Sunday, October 18, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
A Little Poem
How happy am I!
How happy am I
that the lord of wind and earth and sky
would hear a little one such as I!
How happy am I
that the lord of wind and earth and sky
would hear a little one such as I!
Monday, August 3, 2009
The Demon Neutrality
Often, being neutral is seen as positive in the world today. Those neutral in war are congratulated for not fighting, those neutral in an argument between friends are congratulated for not picking sides. But in spirituality, nothing is neutral.
One can claim that every action or thought or word they speak is neutral, but nothing really can be neutral. Regardless of what one intends, each action has a consequence for good or for bad. Say you're invited to a party, but you know it won't exactly be a 'good' party (it may be fun, but you know people will be doing things they shouldn't be doing). But you're bored, so you go to the party anyway. You don't exactly have "Christian fun" but you do enjoy yourself. But hey, why not enjoy the party? I mean, obviously you're not respecting God, but you certainly aren't worshiping Satan or anything. The party is neutral.
Lies. You can lie to yourself and say the party wasn't good, but it wasn't evil. But anything that isn't for God is against him. Just like the butterfly effect, every action has a consequence, and you cannot expect good consequences when you do bad things.
A common saying warns that those who stand by and let evil happen are just as much at fault as those who do the evil. The idea of trying to remain 'neutral' is the same lie. You can't remain neutral. I'm not saying you can't be equally nice to two people, or that you can't agree with multiple ideas. But if you succumb to accepting things that are less than good, you succumb to evil. It is the little things, the little slips that lead us farther and farther from what is truly good.
So just don't be neutral. If you can't find anything good about a party, then don't go. If everyone tried to preform good tasks instead of evil or neutral tasks, then the world would be a better place. Because instead of being lazy all day, (because watching TV for eight hours is neutral, not evil) people might work at broken friendships, or volunteer, or pray. If everyone always tried to do something good, something useful, something worthwhile, then how much more could we accomplish? How much more could you accomplish?
One can claim that every action or thought or word they speak is neutral, but nothing really can be neutral. Regardless of what one intends, each action has a consequence for good or for bad. Say you're invited to a party, but you know it won't exactly be a 'good' party (it may be fun, but you know people will be doing things they shouldn't be doing). But you're bored, so you go to the party anyway. You don't exactly have "Christian fun" but you do enjoy yourself. But hey, why not enjoy the party? I mean, obviously you're not respecting God, but you certainly aren't worshiping Satan or anything. The party is neutral.
Lies. You can lie to yourself and say the party wasn't good, but it wasn't evil. But anything that isn't for God is against him. Just like the butterfly effect, every action has a consequence, and you cannot expect good consequences when you do bad things.
A common saying warns that those who stand by and let evil happen are just as much at fault as those who do the evil. The idea of trying to remain 'neutral' is the same lie. You can't remain neutral. I'm not saying you can't be equally nice to two people, or that you can't agree with multiple ideas. But if you succumb to accepting things that are less than good, you succumb to evil. It is the little things, the little slips that lead us farther and farther from what is truly good.
So just don't be neutral. If you can't find anything good about a party, then don't go. If everyone tried to preform good tasks instead of evil or neutral tasks, then the world would be a better place. Because instead of being lazy all day, (because watching TV for eight hours is neutral, not evil) people might work at broken friendships, or volunteer, or pray. If everyone always tried to do something good, something useful, something worthwhile, then how much more could we accomplish? How much more could you accomplish?
Sunday, July 26, 2009
How do you pray?
Prayer is like a personal phone call to God, so obviously conversations with Him will vary from person to person. Yet within these prayerful conversations, there are often similarities in style. There are those who pray classical prayers, such as the Hail Mary, and those who make up their prayers as they go along. Personally, I like to combine both methods. I'll review the day with God, then close my prayer with a handful of well known prayers.
One of the most important aspects in prayer is that you have to be honest. Don't pray for what you think you should pray for or what you think you have to pray for, pray the way you feel. God knows everything, so He's going to be able to tell if you're lying in prayer. Just be honest. If you hate someone, say it, then ask for God's help. If you're angry, don't pretend like you have everything under control. God is always there to help us with his infinite wisdom and love, but if you refuse to acknowledge your angers and problems, He can't help you. God will not force you to listen to him or come to him, you have to do that yourself.
If you don't know where or when or how to pray, here are some ideas I've found useful.
Where to Pray:
Quick prayers can be made anywhere, but I find it easier to concentrate for longer prayers when I am at somewhere quiet.
-a church
-your bedroom
-outside in a secluded area
-a park
-while walking around the block
-while running
When to Pray:
Again, because I enjoy quiet thought, I often choose times of day that provide me with peace... but any regular time that makes you get into the habit of praying is probably the best choice.
-right after you wake up in the morning
-before you fall asleep at night
-before meals
-whenever you see or hear a certain signal (for example, if pray after you see a cross or after you hear a bell)
People invest in the future every day. You go to school so you can eventually get a job. You save money so you can eventually get a car. You practice hard so you can eventually win the race. But how do you invest in the future of your spiritual life? An everlasting life with God should be much more important than a job or a car or a victory (and it will certainly last longer). So invest a little prayer every day in your spiritual bank account. It will be well worth it.
One of the most important aspects in prayer is that you have to be honest. Don't pray for what you think you should pray for or what you think you have to pray for, pray the way you feel. God knows everything, so He's going to be able to tell if you're lying in prayer. Just be honest. If you hate someone, say it, then ask for God's help. If you're angry, don't pretend like you have everything under control. God is always there to help us with his infinite wisdom and love, but if you refuse to acknowledge your angers and problems, He can't help you. God will not force you to listen to him or come to him, you have to do that yourself.
If you don't know where or when or how to pray, here are some ideas I've found useful.
