I believe that as far as writing goes, I am no longer a pure Tolkienite. I have no desire to craft a medieval fairytale as epic as gold and insurmountable as time. Instead, I am in the story for the journey and the experience anymore. I want to express both the rollercoaster ride of the emotional windfall of the characters but to also emphasize the loftiness of the eternal through structures and places beyond the normal visual constructs.
Essentially, the one sliver of moondust coming from my reflection of Tolkien is limited to two beams of light. The first falls every gracefully and covers the entire realm of the story in itself. The story is the reason I write and the very focus of the words. I loathe or at least limitedly abhor the craft of books for the sake of changing minds, manipulating political opinions and purposed allegory. Those may be elements of a story, but they shall never be the target for my verbose arrows. Nor I suppose are they wholly deplorable, but they strike at the back of my righteousness in a visciously subtle way.
The second beam comes pointedly as a intermittent laser light. A radiance found in word play and masterful usage regardless of verbose difficulty as surmised by the general public must pepper my writing. If that were to vanish into the methaphorical white pit that is paper, my writing would cease to be my writing. I desire to achieve the intentional verbosity of Chestertonion writing. Although, I have no wish to pursue his propagandist approach to writing. He is truly a rare example of skill and purpose that I can admire. AMDG was Chesterton's life, and in that aspect of his we can see the nobility of Thomas More's “I am the king's good servant, but the Lord's first.”
I will separate myself from other writers by learning about them. Furthermore, I will sharpen my wit amidst hard tasks and learn to not simply flex but extend beyond my usual reach.
Wednesday, October 06, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Hiatus
Yup, I've been away from this and busy. I've been to Ireland, graduated from college, been accepted to work in Japan and cleaned my room. Yes, I know that is indeed a miracle.
While doing so, I've realized how short and limited are the memories of a single human mind. Somehow though, all the holes and fragments in my mind though are completed in the extension known as my room. Especially, now that I know the contents of my room.
While I sought to dig my room out of its disastrous state, I've incidentally done a lot of soul-searching. I found things I never knew I had written. I found letters written that were never sent. I found drawings I didn't know I could have even drawn. I even found a pack of cigarettes that I bought in Germany to remind me how horrible it was to be trapped in a small room with smokers.
The cleaning of my room, to a very limited extent, was a spiritual experience. I now feel like I know myself better, but at the same time have no clue what to do with this information. Instead of feeling like I had a limited list of abilities, I now feel spread too thin and unable to decide on a future occupation. For now though, I am supposing that I could be a writer in some limited capacity and that shred of focus gives me hope.
While doing so, I've realized how short and limited are the memories of a single human mind. Somehow though, all the holes and fragments in my mind though are completed in the extension known as my room. Especially, now that I know the contents of my room.
While I sought to dig my room out of its disastrous state, I've incidentally done a lot of soul-searching. I found things I never knew I had written. I found letters written that were never sent. I found drawings I didn't know I could have even drawn. I even found a pack of cigarettes that I bought in Germany to remind me how horrible it was to be trapped in a small room with smokers.
The cleaning of my room, to a very limited extent, was a spiritual experience. I now feel like I know myself better, but at the same time have no clue what to do with this information. Instead of feeling like I had a limited list of abilities, I now feel spread too thin and unable to decide on a future occupation. For now though, I am supposing that I could be a writer in some limited capacity and that shred of focus gives me hope.
Monday, April 26, 2010
If you only knew.. eh?
I was just here listening to this song by Shinedown called If you Only Knew. A line in the song is “If you only knew, I’d sacrifice my beating heart before I lose you.” For some reason or another, this time when I heard this part my mind segwayed, or rather, was set on a thought fancy. Follow my mental ramblings, I have concluded that this line has two solid points of implication.
To sacrifice one's beating heart, isn’t that what every guy wants to be able to say about their beloved? I mean how much more noble can you get than sacrificing your life for someone?
Incidentally, I believe that is wherein the first problem lies. Certainly, such a heroic act, if actually carried out is beyond noble; it is exquisite. However, saying a noble thing and doing a heroic act are as matters of substance, completely different. I see the expression of this extreme and noble sacrifice to overlook the romance available in the mundane. I believe that in pursuing such elevated expressions of love, we, men, overlook the literal heart of the matter.
The demand of but an instant of courage in the attempt to do something truly great is easily desired and perhaps less demanding or less likely to weigh heavily than the usual day-in day-out aspects of life. I would say that it is far easier to profess willingness to cut out one's heart in a far-off, unlikely, future instant than it is perhaps to allow little nicks and scars to develop because of the needles of the ongoing daily demands that comprise true love.
Another approach or tangent that could be taken from these words though is that of the emotive pathos of the hopeless lover. "I'd die if I can't have you" or other such controlling phrases simply have no place in the realm of romantic love. The uttering of such nonsense has no other effect than to blackmail the heart of the beloved with heavy chains. It puts her in the position of being either selfish in her own escape from your oppressive love or scared into staying to avoid a painful guilt trip knowing that she killed you. For such a lover, the beloved is naught more than a possession.
That sort of love is simply twisted. It demands, it wants and it must possess the beloved. Love, if not freely given, is of little consequence in the realm of romance.
Go and Set the World Ablaze
To sacrifice one's beating heart, isn’t that what every guy wants to be able to say about their beloved? I mean how much more noble can you get than sacrificing your life for someone?
Incidentally, I believe that is wherein the first problem lies. Certainly, such a heroic act, if actually carried out is beyond noble; it is exquisite. However, saying a noble thing and doing a heroic act are as matters of substance, completely different. I see the expression of this extreme and noble sacrifice to overlook the romance available in the mundane. I believe that in pursuing such elevated expressions of love, we, men, overlook the literal heart of the matter.
The demand of but an instant of courage in the attempt to do something truly great is easily desired and perhaps less demanding or less likely to weigh heavily than the usual day-in day-out aspects of life. I would say that it is far easier to profess willingness to cut out one's heart in a far-off, unlikely, future instant than it is perhaps to allow little nicks and scars to develop because of the needles of the ongoing daily demands that comprise true love.
Another approach or tangent that could be taken from these words though is that of the emotive pathos of the hopeless lover. "I'd die if I can't have you" or other such controlling phrases simply have no place in the realm of romantic love. The uttering of such nonsense has no other effect than to blackmail the heart of the beloved with heavy chains. It puts her in the position of being either selfish in her own escape from your oppressive love or scared into staying to avoid a painful guilt trip knowing that she killed you. For such a lover, the beloved is naught more than a possession.
That sort of love is simply twisted. It demands, it wants and it must possess the beloved. Love, if not freely given, is of little consequence in the realm of romance.
Go and Set the World Ablaze
Sunday, April 25, 2010
"To Frances"
I chanced upon this epic piece of literature by G.K. Chesterton. I was astounded by the seriousness in which he presented the objects he intended to carry and the future home he sought to describe. Then the punch line came and I realized, this was a love letter written by Chesterton. Having always looked at "love letters" as something decidedly trite and unworthy of writing, my reality was jarred by the fact that one of my favorite literary figures had stooped to such a low level.
However this was not the case because then it hit me. Chesterton, in his very chestertonian fashion, had not actually written a "love letter" but instead had taken the concept, flipped it on its head, and rewrote the boundaries. He had once again, taken something so common, so basal, and in converting it, had restored it to a level of nobility once again. Just as the Bible is much like a love-letter from God to us, Chesterton took a simple setting and wrote quite exquisitely to Frances.
