Posts Tagged ‘catholic’

The Difference between a “Good Christian” and a “Great Saint”…

Posted: February 11, 2024 by datechguy in catholic
Tags: , ,

Boimler: When I first arrived, I brought expectations of each of you from the future. And not only was that dangerous, it denied the reality of who you are right now. So, I’d like to apologize to you all with a limerick.

Star Trek Strange New Worlds Those old Scientists 2023

A little theology theory today.

There are two things that I have been all my life.

One is a Catholic. At various times I’ve been a better Catholic than at other times but I’ve been consistently Catholic all my life and my study of history, the various Protestant sects and my own lived experience has convinced me of the truth of the faith beyond any doubt.

The second is completely fascinated with human beings. I find ordinary people incredibly interesting. Even the most seemingly dull person has lived a life full of twists and turns that has shaped them for good or ill and simply observing people in their daily lives can give you a real appreciation of what a gift life is. That’s what makes history so interesting to me.

And it’s what we do with that life that makes all the difference.

Applying these observations to Christianity, particularly in the study of history I’ve developed a theory concerning the difference between a good Christian and the great saints. The clue to this is from one of the most standard representatives of Christ and of a Bishop is that of a Shephard who protects his sheep. As Christ himself says:

I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep.

John 10:11-15

Most good Christians are content to be the sheep. They do their best to follow Christ and take correction when they start to go astray. They enjoy the protection of God. This varies from the avoidance of some of the things that the world throws at them to the ability to cope with what can’t be avoided. (old age, death etc) It is often those things that get us over the hump to where we need to be. 

Some Christians however aspire to be more, they aspire to be Sheepdogs, who help the shepherd protect the rest of the flock. They are the ones who eschew the protection that God offers to the sheep and instead take up the sufferings and crosses to help keep the sheep safe. This is what is known as “redemptive suffering”. To use a less ancient example they are the people who ride shotgun and thus risk and endure the bullets and arrows of the world to keep their passengers safe. They also see their own faults more clearly which is why the holiest of people tend to confess more because they see themselves in the light of God’s truth.

Most are not cut out to be sheepdogs, as James says in his letter: 

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you realize that we will be judged more strictly,

James 3:1

Some rise to this occasion and some do not. Those who don’t flee when the world applies pressure. Those are the hired help, that Christ tells of. Those who take position for the sake of position rather than to serve the people of God. James again:

Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show his works by a good life in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.

Wisdom of this kind does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice.

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace.

James 3:13-18

There is nothing wrong with being content to be shepherded by Christ and those in the church who has been designated for this work. If you aspire to more, that’s fine but be ready to leave the security of the flock and face the fangs of the wolves out to devour it. You will have to endure the world as it is and if you do so at the call of Christ you will achieve greatness. If you do so at the call of power and position you will not. I’ll give Jesus the last word on it:

Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion? Otherwise, after laying the foundation and finding himself unable to finish the work the onlookers should laugh at him and say, ‘This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.’

Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down and decide whether with ten thousand troops he can successfully oppose another king advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops? But if not, while he is still far away, he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms.

February Indulgence Calendar (plus Dynasty Baseball League Openings!)

Posted: February 2, 2024 by datechguy in baseball, catholic, catholic devotions, dynasty baseball, fun, gaming, online gaming
Tags: , , , , ,

Two things today.

First if you’re a baseball fan I have openings in two leagues that I hope to have drafts for before the end of this month.

Our 1972 league of Dynasty baseball (162 games) has the following teams available: Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs

Our 1997 league (80 games) has the following teams available ( Seattle Mariners, Houston Astros, Pittsburgh Pirates)

In both leagues you can relocate the franchise you take to a new location if so desired and if the franchise is open.

Contact me in comments if you are interested.

Secondly while it’s a day late here the Indulgence Calendar for February is now available for download here. Be aware if I’m late again on this it will be always be available at the WQPH Web site. 

The regular one

indulgence-calendar-feb-2024Download

And the Blank one

indulgence-calendar-blank-feb-2024Download

Medjugorje and Main Street What Do you Believe?

Posted: January 15, 2024 by datechguy in catholic, catholic devotions
Tags: , , ,

This morning when I woke up I noticed that Medjugorje was trending on twitter likely because one of the bishops that the Vatican under Francis has gone after is going there.

Nobody seems to have a neutral position on Medjugorje either they firmly believe in the apparitions or they don’t. The Vatican has not approved Medjugorje, which does not mean they never will, but they have not denounced it either. Catholic Answers has a pretty good summery of the Church’s position:

In 1985, Mostar-Duvno’s bishop Pavao Zanic determined that the apparitions were not authentic, i.e., not of supernatural origin.