Where to Pray:
Quick prayers can be made anywhere, but I find it easier to concentrate for longer prayers when I am at somewhere quiet.
-a church
-your bedroom
-outside in a secluded area
-a park
-while walking around the block
-while running
When to Pray:
Again, because I enjoy quiet thought, I often choose times of day that provide me with peace... but any regular time that makes you get into the habit of praying is probably the best choice.
-right after you wake up in the morning
-before you fall asleep at night
-before meals
-whenever you see or hear a certain signal (for example, if pray after you see a cross or after you hear a bell)
People invest in the future every day. You go to school so you can eventually get a job. You save money so you can eventually get a car. You practice hard so you can eventually win the race. But how do you invest in the future of your spiritual life? An everlasting life with God should be much more important than a job or a car or a victory (and it will certainly last longer). So invest a little prayer every day in your spiritual bank account. It will be well worth it.
Who is Mary?
Mary is Jesus's mother... which is kind of difficult to understand, seeing as Jesus is God's son. So let's start at the beginning:
Mary was a virgin chosen by God. He sent down the angel Gabriel to bring her the news that she had been chosen to carry out a special mission. Mary consented to God's will, and the Holy Spirit blessed her with a son, Jesus. She and Joseph, her husband, raised him, then later followed him when he began teaching and preforming miracles. Mary was with Jesus until his last moments, when he died on the cross. Some time after Jesus's death and resurrection, Mary too ascended into heaven.
Because Mary ascended into heaven, how we pray to her can be a bit confusing. Mary is not a god, for there is only one God. So we do not worship Mary. However, she is more than a simple saint; she is Jesus's holy mother. We pray to her and ask her to help us in times of great need. If we feel week or helpless, we can ask Mary to pray to God for us to lend us some of her strength and gentleness. Mary herself cannot grant us these gifts or intercede for us; only through the grace of God can she aid us. A common prayer to Mary is stated below:
Mary was a virgin chosen by God. He sent down the angel Gabriel to bring her the news that she had been chosen to carry out a special mission. Mary consented to God's will, and the Holy Spirit blessed her with a son, Jesus. She and Joseph, her husband, raised him, then later followed him when he began teaching and preforming miracles. Mary was with Jesus until his last moments, when he died on the cross. Some time after Jesus's death and resurrection, Mary too ascended into heaven.
Because Mary ascended into heaven, how we pray to her can be a bit confusing. Mary is not a god, for there is only one God. So we do not worship Mary. However, she is more than a simple saint; she is Jesus's holy mother. We pray to her and ask her to help us in times of great need. If we feel week or helpless, we can ask Mary to pray to God for us to lend us some of her strength and gentleness. Mary herself cannot grant us these gifts or intercede for us; only through the grace of God can she aid us. A common prayer to Mary is stated below:
Hail Mary, full of grace.
Our Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
Our Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Why are you Christian?
At first, I was just Christian because my parents wanted me to be. I mean, I was just a baby when I was baptized, then only a first grader when I accepted First Communion and had my first confession. Mommy and Daddy said God was real, and the Church said God was real, so I believed. But I never really got it. I mean, I went to mass every Sunday, but it was just repetitive and boring and something I had to do, not wanted to do.
But then I spent a weekend preparing for first Confirmation, which is pretty much the mass in which a Catholic makes the adult decision to stay with the Church. It was during this camp that I truly began to see, feel, and understand the true meaning of being a Christian.
Being a Christian isn't a title; it's a way of life. It's a commitment to love everyone, no matter what they do to you. It's a commitment to obey the commandments and lead others to God. It's showing Christ in every one of your actions. It's obeying God, no matter what. It's the meaning of life. To love unconditionally as disciples of Christ is the true meaning of being Christian.
So why am I Christian? Because I believe it's the meaning of life. It doesn't immediately unfold a clear path before me, but it guides my feet. If God put us on this world to follow Him, who am I to say no? He's like the referee in the game of life, and every rule or suggestion He makes only makes the game easier to play and win. And winning a place in heaven, the perfect prize, is well worth whatever challenges I have to face.
But then I spent a weekend preparing for first Confirmation, which is pretty much the mass in which a Catholic makes the adult decision to stay with the Church. It was during this camp that I truly began to see, feel, and understand the true meaning of being a Christian.
Being a Christian isn't a title; it's a way of life. It's a commitment to love everyone, no matter what they do to you. It's a commitment to obey the commandments and lead others to God. It's showing Christ in every one of your actions. It's obeying God, no matter what. It's the meaning of life. To love unconditionally as disciples of Christ is the true meaning of being Christian.
So why am I Christian? Because I believe it's the meaning of life. It doesn't immediately unfold a clear path before me, but it guides my feet. If God put us on this world to follow Him, who am I to say no? He's like the referee in the game of life, and every rule or suggestion He makes only makes the game easier to play and win. And winning a place in heaven, the perfect prize, is well worth whatever challenges I have to face.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
I asked God
I asked God for strength, that I might achieve.
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey...
I asked for health, that I might do greater things.
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things...
I asked for riches, that I might be happy.
I was given poverty, that I might be wise...
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God...
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life.
I was given life that I might enjoy all things...
I got nothing that I asked for-but everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among all men, most richly blessed.
-Anonymous
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey...
I asked for health, that I might do greater things.
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things...
I asked for riches, that I might be happy.
I was given poverty, that I might be wise...
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God...
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life.
I was given life that I might enjoy all things...
I got nothing that I asked for-but everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among all men, most richly blessed.
-Anonymous
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Do you have to be Christian to go to heaven?
Of course not.
