Some of my children worry about the world and what they can do to “fix everything”. I remind them of the principle of subsidiarity. The parable of the Good Samaritan is the perfect example. The priest and Levite were thinking their thoughts, perhaps not wanting to get involved, perhaps thinking of great struggles or some fine theological point; the Samaritan sees the suffering at his feet and acts to care for that individual. So are we all called to fix those problems closest to us, even if it is cleaning the dishes if your roommate does not. Pick the fight later, or better yet, don’t. Find some other way to make peace, but care for those closest at hand. Do the small thing, do it to the best of your ability, and do it to honor He who made and loves you. St. Therese had it right.
The way I feel closest to God is not only in prayer and mass and communion, but getting to really dark skies and observing the night sky on a clear moonless night. Nothing is so overwhelming and beautiful, and it never fails to awe me and put me in my place. Douglas Adams spoke of the “total perspective vortex”. This is mine. Whenever I get too full of myself, this view is instantly and wonderfully humbling. Seeing the truly breathtaking “dome of the sky” with the Milky Way spilled over it, and all the glories of the night sky that I can find with a scope and maps (paper and digital) is immensely satisfying. Find someone who knows the night sky if you have never had the opportunity. It may change your life. Getting away from the noise of daily life, going to nature, is the cure.
I'm a habitual Pinterest scroller, and something I read there reminded me of what you're saying.
'One day a Tibetan monk walks into a highschool class and writes on the board, "Everyone wants to save the world, but no one will help Mom with the dishes."'
The idea being that we only conceive of grand, outlandish, and often unreachable feats as improving the world and ignore the mundane everyday duties right in front of us, or else fulfill these duties with a sense of drudgery.
As Bob of "Bob's Burger's" said, "I'll do it, but I'm gonna complain the whole time."
I find that my daily challenge is to take joy in the process of everyday chores, not just the end result.
I think that's what much of heaven might be, work that can be viewed as a joy or a drudgery; which is why we will need to become like little children again to enjoy the work of heaven.
Was your picture... the only thing I know about Plato's cave, I know from you, but I always have taken it that even if all we are seeing are shadows of reality, it is the sun providing the light. Or rather the son. I've tried to take this parable on into my parenting so I guess in a way it is possible for humans to supply some of the light or at least to help
others in the cave recognize what they are seeing? Hmmmmm
It’s even worse than that! The puppet masters use an artificial fire, not the light of the sun.
I think Plato’s suggesting that the truths we talk about in the marketplace and the theater are derived from the same substance as the sun (fire/light/truth) but in a smaller, domesticated, and controlled form. Remember that not everyone in the cave is chained to the wall. There are also the puppet masters (sophists? Poets?) who mediate between the outside light and the inside situation. They’re not always wholly evil, just partial and self-interested.
You have once again made me cry with simple and beautiful truth. And now I get to go visit my new grandson, born upon the Solemnity of Corpus Christi! Deo Gratias.
We should live into our faith 24/7 which we pontificate on , not just on Sundays then return to our worldly lives the rest of the time .
Prayer is one way to have a direct connection to the faith and indeed God . also and /or read a chapter of the bible along with a pastors commentary on those passages per day and get involved in your church. Start by logging on to their events schedule & activities outside the usual Sunday service. And take an hour out to get involved .
If you can make time for whole days of sports events spread that time over helping your community as well ,
Some of my children worry about the world and what they can do to “fix everything”. I remind them of the principle of subsidiarity. The parable of the Good Samaritan is the perfect example. The priest and Levite were thinking their thoughts, perhaps not wanting to get involved, perhaps thinking of great struggles or some fine theological point; the Samaritan sees the suffering at his feet and acts to care for that individual. So are we all called to fix those problems closest to us, even if it is cleaning the dishes if your roommate does not. Pick the fight later, or better yet, don’t. Find some other way to make peace, but care for those closest at hand. Do the small thing, do it to the best of your ability, and do it to honor He who made and loves you. St. Therese had it right.
The way I feel closest to God is not only in prayer and mass and communion, but getting to really dark skies and observing the night sky on a clear moonless night. Nothing is so overwhelming and beautiful, and it never fails to awe me and put me in my place. Douglas Adams spoke of the “total perspective vortex”. This is mine. Whenever I get too full of myself, this view is instantly and wonderfully humbling. Seeing the truly breathtaking “dome of the sky” with the Milky Way spilled over it, and all the glories of the night sky that I can find with a scope and maps (paper and digital) is immensely satisfying. Find someone who knows the night sky if you have never had the opportunity. It may change your life. Getting away from the noise of daily life, going to nature, is the cure.
I'm a habitual Pinterest scroller, and something I read there reminded me of what you're saying.
'One day a Tibetan monk walks into a highschool class and writes on the board, "Everyone wants to save the world, but no one will help Mom with the dishes."'
The idea being that we only conceive of grand, outlandish, and often unreachable feats as improving the world and ignore the mundane everyday duties right in front of us, or else fulfill these duties with a sense of drudgery.
As Bob of "Bob's Burger's" said, "I'll do it, but I'm gonna complain the whole time."
I find that my daily challenge is to take joy in the process of everyday chores, not just the end result.
I think that's what much of heaven might be, work that can be viewed as a joy or a drudgery; which is why we will need to become like little children again to enjoy the work of heaven.
I love this comment so much! And I would also say if you do know the night guy.Find somebody who has forgotten it and remind them.
I loved your essay. What perplexed me
Was your picture... the only thing I know about Plato's cave, I know from you, but I always have taken it that even if all we are seeing are shadows of reality, it is the sun providing the light. Or rather the son. I've tried to take this parable on into my parenting so I guess in a way it is possible for humans to supply some of the light or at least to help
others in the cave recognize what they are seeing? Hmmmmm
It’s even worse than that! The puppet masters use an artificial fire, not the light of the sun.
I think Plato’s suggesting that the truths we talk about in the marketplace and the theater are derived from the same substance as the sun (fire/light/truth) but in a smaller, domesticated, and controlled form. Remember that not everyone in the cave is chained to the wall. There are also the puppet masters (sophists? Poets?) who mediate between the outside light and the inside situation. They’re not always wholly evil, just partial and self-interested.
Thank you! I clearly need to go back and listen to a young heretics again. ❤️🙏 it's been awhile.
Well done. A lot here to think on. Thank you.
You have once again made me cry with simple and beautiful truth. And now I get to go visit my new grandson, born upon the Solemnity of Corpus Christi! Deo Gratias.
Congratulations!
We should live into our faith 24/7 which we pontificate on , not just on Sundays then return to our worldly lives the rest of the time .
Prayer is one way to have a direct connection to the faith and indeed God . also and /or read a chapter of the bible along with a pastors commentary on those passages per day and get involved in your church. Start by logging on to their events schedule & activities outside the usual Sunday service. And take an hour out to get involved .
If you can make time for whole days of sports events spread that time over helping your community as well ,