What is now stuck in my head is the concern as to whether I could write even to half the standard of Chesterton's. I could, if you will, easily replicate his pattern by soulfully devising my own checklist of carry-ons as I regale you of my intended flight and picturesque future. However, that would simply be me taking an already understood pattern from a highly literary individual and re-using it. It would not be me pouring out my thoughts and designs into a carefully crafted mold formed by my very heart. It would not walk the guise of my own fairyland.
I wonder in fact, how then I would translate the general points of a chestertonian love letter into my own literary fashion. It, like Chesterton's, would need to be personalized because otherwise it would still be left hollow and generic. However, the remaining content of the letter, the matters of literary value, are something that as of yet escape me. I will think on it for now, and work on something at a later date when there is a date in mind. So, for now, I leave you with this quote:
"...we come to a box of matches. Every now and then I strike one of these, because fire it beautiful and burns your fingers. Some people think this a waste of matches, the same people who object to the building of Cathedrals." ~ G.K. Chesterton from "To Frances"
Go and Set the World Ablaze
However this was not the case because then it hit me. Chesterton, in his very chestertonian fashion, had not actually written a "love letter" but instead had taken the concept, flipped it on its head, and rewrote the boundaries. He had once again, taken something so common, so basal, and in converting it, had restored it to a level of nobility once again. Just as the Bible is much like a love-letter from God to us, Chesterton took a simple setting and wrote quite exquisitely to Frances.
What is now stuck in my head is the concern as to whether I could write even to half the standard of Chesterton's. I could, if you will, easily replicate his pattern by soulfully devising my own checklist of carry-ons as I regale you of my intended flight and picturesque future. However, that would simply be me taking an already understood pattern from a highly literary individual and re-using it. It would not be me pouring out my thoughts and designs into a carefully crafted mold formed by my very heart. It would not walk the guise of my own fairyland.
I wonder in fact, how then I would translate the general points of a chestertonian love letter into my own literary fashion. It, like Chesterton's, would need to be personalized because otherwise it would still be left hollow and generic. However, the remaining content of the letter, the matters of literary value, are something that as of yet escape me. I will think on it for now, and work on something at a later date when there is a date in mind. So, for now, I leave you with this quote:
"...we come to a box of matches. Every now and then I strike one of these, because fire it beautiful and burns your fingers. Some people think this a waste of matches, the same people who object to the building of Cathedrals." ~ G.K. Chesterton from "To Frances"
Go and Set the World Ablaze
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
The Four+ Loves
Friendship floats on the tranquil sea gently cushioning our hearts in the sails of comrades as we pass the doldrums of life.
Affection is an affliction caused by an infection to friendship.
Romance, further still, tugs at the heart strings of our souls until we unwind in a mess or tangle with another strand.
Charity with her little fingers then weaves that yarn into a quilt as exquisite as it is complex.
Eros, in its primal fixation of the beloved, consummates in the marriage bed (under the covers of romance).
Storge then provides the needed gift-love to nurture the needy gift-child.
The cycle repeats. Neither your nerves nor your heart are safe.
Affection is an affliction caused by an infection to friendship.
Romance, further still, tugs at the heart strings of our souls until we unwind in a mess or tangle with another strand.
Charity with her little fingers then weaves that yarn into a quilt as exquisite as it is complex.
Eros, in its primal fixation of the beloved, consummates in the marriage bed (under the covers of romance).
Storge then provides the needed gift-love to nurture the needy gift-child.
The cycle repeats. Neither your nerves nor your heart are safe.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Eye Sea Yew
It seems that it takes very little for me to get riled up about this specific hypocrisy. It's the malaise of the those who uses phrases such as "Stereotypes are wrong" & "Not all are the same" in the manner the rest of use would use "God Bless" to a social sneeze.
The same people who will tiptoe through daisy's to avoid coming even close to stereotyping or pegging someone into a category are the same kind of people who will think they know who I am and what I believe immediately after they find I am Catholic. I am pegged with a spear into a category of misunderstanding and misrepresentation. Instead of asking me, things are assumed about me in the same manner a less than educated individual might imply that all Japanese are the most excellent of students.
"Ah, so you won't have sex before marriage... that's too bad" or "No sex? (complete with quizzical look)." If I respond with, "well, yeah." or "nope I won't." I'm then not even given a chance to explain why. They've received their answer and now assume that I believe sex to be some sort of abomination, or, worse socially, that I somehow think they are evil because of some personal guilt of theirs of which I am unaware.
The fact of the matter is, yes, Catholics (those who are seeking to be in accord with Christ's church) don't have sex before marriage for the completely opposite reason. Instead of sex being something dirty to be avoided in the purist of puritanical senses, sex is something wonderful, mysterious, and a gift. Instead of cheapening it by wielding it as slightly better than a handshake, the Catholic ideal is to seek to save it as something precious like a lace handkerchief that is presented at the right time to the deserving Beloved.
Or even better, let me use this analogy. Imagine for a minute that sex is like a gift-wrapped package with a fragile glass egg inside. Each time you hand that package to a new person and it is reopened, how long will it be before it becomes impossible to properly re-wrap it in its original wrapping? How much so will the fragility of the glass egg succumb to its abuse? Eventually, you the gift-giver give up on giving away anything other than a grotty gift. Eventually too, the recipient has to notice the lack of value that the package has anymore and that the beautiful glass egg that was inside has lost its luster.
This is not to say there isn't hope for those who have already handed their present away, or had their egg chipped away at. That is, in fact, a discussion for another time and is concerned with the unique expertise of Christianity: Forgiveness. However, you must recognize there is something wrong before one can even seek forgiveness.
Does this current generation, I am a part of, care so much for transient pleasures and having their desires fulfilled instantaneously that they can't engage in any noble ventures anymore? What happened to the ideal lover who saved her heart in a music box when her beloved departed on a journey for years, only to hand it back to him upon his return? What happened to the Beloveds who lock away their heart with a key of steeled resolve, so that when their special lover arrives, they can nobly open the lock on their heart?
Both the noble concepts of the Lovers and Beloveds are lost on those with secular eyes. The secular eye sees only this world and its relation to itself. It, as a matter of fact, rests on the forehead staring inward and is useless for anyone but the self and even in that fashion is severely limited. However, the Christian eye branches into a level of third-eye understanding as it stares into eternity unblinkingly equipped with love as a sword and shield to overcome its enemies. Until the secular eye can be transformed into or exchanged for the Christian third-eye, the two parties can apparently never see eye-to-eye so they can look blissfully into eternity together.
Go and Set the World Ablaze
The same people who will tiptoe through daisy's to avoid coming even close to stereotyping or pegging someone into a category are the same kind of people who will think they know who I am and what I believe immediately after they find I am Catholic. I am pegged with a spear into a category of misunderstanding and misrepresentation. Instead of asking me, things are assumed about me in the same manner a less than educated individual might imply that all Japanese are the most excellent of students.
"Ah, so you won't have sex before marriage... that's too bad" or "No sex? (complete with quizzical look)." If I respond with, "well, yeah." or "nope I won't." I'm then not even given a chance to explain why. They've received their answer and now assume that I believe sex to be some sort of abomination, or, worse socially, that I somehow think they are evil because of some personal guilt of theirs of which I am unaware.