Although it certainly does help to be put on the right path, Christianity is not the only path to heaven. As pointed out before, where would that leave unborn babies or people who have never even heard of Christ? That said, it's not as though I know who and who does not go to heaven. I can't just say, "Oh, well, that kid was mean to me so he can forget heaven." No. Only God is the judge of who is and who is not worthy of heaven. And lucky for us, He's the perfect judge.
HOWEVER- It's not as if you can be a completely horrible person, and a Christian, and still expect to live in eternal splendor. First of all, obviously you're not being Christian if you're being horrible. And second of all, it's not who you are that determines your ticket to heaven, but what you do. The actions that we make every day determine whether we deserve heaven. Avoiding sin, aiding the poor, and just being good people in general is what God wants us to do. Love. And if you truly love everyone, then you will get to heaven.
Although it certainly does help to be put on the right path, Christianity is not the only path to heaven. As pointed out before, where would that leave unborn babies or people who have never even heard of Christ? That said, it's not as though I know who and who does not go to heaven. I can't just say, "Oh, well, that kid was mean to me so he can forget heaven." No. Only God is the judge of who is and who is not worthy of heaven. And lucky for us, He's the perfect judge.
HOWEVER- It's not as if you can be a completely horrible person, and a Christian, and still expect to live in eternal splendor. First of all, obviously you're not being Christian if you're being horrible. And second of all, it's not who you are that determines your ticket to heaven, but what you do. The actions that we make every day determine whether we deserve heaven. Avoiding sin, aiding the poor, and just being good people in general is what God wants us to do. Love. And if you truly love everyone, then you will get to heaven.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
What is the Church's view on evolution?
Evolution happened.
The story of Adam and Eve is just that- a story. The Bible contains multiple parables that teach certain morals and lessons. The story of Adam and Eve is one such parable. And if someone absolutely refuses to believe in evolution because of the Bible, then kindly point them to the teachings of John Paul II. He believed in evolution, and he was the Pope!
The story of Adam and Eve is just that- a story. The Bible contains multiple parables that teach certain morals and lessons. The story of Adam and Eve is one such parable. And if someone absolutely refuses to believe in evolution because of the Bible, then kindly point them to the teachings of John Paul II. He believed in evolution, and he was the Pope!
So why is the Christian Church so against contraception?
One would think that because the Church is so against abortions, that it would agree with or even promote contraception. After all, killing a baby is so much worse than just preventing a baby from ever coming into existence. So why the anti-contraception movement?
Well, in an ideal world, people love each other and only have sex when they are married. These people who have sex are fully prepared to accept parenthood and would love to have a baby. Contraception promotes the opposite of this ideal world in the following ways:
- contraception promotes the idea that people can have sex without love, because if there is no chance of a child, then it is easier to sleep around
- contraception enables people can have sex before they are married because they do not have to worry about conceiving and being prepared for children
- contraception treats children as a disease to be prevented instead of a blessing that comes with sex
In this way, contraception breaks down the teachings of the Church and our God. Though this is true, it is not as though contraception is always evil.
Because our world is not ideal.
So if contraception must be used, then use common sense. Obviously contraception is superior to abortion. Obviously there is leeway and interpretation to take into account during certain cases. For example: What if you are a married woman, but you aren't prepared to have children? Though the Church would rather you treat children like a blessing and a gift, there are special cases which prevent woman from safely having children. Whether the mother had clinical issues or the family cannot support another child, sometimes contraception is alright. Sometimes contraception can even be the best choice.
But before deciding on contraception, pray. If a person prays, researches, talks to their religious leader, and tries as hard as he/she can to review all options, then perhaps somehow contraception can be avoided. But if contraception is the only option, then so be it. God is not going to hate you for choosing the best option; He is loving and caring and compassionate. He will understand if contraception is the best choice.
Well, in an ideal world, people love each other and only have sex when they are married. These people who have sex are fully prepared to accept parenthood and would love to have a baby. Contraception promotes the opposite of this ideal world in the following ways:
- contraception promotes the idea that people can have sex without love, because if there is no chance of a child, then it is easier to sleep around
- contraception enables people can have sex before they are married because they do not have to worry about conceiving and being prepared for children
- contraception treats children as a disease to be prevented instead of a blessing that comes with sex
In this way, contraception breaks down the teachings of the Church and our God. Though this is true, it is not as though contraception is always evil.
Because our world is not ideal.
So if contraception must be used, then use common sense. Obviously contraception is superior to abortion. Obviously there is leeway and interpretation to take into account during certain cases. For example: What if you are a married woman, but you aren't prepared to have children? Though the Church would rather you treat children like a blessing and a gift, there are special cases which prevent woman from safely having children. Whether the mother had clinical issues or the family cannot support another child, sometimes contraception is alright. Sometimes contraception can even be the best choice.
But before deciding on contraception, pray. If a person prays, researches, talks to their religious leader, and tries as hard as he/she can to review all options, then perhaps somehow contraception can be avoided. But if contraception is the only option, then so be it. God is not going to hate you for choosing the best option; He is loving and caring and compassionate. He will understand if contraception is the best choice.
So what do Christians define abortion as?
Basically, if something has the natural capacity for human life, and is killed, then that is abortion. It doesn't matter what stage of life a fetus is in; as soon as the sperm and the egg connect there is life, and taking that life away causes death. Some argue that there is no difference between a bunch of human cells and a bunch of plant cells or animal cells- but there is an enormous difference. If you leave a bunch of animal cells alone, will they develop into a human? If you wait a year watching plant cells, will they eventually become a human baby? No. Contraception that prevents a sperm and an egg from connecting is true contraception. Contraception that kills a baby in its first stages of life is abortion.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Our Father
Praying is the best way to get connected to and know God. Simply closing your eyes and telling God what your problems and victories of the day are can really ease your mind and soul.
