who comes as a
messenger of truth and love to all people of faith and good will dwelling
in this land so rich in history. In the power of the Holy Spirit, may this
visit of the Holy Father bring about deeper ties of understanding,
cooperation, and peace among Roman Catholics, the Orthodox, and those who
profess Islam. May the prayers and events of these historic days greatly
contribute both to greater accord among those who worship you, the living
and true God, and also to peace in our world so often torn apart by war and
sectarian violence.
We also ask, O Heavenly Father, that you watch over and protect Pope
Benedict and entrust him to the loving care of Mary, under the title of Our
Lady of Fatima, a title cherished both by Catholics and Muslims. Through
her prayers and maternal love, may Pope Benedict be kept safe from all harm
as he prays, bears witness to the Gospel, and invites all peoples to a
dialogue of faith, reason, and love. We make our prayer through Christ, our
Lord. Amen.
Copyright C Knights of Columbus 2003-06. All rights reserved.
See Privacy Policy and Terms of Service for details.
Also, my good friend Fr. Luke Sweeney forwarded this prayer originating from the Knights of Columbus, please take it into consideration and pray for our Holy Father as he makes his journey to Turkey from November 28th to December 1st...God bless you all!!!
Prayer Written by Supreme Chaplain Bishop William E. Lori:
Heavenly Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its
name, we humbly ask that you sustain, inspire, and protect your servant,
Pope Benedict XVI, as he goes on pilgrimage to Turkey - a land to which St.
Paul brought the Gospel of your Son; a land where once the Mother of your
Son, the Seat of Wisdom, dwelt; a land where faith in your Son's true
divinity was definitively professed. Bless our Holy Father, who comes as a
messenger of truth and love to all people of faith and good will dwelling
in this land so rich in history. In the power of the Holy Spirit, may this
visit of the Holy Father bring about deeper ties of understanding,
cooperation, and peace among Roman Catholics, the Orthodox, and those who
profess Islam. May the prayers and events of these historic days greatly
contribute both to greater accord among those who worship you, the living
and true God, and also to peace in our world so often torn apart by war and
sectarian violence.
We also ask, O Heavenly Father, that you watch over and protect Pope
Benedict and entrust him to the loving care of Mary, under the title of Our
Lady of Fatima, a title cherished both by Catholics and Muslims. Through
her prayers and maternal love, may Pope Benedict be kept safe from all harm
as he prays, bears witness to the Gospel, and invites all peoples to a
dialogue of faith, reason, and love. We make our prayer through Christ, our
Lord. Amen.
Copyright C Knights of Columbus 2003-06. All rights reserved.
See Privacy Policy and Terms of Service for details.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)