I know from my own experiences that blasting everyone doesn't work. I do know that addressing specific needs with those that you have issues with typically works better. Humans are complex creatures and should perhaps be treated as such...On that thought comes these gems from the Holy Father, probably enough to make a volume 2 of the book of insults
So let's go through these point by point.
1. The disease of feeling 'immortal' or 'essential'
Feelings are subjective, and it is true that this can be a form of pride in the sense that one could feel immovable or important. But it is also true that every piece of the puzzle is important, even the most minor of pieces. So as a result everyone should feel important because all jobs need to be done with care and dignity.
Applicable to us, sure, especially when we're young, we do tend to think that we're invincible. Our final end, sometimes we tend to not think about. Perhaps we should spend more time mediating upon these things, rather than thinking that we're invincible.
2. The disease of excessive activity
Well, yes, there are some that make themselves too busy and take on too much, surely...however, what about those that use busyness as an anti-dote to sloth? I know this is true for me, To avoid being slothful, I give myself things to do, even if they're not important. The struggle for holiness is real folks, and some of us have to battle it in very specific ways.
Of course we should try to reach a balance with these things, our activity and our rest. God rested, as such, we should rest too. It's good for the soul to relax, but 24/7 relaxing is bad, and 24/7 working is bad too, a balance must be found...but if one is given 1000's of things to do, one should either do them or delegate.
3. The diseases of mental and spiritual petrification
It is true that we're not robots, and we do have emotions, and we should probably use them. It is also true that a holy indifference is needed to be able to analyze things objectively. This does not mean that we don't empathize when called, or what not, but does mean in order to be able to help people that one can't be too invested in the situation. There's a reason I believe that everyone should have a spiritual director. To be able to look at ourselves with an objective eye, sometimes the outside looking in can see things that inside looking out can't.
I don't know if I can agree to it being a loss of internal peace, for peace is a state of being, not an emotion. I can be peaceful within the context of what I'm working on, even if I take on a machine like behaviour. Like I alluded to in the 2nd point, things do need to get done, and there can be times and places for everything that's needed. A laser like focus is sometimes needed to get work done. It's not that we "don't care".
4 and 5. The diseases of over- planning and bad coordination
Not necessarily every moment is that of the Holy Spirit, or necessarily of the Devil. Why do we plan to the greatest detail? Is to "avoid" promptings of the Spirit? No, of course not....Rather it's because being prepared for every situation makes things go smoother. To under- plan would lead to bad coordination. In order to run anything smoothly, everyone needs to be on the same page. This is why we plan, to keep everyone on the same page to work or get a job done. There's a heresy of formlessness because God is True Order itself. Now if plans don't go according to how they're written that's okay, it's not the end of the world, let's not make idols out of the schedule.
6. The disease of Spiritual Alzheimer's
The Spirit is strong, but the flesh is weak. I really have nothing to say on this one. Sometimes we do tend to forget that sin is a bad thing, and we should avoid it at all costs. Speaking in this subjective encounter with the Lord, we receive Him in Holy Communion, what greater encounter is there than this? That said, is always one of those happy joy joy, feel good moments? Of course not! I don't necessarily "feel" anything. To those that are given the gift of consolation great! But for most of us, that gift is not given...so it can definitely be easy to forget these things.
7. The disease of rivalry and vainglory
It is a good to be competitive and to try and do things well. However for maters within the Church, we don't do things for worldly accolades and vanity, we do them for the love of God, so again, I have nothing really to say on this point
8, 11, 12, and 14. The diseases of external schizophrenia, indifference to others, funeral face and closed circles.
These are the insults to introverts and to those of us that are reserve in our nature by not expressing our emotions one way or another (as a normal exercise)
Not everyone is called to "work with the people" or "walk a mile in their shoes" There are some that are called to the cloister or to be away from the daily struggle. Sometimes these people are dragged from where they're called for *insert reason here* and somehow have to make the best of the situation that they find themselves in. Some people are flat out reserve, and it's not that they're indifferent to other people, maybe the total opposite is true, they do actually care, but they show that care privately versus publicly. We can't smile in all situations, I think it'd be rather inappropriate if a person is getting shot to be smiling...If people are showing sad face, or a funeral face, one should probably ask what's going on...but perhaps it's just how they wish to express themselves. I know for myself, I'm reserve and I don't show my emotion always, I didn't realize being so would be condemned :p. The introverted or reserve person sometimes do tend to keep their circles close. It's no because we hate people, but giving trust is difficult for us, so as a result, yes, the circle is closed. There's no such thing as an open circle ;)
9 and 10. The diseases of "gossip and chatter" and defying the leaders
Well, here's a strange idea...watch what you say. If you don't wish to be spoken of, don't say anything in such a way that will be used against you. Don't pursue agendas that are contrary to the Truth, then you won't be defied. It's really simple, but no, people have to make things complicated don't they? Think twice, speak once....limit off the cuff comments when possible.
13 and 15. The diseases of hoarding and worldly profit and exhibitionism
Yes, having too much stuff is a bad thing (except for kittens and books)...it's true one should not be a materialist....or even do things for money, but rather for the love of God.
Exhibitionism, however, is a bit much. Yes, there are some that do wear the cuppa magna (Read Cardinal Burke, Bp Schneider, Cardinal Ranjith)...yes, these things do represent the world....they should. Then one strips off the world, and puts on a new creation in Christ. (the symbolism of the vestments by the way)...the cassock is street clothing...one puts on the armor of God. It's not exhibitionism to know this theology and to live it. It is not a form of pride to wear what was donated. If anything it's an exhibitionism to NOT wear these things because one is showing one's own tastes are greater than what is given to oneself.