The Our Father is probably the most commonly prayed and famous Christian prayer. Adapted from the words Jesus gave to his disciples when they asked him how to pray, the Our Father is simple and meaningful. However, because of its wording, it can be confusing, (especially for those without knowledge of the Bible) to comprehend. Below are the words to the Our Father, as well as my translation of what each section means.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
(God, our Father, who is in heaven, your name is blessed.)
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
(When Jesus comes for the final judgment, he will bring those faithful to him to heaven.)
Give us this day our daily bread,
(While the Bible states that this sentence means "let that judgment day be today" I believe that it can also be interpreted as "Please Jesus, come be with us today.")
and forgive us our trespasses
(Forgive our sins)
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
(As we forgive the people who sin against us.)
And lead us not into temptation
(And please lead us from sin)
but deliver us from evil.
(But save us from evil.)
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever.
(The kingdoms of heaven and earth, power, and glory are yours now and will be until the end of time. This sentence may be omitted by some.)
Amen.
(Truly- also to be firm, steady, or trustworthy, depending on the context. Amen is actually a Hebrew word.)
An important thing to keep in mind while praying, especially when praying memorized prayers such as this, is to concentrate on what the words mean as you are saying them. If you just numbly repeat words without feeling anything for them or truly thinking what you are saying, the depth of the prayer is lost. Just like the difference in saying "I'm sorry," in a bored voice with no inflection, as opposed to saying "I'm sorry," while weeping, repeating and truly praying are two separate things.
The Our Father is probably the most commonly prayed and famous Christian prayer. Adapted from the words Jesus gave to his disciples when they asked him how to pray, the Our Father is simple and meaningful. However, because of its wording, it can be confusing, (especially for those without knowledge of the Bible) to comprehend. Below are the words to the Our Father, as well as my translation of what each section means.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
(God, our Father, who is in heaven, your name is blessed.)
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
(When Jesus comes for the final judgment, he will bring those faithful to him to heaven.)
Give us this day our daily bread,
(While the Bible states that this sentence means "let that judgment day be today" I believe that it can also be interpreted as "Please Jesus, come be with us today.")
and forgive us our trespasses
(Forgive our sins)
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
(As we forgive the people who sin against us.)
And lead us not into temptation
(And please lead us from sin)
but deliver us from evil.
(But save us from evil.)
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever.
(The kingdoms of heaven and earth, power, and glory are yours now and will be until the end of time. This sentence may be omitted by some.)
Amen.
(Truly- also to be firm, steady, or trustworthy, depending on the context. Amen is actually a Hebrew word.)
An important thing to keep in mind while praying, especially when praying memorized prayers such as this, is to concentrate on what the words mean as you are saying them. If you just numbly repeat words without feeling anything for them or truly thinking what you are saying, the depth of the prayer is lost. Just like the difference in saying "I'm sorry," in a bored voice with no inflection, as opposed to saying "I'm sorry," while weeping, repeating and truly praying are two separate things.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
The Eighth and the Tenth Commandment
The eighth and the tenth Commandments
-you shall not steal
-you shall not covet your neighbor's possessions
are bound together by one theme: greed.
Greed causes us to covet and obsess over that which we do not have, which leads us to stealing. But why should we not steal? Certainly there are those who need things as opposed to those who have an abundance of unnecessary items. Yet stealing is wrong.
God gives us so much in this world. Everyone is given the gifts of life, spirit, hope and happiness. But it is up to us to recognize these gifts and be thankful for them. A simple Hatian prayer says,
"Lord, even when we have no food, we can say the same thing as those who have meat, 'Thank you Jesus, you gave your life fore me.' They can't say more."
Another Hatian prayer refers to Jesus's words, "Blessed are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs." (Mt 5:3) The prayer states,
"They say that I am poor. Thank you Father. May I also be poor in spirit that I may inherit the Kingdom of God."
But what about those who are rich? Simple logic-those that have should give so that those who do not have feel no need to steal. We should help one another. But if a person does not receive the bare necessities of life, or does not have what they need, the best thing that person can do is pray. God is all-powerful and loves each person individually. He will help you get by.
Coveting and stealing are insulting to God. He has given us so much- everything that we have- so who are we to say, "No, I want more. I demand more." God provides us with everything we need. Who are we to contradict him? He gives us no more trouble than we can handle, and if we feel like we can't handle it, then we have God, Jesus, Mary, and all the saints to pray to for guidance.
But coveting doesn't just apply to stealing actual items-it can also be applied to intangible things such as desires. When we want to be smarter, faster, stronger, prettier, than our neighbor, we are sinning. It is not sinful to compete in sports or want to be a better athlete or a better model, but when we allow jealousy to rule us, we are sinning. Instead of allowing anger to enter our hearts, we must look to our own abilities and not our faults. We should not compare ourselves to others but rather be happy for what we have.
-you shall not steal
-you shall not covet your neighbor's possessions
are bound together by one theme: greed.
Greed causes us to covet and obsess over that which we do not have, which leads us to stealing. But why should we not steal? Certainly there are those who need things as opposed to those who have an abundance of unnecessary items. Yet stealing is wrong.
God gives us so much in this world. Everyone is given the gifts of life, spirit, hope and happiness. But it is up to us to recognize these gifts and be thankful for them. A simple Hatian prayer says,
"Lord, even when we have no food, we can say the same thing as those who have meat, 'Thank you Jesus, you gave your life fore me.' They can't say more."
Another Hatian prayer refers to Jesus's words, "Blessed are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs." (Mt 5:3) The prayer states,
"They say that I am poor. Thank you Father. May I also be poor in spirit that I may inherit the Kingdom of God."
But what about those who are rich? Simple logic-those that have should give so that those who do not have feel no need to steal. We should help one another. But if a person does not receive the bare necessities of life, or does not have what they need, the best thing that person can do is pray. God is all-powerful and loves each person individually. He will help you get by.