In 1991, the bishops’ conference of Yugoslavia ruled that the supernatural character of the reported apparitions could not be affirmed. This is different than a definitive declaration that there is no supernatural character

No subsequent bishop who has authority over that area has overturned these rulings. As for the Vatican:

The Holy See, consistent with the rulings of the local bishops, has allowed pilgrimages to Medjugorje—and in May 2019 Pope Francis formally authorized them—provided they don’t present the reported apparitions as approved by the Church. The Holy See has also forbidden the faithful from participating in events where the reported seers present their reported apparitions as of supernatural origin (see this for more information).

Those who have experienced conversions—or a deepening of faith—associated with pilgrimage(s) to Medjugorje should know that the validity of their experiences does not hinge upon whether the reported apparitions are declared of supernatural origin. Indeed, the sacraments are valid at Medjugorje, and the Blessed Mother can—and does—fruitfully intercede for those who seek her sincerely, wherever that may be.

Emphasis mine

What it really comes down to in my opinion is this. 

If you are seeking God, if you are praying faithfully, going to confession, receiving the sacraments, reading scripture and loving your neighbor as yourself then you have already found him, even if you don’t realize it.

There is a tendency among people in general and among those in the faith in particular to go “hunting miracles”. It’s not unnatural thing to do. Man always sees awe and wonder in the natural, man made and even the supernatural world. That just human, but to those who chase miracles hoping to find God it me tell you something.

Its been my experience that those chasing miracles are forgetting Elijah in the cave.  The miracles of God are all around us. We just need to learn to notice them amongst the noise of the world and if you stick with prayer and the Sacraments you’ll eventually see what’s been around you all the time.

As for Medjugorje, if it’s not supernatural Christ and Blessed mother will do what they always do, make Lemonade of Lemons and if it is the Vatican will eventually approve it in God’s own good time.

If you want to go there, go ahead, if you want to stay away, that’s fine too just but keep in mind this advice from Christ:

But seek first the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides.

Matthew 6:33

You don’t have to travel half way around the world to seek the kingdom of God. Worry about being a good and faithful Catholic where you are, anything else is just gravy.

Five Jonathan and Jesus Thoughts Under the Fedora: Realty and Success, Previews of Coming attractions, Never Heard of Them, The Great Convention, and the Gilded Cage were celebs die

Posted: January 9, 2024 by datechguy in catholic, entertainment
Tags: , , , , ,
Via Wikipedia commons

Yesterday I talked about the mini-series Jonathan and Jesus today I watched it. Several takeaways from Part 1.

I mentioned in yesterday’s piece that Roumie has credits dating back with 2003. He commented that Harold Ramis told him it takes 20 years to be an overnight sensation and at the time he said that wasn’t going to be him. Reality just is.

I was not familiar with Dallas Jenkins previous short from 2013 Once we were slaves (retitled the two thieves) about St. Dismas on the Cross. Jonathan played Jesus in that short and Jenkins thought it be best film portrayal of Christ in film.

And this was five years before the Chosen.

That’s mysterious ways all over.

One of the things that happens in the 1st episode is that Roumie gets to meet the head of one of his favorite bands: “The Killers’ who are apparently one of the biggest rock bands of the 21st century and have been around for 20 years.

I had never heard of them until that moment.

Boy I’m old.

While in Italy they walk along actual Roman Roads dating back to the time of Christ and before.

Those Roman Roads were the internet of their times. They connected people throughout the empire in a way that was not possible previously because it made travel, trade and communication easier.

Those Roman Roads are one of the greatest single inventions in the history of mankind and it was across those roads that Christianity marched through the empire, at a time of general peace which made it possible.

Just a coincidence I’m sure.

If I had to choose the best moment of part one it was the visit with Alice Cooper who while I heard had converted to Christianity didn’t know that his family had been very Christian and that he came back to the faith late in life. He also talked about how he was told that putting his Christianity into his work would end his career, but of course it did not.

His description of what the price of incredible fame is the single best I’ve ever heard:

Fame is really dangerous, I mean, look what it did to Elvis. Here is a good example. If you take anybody and put him in the biggest mansion on the planet and say: ”You can have anything you want, you can have all the woman, you can have all the drugs, you can have food, you can have anything you want, but you can’t leave the mansion.” that person will find a way to kill themselves because they’ve lost the basic freedom be just to live.  Elvis couldn’t go to the movies. Elvis couldn’t play pool, Elvis couldn’t go out for a drive. He was a prisoner of his own fame. He was that big. Michael Jackson. Everybody that achieved that type of fame died early, because it’s so unnatural.

Of course the most important and true thing he said was: ”It’s your relationship with Christ that is the most important thing no matter what situation you’re in.”

He gets it.

Older Entries
Newer Entries