The fact of the matter is, yes, Catholics (those who are seeking to be in accord with Christ's church) don't have sex before marriage for the completely opposite reason. Instead of sex being something dirty to be avoided in the purist of puritanical senses, sex is something wonderful, mysterious, and a gift. Instead of cheapening it by wielding it as slightly better than a handshake, the Catholic ideal is to seek to save it as something precious like a lace handkerchief that is presented at the right time to the deserving Beloved.
Or even better, let me use this analogy. Imagine for a minute that sex is like a gift-wrapped package with a fragile glass egg inside. Each time you hand that package to a new person and it is reopened, how long will it be before it becomes impossible to properly re-wrap it in its original wrapping? How much so will the fragility of the glass egg succumb to its abuse? Eventually, you the gift-giver give up on giving away anything other than a grotty gift. Eventually too, the recipient has to notice the lack of value that the package has anymore and that the beautiful glass egg that was inside has lost its luster.
This is not to say there isn't hope for those who have already handed their present away, or had their egg chipped away at. That is, in fact, a discussion for another time and is concerned with the unique expertise of Christianity: Forgiveness. However, you must recognize there is something wrong before one can even seek forgiveness.
Does this current generation, I am a part of, care so much for transient pleasures and having their desires fulfilled instantaneously that they can't engage in any noble ventures anymore? What happened to the ideal lover who saved her heart in a music box when her beloved departed on a journey for years, only to hand it back to him upon his return? What happened to the Beloveds who lock away their heart with a key of steeled resolve, so that when their special lover arrives, they can nobly open the lock on their heart?
Both the noble concepts of the Lovers and Beloveds are lost on those with secular eyes. The secular eye sees only this world and its relation to itself. It, as a matter of fact, rests on the forehead staring inward and is useless for anyone but the self and even in that fashion is severely limited. However, the Christian eye branches into a level of third-eye understanding as it stares into eternity unblinkingly equipped with love as a sword and shield to overcome its enemies. Until the secular eye can be transformed into or exchanged for the Christian third-eye, the two parties can apparently never see eye-to-eye so they can look blissfully into eternity together.
Go and Set the World Ablaze
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Well... worst fears?
Just to start off with, it has taken me a total of a week to start playing video games nearly everyday again. >_< I'm definitely playing less than I used to... but I can't tell if that is because of school or not. Anyway, it doesn't matter because I still haven't found an effective stress-relief method. I run-away to one or another.
The problem quite possibly is my running. Sometimes, I think that guys just need to dip their fingers into the pool of lethe's water and forget their lives for a moment. I need to.. or at least it has been my Modus operandi. So, I escape to the world of a video game, read books (okay, so that is rare right now because of all the reading I do for school... but, ), watch Tv, borrow a movie from Redbox, visit youtubeland, or go outside and run around the block a couple of times.
"One of these things is not like the other, one of these things just doesn't belong" is not the right adage for the moment right now. Instead, the question is what do these all have not in common. That's right, they are neutral events. They are not necessarily religious nor intrinsically evil. Simply put, I need to learn to run back to God instead of just running in circles or running away.
Stand fast Stand strong
Go and Set the World Ablaze
Unsheathe your Rosary and Pray
The problem quite possibly is my running. Sometimes, I think that guys just need to dip their fingers into the pool of lethe's water and forget their lives for a moment. I need to.. or at least it has been my Modus operandi. So, I escape to the world of a video game, read books (okay, so that is rare right now because of all the reading I do for school... but, ), watch Tv, borrow a movie from Redbox, visit youtubeland, or go outside and run around the block a couple of times.
"One of these things is not like the other, one of these things just doesn't belong" is not the right adage for the moment right now. Instead, the question is what do these all have not in common. That's right, they are neutral events. They are not necessarily religious nor intrinsically evil. Simply put, I need to learn to run back to God instead of just running in circles or running away.
Stand fast Stand strong
Go and Set the World Ablaze
Unsheathe your Rosary and Pray
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Welcome to Holy Week
Actually, this is really weird for me. Since I gave up video games for lent, I've realized how much time I wasted with them. Actually, no. That's not true. I've noticed how much time I sit in front of my computer waiting for the end of lent so I'll allow myself to play video games. I sit there trying to figure out what to do, and then end up doing nothing useful.
Now as lent comes to a close, I actually sort of fear the end of lent. Instead of feeling as though I'd be free to play video games. I feel as though I'd be entering into a form of imprisonment. I really just wonder if I can go back to normal life and not overdo video games after lent.
Of course, the first three weeks I didn't even play video games on Sunday though I could have. More recently though, in an attempt to make another sort of change in my life, I've tried to quit studying on Sunday and just enjoy God's day of rest. So, this last Sunday I probably played video games for about eight hours and watched at least three if not four movies. It seems contradictory to me too.
And because of all this time freed by not doing video games, I wonder why I can't seem to focus this semester. Before it was never an issue. I'd study and study and study based on whatever I needed to do well on. Then I'd just go home and sleep or do my own thing. This semester though, I have senioritis, I guess. However, a large part of it is that I've realized a lot of things this semester and have become disillusioned. It's probably because I have to take a huge step out into the world in the near future and I'm over thinking things again.
Go and Set the World Ablaze
Now as lent comes to a close, I actually sort of fear the end of lent. Instead of feeling as though I'd be free to play video games. I feel as though I'd be entering into a form of imprisonment. I really just wonder if I can go back to normal life and not overdo video games after lent.
Of course, the first three weeks I didn't even play video games on Sunday though I could have. More recently though, in an attempt to make another sort of change in my life, I've tried to quit studying on Sunday and just enjoy God's day of rest. So, this last Sunday I probably played video games for about eight hours and watched at least three if not four movies. It seems contradictory to me too.
And because of all this time freed by not doing video games, I wonder why I can't seem to focus this semester. Before it was never an issue. I'd study and study and study based on whatever I needed to do well on. Then I'd just go home and sleep or do my own thing. This semester though, I have senioritis, I guess. However, a large part of it is that I've realized a lot of things this semester and have become disillusioned. It's probably because I have to take a huge step out into the world in the near future and I'm over thinking things again.
Go and Set the World Ablaze
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Prayer in Japan
My goal is for this to not turn into a rant, but if it does, forgive me.
I don't get why Japanese people pray. Well, let me rephrase that. I don't get why the typical Japanese person, especially those who are non-christian, pray. Especially when they pray to a vague "Kami-sama," I don't get it.
I understand the need that a person has to pray. Some people try to get by that need through things like meditation or scientific/psychological explanations of how the mind works. In the end though, prayer, specifically prayer directed at the one true God, is the only thing that works. So, with that understanding in mind, who/what do Japanese people call to mind when they are praying?
Is it a buddha, a seemingly fat enlightened one? Is it a Shinto god that is as fickle as the Greek ones of the past? Is it a distant kami-sama? Is it simply a force? Is it a spiritual energy grounded or stuck fast to an area? Or is it somehow the personal Christian God and they just haven't realized it yet? Or, worse-case scenario, are they imagining nothing except a way to manifest their own desires?
The fact is: I don't know. I need to ask people to find out. The problem is, if you thought religion and politics were practically taboo to talk about in America, they are way more so in Japan. I guess it is time for curiosity to kill the cat again.
Go and set the world Ablaze.