Coveting and stealing are insulting to God. He has given us so much- everything that we have- so who are we to say, "No, I want more. I demand more." God provides us with everything we need. Who are we to contradict him? He gives us no more trouble than we can handle, and if we feel like we can't handle it, then we have God, Jesus, Mary, and all the saints to pray to for guidance.
But coveting doesn't just apply to stealing actual items-it can also be applied to intangible things such as desires. When we want to be smarter, faster, stronger, prettier, than our neighbor, we are sinning. It is not sinful to compete in sports or want to be a better athlete or a better model, but when we allow jealousy to rule us, we are sinning. Instead of allowing anger to enter our hearts, we must look to our own abilities and not our faults. We should not compare ourselves to others but rather be happy for what we have.
The Ninth Commandment
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
Don't lie. It is such a simple statement, yet many times we feel cornered or pressured into twisting the truth or not telling the entire story. Some argue that twists and loopholes are not "truly" lying, yet if a person walks away from you with an untruth you intended them to receive, you are lying. For example:
Bob asks his best friend, "Do you know why I wasn't invited to her party?"
Fred answers by shrugging, then saying, "Maybe she just forgot." But Fred knows that she didn't invite him because she did not like him, and wanted to avoid talking to him.
Obviously, in the situation above, Fred felt pressured to give the wrong impression. Though he had good intentions, Fred lied because he made it seem like he had no idea why Bob was not invited. A better response could have been:
"Yes, but I think you should talk to her about it."
"I do, but I don't agree with what she thinks."
"I think it would be best if you asked her."
All of these responses do not lie, but also spare his friend's feelings. But why bother being careful when it is so easy to lie? Well, there are multiple reasons: if Bob finds out Fred DID know what she thought, then he may feel insulted or angry for not being told. Also, what may seem like little lies can snowball easily into big lies or multiple lies to support the original lie.
But why should we not lie? To lie is to invite someone not to trust you. Even if you lie to protect their feelings, your feelings, or something else, nothing changes the fact that you do not respect that person enough to tell them the truth. Also, if you do not lie with little things people will learn to trust you and go to you for big things, because they know you'll be truthful. Even a lie as simple as:
"Of course you look lovely in that dress."
Can be hurtful- such as if the person is gossiped about because the clothing did not fit her. If a person just tries to please everyone and sacrifices the truth, people will pick up on it and disregard that person's opinion- even if later their opinion is true and important.
Don't lie. It is such a simple statement, yet many times we feel cornered or pressured into twisting the truth or not telling the entire story. Some argue that twists and loopholes are not "truly" lying, yet if a person walks away from you with an untruth you intended them to receive, you are lying. For example:
Bob asks his best friend, "Do you know why I wasn't invited to her party?"
Fred answers by shrugging, then saying, "Maybe she just forgot." But Fred knows that she didn't invite him because she did not like him, and wanted to avoid talking to him.
Obviously, in the situation above, Fred felt pressured to give the wrong impression. Though he had good intentions, Fred lied because he made it seem like he had no idea why Bob was not invited. A better response could have been:
"Yes, but I think you should talk to her about it."
"I do, but I don't agree with what she thinks."
"I think it would be best if you asked her."
All of these responses do not lie, but also spare his friend's feelings. But why bother being careful when it is so easy to lie? Well, there are multiple reasons: if Bob finds out Fred DID know what she thought, then he may feel insulted or angry for not being told. Also, what may seem like little lies can snowball easily into big lies or multiple lies to support the original lie.
But why should we not lie? To lie is to invite someone not to trust you. Even if you lie to protect their feelings, your feelings, or something else, nothing changes the fact that you do not respect that person enough to tell them the truth. Also, if you do not lie with little things people will learn to trust you and go to you for big things, because they know you'll be truthful. Even a lie as simple as:
"Of course you look lovely in that dress."
Can be hurtful- such as if the person is gossiped about because the clothing did not fit her. If a person just tries to please everyone and sacrifices the truth, people will pick up on it and disregard that person's opinion- even if later their opinion is true and important.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Inspire
"Don't let your life be sterile. Be useful. Blaze a trail. Shine forth with the light of your faith and of your love. With you apostolic life wipe out the slimy and filthy mark left by the impure sowers of hatred. And light up all the ways of the earth with the fire of Christ that you carry in your heart."
-Josemaria Escriva
-Josemaria Escriva
Elaboration on the Sixth Commandment
You shall not kill.
Now, in a time where debating over abortion, war, and human rights is more popular than ever, this commandment must be listened to. Simple, yet meaningful in a thousand different ways, You shall not kill lays down the law directly and without any question.
Don't kill.
Yet people still try to bend it and mold it to their will, to their own liking. "Well, its alright to kill if you don't love the baby. If you don't love it, it doesn't have a soul, and without a soul, its not really alive. It can't have rights if its not even born." But the Ten Commandments come from God himself, and there's no wiggle room in a law. Black and white. Kill or don't kill. You can't twist God's words without first claiming that you're better than He is, that you know more than he does. And you don't- because God knows everything and understands everything and sees everything.
And He loves everything.
But even with such an obvious commandment as You shall not kill, people still have several questions. I'll try to answer the more common ones, but feel free to ask any I don't cover.
What about abortion?
When you kill an unborn baby, you KILL it. There's no debating. God sent that child into the world for a reason, and that reason was not to have you dispose of it like a tumor. Abortion is killing, made even more evil by the fact that the unborn infant has committed no crime, no sin of any sort. The public wouldn't allow a massacre of infants, so why does it allow a massacre of the unborn? Common responses include 'her body, her choice', that the baby wouldn't have a good life, exc. These are ridiculous. Life is worth more than anything else on this planet; it is holy and special and something man will never be able to create. I would gladly sacrifice my freedom for a year to save someone's life- isn't that what soldiers and heroes do every day? Don't they undergo pain and suffering and hurt to save lives? People should not have the right to choose who lives and who dies- only God should have that right. How can you know how that infant will impact the world?
