Monday, October 03, 2005
Once again, I cannot get the danged picture to work when I cut and paste a link from a quiz I have just completed. Y'all know what Albus Dumbledore looks like, so I guess it's really not imperative that the picture show. It sure would be nice, though. :(
I find it interesting that I am Albus, and yet, at the same time, it makes a lot of sense to me. I would love to be Albus. So wise, so good, so concerned with such foresight (usually) and a great reputation for being an honorable and trustworthy person. I like that. However, what it says at the end, about being afraid to cause suffering: that is very true, also. I am often shy to complete something which may bring about good for fear that suffering may be part of that process. Fear not - I can judge those situations accordingly (at times!) - but, by and large, I think that this is quite true.
And now for one of the deep thoughts I've been mulling over in my mind. (amongst many...)
I believe that, as Catholic Christians, we are called to live the command of Jesus to "Go out to all the world, and tell the Good News". As such, it is our responsibility to take the Word of God with us, wherever we may be OR wherever it is needed. We do not live for ourselves, nor are we able to live out this call of God in isolation. (side note: for this rant, I am completely excluding those who are hermits, those who are cloistered, and those of the like - I am not taking that call and lifestyle into account whatsoever - there is something much different, holy, blessed and beautiful about that than I am about to expose, rather, I am discussing those lay persons who are in favor of the "walled city" type of life. With that said, I continue...) We are called to be Christ's hands, feet, words, etc. to a world which would much rather continue on without hearing Him at all. We are called to live the Truth in such a way that people are attracted to it, making them wonder how they may experience it as well. "Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father" (Mt 5:16). How is it that our light will shine when we separate ourselves from those around us? How is it that we can, in turn, glorify our heavenly Father? And how is it that we will bring anyone else to do the very same? Indeed, we are called to be with the sinners, teaching them, helping them, calling them to become who they truly are in Christ. Jesus ate with the sinners: the tax collectors, prostitutes and such, being present to them in a way which called them to deeper conversion. Had He hidden in the hills during His time on earth, how would He have fulfilled His ministry? And, how are we to be His disciples if we will not do the same?
I guess my basis for this rant is the recent talk I've heard of Catholics in certain areas building up fortresses of sorts, in an attempt to rid their lives of the smut, filth and general wickedness that is to be found on every avenue in the city, and consequently, seeps into the lives of all people, regardless of virtue. How noble it seems to remove oneself from such sin and live life without the pressures, anxieties and pettiness which makes up society at large. However, I cannot find it in me to agree with this method. I cannot find it in me to support those who do. I can only find it in me to regard them as cowards, as those who do not listen to the voice of the Lord saying, "And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age." (Mt 28:20b) If Jesus had wished for us to hole up in a hovel of our own making, He would not have commanded His disciples, whom He sent out, to "Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15) He says to go into the whole world...how can it also be His will to hide from the world in an attempt to preserve one's virtue? Does this seem selfish to anyone else? Aren't we called to share what we have with those who have not? Aren't we called to be good stewards of the gifts we have been given, using them to build the Kingdom? And aren't we called to love God and neighbor as self, leaving behind what we have and know? Again, another quote from Mark's gospel, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it." (Mark 8:34-35) We cannot hide, we cannot run, and we cannot even ignore the inky tentacles the world may reach out to us with, in an attempt to grab us. We must be relentless in spreading His Truth, in showing His love, and in carrying our crosses each day. How are we to have zeal for souls when the only souls we encounter are those similar to our own? I do not understand this idea of leaving the world completely, marrying, raising a family, etc. etc. and expecting this to be the best way for us to live out God's call to us. I do understand the need to be prudent in deciding which things are best for us in regard to exposing ourselves to issues in the media, society and world, and I do not recommend that we run into the world flailing our arms, screaming "Come, one and all! Listen to the Gospel!", nor do I recommend that we "educate" ourselves on the ways of the world by living loosey-goosey lives. I just think that we need to be aware of our world, educate ourselves according to what we feel is prudent for us to know, and then use this information to be the hands, feet and mouth of Christ to a world in need.
Am I wrong?
Caritas et veritas.