I don't get why Japanese people pray. Well, let me rephrase that. I don't get why the typical Japanese person, especially those who are non-christian, pray. Especially when they pray to a vague "Kami-sama," I don't get it.
I understand the need that a person has to pray. Some people try to get by that need through things like meditation or scientific/psychological explanations of how the mind works. In the end though, prayer, specifically prayer directed at the one true God, is the only thing that works. So, with that understanding in mind, who/what do Japanese people call to mind when they are praying?
Is it a buddha, a seemingly fat enlightened one? Is it a Shinto god that is as fickle as the Greek ones of the past? Is it a distant kami-sama? Is it simply a force? Is it a spiritual energy grounded or stuck fast to an area? Or is it somehow the personal Christian God and they just haven't realized it yet? Or, worse-case scenario, are they imagining nothing except a way to manifest their own desires?
The fact is: I don't know. I need to ask people to find out. The problem is, if you thought religion and politics were practically taboo to talk about in America, they are way more so in Japan. I guess it is time for curiosity to kill the cat again.
Go and set the world Ablaze.
Saturday, March 06, 2010
Coincidential Providences
Free Will... I am left with the ability to choose.
Predestination... God knows where I will end up; heaven or hell.
These two concepts often get arrayed against each other. However, I've had an interesting couple days where they have been placed solidly together before me. Augustine convinced me a long time ago, but the facts were quite affirmed for me recently.
Starting off yesterday, a customer came in and was inquiring about a book with regard to these two concepts. I recommended a few books and after a short chat that revealed to me the heart of the issue, I sought out Peter Kreeft's website. I remembered that Kreeft had a short file on the concept and that he had beautifully summarized C.S. Lewis and Augustine on the matter. (see Kreeft on Free will) I, of course, passed off what I had found to the customer. This sparked a short discussion where we hit on the main points together. I rather enjoyed that.
The coincidences, or, if you will, providence, proceeded from there.
Last night I went to Alice in Wonderland, and saw a beautiful Hollywood depiction of the relationship between fate and free will. Alice, despite knowing exactly what was in the future, still tangled with and ultimately had to make the decisions herself. A fact that killed the suspense in the movie a bit, but it worked. I loved how it closely reflected the discussion concerning how knowledge of something, whether its God who knows or not, doesn't make you do it. We still are free, by which I mean capable, to make a decision.
Then this morning (well, 2am or so), I was reading in scripture and I ran across Sirach chapter 15. Sirach Verses 11-20 are explicitly about free will and what God's relation to it is. Ironic that I ran into this chapter? I think not. Besides I think the first half of the chapter is just plain relevant for students anyway. Seek ye wisdom.
Go and Set the World Ablaze
Predestination... God knows where I will end up; heaven or hell.
These two concepts often get arrayed against each other. However, I've had an interesting couple days where they have been placed solidly together before me. Augustine convinced me a long time ago, but the facts were quite affirmed for me recently.
Starting off yesterday, a customer came in and was inquiring about a book with regard to these two concepts. I recommended a few books and after a short chat that revealed to me the heart of the issue, I sought out Peter Kreeft's website. I remembered that Kreeft had a short file on the concept and that he had beautifully summarized C.S. Lewis and Augustine on the matter. (see Kreeft on Free will) I, of course, passed off what I had found to the customer. This sparked a short discussion where we hit on the main points together. I rather enjoyed that.
The coincidences, or, if you will, providence, proceeded from there.
Last night I went to Alice in Wonderland, and saw a beautiful Hollywood depiction of the relationship between fate and free will. Alice, despite knowing exactly what was in the future, still tangled with and ultimately had to make the decisions herself. A fact that killed the suspense in the movie a bit, but it worked. I loved how it closely reflected the discussion concerning how knowledge of something, whether its God who knows or not, doesn't make you do it. We still are free, by which I mean capable, to make a decision.
Then this morning (well, 2am or so), I was reading in scripture and I ran across Sirach chapter 15. Sirach Verses 11-20 are explicitly about free will and what God's relation to it is. Ironic that I ran into this chapter? I think not. Besides I think the first half of the chapter is just plain relevant for students anyway. Seek ye wisdom.
Go and Set the World Ablaze
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
The Box
The Box.... yes, I am speaking of the movie. I just finished watching it, so what follows is my cut and dry opinion of the movie.
*Spoilers*
Suffice to say, I didn't like the movie. The movie trailer's get you hooked with promises of a sort of moral dilemma movie. For the first 45 minutes of the movie or so, they even leave you with the sort of misguided impression that is exactly what it is about. Then with the audacity of a rug being swept out from under your feet, the movie drops into heavy sci-fi mode, even bringing in the plot element that aliens from Mars are coming to take over earth.
You find out quickly the deliverer of the box is in contact with a mysterious "them." Because of an infusion of "them" through a lightning bolt, he has been charged with limited capabilities to control our minds. With his CIA, FBI and NASA knowledge and this new power, he is called to "test" humanity to find whether it is deserving of extinction or not. I believe this movie's plot, however, has much to learn from Walker Percy's "Space Odyssey" chapters in his book Lost in the Cosmos.
Assuming you know anything about the movie, then you know that humanity's test is concerned with a box and a choice. The problem, though, is that the last thirty minutes drags you through some promising philosophical questioning only to totally disappoint you with no answers. Humanity is just plain screwed because of a hedonistic drive to press buttons in order to attain money. Altogether as an ending designed to drop you into a temporary state of despair, the movie wouldn't be half-bad, especially considering it is in the vein of the classic Twilight Zone. However, God is in the details... and I do mean God.
The cuss words in this movie were extremely limited, but with a few misuses of "Jesus Christ" the majority were aberrations of "God." Secondarily, just as you approach closer and closer to the despairing end of the movie there are two scenes of significance. In an unexplained scene, Arther comes walking out of a blinding light which aligns perfectly with the windows behind it, and then pauses just long enough to leave him standing in a cross of light. The second scene is the final one where we see Steward. He walks out of the house whose inhabitants were the latest to fail humanity, and guess what? They have a Nativity outside in their front yard.
A subtle message I believe, but the conclusion? There is no hope for humanity and that means you Christians too. A very bleak view of humanity. In the end, I'm glad this movie is just some twisted director's view of humanity and not reality.
Admittedly this could be a stretch, however, I have but one final parting observation, but to understand it, you must know that it was Norma that pushes the button. Arthur (Adam) yet again fails in his task to protect Norma (Eve). Even more so, you can see the Genesis parallel drawn out further when Arthur and Norma are separated in the library, and Norma is separated to meet Mr. Steward (Serpent?). I think this is just a classic example of how God has the last laugh.
Go and set the world Ablaze.
*Spoilers*
Suffice to say, I didn't like the movie. The movie trailer's get you hooked with promises of a sort of moral dilemma movie. For the first 45 minutes of the movie or so, they even leave you with the sort of misguided impression that is exactly what it is about. Then with the audacity of a rug being swept out from under your feet, the movie drops into heavy sci-fi mode, even bringing in the plot element that aliens from Mars are coming to take over earth.
You find out quickly the deliverer of the box is in contact with a mysterious "them." Because of an infusion of "them" through a lightning bolt, he has been charged with limited capabilities to control our minds. With his CIA, FBI and NASA knowledge and this new power, he is called to "test" humanity to find whether it is deserving of extinction or not. I believe this movie's plot, however, has much to learn from Walker Percy's "Space Odyssey" chapters in his book Lost in the Cosmos.