There is the valid argument that if, in a rare case, a mother does not undergo an abortion she will die. The Catholic Church acknowledges this, as did the late Pope John Paul II, who wrote that a mother has the right to defend her own life. But only if an abortion will save a life is it the right action to make. If the baby is an "inconvenience" then a mother should still have it. Life is a blessing, not a curse, not something you can just toss away and forget about. Because as well as the Eighth Commandment, the Catholic Church, and God saying abortion is wrong- modern day mothers say its wrong. Women who have undergone abortion tell horrible grief stricken stories of guilt and hurt that they have to live with for the rest of their lives. Just another one of the countless reasons we should listen to God-He loves us and tells us the best thing to do.
What about killing animals?
If you kill animals for food, or because they're hurting you, or even because that stupid ant won't leave your house, then yes, its alright to kill them. Naturally you can't just go around slaughtering without reason. But if you need the animal for food or if its hurting you or whatnot, you may kill it.
What about killing murderers?
Use common sense- if killing one person can save the lives of others, then God understands that person must be killed. But if a murderer or rapist or convict of any kind is locked up, kept away from others then there is no reason to kill them. they have the rest of their lives to turn over a new leaf and inspire others, in both good and bad ways, not to convict crimes. Their lives can become better, the lives of those they interact with can become better; everything is webbed together. Cut that person out of the web and you can never tell what you are loosing. And how can we accuse the convict of murder if we want to murder them?
Now, in a time where debating over abortion, war, and human rights is more popular than ever, this commandment must be listened to. Simple, yet meaningful in a thousand different ways, You shall not kill lays down the law directly and without any question.
Don't kill.
Yet people still try to bend it and mold it to their will, to their own liking. "Well, its alright to kill if you don't love the baby. If you don't love it, it doesn't have a soul, and without a soul, its not really alive. It can't have rights if its not even born." But the Ten Commandments come from God himself, and there's no wiggle room in a law. Black and white. Kill or don't kill. You can't twist God's words without first claiming that you're better than He is, that you know more than he does. And you don't- because God knows everything and understands everything and sees everything.
And He loves everything.
But even with such an obvious commandment as You shall not kill, people still have several questions. I'll try to answer the more common ones, but feel free to ask any I don't cover.
What about abortion?
When you kill an unborn baby, you KILL it. There's no debating. God sent that child into the world for a reason, and that reason was not to have you dispose of it like a tumor. Abortion is killing, made even more evil by the fact that the unborn infant has committed no crime, no sin of any sort. The public wouldn't allow a massacre of infants, so why does it allow a massacre of the unborn? Common responses include 'her body, her choice', that the baby wouldn't have a good life, exc. These are ridiculous. Life is worth more than anything else on this planet; it is holy and special and something man will never be able to create. I would gladly sacrifice my freedom for a year to save someone's life- isn't that what soldiers and heroes do every day? Don't they undergo pain and suffering and hurt to save lives? People should not have the right to choose who lives and who dies- only God should have that right. How can you know how that infant will impact the world?
There is the valid argument that if, in a rare case, a mother does not undergo an abortion she will die. The Catholic Church acknowledges this, as did the late Pope John Paul II, who wrote that a mother has the right to defend her own life. But only if an abortion will save a life is it the right action to make. If the baby is an "inconvenience" then a mother should still have it. Life is a blessing, not a curse, not something you can just toss away and forget about. Because as well as the Eighth Commandment, the Catholic Church, and God saying abortion is wrong- modern day mothers say its wrong. Women who have undergone abortion tell horrible grief stricken stories of guilt and hurt that they have to live with for the rest of their lives. Just another one of the countless reasons we should listen to God-He loves us and tells us the best thing to do.
What about killing animals?
If you kill animals for food, or because they're hurting you, or even because that stupid ant won't leave your house, then yes, its alright to kill them. Naturally you can't just go around slaughtering without reason. But if you need the animal for food or if its hurting you or whatnot, you may kill it.
What about killing murderers?
Use common sense- if killing one person can save the lives of others, then God understands that person must be killed. But if a murderer or rapist or convict of any kind is locked up, kept away from others then there is no reason to kill them. they have the rest of their lives to turn over a new leaf and inspire others, in both good and bad ways, not to convict crimes. Their lives can become better, the lives of those they interact with can become better; everything is webbed together. Cut that person out of the web and you can never tell what you are loosing. And how can we accuse the convict of murder if we want to murder them?
Sunday, February 1, 2009
The Seventh Commandment
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Just don't go sleeping around. This commandment is one of the simplest to understand, because it's so easy for us to see what great harm adultery can cause.... families can be torn apart, hearts can be shattered, and trust can be demolished. It's important that people keep love above lust, and that they can respect their vows of marriage, spouse, and God.
But the Bible also states that if a man looks at a woman lustfully, then he has already committed adultery in his mind. Likewise, if a woman causes a man to look at her lustfully, then she is also at fault.
Though this may seem harsh, it makes sense. Men, obviously, will feel things for women. This is how they were made. However, men should not constantly be obsessed with lusting after females. The easiest way to avoid lust would be to not seek out porn or other sexual images that would make a person feel lust.
But it is not only the fault of men for feeling lust- often it is the fault of women for wearing revealing (or lack of any) clothes. While it is perfectly understandable (and fine :) to look good, looking good doesn't mean that a woman has to wear ridiculously deep shirts or short shorts.
In today's society, lust and love are synonymous. But God wants us to love. And by telling us that we should not commit adultery, He is expressing the importance of love over lust.