Pax Vobis
22 December 2014
Everyone's lives matter...
Lately, no thanks to the various events that have happened, there's been this move for different hashtags such as #Blacklivesmatter #Policelivesmatter #Whitelivesmatter, etc.
I'm sorry, but all of these are wrong!. Everyone's lives matter. From the kid with down syndrome, to the elderly person who can barely walk and on their last breath. Everyone's lives matter. Every single person that exists on the face of the planet has a dignity that is equal.
It is perhaps a symptom of the culture at large that seems to place agenda and politics above humanity.
The thing is that NONE of the events should have happened in the first place. None of the events surrounding the events should have happened either...
Forgive me for being a bit angry, but when we're treating mere symptoms of a deeper problem, there's no way in heck a simple so called social media event is really going to do anything. And then on top of this we have athletes using activities of recreation trying to get into the agenda war too.
A little course in common sense is what I have to offer today...here's how it goes.
1) Follow legitimate orders and instructions....That is to say, if someone's telling you to get out the street, it's probably a good idea to listen. This does not mean allowing people to abuse their authority, this is why I qualified this statement. Clearly for example someone is trying to rape you, or steal something that is rightfully yours, by all means do not listen to this.
2) Don't act like complete idiots when things don't go your way: Rioting drives up the costs of items in the local area and makes problems even worse than they already are because now more resources must be used. If you're one to not trust cops, guess what, there's going to be MORE of them when you riot. So now you've made your problem worse. If you disagree with something, go through the proper channels for recourse...Make an appeal, file a new suit, but don't vandalize property like baboons.
3) Don't expect others to uphold the law, if you don't uphold it yourself. If you want people to not suspect an uneven playing field, apply the law equally, to those rich, and to those that are poor. Do not let people buy off the justice system....
4) Don't act in a way that will make others suspicious, or lead to stereotyping...here's a strange idea, instead of robbing a store, selling cigarettes, acting like a gangster...umm, don't. If you don't break the law, you won't be bothered. A friendly reminder to those enforcing the various laws, all people are innocent until proven guilty, not guilty until proven innocent...Now if it happens that a person of *insert race here* does a crime, and the cops make their search more specific based upon this information, it is profiling, don't get me wrong, but if *insert race here* did not commit this particular crime, why should they even be looked at?
Everyone's lives matter, period. Everyone's lives matter, no person should die so that you might live as you wish. And no, just because an injustice was done does not give you a right to take justice into your own hands. Killing cops is just as wrong as killing innocent people....Enough with the stupidity, enough!
Pax Vobis
I'm sorry, but all of these are wrong!. Everyone's lives matter. From the kid with down syndrome, to the elderly person who can barely walk and on their last breath. Everyone's lives matter. Every single person that exists on the face of the planet has a dignity that is equal.
It is perhaps a symptom of the culture at large that seems to place agenda and politics above humanity.
The thing is that NONE of the events should have happened in the first place. None of the events surrounding the events should have happened either...
Forgive me for being a bit angry, but when we're treating mere symptoms of a deeper problem, there's no way in heck a simple so called social media event is really going to do anything. And then on top of this we have athletes using activities of recreation trying to get into the agenda war too.
A little course in common sense is what I have to offer today...here's how it goes.
1) Follow legitimate orders and instructions....That is to say, if someone's telling you to get out the street, it's probably a good idea to listen. This does not mean allowing people to abuse their authority, this is why I qualified this statement. Clearly for example someone is trying to rape you, or steal something that is rightfully yours, by all means do not listen to this.
2) Don't act like complete idiots when things don't go your way: Rioting drives up the costs of items in the local area and makes problems even worse than they already are because now more resources must be used. If you're one to not trust cops, guess what, there's going to be MORE of them when you riot. So now you've made your problem worse. If you disagree with something, go through the proper channels for recourse...Make an appeal, file a new suit, but don't vandalize property like baboons.
3) Don't expect others to uphold the law, if you don't uphold it yourself. If you want people to not suspect an uneven playing field, apply the law equally, to those rich, and to those that are poor. Do not let people buy off the justice system....
4) Don't act in a way that will make others suspicious, or lead to stereotyping...here's a strange idea, instead of robbing a store, selling cigarettes, acting like a gangster...umm, don't. If you don't break the law, you won't be bothered. A friendly reminder to those enforcing the various laws, all people are innocent until proven guilty, not guilty until proven innocent...Now if it happens that a person of *insert race here* does a crime, and the cops make their search more specific based upon this information, it is profiling, don't get me wrong, but if *insert race here* did not commit this particular crime, why should they even be looked at?
Everyone's lives matter, period. Everyone's lives matter, no person should die so that you might live as you wish. And no, just because an injustice was done does not give you a right to take justice into your own hands. Killing cops is just as wrong as killing innocent people....Enough with the stupidity, enough!
Pax Vobis
Thought of the day
If you boil a pot of water long enough it will boil over, if you poke a bear enough times it will attack. There is only so much tolerance that a person can take before it really destroys them.
12 December 2014
Thought of the day
I really don't think recreation should be used as a means for *insert liberal pet cause here*...if one seeks to transform society, so be it, alright, but do so by getting involved in the law making process.
10 December 2014
Thought of the day
It's interesting once one realizes that all sides of the MSM have been bought and paid for, it tends to put certain events in perspective.
07 December 2014
02 December 2014
Thought of the day
There is a tendency to despair, avoid this....the Church shall never fail, in spite of her leaders.
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