Assuming you know anything about the movie, then you know that humanity's test is concerned with a box and a choice. The problem, though, is that the last thirty minutes drags you through some promising philosophical questioning only to totally disappoint you with no answers. Humanity is just plain screwed because of a hedonistic drive to press buttons in order to attain money. Altogether as an ending designed to drop you into a temporary state of despair, the movie wouldn't be half-bad, especially considering it is in the vein of the classic Twilight Zone. However, God is in the details... and I do mean God.
The cuss words in this movie were extremely limited, but with a few misuses of "Jesus Christ" the majority were aberrations of "God." Secondarily, just as you approach closer and closer to the despairing end of the movie there are two scenes of significance. In an unexplained scene, Arther comes walking out of a blinding light which aligns perfectly with the windows behind it, and then pauses just long enough to leave him standing in a cross of light. The second scene is the final one where we see Steward. He walks out of the house whose inhabitants were the latest to fail humanity, and guess what? They have a Nativity outside in their front yard.
A subtle message I believe, but the conclusion? There is no hope for humanity and that means you Christians too. A very bleak view of humanity. In the end, I'm glad this movie is just some twisted director's view of humanity and not reality.
Admittedly this could be a stretch, however, I have but one final parting observation, but to understand it, you must know that it was Norma that pushes the button. Arthur (Adam) yet again fails in his task to protect Norma (Eve). Even more so, you can see the Genesis parallel drawn out further when Arthur and Norma are separated in the library, and Norma is separated to meet Mr. Steward (Serpent?). I think this is just a classic example of how God has the last laugh.
Go and set the world Ablaze.
Monday, March 01, 2010
March already?
When did this happen? I've been planning all sorts of things to fill blog pages but they are mostly started and unfinished. I'll get there eventually, but life comes first, blogging next, and God above all.
Snippet:
We are not people of the Book. We, Catholics, are people of the Word. The Word which is Jesus Christ, living and Lord of all history. (Thanks Fr. Hoesing.)
It really makes you wonder doesn't it? I mean, Muslims consider us People of the Book because they believe there are links and seqways between the Tanakh, Old Testament, New Testament, and the Koran that all point to a greater, true, book in Heaven. That's how they look at our beliefs, and sorry to say, but I can't agree with them. After all, I believe in Jesus, God and Man, not in Jesus as they see him in the simple role of prophet. If I did, I wouldn't be Catholic, now would I?
Just some food for thought.
Go and set the world Ablaze
Snippet:
We are not people of the Book. We, Catholics, are people of the Word. The Word which is Jesus Christ, living and Lord of all history. (Thanks Fr. Hoesing.)
It really makes you wonder doesn't it? I mean, Muslims consider us People of the Book because they believe there are links and seqways between the Tanakh, Old Testament, New Testament, and the Koran that all point to a greater, true, book in Heaven. That's how they look at our beliefs, and sorry to say, but I can't agree with them. After all, I believe in Jesus, God and Man, not in Jesus as they see him in the simple role of prophet. If I did, I wouldn't be Catholic, now would I?
Just some food for thought.
Go and set the world Ablaze
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Head coverings?
1 Corinthians has these interesting points about women:
but any woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled dishonors her head it is the same as if her head were shaven. For if a woman will not veil herself, then she should cut off her hair; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her wear a veil. (1 Cor 11:5-6)
the women should keep silence in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be subordinate, as even the law says. If there is anything they desire to know, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. (1 Cor 14:34-35)
What do you think the typical Bible-only Christian's reaction is to these? Well, I assure you, the reaction is not far off for Catholics too, especially me. The reaction in question is basically a slack jawed "What the.... ???" or "How is that even relevant?"
Seriously now though, these two sections form an infamous doublet concerning the roles of women in church. The most jarring part though for most people I think is the head coverings part. It just sticks out as unique.
The Catholic Church's stance seems to be that this falls into the matters of discipline and resides as a non-crucial issue. Which is a nice way of saying, women you don't have to wear head coverings in church, but we won't stop you from doing it either if you so choose. More than being concerned with head coverings, shouldn't we be more concerned with those who show up at Mass, the banquet, without proper clothes, for fear that they might be tossed out to wail and grind their teeth?
If we continue on though, chapter 14 seems to be saying here that women should keep silent in church. Quite frankly that just sounds harsh. Initially too, it could seem contradictory to verse 1 Cor 11:5 where women are apparently allowed to pray and prophesy. Or is it? What would the reasons be for silence in the church? The context for this is becoming necessary.
Chapter 14 on a whole is about prophesying and if you keep in mind the thematic discourse on interpretation and proper order, the location in question is within the church, likely even during the liturgy. Also, on the same vein of information, it goes without saying that this is a physical location because the place is contrasted to the home where women are advised to speak.
Therefore, following from verse 33 For God is not a God of confusion, I must assume there is a logic behind St. Paul's words and no relevant contradiction. Switching therefore to a broader context of St. Paul's letters we find this:
I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over men; she is to keep silent. (1 Tim 2:12)
Now, within the context of my Catholic faith and the general themes of Timothy, it all begins to come together. For Catholics, the people who speak in church in the faculties of teaching/authority are Priests, specifically men who are Priests. Women, because of the contradiction of having a woman ordained to be "in Persona Christi," cannot supply that role.
Women instead have their own unique role to play that men cannot. I'm no expert on the role of women from a biblical perspective by any means though so I don't know exactly what that role is. So, before this turns into a gender war, I'll stop while I'm ahead. Or it will come up later when I am more knowledgeable on the subject.
Go and Set the World Ablaze
but any woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled dishonors her head it is the same as if her head were shaven. For if a woman will not veil herself, then she should cut off her hair; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her wear a veil. (1 Cor 11:5-6)
the women should keep silence in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be subordinate, as even the law says. If there is anything they desire to know, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. (1 Cor 14:34-35)
What do you think the typical Bible-only Christian's reaction is to these? Well, I assure you, the reaction is not far off for Catholics too, especially me. The reaction in question is basically a slack jawed "What the.... ???" or "How is that even relevant?"
Seriously now though, these two sections form an infamous doublet concerning the roles of women in church. The most jarring part though for most people I think is the head coverings part. It just sticks out as unique.
The Catholic Church's stance seems to be that this falls into the matters of discipline and resides as a non-crucial issue. Which is a nice way of saying, women you don't have to wear head coverings in church, but we won't stop you from doing it either if you so choose. More than being concerned with head coverings, shouldn't we be more concerned with those who show up at Mass, the banquet, without proper clothes, for fear that they might be tossed out to wail and grind their teeth?
If we continue on though, chapter 14 seems to be saying here that women should keep silent in church. Quite frankly that just sounds harsh. Initially too, it could seem contradictory to verse 1 Cor 11:5 where women are apparently allowed to pray and prophesy. Or is it? What would the reasons be for silence in the church? The context for this is becoming necessary.
Chapter 14 on a whole is about prophesying and if you keep in mind the thematic discourse on interpretation and proper order, the location in question is within the church, likely even during the liturgy. Also, on the same vein of information, it goes without saying that this is a physical location because the place is contrasted to the home where women are advised to speak.