Just don't go sleeping around. This commandment is one of the simplest to understand, because it's so easy for us to see what great harm adultery can cause.... families can be torn apart, hearts can be shattered, and trust can be demolished. It's important that people keep love above lust, and that they can respect their vows of marriage, spouse, and God.
But the Bible also states that if a man looks at a woman lustfully, then he has already committed adultery in his mind. Likewise, if a woman causes a man to look at her lustfully, then she is also at fault.
Though this may seem harsh, it makes sense. Men, obviously, will feel things for women. This is how they were made. However, men should not constantly be obsessed with lusting after females. The easiest way to avoid lust would be to not seek out porn or other sexual images that would make a person feel lust.
But it is not only the fault of men for feeling lust- often it is the fault of women for wearing revealing (or lack of any) clothes. While it is perfectly understandable (and fine :) to look good, looking good doesn't mean that a woman has to wear ridiculously deep shirts or short shorts.
In today's society, lust and love are synonymous. But God wants us to love. And by telling us that we should not commit adultery, He is expressing the importance of love over lust.
Monday, January 19, 2009
The Sixth Commandment
You shall not kill.
In society murder is everywhere. We are told to join the Army- that kills people. We are told that abortion is okay- that kills people. We are told that the death penalty is respectable- that kills people. The very laws that are ingrained into our society tell us that taking a life is perfectly alright. Every day people kill nonchalantly, every day people become immune to the atrocity of death. This is wrong.
Killing is a horrible sin. When you take a life, you take away something that can never be replaced, remade, or replicated. You can't apologize to a person you have killed. You can't imagine how many other lives you have effected. If you cut one thread in the blanket of our interwoven lives, the entire blanket could unravel. You never know.
The vast array of death and destruction in society is much too broad a topic to fill in one post, or even in one book. So I will stick to four main points:
-when it is okay to kill
-abortion
-death penalty
-suicide
When it is okay to kill
Many would probably be astounded if I told them that the Catholic Church allows people to kill in specific circumstances.
But first and foremost, this is a decision that shouldn't be between you and the church or your family or your friends- this is a decision that should be between you and God. If you are in a difficult position, then pray. God will answer you.
With that being said, this is what the Church provides on the subject,
"Unfortunately, it happens that the need to render the aggressor incapable of causing harm sometimes involves taking his life. In this case, the fatal outcome is attributed to the aggressor whose action brought it about, even though he may not be morally responsible because of a lack of use of reason." The Gospel of Life, Encyclical Letter of Pope John Paul II.
So- the Church says that if you need to take a life to defend an innocent or multiple innocent lives, then so be it.
Abortion
A VERY hot topic today. First of all- there are many drastic situations in which abortion is an understandable route. HOWEVER- abortion has gone much too far. It is understandable for a mother to not want a baby because she was a rape victim- it is not understandable for a mother to not want a baby because she just doesn't feel like it. Abortion is the taking of an innocent life that has no ability to defend itself. Abortion is wrong. All citizens of the United States are entitled to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" Aborted babies never enjoy any of these rights. Abortion is causing people to treat children as a problem or inconvenience that should be dealt with as opposed to a life. A child is a blessing, not some plague or tumor to be killed and removed.
In some cases, however, there is legitimate concern for the mother's or the baby's life if the mother chooses to give birth. Everyone has a right to defend their own life. There also is the case of the mother not being able to care for her child.
"Decisions that go against life sometimes arise from difficult or even tragic situations of profound suffering, loneliness, a total lack of economic prospects, depression and anxiety about the future. Such circumstances can mitigate even to a notable degree subjective responsibility and the consequent culpability of those who make these choices which in themselves are evil. But today the problem goes far beyond the necessary recognition of those personal situations." The Gospel of Life, Encyclical Letter of Pope John Paul II.
But for those who can take care of their baby and who don't have the threat of death looming over them, abortion is wrong. It kills.
Death Penalty
This will be short- the death penalty is always wrong when society has the capability to keep offenders from causing more harm. In America, we have ways to jail murderers or otherwise keep them from having access to the means of killing others. Taking a like is not the last resort to protect innocent lives in this case. So killing is not an option.
Suicide
Unless for some reason your death will save the lives of others- suicide is wrong. This includes all types of suicide- self administered, doctor assisted, and pity. Suicide victims often argue that their lives are so horrible that they just can't stand living them anymore. But God only gives us as much pain as we are able to handle. And He is always there with us to help bear that pain. Enduring pain makes us who we are and dealing with pain shapes the people we will become. Not that people have to take ever last measure to extend their lives- it's okay if you don't want to take costly pills just to extend your life for another two months. That's not suicide. But deliberately ending your life is wrong. Suicide is wrong.
God makes all of his commandments for a reason. He knows all. He loves each of us. It may be hard to understand why we can't kill (especially in some cases) but God says we can't. So we can't. But if you look around, there are many reasons thou shall not kill. Maybe we're not suppose to murder because some murderers end up going crazy with guilt. Maybe we're not suppose to have abortions because millions of mothers who go through with abortions regret it. Maybe we're not suppose to commit suicide because many people who kill themselves have last minute regrets- but then it's too late. There are countless reasons we shouldn't kill. But the best one is that God commands us not to.
In society murder is everywhere. We are told to join the Army- that kills people. We are told that abortion is okay- that kills people. We are told that the death penalty is respectable- that kills people. The very laws that are ingrained into our society tell us that taking a life is perfectly alright. Every day people kill nonchalantly, every day people become immune to the atrocity of death. This is wrong.
Killing is a horrible sin. When you take a life, you take away something that can never be replaced, remade, or replicated. You can't apologize to a person you have killed. You can't imagine how many other lives you have effected. If you cut one thread in the blanket of our interwoven lives, the entire blanket could unravel. You never know.
