Hope: The theological virtue by which we desire and expect from God both eternal life and the grace we need to obtain it. (CCC 1817) "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." (Heb 10:23)
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
In the world
I have always had a distaste for the us-and-them attitude some Christians have toward the world. I know it can be a big bad ugly world out there. I know that God's goodness is hard to find sometimes. But rather than throw in the towel and declare the world nonredeemable, and proceed to hide in whatever safe, Christian environment we have chosen for ourselves, why can't we find (seek out/hunt down/pursue) the goodness of God out in that ugly world and make it grow.
It seems Christians all over the place, Evangelical and Catholic alike, say they accept people where they're at. But there's always that caveat that says, as long as "where you're at" is within the walls of this church where we have the control...as long as someone brought you to youth group/church/Sunday school...because hell if I'm going out there to the bars/nightclubs/dungeons where you live and be exposed to your icky sinful lifestyle. Blech!
Would those Christians be the ones yelling at Jesus for speaking to tax collectors and prostitutes?
I prefer to see the true, good and beautiful wherever I can find it. I prefer to press into that line between "in" and "of" and see good things where the people, who are supposed to be salt and light, have stopped looking.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Mis Clases
Then there are the writing classes that I'm happy about. Although, public affairs reporting gives me hives a bit. I've never been interested in the news. I mean, I'd like to be updated about current events in some way other than reading dry news stories. And I certainly don't want to write dry news stories. But of course this is one of those dreaded required courses associated with my area of study. I can pretty much deal. And any writing is good practice.
But the class I'm MOST excited about is my Media and Society class. At an orthodox Catholic university we get to apply the Catholic world view to every issue in the media today. I'm learning new and exciting things in my class about Catholicism and how all my doubts about coming to a place where the super-holy live were unfounded. According to my prof's lectures my ideas about interacting with the world are in line with what the Church teaches. There are so many things the prof has said that have given me goosebumps. I've bounced in my chair and pumped my fist and exclaimed, "yeeahh!" more times than I can count.
This makes me excited about being Catholic.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Plays Well With Others
On the other hand, I will have to relearn patience with the living habits of another person. I don't anticipate any problems because Jessica is great...but she is another person who will be inhabiting what used to be My Apartment. I'm sure this will take some getting used to for both of us.
Other than the financial benefits, I will also have someone to talk to, and more importantly, I will have someone to listen to. When living alone, one tends to be much more focused on one's self. There's really no need to think about anyone else. My mess is my mess. The dishes aren't done? It's because I didn't do them. Also, when I'm alone I think about me and all my "problems," which is not even slightly productive. I'm looking forward to the distraction, actually. My problems are all consuming sometimes...but really...they're mostly just boring.
So I'm cautiously looking forward to my semester with a roommate. I think we will both grow from it and that is always a good thing.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Monday, January 14, 2008
Naps: And How They Are Beautiful
Saturday, January 12, 2008
I've Made a List !!
I must tell you that I have three (3)....count 'em three (3) writing classes this semester. Creative writing, feature writing, and public affairs reporting. I might not be writing many blog posts till May. I'll try keeping you posted on the important stuff...but seriously...I'll be writing till my fingers bleed I think. Cut me some slack, would ya?
Love you all!
Friday, January 04, 2008
I Clearly Need My Head Checked
So I guess my dreams of working for myself need to be adjusted a little. (or I need to be adjusted a little)
One New Year's Resolution: Learn to be disciplined. Ugggh....that's gonna hurt.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
As we say goodbye to "The Holidays"
I was just reading a quick Christmas post from Meegs and she had a line from a familiar carol.
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
with peace on earth good will to men.”
And I was thinking how so many carols are overlooked as cultural attachments to a "holiday season." There are Christmas carols and Hanukkah songs and I dunno, maybe there are Kwanzaa songs. So we know them as the songs we hear playing at Macy's once the 4th of July products are put away. I think we see them as part of the commercialization of Christmas. I hear "Yay! no more Christmas carols!" this time of year, every year and sometimes it's from my own mouth. But I was just thinking about how I really love certain lines from some of those songs ... lines that contain some pretty serious theology. I'm talking deep stuff, the likes of which the Barenaked Ladies have never dreamed. Let me give some examples...starting with one of my favorite Christmas medleys by the Ladies themselves with guest appearance by Sarah McLachlan.
King, and God, and Sacrifice
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Worship Him, God most high
Sacrifice is not something we like to think about when discussing Baby Jesus. Nor is it something the Barenaked Ladies typically sing about. And yet, they do so without apology.
Till he appeared and the soul felt it's worth
That’s the most profound thing I’ve ever heard in a song. And it's right in the Cathechism of the Catholic Church. I'll explain by saying first that the way the words have been changed – “the soul felt HIS worth” – destroys the meaning and depth completely. The CCC says: “Christ, the final Adam, by the revelation of the mystery of the Father and His love, fully reveals man to himself and makes his supreme calling clear” It is Christ who reveals to us, our own worth. And you’ve probably heard it a million times in the last month. But wait there’s more from that song:
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Mild he lay his glory by
Born that men no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
May you all have a Happy New Year!