I find it interesting that I am Albus, and yet, at the same time, it makes a lot of sense to me. I would love to be Albus. So wise, so good, so concerned with such foresight (usually) and a great reputation for being an honorable and trustworthy person. I like that. However, what it says at the end, about being afraid to cause suffering: that is very true, also. I am often shy to complete something which may bring about good for fear that suffering may be part of that process. Fear not - I can judge those situations accordingly (at times!) - but, by and large, I think that this is quite true.
And now for one of the deep thoughts I've been mulling over in my mind. (amongst many...)
I believe that, as Catholic Christians, we are called to live the command of Jesus to "Go out to all the world, and tell the Good News". As such, it is our responsibility to take the Word of God with us, wherever we may be OR wherever it is needed. We do not live for ourselves, nor are we able to live out this call of God in isolation. (side note: for this rant, I am completely excluding those who are hermits, those who are cloistered, and those of the like - I am not taking that call and lifestyle into account whatsoever - there is something much different, holy, blessed and beautiful about that than I am about to expose, rather, I am discussing those lay persons who are in favor of the "walled city" type of life. With that said, I continue...) We are called to be Christ's hands, feet, words, etc. to a world which would much rather continue on without hearing Him at all. We are called to live the Truth in such a way that people are attracted to it, making them wonder how they may experience it as well. "Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father" (Mt 5:16). How is it that our light will shine when we separate ourselves from those around us? How is it that we can, in turn, glorify our heavenly Father? And how is it that we will bring anyone else to do the very same? Indeed, we are called to be with the sinners, teaching them, helping them, calling them to become who they truly are in Christ. Jesus ate with the sinners: the tax collectors, prostitutes and such, being present to them in a way which called them to deeper conversion. Had He hidden in the hills during His time on earth, how would He have fulfilled His ministry? And, how are we to be His disciples if we will not do the same?
I guess my basis for this rant is the recent talk I've heard of Catholics in certain areas building up fortresses of sorts, in an attempt to rid their lives of the smut, filth and general wickedness that is to be found on every avenue in the city, and consequently, seeps into the lives of all people, regardless of virtue. How noble it seems to remove oneself from such sin and live life without the pressures, anxieties and pettiness which makes up society at large. However, I cannot find it in me to agree with this method. I cannot find it in me to support those who do. I can only find it in me to regard them as cowards, as those who do not listen to the voice of the Lord saying, "And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age." (Mt 28:20b) If Jesus had wished for us to hole up in a hovel of our own making, He would not have commanded His disciples, whom He sent out, to "Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15) He says to go into the whole world...how can it also be His will to hide from the world in an attempt to preserve one's virtue? Does this seem selfish to anyone else? Aren't we called to share what we have with those who have not? Aren't we called to be good stewards of the gifts we have been given, using them to build the Kingdom? And aren't we called to love God and neighbor as self, leaving behind what we have and know? Again, another quote from Mark's gospel, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it." (Mark 8:34-35) We cannot hide, we cannot run, and we cannot even ignore the inky tentacles the world may reach out to us with, in an attempt to grab us. We must be relentless in spreading His Truth, in showing His love, and in carrying our crosses each day. How are we to have zeal for souls when the only souls we encounter are those similar to our own? I do not understand this idea of leaving the world completely, marrying, raising a family, etc. etc. and expecting this to be the best way for us to live out God's call to us. I do understand the need to be prudent in deciding which things are best for us in regard to exposing ourselves to issues in the media, society and world, and I do not recommend that we run into the world flailing our arms, screaming "Come, one and all! Listen to the Gospel!", nor do I recommend that we "educate" ourselves on the ways of the world by living loosey-goosey lives. I just think that we need to be aware of our world, educate ourselves according to what we feel is prudent for us to know, and then use this information to be the hands, feet and mouth of Christ to a world in need.
Am I wrong?
Caritas et veritas.
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I think you're right. Anyone who chooses the cloister (cultural or actual,) for selfish reasons will find it to be a big fat occassion of sin.
On the otherhand, I simply can't muster the hutzpah to criticize people who are trying to protect their children. I don't agree with the "shelter-in-place" reaction, but I understand the sentiment.
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On the otherhand, I simply can't muster the hutzpah to criticize people who are trying to protect their children. I don't agree with the "shelter-in-place" reaction, but I understand the sentiment.
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