The vast array of death and destruction in society is much too broad a topic to fill in one post, or even in one book. So I will stick to four main points:
-when it is okay to kill
-abortion
-death penalty
-suicide
When it is okay to kill
Many would probably be astounded if I told them that the Catholic Church allows people to kill in specific circumstances.
But first and foremost, this is a decision that shouldn't be between you and the church or your family or your friends- this is a decision that should be between you and God. If you are in a difficult position, then pray. God will answer you.
With that being said, this is what the Church provides on the subject,
"Unfortunately, it happens that the need to render the aggressor incapable of causing harm sometimes involves taking his life. In this case, the fatal outcome is attributed to the aggressor whose action brought it about, even though he may not be morally responsible because of a lack of use of reason." The Gospel of Life, Encyclical Letter of Pope John Paul II.
So- the Church says that if you need to take a life to defend an innocent or multiple innocent lives, then so be it.
Abortion
A VERY hot topic today. First of all- there are many drastic situations in which abortion is an understandable route. HOWEVER- abortion has gone much too far. It is understandable for a mother to not want a baby because she was a rape victim- it is not understandable for a mother to not want a baby because she just doesn't feel like it. Abortion is the taking of an innocent life that has no ability to defend itself. Abortion is wrong. All citizens of the United States are entitled to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" Aborted babies never enjoy any of these rights. Abortion is causing people to treat children as a problem or inconvenience that should be dealt with as opposed to a life. A child is a blessing, not some plague or tumor to be killed and removed.
In some cases, however, there is legitimate concern for the mother's or the baby's life if the mother chooses to give birth. Everyone has a right to defend their own life. There also is the case of the mother not being able to care for her child.
"Decisions that go against life sometimes arise from difficult or even tragic situations of profound suffering, loneliness, a total lack of economic prospects, depression and anxiety about the future. Such circumstances can mitigate even to a notable degree subjective responsibility and the consequent culpability of those who make these choices which in themselves are evil. But today the problem goes far beyond the necessary recognition of those personal situations." The Gospel of Life, Encyclical Letter of Pope John Paul II.
But for those who can take care of their baby and who don't have the threat of death looming over them, abortion is wrong. It kills.
Death Penalty
This will be short- the death penalty is always wrong when society has the capability to keep offenders from causing more harm. In America, we have ways to jail murderers or otherwise keep them from having access to the means of killing others. Taking a like is not the last resort to protect innocent lives in this case. So killing is not an option.
Suicide
Unless for some reason your death will save the lives of others- suicide is wrong. This includes all types of suicide- self administered, doctor assisted, and pity. Suicide victims often argue that their lives are so horrible that they just can't stand living them anymore. But God only gives us as much pain as we are able to handle. And He is always there with us to help bear that pain. Enduring pain makes us who we are and dealing with pain shapes the people we will become. Not that people have to take ever last measure to extend their lives- it's okay if you don't want to take costly pills just to extend your life for another two months. That's not suicide. But deliberately ending your life is wrong. Suicide is wrong.
God makes all of his commandments for a reason. He knows all. He loves each of us. It may be hard to understand why we can't kill (especially in some cases) but God says we can't. So we can't. But if you look around, there are many reasons thou shall not kill. Maybe we're not suppose to murder because some murderers end up going crazy with guilt. Maybe we're not suppose to have abortions because millions of mothers who go through with abortions regret it. Maybe we're not suppose to commit suicide because many people who kill themselves have last minute regrets- but then it's too late. There are countless reasons we shouldn't kill. But the best one is that God commands us not to.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
The Fifth Commandment
You shall honor your father and mother.
Just listen to your parents! They are the ones who brought you into this world, who love you, and who care for you. So listen to them.
Now there is an exception to this rule: if your parents tell you to do something that conflicts with God. So if they tell you to do something you know you aren't suppose to do, or know is against God's other commandments, you don't have to listen to them.
But even if they aren't telling you to do something bad, it's easy to fall into the trap of disobeying parents- you eat that forbidden extra cookie when you're a kid, or say a word like 'stupid' that you aren't suppose to say. And it only gets harder when you're a teenager- the keys are right there but your parents won't let you drive, or you swear like everyone else at school and your parents flip.
And when your parents tell you you have to be back by 11, you start thinking, "Ok, so it's a commandment to obey my parents, but does God really care if I spend an extra hour at John's house?"
No, there is a really good chance God doesn't care how long you spend at John's house. But He does care if you don't obey your parents. I'm sure you can come up with at least five good reasons to listen to your parents without thinking-
-respect
-love
-loyalty
-trust
-they would kill me
You only need one reason though- because God said so. That pretty much trumps everything else.
Just listen to your parents! They are the ones who brought you into this world, who love you, and who care for you. So listen to them.
Now there is an exception to this rule: if your parents tell you to do something that conflicts with God. So if they tell you to do something you know you aren't suppose to do, or know is against God's other commandments, you don't have to listen to them.
But even if they aren't telling you to do something bad, it's easy to fall into the trap of disobeying parents- you eat that forbidden extra cookie when you're a kid, or say a word like 'stupid' that you aren't suppose to say. And it only gets harder when you're a teenager- the keys are right there but your parents won't let you drive, or you swear like everyone else at school and your parents flip.
And when your parents tell you you have to be back by 11, you start thinking, "Ok, so it's a commandment to obey my parents, but does God really care if I spend an extra hour at John's house?"
No, there is a really good chance God doesn't care how long you spend at John's house. But He does care if you don't obey your parents. I'm sure you can come up with at least five good reasons to listen to your parents without thinking-
-respect
-love
-loyalty
-trust
-they would kill me
You only need one reason though- because God said so. That pretty much trumps everything else.
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