Therefore, following from verse 33 For God is not a God of confusion, I must assume there is a logic behind St. Paul's words and no relevant contradiction. Switching therefore to a broader context of St. Paul's letters we find this:
I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over men; she is to keep silent. (1 Tim 2:12)
Now, within the context of my Catholic faith and the general themes of Timothy, it all begins to come together. For Catholics, the people who speak in church in the faculties of teaching/authority are Priests, specifically men who are Priests. Women, because of the contradiction of having a woman ordained to be "in Persona Christi," cannot supply that role.
Women instead have their own unique role to play that men cannot. I'm no expert on the role of women from a biblical perspective by any means though so I don't know exactly what that role is. So, before this turns into a gender war, I'll stop while I'm ahead. Or it will come up later when I am more knowledgeable on the subject.
Go and Set the World Ablaze
Sunday, February 07, 2010
Kronos vs. Kairos
No, this is not some epic fantasy like The Lightning Thief. My intended referent is not that Kronos. I am not speaking of the biggest baddest most evil Titan but am speaking of "Time" and its two variant understandings.
Thanks to technohazard for getting me going on this. Sorry it took me so long to work on it.
To be acutely honest, I think anyone can reach the same conclusions and reach accord, but there are a few obstacles in the way, namely: translation errors, time, and human error. Sometimes things just get communicated wrong. Most of the time, these are the abstract concepts or things that are steeped in phenomenology, which is a fancy way of saying that we describe phenomena differently.
Take for example, "up" and "down" don't actually make sense in space (think Ender's Game) without a reference point. If we are on Earth, though, we might be better off saying "away from the earth's core," "movement towards earth" or something along those lines because those are more reflective of reality. Up and Down are based in the phenomena of our own limited perspectives.
Additionally, does the sun really "rise"? Or is that the Earth turns and the sun comes into view? Of course, we, native speakers of English, don't have any problems understanding "the rising of the sun" despite our knowledge of modern science and how the earth revolves around the sun. My thought is that differing perspectives can thrive in most any language but they might be harder to express. We just have to take the time...
Time though is seriously against us. We, especially those of us in America, live in a world of Kronos where everything is set to clockwork. One thing to the next, we rush. Kronos time points to a cultural focus on the seconds ticking by. If only we could get everyone to understand that they need to take the time to slow down from time to time and look at the more important things in and beyond this life.
This is where human weakness comes into play. Think about it, we live in a world focused on Kronos type time, why? Partially because we are thinking only of ourselves and what we can get out of life. It is when we take that first step out to sacrifice the time that is so precious to us that we enter into Kairos.
Kairos time is the parallel to Kronos time, and focuses more on a relationship-based way of chronicling time. In some cases, it could even be translated as "God's time." After all, God, outside the boundaries of Kronos, operates on His own set of rules and brings things to their fullest when the moment is opportune. I like to think of Kairos time as somewhere in between being lazy and being impatient.
Rushing because the seconds are ticking causes many things to go to waste, but on the other hand, inaction brings nothing into existence either. Kairos is the happy medium, where one's reliance on God keeps your focus centered and you progress from one spiritual stepping stone to the next in a calm unhurried manner. That is ideal, because really, when our trust is in the Lord what need we fear? Not even the passage of time.
Sometimes a simple gut check of our own phenomenological understanding of time can help us to keep on the right track. Are you stuck in Kronos? Can you live in Kairos?
Go and Set the World Ablaze
Thanks to technohazard for getting me going on this. Sorry it took me so long to work on it.
To be acutely honest, I think anyone can reach the same conclusions and reach accord, but there are a few obstacles in the way, namely: translation errors, time, and human error. Sometimes things just get communicated wrong. Most of the time, these are the abstract concepts or things that are steeped in phenomenology, which is a fancy way of saying that we describe phenomena differently.
Take for example, "up" and "down" don't actually make sense in space (think Ender's Game) without a reference point. If we are on Earth, though, we might be better off saying "away from the earth's core," "movement towards earth" or something along those lines because those are more reflective of reality. Up and Down are based in the phenomena of our own limited perspectives.
Additionally, does the sun really "rise"? Or is that the Earth turns and the sun comes into view? Of course, we, native speakers of English, don't have any problems understanding "the rising of the sun" despite our knowledge of modern science and how the earth revolves around the sun. My thought is that differing perspectives can thrive in most any language but they might be harder to express. We just have to take the time...
Time though is seriously against us. We, especially those of us in America, live in a world of Kronos where everything is set to clockwork. One thing to the next, we rush. Kronos time points to a cultural focus on the seconds ticking by. If only we could get everyone to understand that they need to take the time to slow down from time to time and look at the more important things in and beyond this life.
This is where human weakness comes into play. Think about it, we live in a world focused on Kronos type time, why? Partially because we are thinking only of ourselves and what we can get out of life. It is when we take that first step out to sacrifice the time that is so precious to us that we enter into Kairos.
Kairos time is the parallel to Kronos time, and focuses more on a relationship-based way of chronicling time. In some cases, it could even be translated as "God's time." After all, God, outside the boundaries of Kronos, operates on His own set of rules and brings things to their fullest when the moment is opportune. I like to think of Kairos time as somewhere in between being lazy and being impatient.
Rushing because the seconds are ticking causes many things to go to waste, but on the other hand, inaction brings nothing into existence either. Kairos is the happy medium, where one's reliance on God keeps your focus centered and you progress from one spiritual stepping stone to the next in a calm unhurried manner. That is ideal, because really, when our trust is in the Lord what need we fear? Not even the passage of time.
Sometimes a simple gut check of our own phenomenological understanding of time can help us to keep on the right track. Are you stuck in Kronos? Can you live in Kairos?
Go and Set the World Ablaze
Friday, February 05, 2010
Pause, Reset, Rewind
Have you ever stopped and tried to revert your thinking to a past form of yourself? I've only just realized that was what I've been doing over and over again. Ironically, while I haven't reverted or changed dramatically, I do think I have come closer to understanding myself at the very least.
I'm not necessarily proposing this as a method of learning about yourself, but it seems to work for me. I try to pause my logic, reset my understanding of truth and then replay my current thoughts. Honestly, it could be going better.
Truth: to say of something what it is when it is
or to say of something that it is not when it is not. (borrowed from Aristotle)
Say for example, the wall is not there but we all believe it is there. Even though our beliefs are screwing with out perceptions of reality, the fact that it is not there, simply means that it is not there.
Truth in essence is that which jives with reality. The problem is that so many of us will never truly see the world from any perspective but our own. We will all each always have our own personal bias. So we must do the best we can.
I'm not necessarily proposing this as a method of learning about yourself, but it seems to work for me. I try to pause my logic, reset my understanding of truth and then replay my current thoughts. Honestly, it could be going better.
Truth: to say of something what it is when it is
or to say of something that it is not when it is not. (borrowed from Aristotle)
Say for example, the wall is not there but we all believe it is there. Even though our beliefs are screwing with out perceptions of reality, the fact that it is not there, simply means that it is not there.
Truth in essence is that which jives with reality. The problem is that so many of us will never truly see the world from any perspective but our own. We will all each always have our own personal bias. So we must do the best we can.
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
ロサリオ - Rosary
Okay, I have to breach this subject again because of its importance to my life and the lives of others. I have, through a lot of searching, finally amassed all the prayer parts for the Rosary in Japanese.
First let me make some blanket statements that I will try to explain better in another blog posting or two.
1. Catholics do not worship Mary, we honor/venerate her.
2. Prayer to Mary doesn't equate to worship.
3. We give far less attention to Mary than I think we should as Catholics.
4. We give far less attention to Mary than you might think.
5. The Rosary should be used as a form of meditation
6. Like any prayer form, the rosary can be used as vain repetition,
but it shouldn't!
7. The Mysteries of the Rosary aren't about the Rosary
8. The Mysteries of the Rosary focus your mind on Jesus.
9. There are 20 mysteries in 4 categories:
Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, Luminous.
10. The origin of the Rosary is in the recitation of the 150 Psalms.
Now, without much further ado, the prayers.
使徒信経 (Apostle's Creed)
わたしは、天地の造り主、全能の父である神を信じます。
また、その独り子、主イエス・キリストを信じます。主は聖霊に
よって宿り、おとめマリヤから生まれ、ポンテオ・ピラトのもと
で苦しみを受け、十字架につけられ、死んで葬られ、よみに降り、
三日目に死人のうちからよみがえり、天に昇られました。そして
全能の父である神の右に座しておられます。そこから主は生きて
いる人と死んだ人とを審くために来られます。
また、聖霊を信じます。聖なる公会、聖徒の交わり、罪の赦し、
>体のよみがり、永遠の命を信じます。アーメン。
主の祈り (Our Father)
天におられるわたしたちの父よ、
み名が聖とされますように。
み国が来ますように。
みこころが天に行われるとおり地にも行われますように。
わたしたちの日ごとの糧を今日も お与えください。
わたしたちの罪をおゆるしください。わたしたちも人をゆるします。
わたしたちを誘惑におちいらせず、悪からお救いください。
聖母マリアへの祈り (Hail Mary)
恵みあふれる聖マリア、主はあなたとともにおられます。主はあなたを選び、祝福し、あなたの子イエスも祝福されました。
神の母聖マリア、罪深いわたしたちのために、今も、死を迎える時も祈ってください。
天使祝詞（古） (Hail Mary, Old version)
めでたし、聖寵満ち満てるマリア、主御身とともにまします。御身は女のうちにて祝せられ、ご胎内の御子イエスも祝せられたもう。天主の御母聖マリア、罪人なるわれらのために、今も臨終の時も祈りたまえ。
栄唱 (Glory Be)
栄光は父と子と聖霊に。初めのように今もいつも世々に。
ファティマの祈り (Fatima Prayer)
主イエス・キリスト
わたし達の罪をゆるしてください。
わたし達を滅びから救いすべての人々ことにおんあわれみをもっと必要としている人々を天国に導いてください。
サルヴェ・レッジーナ (Salve Regina)
元后あわれみの母わたし達のいのち喜び希望。
旅路からあなたに叫ぶエヴァの子嘆きながら泣きながらも
涙の谷にあなたを慕います。
わたし達のためにとりなす方 あわれみの目をわたし達にそそぎ
尊いあなたの子イエスを旅路の果てにお示しください。
いつくしみ 恵みあふれる 喜びのおとめ マリア。
Go and set the World Ablaze
First let me make some blanket statements that I will try to explain better in another blog posting or two.
1. Catholics do not worship Mary, we honor/venerate her.
2. Prayer to Mary doesn't equate to worship.
3. We give far less attention to Mary than I think we should as Catholics.
4. We give far less attention to Mary than you might think.
5. The Rosary should be used as a form of meditation
6. Like any prayer form, the rosary can be used as vain repetition,
but it shouldn't!
7. The Mysteries of the Rosary aren't about the Rosary
8. The Mysteries of the Rosary focus your mind on Jesus.
9. There are 20 mysteries in 4 categories:
Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, Luminous.
10. The origin of the Rosary is in the recitation of the 150 Psalms.
Now, without much further ado, the prayers.
使徒信経 (Apostle's Creed)
わたしは、天地の造り主、全能の父である神を信じます。
また、その独り子、主イエス・キリストを信じます。主は聖霊に
よって宿り、おとめマリヤから生まれ、ポンテオ・ピラトのもと
で苦しみを受け、十字架につけられ、死んで葬られ、よみに降り、
三日目に死人のうちからよみがえり、天に昇られました。そして
全能の父である神の右に座しておられます。そこから主は生きて
いる人と死んだ人とを審くために来られます。
また、聖霊を信じます。聖なる公会、聖徒の交わり、罪の赦し、
>体のよみがり、永遠の命を信じます。アーメン。
主の祈り (Our Father)
天におられるわたしたちの父よ、
み名が聖とされますように。
み国が来ますように。
みこころが天に行われるとおり地にも行われますように。
わたしたちの日ごとの糧を今日も お与えください。
わたしたちの罪をおゆるしください。わたしたちも人をゆるします。
わたしたちを誘惑におちいらせず、悪からお救いください。
聖母マリアへの祈り (Hail Mary)
恵みあふれる聖マリア、主はあなたとともにおられます。主はあなたを選び、祝福し、あなたの子イエスも祝福されました。
神の母聖マリア、罪深いわたしたちのために、今も、死を迎える時も祈ってください。
天使祝詞（古） (Hail Mary, Old version)
めでたし、聖寵満ち満てるマリア、主御身とともにまします。御身は女のうちにて祝せられ、ご胎内の御子イエスも祝せられたもう。天主の御母聖マリア、罪人なるわれらのために、今も臨終の時も祈りたまえ。
栄唱 (Glory Be)
栄光は父と子と聖霊に。初めのように今もいつも世々に。
ファティマの祈り (Fatima Prayer)
主イエス・キリスト
わたし達の罪をゆるしてください。
わたし達を滅びから救いすべての人々ことにおんあわれみをもっと必要としている人々を天国に導いてください。
サルヴェ・レッジーナ (Salve Regina)
元后あわれみの母わたし達のいのち喜び希望。
旅路からあなたに叫ぶエヴァの子嘆きながら泣きながらも
涙の谷にあなたを慕います。
わたし達のためにとりなす方 あわれみの目をわたし達にそそぎ
尊いあなたの子イエスを旅路の果てにお示しください。
いつくしみ 恵みあふれる 喜びのおとめ マリア。
Go and set the World Ablaze
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Shirley, Kindness and Mercy will follow me...
"Courage is the most important of all the virtues, because without courage you can't practice any other virtues consistently. You can't be consistently kind or fair or humane or generous, not without courage, because if you don't have it, sooner or later you will stop and say, "The threat is too much. The... difficulty is too high. The challenge is too great." ~ Maya Angelo
The first time I read this, I thought it was EPIC. Then I read it again...
The second time, I felt something sink in me, like I had just discovered a vase that I thought was whole to be completely shattered when I turned and saw its broken back.
I think she is totally confusing courage with Hope. I thought Hope was that which gives us the ability to move forward. It gives us a good to strive for in the future whether that future is near or far. Courage is of a different flavor, right?
If Hope is as I've defined it, then isn't Hope contingent upon Love? Without Love, one cannot care about anything and will simply not move. When Love is lost, all is lost because despair has taken its place. Besides what happened to "And the greatest of these is love"?
The third time, I noted that this quote is really placing consistency over courage anyway. To meCourage is not the same as consistency . Courage is simply what allows you stay the course in an unusually difficult situation. It's the stuff of heroes. It is simply not of the consistency type. For the matters of consistency, we have the word fortitude.
So, nothing against Maya Angelou, but this quote is definitely not one of her best. Or at least I hope it isn't.
Chesterton is far more eloquent in matters such as these:
"To love means loving the unlovable. To forgive means pardoning the unpardonable. Faith means believing the unbelievable. Hope means hoping when everything seems hopeless."
Of course, to understand what GKC is saying here you have to know that each apparent contradiction here is pointing to what society would define as "unlovable, unpardonable, unbelievable" not as something objectively "unlovable, unpardonable, unbelievable."
The first time I read this, I thought it was EPIC. Then I read it again...
The second time, I felt something sink in me, like I had just discovered a vase that I thought was whole to be completely shattered when I turned and saw its broken back.
I think she is totally confusing courage with Hope. I thought Hope was that which gives us the ability to move forward. It gives us a good to strive for in the future whether that future is near or far. Courage is of a different flavor, right?
If Hope is as I've defined it, then isn't Hope contingent upon Love? Without Love, one cannot care about anything and will simply not move. When Love is lost, all is lost because despair has taken its place. Besides what happened to "And the greatest of these is love"?
The third time, I noted that this quote is really placing consistency over courage anyway. To meCourage is not the same as consistency . Courage is simply what allows you stay the course in an unusually difficult situation. It's the stuff of heroes. It is simply not of the consistency type. For the matters of consistency, we have the word fortitude.
So, nothing against Maya Angelou, but this quote is definitely not one of her best. Or at least I hope it isn't.
Chesterton is far more eloquent in matters such as these:
"To love means loving the unlovable. To forgive means pardoning the unpardonable. Faith means believing the unbelievable. Hope means hoping when everything seems hopeless."
Of course, to understand what GKC is saying here you have to know that each apparent contradiction here is pointing to what society would define as "unlovable, unpardonable, unbelievable" not as something objectively "unlovable, unpardonable, unbelievable."
Friday, January 15, 2010
Welcome to 2010
Or so I just realized... I just yesterday connected the fact that the "far off future" with flying cars and all those space age looking buildings used to be projected into this year: 2010. Now, here it is, and the best we have to look forward to is what? Going Green?
I find it hard to answer that question without looking at the current political trends and becoming rather depressed. Well, the negative me does that anyway. Really, as some might say, this all is a sign of our times, but the positive me must reject that notion. In fact, I would say the positive me sees the good and is relies on my negative side to keep the whole me realistic and practical. Not sure it is working really though.
Actually, what I intend to communicate this time in this little post is far more related to religion than where it looks like this is going now. In fact it might be closer to core where beliefs are.
Since last semester finished... or rather I should say that I survived the last couple weeks of school weeks scrambling to get projects done that I avoided for over a month while focusing on Japanese. My teachers were understanding and allowed my projects to be turned in when completed. I am actually pleased to note that I actually didn't skimp on the research before working on them. The problem is that one heavy thought project streamed into the next so thoroughly that I felt overwhelmed and exhausted immediately following the semester. In fact, between work, Christmas stuff, snow and everything else, I feel kind of like I've had no break. What I've been asking myself of late is why?
I want to blame it simply on all the stuff going on around me, but that can't really be the whole reason. Unlike the me six months ago, I currently watch a lot of movies (mostly from redbox), play a myriad of facebook games, hit kongregate, and watch aimless TV (CSI, random movies, NCIS, etc). These, of course, all in addition to my normal periodic reading goals that crop up, youtube-ing, and video game playing. I can't help but wonder about my massive increase in time that I dedicate to entertainment. Actually, I still partially blame this on my exhaustion. The last month me, could probably be best compared with either a zombie or a robot. It has been like I've been watching me from inside a cave waiting for the real me to stop drinking lethe's water and to awaken to reality.
So, you might be asking, what does this have to do with God, beliefs, or anything. That is actually the simple part and the punch line. It's like I've forgotten it, or have been stalling putting it back into action, but it's "render unto Caesar" and
"to God what is God's." I've been squandering time and lost focus is what it comes down to. Instead of worrying about the real problem (my lack of a goal), I've been worrying about the symptoms (my daily petty emotions).
I won't discuss the intricacies of my search for a long term goal, but suffice to say my difficulty lies in trust and hope. There are too many unknowns and when I over think things with too many unknowns I tend to drop in despair. Those of you who know me, can hardly imagine that right? Well, that's because I have a goal, a substance, a focus when I am around people. It is far more difficult for me to trust in a future goal.
Go set all Afire
P.S.
Now, in reflecting back on what I've written here, I yet again wonder if what I am doing here is simply a way to self-medicate my worries and troubles. Here out where "someone" might see it perchance gives me hope? My mind simply is going over too many possibilities. I write here because I have chosen to share my reality that others might benefit from it.
I find it hard to answer that question without looking at the current political trends and becoming rather depressed. Well, the negative me does that anyway. Really, as some might say, this all is a sign of our times, but the positive me must reject that notion. In fact, I would say the positive me sees the good and is relies on my negative side to keep the whole me realistic and practical. Not sure it is working really though.
Actually, what I intend to communicate this time in this little post is far more related to religion than where it looks like this is going now. In fact it might be closer to core where beliefs are.
Since last semester finished... or rather I should say that I survived the last couple weeks of school weeks scrambling to get projects done that I avoided for over a month while focusing on Japanese. My teachers were understanding and allowed my projects to be turned in when completed. I am actually pleased to note that I actually didn't skimp on the research before working on them. The problem is that one heavy thought project streamed into the next so thoroughly that I felt overwhelmed and exhausted immediately following the semester. In fact, between work, Christmas stuff, snow and everything else, I feel kind of like I've had no break. What I've been asking myself of late is why?
I want to blame it simply on all the stuff going on around me, but that can't really be the whole reason. Unlike the me six months ago, I currently watch a lot of movies (mostly from redbox), play a myriad of facebook games, hit kongregate, and watch aimless TV (CSI, random movies, NCIS, etc). These, of course, all in addition to my normal periodic reading goals that crop up, youtube-ing, and video game playing. I can't help but wonder about my massive increase in time that I dedicate to entertainment. Actually, I still partially blame this on my exhaustion. The last month me, could probably be best compared with either a zombie or a robot. It has been like I've been watching me from inside a cave waiting for the real me to stop drinking lethe's water and to awaken to reality.
So, you might be asking, what does this have to do with God, beliefs, or anything. That is actually the simple part and the punch line. It's like I've forgotten it, or have been stalling putting it back into action, but it's "render unto Caesar" and
"to God what is God's." I've been squandering time and lost focus is what it comes down to. Instead of worrying about the real problem (my lack of a goal), I've been worrying about the symptoms (my daily petty emotions).
I won't discuss the intricacies of my search for a long term goal, but suffice to say my difficulty lies in trust and hope. There are too many unknowns and when I over think things with too many unknowns I tend to drop in despair. Those of you who know me, can hardly imagine that right? Well, that's because I have a goal, a substance, a focus when I am around people. It is far more difficult for me to trust in a future goal.
Go set all Afire
P.S.
Now, in reflecting back on what I've written here, I yet again wonder if what I am doing here is simply a way to self-medicate my worries and troubles. Here out where "someone" might see it perchance gives me hope? My mind simply is going over too many possibilities. I write here because I have chosen to share my reality that others might benefit from it.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)